View of Mwani Qatar Grand Terminal from Mina District — Old Doha Port landscape by Nasooh Hassan

The Story

Where the Old Port Became Doha's Most Colorful Quarter

Before the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Doha's old commercial port sat quietly on the Corniche — a working harbour of fishermen and cargo vessels. After four years of transformation, it re-emerged as Mina District: a vibrant waterfront neighbourhood of pastel-painted buildings, cobblestone lanes, and over 50 restaurants, drawing comparisons to Santorini and Mediterranean coastal villages.

"Mina" means harbour in Arabic — and this district wears its maritime heritage in every detail, from the fishing-boat silhouettes in the street art to the world-class fish market at its heart.

The architecture draws from traditional Qatari coastal homes and shipping container aesthetics. The result is a district where heritage and modernity coexist — where you can buy fresh-caught sea bass under a stained-glass ceiling, watch cruise ships dock at the Grand Terminal, and photograph some of the most striking street art in the Gulf.

Street Art

Worldwide Walls — An Open-Air Gallery

Mina District wall art mural — street art at Old Doha Port Qatar by Nasooh Hassan
Mina District Qatar street art — vibrant mural on colorful building by Nasooh Hassan
Wall art mural at Mina District Old Doha Port — Worldwide Walls festival by Nasooh Hassan
Mina District Doha street art photography — colorful mural on building facade by Nasooh Hassan
Street mural at Mina District Qatar — Old Doha Port art installation by Nasooh Hassan
Mina District wall painting — vibrant Qatar street art photography by Nasooh Hassan
Mina District mural art — Worldwide Walls Old Doha Port street art by Nasooh Hassan

The Worldwide Walls street art festival has transformed Mina District into an open-air museum. Photography by @nasooh_hassan

Plan Your Visit

Everything You Need to Know

Your complete practical guide to Mina District at Old Doha Port — entry, transport, dining, parking, and what to see.

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Entry & Hours

FREE Entry — Open 24 Hours
Mina District is free to enter and open 24/7, every day of the week. No tickets needed. Just show up and explore at your own pace.

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Mina District Restaurants

50+ restaurants & cafes including Bayt Al Waldah (Qatari), Bianco Ristorante (Italian), La Mesa (Argentinian), Delord Cafe, 90° Pizza, Al Mandarin, Arabesq Sweets. Waterfront seating with cruise ship and skyline views. Shisha spots and karak tea available.

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Mina District Fish Market

Chabrat Al Mina — a fish market that looks like an art gallery. Stained-glass ceiling, mosaic interiors, zero fishy smell. Fresh salmon, tuna, sea bass, crabs, oysters. Buy fresh or eat at the attached restaurant. Open daily 9AM–6PM (closed Fridays for prayer).

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Mina District Aquarium

The City Gallery at the Grand Cruise Terminal features a floor-to-ceiling aquarium with colorful fish species and interactive marine displays. Free entry. Kids love it.

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Getting There

Metro: Qatar National Museum station (Gold Line) — ~20 min walk. Souq Waqif station also nearby.
Uber/Taxi: ~20 min from Hamad Airport.
Walking: ~10 min from Souq Waqif, ~15 min from MIA Park.

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Mina District Parking

Ample free parking outside the district and at Box Park. Can get crowded on weekends and evenings. Arrive before sunset on Thursdays/Fridays or use ride-hailing.

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Street Art & Photo Spots

The Worldwide Walls festival has covered Mina in vibrant murals. Colorful alleyways, the mosque minaret framed by pastel buildings, and the waterfront promenade are all photographer's paradise. Best light: golden hour and Friday sunrise.

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Mina District at Night

Spectacular after dark. Buildings glow, the Doha skyline and Mwani Qatar terminal light up across the water, and the waterfront cafes buzz. One of the best nighttime experiences in Doha. Container Yard is especially vibrant with its illuminated colored containers.

For Photographers

Qatar's Best-Kept Viewpoint Secret

One thing I love about photographing in Qatar — the city is so thoughtfully designed that single viewpoints give you multiple iconic landmarks. Mina District is a masterclass in this. From its waterfront, you can capture Mwani Qatar's striking terminal, the Doha skyline, dhow boats, the Container Yard, and even glimpse MIA Museum and Al Fanar across the harbour.

Mwani Qatar terminal view from Mina District — Old Doha Port landscape photography by Nasooh Hassan Doha cityscape skyline view from Mina District — landscape photography by Nasooh Hassan

What You Can Capture from Mina District

Mwani Qatar Terminal — the grand port building looks otherworldly at both golden hour and night, lit up like a palace across the water.

Doha Skyline — the West Bay towers stretch across the horizon from the waterfront promenade.

Container Yard — the colorful shipping containers are both an art installation and a nod to the port's commercial heritage.

Dhow Boats & MIA — traditional wooden dhows in the harbour with I.M. Pei's Museum of Islamic Art visible across the bay.

Mosque Minaret — the minaret framed between colorful pastel buildings is one of the most photographed compositions in Mina.

Containers Yard

Port Heritage in Bold Color

Paying homage to Old Doha Port's commercial past, the Containers Yard reimagines shipping containers as art installations, cafes, and cultural spaces.

Container Yard at Mina District Old Doha Port — colorful shipping containers portrait by Nasooh Hassan
Containers Yard Old Doha Port Mina District — industrial art installation portrait by Nasooh Hassan

Insider Tips

From an Architect Who Lives Here

01

Friday Sunrise — The Secret Window

Visit at Friday sunrise for the most peaceful experience. No crowds, no open shops — just you, the colorful buildings, and golden light. Perfect for photography and a meditative walk. Time it with the Fajr prayer and arrive just after.

02

Combine with Souq Waqif & MIA

Mina District is a 10-min walk from Souq Waqif and 15 min from MIA Museum. Do MIA at sunset, walk to Mina for dinner — the most photogenic evening route in Doha.

03

Go at Night

Mina District transforms after dark. The buildings glow, the Mwani terminal lights up across the water, and the restaurants buzz. Thursday and Friday nights have the best energy.

04

Eat at the Fish Market

Chabrat Al Mina is the most beautiful fish market you'll ever see. Buy your catch, hand it to the restaurant next door, and they cook it your way. Arrive before noon for the freshest selection.

05

Photograph the Layers

As an architect, what I love here is the layering of views — colorful buildings in the foreground, the Mwani terminal in the mid-ground, and the Doha skyline on the horizon. Use portrait mode from the alleyways for incredible depth.

06

Park Smart

Parking is free but fills up fast on weekends. Use Box Park parking for overflow. Better yet — Uber from Souq Waqif metro station (QAR 10-15) and walk the waterfront back.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Mina District is at Old Doha Port, along the Doha Corniche in Qatar's capital. It sits adjacent to Flag Plaza, near the Museum of Islamic Art, Souq Waqif, and Al Bidda Park. About 20 minutes from Hamad International Airport by car.

Mina District is a vibrant waterfront neighbourhood transformed from Doha's old commercial port before the 2022 World Cup. It features colorful pastel buildings, 50+ restaurants, 100 retail shops, a stunning fish market (Chabrat Al Mina), street art murals, an aquarium at the Grand Terminal, the Containers Yard, and the Mina Hotel & Residences.

Yes — completely free. Open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Parking is also free. No tickets or reservations needed.

It's spectacular at night. The buildings are beautifully lit, the Doha skyline and Mwani Qatar terminal glow across the water, and the restaurants create a warm, buzzing atmosphere. Thursday and Friday evenings are the liveliest.

Over 50 restaurants including Bayt Al Waldah (Qatari), Bianco Ristorante (Italian), La Mesa (Argentinian), Chabrat Al Mina (seafood market & restaurant), 90° Pizza, Delord Cafe, Al Mandarin, and Arabesq Sweets. Many offer waterfront seating with cruise ship views.

Free parking right outside the district and at Box Park. Can get crowded on weekends and evenings. Arrive early or use Uber/Karwa taxi from Souq Waqif metro station.

The nearest metro stations are Qatar National Museum and Souq Waqif, both on the Gold Line. Each is about 15-20 minutes' walk. A short taxi/Uber from either station costs QAR 10-15.

Chabrat Al Mina is often called the most beautiful fish market in the world. The interior features stained-glass ceilings, mosaic walls, and marble floors — more art gallery than market. Fresh catch daily. Attached restaurant cooks your selection. Open 9AM–6PM, closed Fridays for prayer.

Yes — the City Gallery at the Grand Cruise Terminal has a floor-to-ceiling aquarium with colorful fish and interactive marine life displays. Free entry. LCD panels on the walls project Arabic-inspired patterns.

Mina (ميناء) means harbour or port in Arabic. The name reflects the district's heritage as Doha's original port — a centre of fishing, pearl diving, and maritime trade for generations.

The outdoor areas are open-air (best visited in cooler months Oct–Mar or after sunset). All restaurants, cafes, shops, the fish market, aquarium, and the Grand Terminal are fully air-conditioned.

See More

Follow the Journey

More architectural photography of Qatar's most photogenic places — from Mina District to MIA Museum and beyond.

Follow @nasooh_hassan

Location

Find Mina District

Old Doha Port, Doha Corniche, Qatar — adjacent to Flag Plaza and a short walk from Souq Waqif and MIA Park.

All photography by @nasooh_hassan. A TheBestInQatar.com guide. For prints & licensing — DM on Instagram.

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