Al Rayyan

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Shutterstock
Photo provided by Shutterstock
Al Rayyan
Al Rayyan
Al Rayyan

Once a separate city, this area west of Downtown Doha is now a vital part of Qatar’s cultural and economic expansion efforts.

Al Rayyan’s modern development glitters next to arid desert surroundings. While the municipality extends to Qatar’s western coast, most of its attractions are near Doha. Arrange accommodations here or simply visit to enjoy Al Rayyan’s many educational, cultural, recreational and shopping sites.

Visit Education City where you’ll find beautiful campuses for the Qatar satellites of Virginia Commonwealth, Georgetown, Carnegie Mellon, Texas A&M, Northwestern, UCL and Weill Cornell Medicine universities as well as Qatar’s Hamid Bin Khalifa. Look for the extraordinary architecture of the Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies and the tall curved minarets of the Education City Mosque.

Additional modern architecture is on display at the Qatar National Library and Qatar National Convention Centre. Outside Sidra Medicine, study the Miraculous Journey, 14 sculptures documenting the path to human birth. Find more artwork inside this hospital for women and children. Head west to browse among 15,000 artifacts of Islamic art and Qatar heritage at the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum.

The area has excellent recreational facilities, including sites built for the FIFA 2022 World Cup soccer competition. Look for the impressive Al Rayyan Stadium, Education City Stadium and Khalifa International Stadium, which show Qatar’s dedication to promoting sports.

Aspire Tower, now a five-star hotel, resembles an Olympic torch and held the flame for the 2006 Asian Games.

Aspire Park, Oxygen Park, Education City Golf Club and Al Shaqab Equestrian Center support varied recreational pursuits.

Al Rayyan’s shopping opportunities offer wide choices, not only for boutique, international and luxury retail brands, but also for entertainment. Shop at the Italian-themed Villagio and take a break for a gondola canal ride. Doha Festival City has great shopping as well as wintry play at the Snow Dunes activity area. KidzMondo theme park at Mall of Qatar offers hours of edutainment play for kids while parents enjoy retail delights at the mall.

Travel to Al Rayyan by car in about 20 minutes from Downtown Doha or 30 minutes from the airport. Buses also serve the area.

Where to stay in Al Rayyan

Qatar National Library

Education City

If you're spending time in Education City, check out sights like Qatar National Library or Al Shaqab Equestrian Center and hop on the metro to see more the city at Qatar Academy - East Tram Stop or Ceremonial Gate Tram Stop.

Education City
Default Image

Al Wajba

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Al Wajba and surrounding area, you can visit Aspire Park and Aspire Zone.

Al Wajba
Oryx Airport Hotel

Oryx Airport Hotel

3.5 out of 5
Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar
The price is $318 total per night from Nov 20 to Nov 21
$318 total
per night
Nov 20 - Nov 21
Stay at this 3.5-star spa hotel in Doha. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 16 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,220 reviews)
"Very clean room and incredibly convenient for our long layover at Doha airport. I wish they didn’t give out small shampoo bottles; waste of plastic."

Reviewed on Oct 19, 2025

Oryx Airport Hotel
Steigenberger Hotel Doha

Steigenberger Hotel Doha

5 out of 5
Al Matar Street, Plot. No. 9, Street No. 850, Area No. 26, Doha
The price is $111 total per night from Oct 23 to Oct 24
$111 total
per night
Oct 23 - Oct 24
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Doha. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (445 reviews)
"Property was really nice, very clean and staff were amazing. Location was sort of in the ghetto and the breakfast buffet was very limited"

Reviewed on Oct 10, 2025

Steigenberger Hotel Doha
Radisson Blu Hotel Doha

Radisson Blu Hotel Doha

5 out of 5
Salwa Road and C Ring Road, Bin Mahmoud Area, Doha
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $89 total per night from Oct 29 to Oct 30
$89 total
per night
Oct 29 - Oct 30
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Doha. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 9 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,021 reviews)
"Incredible service and attention to detail at the Radisson Blu in Doha"

Reviewed on Oct 16, 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel Doha
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Steigenberger Residence Doha

Steigenberger Residence Doha

5 out of 5
Ibn Muawiya St, Doha
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Doha. Enjoy a full-service spa, 3 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (91 reviews)
"We really enjoyed our stay at Steigenberger Residences. It was our second time staying and already planning our next. The location is great only 10 mins away from major attractions like Souq Waqif and Islamic Museum. The staff were great, especially Achref and Soltane who were so attentive and helpful. ..."

Reviewed on Sep 4, 2025

Steigenberger Residence Doha
Ivory Inn Hotel Doha

Ivory Inn Hotel Doha

4 out of 5
Al Dhiyaa St, Doha, Doha
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Doha. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Souq Waqif Art Center and Souq Waqif are ...
6.2/10 (23 reviews)
"The reception staff were very nice and supportive throughout my stay. Their warm and helpful attitude made a great impression.""

Reviewed on Aug 7, 2025

Ivory Inn Hotel Doha
Royal Mirage Hotel and Apartments

Royal Mirage Hotel and Apartments

3.5 out of 5
treet 850 Building 7, Doha, Doha
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Doha. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Souq Waqif Art Center and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (49 reviews)
"The property and staff were great. I wish they had a pool and provided more utensils and toilet paper"

Reviewed on Oct 13, 2025

Royal Mirage Hotel and Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Al Rayyan

3.4
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
3
5 - Excellent 43%
4 - Good
0
4 - Good 0%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 14%
2 - Disappointing
3
2 - Disappointing 43%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler

Not much there for now More to come I’m sure

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler

Noisy hotel You can hear you naibor crying baby's You will hear noises from a construction out AC was turning from Cold to Extreamly hot in the same time all the time. The bed is as hard as your floor covered with a nilon bed sheet.

Cities near Al Rayyan

Explore a world of travel with Expedia