Al Bidda Park, Doha

Overview

Al Bidda Park is the big green space that runs along the western end of the Doha Corniche, between the Qatar National Theatre, the Fire Station arts centre and the government district. At around 170 hectares it is one of the largest parks in the city, and after hosting the International Horticultural Expo 2023 it has become Doha’s main everyday park for walking, cycling, picnics and play.

Most visitors pass it on the Corniche without realising how far it stretches inland. The park is split into three connected zones, Al Bidda, Al Rumailah (also spelt Arumailah) and Wadi Al Sail, each with a slightly different feel: formal gardens and lawns in one, playgrounds and heritage buildings in another, wilder planting and open space in the third. Bridges and long paths link them, so you can spend a morning moving from one to the next.

It suits almost everyone. Runners and cyclists come for the long dedicated tracks, families for the playgrounds and barbecue areas, dog owners because it is one of the few parks in Qatar where dogs on a lead are welcome, and visitors staying in West Bay or the city centre because it is an easy, free escape from the traffic. This guide explains how the zones fit together, where to park, when to go, and what is left from the Expo.

History and background

The park takes its name from Al Bidda, the settlement that stood on this stretch of coast before modern Doha existed. In the 19th century Al Bidda was described by British officials as the main trading port on the Qatar peninsula, and it was the base of Sheikh Mohammed bin Thani, who settled there in the late 1840s. Doha grew up next to it, and by the early 20th century the two had merged into a single town. The name survives in the park, the metro station and the surrounding district.

The park itself dates from the 1990s, when it was known as Al Rumailah Park (often written Rumeilah). For years it hosted heritage villages, craft displays and festivals, and older residents still remember traditional wind-tower buildings and handicraft stalls in the Rumeilah section. It closed for a major redevelopment in November 2014 and reopened on Qatar’s National Sport Day in February 2018 under the Al Bidda name, with new sports courts, cycling and running tracks, playgrounds, barbecue areas and a very large underground car park. At the reopening it was promoted as Qatar’s first pet-friendly park.

Its biggest moment came with Expo 2023 Doha, the International Horticultural Expo, which ran in the park from 2 October 2023 to 28 March 2024 under the theme “Green Desert, Better Environment”. It was the first A1 horticultural expo held in the Middle East and North Africa and the first in an arid climate. The organisers of the Bureau International des Expositions reported more than 4.2 million visits over 179 days, with country pavilions and gardens spread across International, Family and Cultural zones.

When the Expo closed, most temporary pavilions were removed and the site returned to public use as a park. Two permanent legacy buildings were announced: the Qatar Pavilion, which is used by the park’s management, and the Expo House beside the Fire Station, handed to Qatar Museums. The Dadu Gardens, an outdoor garden for young children run by the Dadu Children’s Museum of Qatar, also sits in the former Expo area; it opened during the Expo and has since reopened as a permanent feature of the park.

What to see and do

1. Cycle or run the long tracks

   Al Bidda has some of the longest continuous traffic-free cycling and running paths in central Doha. Separate lanes for bikes and for walkers and runners wind through all three zones, so you can build a proper workout without repeating a short loop. Cyclists must stay in the marked cycle lanes. If you don’t have a bike, the park lists a rental operator (Berg Arabia) with points inside the park; check prices and hours on the park website before relying on it.

2. Take the children to the playgrounds

   The park lists eight playground areas, spread across the zones, with climbing frames, swings, sandpits and zip lines. The Rumailah side has long been the favourite for families with younger children. Playgrounds are unfenced in places and busy on winter weekends, so adult supervision is expected.

3. Visit the Dadu Gardens

   In the former Expo area, the Dadu Gardens are an outdoor learning garden created by Qatar’s children’s museum for under-12s, with an edible garden, water play, a mud kitchen, an amphitheatre and hands-on activities about plants and recycling. Qatar Museums has said the main Dadu Children’s Museum building will open in 2026, so check whether it has opened when you visit. Entry rules require adults to come with a child and children to come with an adult.

4. Book a barbecue or a gazebo

   Fixed barbecue grills and gazebos can be booked in advance through the park, and only the fixed grills may be used; you can’t bring your own barbecue. A booked grill on a cool winter evening, with the Corniche lights coming on beyond the palms, is one of the best-value outings in Doha for a group.

5. Play sport

   There are courts and pitches for basketball, volleyball, tennis and football, plus outdoor gym equipment. Facilities must be booked in advance through the park’s app or website, and fees apply for some of them. Early mornings are the quietest time for courts.

6. Walk the dog

   Well-behaved dogs are allowed on a short lead, and you must clean up after them straight away. The park also lists a dog park operator inside the grounds. For many dog owners in Doha this is the only large green space where they can walk with their pet legally and comfortably.

7. Look for the Expo legacy

   Much of the Expo site has been returned to open parkland, but you can still see its imprint in the planting, pathways and the permanent Qatar Pavilion. The Expo House, a semicircular building wrapped in greenery beside the Fire Station, was handed to Qatar Museums for sustainability education; its access depends on Qatar Museums’ programme, so check before planning a visit around it.

How to get there

By metro: Al Bidda station is an interchange on the Red and Green lines of the Doha Metro and sits right by the park. It is the easiest way in, especially on busy winter weekends.

By car: The park lies along the Corniche between West Bay and the Amiri Diwan area, reached from Corniche Street and the roads behind the National Theatre. From West Bay it is under 10 minutes’ drive; from Souq Waqif about the same. Any car will do.

Parking: Six underground car parks sit around the edge of the park. Visit Qatar lists fees from QAR 2 for one hour up to QAR 70 for a full day. Driving inside the park is not allowed without a vehicle access permit, which must be requested from the park at least 48 hours in advance (72 hours for weekends).

By bus or taxi: Karwa buses along the Corniche stop nearby, and Uber, Careem and Karwa taxis can drop you on Corniche Street or at the National Theatre.

Best time to visit

November to March is the park’s season, with mild days, cool evenings and the grass at its greenest. October and April are good early and late in the day. In summer, keep to the hour after dawn or after dark, when runners and cyclists still use the tracks.

The park opens very early (the official site lists 4am to midnight daily, with possible changes in summer and on public holidays). Mornings are quiet and ideal for exercise. Late afternoon and evening are social, especially on Friday and Saturday when families arrive with picnics. Big events, national holidays and festivals can fill the car parks, so use the metro on those days.

Tips for your visit

• Take the metro when it’s busy. Al Bidda station is next to the park and saves you queuing for underground parking on winter weekends.
• Book in advance. Barbecue grills, gazebos and sports courts all need a booking through the park’s app or website.
• Leave the drone at home. Drones are not permitted in the park.
• Don’t smoke. Smoking, including e-cigarettes and shisha, is banned throughout the park.
• Keep dogs on a short lead. Dogs are welcome, but they must be leashed and cleaned up after.
• Know which zone you want. The park is big. Decide whether you’re heading for playgrounds, tracks or picnic lawns and park at the nearest car park.
• Ask before a professional shoot. Casual photos are fine, but professional photography needs a permit from the park.
• Carry water. There are cafés in the park, but they can be a long walk away from where you are.

What to bring

• Water and snacks
• A picnic blanket
• Trainers or your bike and helmet
• Sun protection for daytime visits
• A lead and bags if you bring a dog
• Your booking confirmation if you’ve reserved a grill or court

Combine it with nearby places

Fire Station. The former civil defence headquarters beside the park is now an artist-in-residence space with exhibitions, a café and a shop, run by Qatar Museums. It is a short walk away.

Doha Corniche. The 7 km waterfront promenade starts at the park’s edge. Walk it towards the Museum of Islamic Art, or take in the view of West Bay across the bay.

Museum of Islamic Art and MIA Park. At the other end of the Corniche, a short drive or metro ride away, pair a park morning with the museum’s world-class collection.

Souq Waqif. About ten minutes by car, or by metro via Msheireb (change to the Gold Line for Souq Waqif station), the old market is the natural place for dinner after a day in the park.

Msheireb Museums. The four restored heritage houses in Msheireb Downtown Doha tell the story of the city’s 20th-century transformation. See our Msheireb Museums guide.

Frequently asked questions

Last checked October 2026. Hours, fees and access can change, so confirm with the official source before you go.