Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum

Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani spent decades collecting and built a fort-like complex on his farm northwest of Doha to hold it, and the result runs to tens of thousands of objects across Islamic art, manuscripts, coins, carpets, furniture, weapons, fossils and around six hundred vehicles. The scale is the point: it is one man's collecting rather than a curated selection, and the range is enormous.

What you actually see

• The vehicle collection - around six hundred cars, including early and unusual models.
• The Islamic art and manuscripts - the collection's oldest and most valuable material.
• The scale - tens of thousands of objects across every category.
• The fort building - a purpose-built complex in the desert holding it all.

When to go

November to March is the comfortable season for the drive and the outdoor sections. The museum keeps set hours and closes on some days. Booking ahead is advised.

Honest expectations

The scale is overwhelming and the labelling is thin in places. It is a private collection rather than a curated museum. Getting there needs a car and takes around forty minutes each way.

Nearby

Al Shahaniya is west, and Doha is southeast.