If you have a layover at Hamad International Airport, you may be wondering about the most practical things to do at Doha Airport while you wait for your next flight. Doha is a major global transit hub, operating around the clock, and the terminal is large, modern, and consistently busy. Whether your layover is a few hours or overnight, knowing what’s realistically available can help you decide whether to eat, rest, explore, or simply pass the time more comfortably. After the inevitable photo with the giant Lamp Bear, here are some genuinely useful ways to spend a layover at Doha Airport.
1. Grab a bite to eat
Food is one of Doha Airport’s stronger points, with a wide mix of Middle Eastern, regional, and international options spread throughout the terminal. Travellers looking to sample local flavours can try Arabic and Gulf-inspired dishes such as shawarma, grilled meats, mezze, and flatbreads, along with pastries and sweets that reflect regional tastes. Cafés serving dates, baklava-style desserts, and Arabic coffee offer a quick introduction to local food culture without leaving the airport.
For sit-down meals, restaurants like Emporio Armani Ristorante or Gordon Ramsay Burger are popular for longer layovers and offer a quieter, more relaxed break from the concourses. If you’re short on time, takeaway counters and familiar chains such as Burger King, KFC, and Illy Coffee make it easy to grab something quick and predictable before your next flight.
2. Lounge
Airport lounges are not limited to premium-class passengers. Several lounges at Doha Airport offer paid access to any traveller, regardless of airline or ticket class. Entry can be arranged by pre-booking online, using a lounge membership program, or paying at the door, depending on availability. Lounge access typically includes seating away from the main terminal, food and drinks, showers, and quieter surroundings. Full details are available in our Doha Airport Guide.
3. Tour Doha
If your layover is long enough and you meet entry requirements, it may be possible to leave the airport and see part of the city. In the past, Qatar Airways has partnered with local tourism authorities to offer guided transit tours for eligible passengers, with stops often including the Museum of Islamic Art, Katara Cultural Village, and Souq Waqif. These tours are designed to fit within a layover window and return travellers to the airport in time for onward flights.
Availability, schedules, and eligibility requirements can change, so travellers should confirm current options at the Discover Qatar desk inside the terminal before committing. If organised tours are not available, independent trips into the city are possible for those with sufficient time, though travellers should factor in immigration formalities, traffic, and the need to return well before departure. Visit Tripadvisor for more things to do in Doha.
5. Shop
Shopping is a major feature at Doha Airport, and many travellers find the terminal feels more like a luxury mall than a typical transit space. Alongside convenience stores and travel essentials, the duty-free area carries perfumes, cosmetics, electronics, jewellery, and a wide range of international fashion brands.
Travellers looking for locally inspired gifts can browse shops offering dates, sweets, chocolates, and souvenirs that reflect Qatari and regional culture. Stores such as Chocology focus on premium chocolates and gift items, which are popular as easy take-home treats. Even if you don’t plan to buy much, browsing the duty-free area is an easy way to pass time during a long layover.
6. Shower
If a shower would make your layover more comfortable, facilities are available through some airport lounges, as well as at the fitness and wellness centre connected to the airport’s transit hotel near the Lamp Bear. Access generally involves a fee or lounge entry, but it can be a welcome break after a long flight.
7. Take in the art
Art is woven throughout Doha Airport, with large-scale installations and curated displays positioned across the terminal. The most famous piece is the oversized Lamp Bear sculpture near the centre of the airport, but travellers will also notice rotating exhibitions and permanent works placed along walkways and near gates. These displays are part of a broader cultural initiative supported by Qatar Museums, bringing museum-quality art into the airport environment.
For tired travellers, the artwork provides something visual and calming to engage with while walking between gates or waiting for boarding, without requiring extra time or effort.
8. Hit the gym or spa
Travellers with longer layovers can access fitness and wellness facilities at the Vitality Wellbeing & Fitness Centre, located near the airport’s transit hotel close to the Lamp Bear. Facilities include a gym, swimming pool, hydrotherapy tub, squash courts, and shower access, making it possible to exercise or freshen up between flights. Spa treatments such as massages may also be available for an additional fee.
While not a budget option, these facilities can be appealing for travellers who want a physical reset during a long journey, especially before an onward long-haul flight.
9. Stay connected
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal and is generally reliable for messaging, browsing, and streaming. In the past, public computer stations were available in parts of the airport, though travellers should not rely on their availability and may want to bring their own device.
10. Get some sleep
Many travellers use long layovers at Doha Airport to rest, especially when arriving from or heading to a distant time zone. While the terminal is clean and well maintained, it remains a busy, brightly lit space, and noise can be an issue at any hour. Seating is plentiful, but most chairs have armrests, which limits comfort for stretching out. Some quieter areas, including family zones and prayer rooms, may offer more comfortable seating, though they are not always truly quiet and are often separated by gender. Blankets, eye masks, and earplugs can make a big difference.
For more privacy, the Oryx Airport Hotel is located inside the secure transit area near the Lamp Bear, with rooms bookable for short stays or overnight. Sleep ’n Fly cabins are another option for travellers who want a dedicated sleeping space without leaving the terminal. Details are available in our Doha Airport Guide.
Updated January 14, 2026
These are just a few things to do on a layover at Doha Airport. Visit our Doha Airport Guide for more information about services and facilities, such as food, WiFi, mobile charging, luggage storage, nearby airport hotels, and much more.