How Does Sunday & Holiday Hours Work in Qatar?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Middle East
1The Quick Answer
Qatar's weekend is Friday–Saturday; most malls and tourist venues are open seven days a week, but prayer times cause brief closures and Ramadan dramatically shifts all hours.
2What You Need to Know
Qatar operates on a Friday–Saturday weekend, with Thursday evening being particularly busy for leisure. Government offices are closed on weekends. Malls, restaurants, and most tourist services operate seven days a week, typically 10am to 10pm on weekdays and until midnight or beyond on weekends. Friday prayers (around 11:30am–1:30pm) cause short temporary closures at small independent shops. During Ramadan, restaurants and cafes close entirely during daylight hours, business hours shift to evenings, and the entire rhythm of the country changes. Qatar National Day (December 18) sees widespread closures and major public celebrations.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Plan shopping trips to traditional souqs for after Friday prayers — usually open again by 2pm
- 2During Ramadan, head to hotel restaurants for daytime meals as most independent restaurants will be closed
- 3Qatar National Day on December 18 is a festive time to visit but expect crowds and some service disruptions
Important Warning
During Ramadan, eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours is illegal for everyone — including non-Muslim tourists. Use hotel restaurants or eat discreetly indoors.
How does this compare?
Sunday & Holiday Hours rules in nearby and similar countries:
The UAE weekend is Saturday–Sunday. Businesses close on Friday for prayers. Malls are open 7 days a week. Ramadan significantly changes all hours.
Friday is the holy day in Egypt — many businesses close Friday morning, and the work week officially runs Sunday to Thursday.
Friday is Morocco's holy day with mosque attendance and partial business closures at midday, while souks follow their own complex weekly schedules.
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