Best Time to Visit Doha

November to March: the sweet spot

This is when Doha works best. Days are warm but not heavy, and evenings are cool enough to walk the Corniche, the curved waterfront promenade, without feeling sticky. January is the coolest month, with highs of 22°C and lows of 14°C. You might want a light jacket after dark, especially near the water.

It's also the high season. Hotels fill up and prices rise, so you'll share Souq Waqif, the old market with spice stalls and cafés, with plenty of other people. Rain is rare, but a short shower in November or January can happen. It's usually over fast.

Qatar National Day on 18 December brings parades and flags along the Corniche. In recent years Doha has also hosted the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, usually in the autumn or early winter. The dates move around, so check them before you book flights. If you like museums, the Museum of Islamic Art and the National Museum of Qatar are good any time, but you'll enjoy the walk between them more in winter.

April and October: the shoulder months

April reaches 34°C and October 36°C. That's hot, but it's manageable if you plan around it. Do your outdoor sightseeing in the morning, then head into a mall or museum for the afternoon. Humidity is lower in April than in winter, so it feels drier. Crowds are thinner and hotel rates are often softer.

Travelling with kids? These months can work if your days are built around indoor stops and a late swim.

May to September: the heat

Be honest with yourself about this one. Highs run from 39°C in May to 43°C in both July and August, and nights stay around 29°C to 31°C in midsummer. It almost never rains. The sun is out for ten hours or more a day.

Most people stay indoors from late morning until sunset. Life moves to air-conditioned malls, restaurants and the Katara Cultural Village after dark. This is low season, so flights and rooms are cheaper, and attractions are quiet. If you can handle the heat and want a city break with few crowds, it's possible. Just don't plan a desert trip to the dunes at Sealine in the middle of the day. Go near sunset instead, when it's far more comfortable.