Museum of
Islamic Art

In Qatar, MIA stands for the Museum of Islamic Art (Arabic: متحف الفن الإسلامي). It is Qatar's premier cultural institution on a purpose-built island at the end of the Doha Corniche, housing one of the most comprehensive collections of Islamic art in the world — spanning 1,400 years across three continents.

Yes — entry is completely free for all Qatar residents (QID holders). Non-residents pay QAR 50 for adults and QAR 25 for students. Children under 16 enter free regardless of residency. You still need to book a timed ticket online even for free entry.

Saturday to Wednesday: 9AM–7PM. Thursday: 9AM–9PM. Friday: 1:30PM–7PM. Closed on Tuesdays. Last admission 30 minutes before closing. Hours may change during Ramadan and public holidays — always check the official MIA website.

The nearest metro station is Qatar National Museum on the Gold Line. From there, it's about a 15-minute walk along the waterfront. Metro fare is QAR 2 per journey (Standard), max QAR 6/day. A free Qatar Museums shuttle bus also connects NMoQ, MIA, and Al Riwaq daily.

Yes — covered parking is accessible off Al Corniche Street. Spaces are limited and fill quickly on weekends. During major MIA Park events, parking may close. From the car park, it's a 10-minute walk through MIA Park to the museum, or you can take a free golf buggy. For the park specifically, the same parking area serves both MIA and MIA Park.

MIA Park spans 62 acres and is open 24 hours, free entry. It features Richard Serra's '7' steel sculpture, playgrounds for three age groups, MIA Park Cafe and Voute Cafe with skyline views, food trucks, bicycle rentals, kayaking tours, a botanical garden, Flag Plaza, and a 1km crescent promenade overlooking West Bay. The Bazaar runs Fri & Sat from September to April.

Yes, multiple options. MIA Café is inside the museum atrium with panoramic Doha Bay views. MIA Park Cafe and Voute Cafe are at the far end of the park with outdoor seating and stunning skyline views. Food trucks line the bay during cooler months. IDAM by Alain Ducasse on the 5th floor offers haute cuisine. Picnic baskets are also available for QAR 50.

I.M. Pei (1917–2019), the Chinese-American Pritzker Prize-winning architect famous for the Louvre Pyramid in Paris. At age 91, he came out of retirement for MIA — his last major commission. He was inspired by the Sabil (ablution fountain) in Cairo's 9th-century Mosque of Ahmad Ibn Tulun.

Thursday evening is ideal — the museum stays open until 9PM so you experience sunset both inside the galleries and from MIA Park. For fewer crowds, visit weekday mornings. Avoid Friday & Saturday afternoons when parking fills and the Bazaar draws large crowds. The cooler months (October–March) are best for enjoying MIA Park outdoors.

Yes, and it's highly recommended. A free Qatar Museums shuttle connects them daily. Both are free for residents. Book timed tickets for both in advance with staggered slots. The nearest metro station (Qatar National Museum, Gold Line) serves both locations. Allow about 2–3 hours per museum.

MIA is approximately 15 minutes by car/Uber from Hamad International Airport. With a 6+ hour layover, you can comfortably visit MIA and grab coffee at the park. Taxis are available at the airport, and Uber works well in Qatar. Book your museum ticket online before you land.

Absolutely — MIA is Doha's most photogenic location. Top spots: the entrance bridge with the museum framed against the sky, the Western courtyard for skyline views, Richard Serra's '7' sculpture at the end of the promenade, and the interior atrium looking up at the geometric dome. Sunset (especially Thursdays) is the magic hour.