Qatar travel guide
Qatar Tourism | Qatar Guide
You're Going to Love Qatar
Qatar is a country that provides a stark contrast between the traditions of life in the desert and the increasingly modern way of life, with its upmarket restaurants and the 21st-century architecture and buildings.
What to do in Qatar
1. Take a Tour to Khor Al Adaid
In the south-east of Qatar is Khor Al Adaid, which is an inland sea in the middle of the desert. This lake, with its remarkable scenery is not accessible by road and visitors will need to take 4x4s to cross the desert dunes.
2. Visit Doha Fort
Also known as Al Koot Fort, this is situated on the site of Doha Old Town and is in the middle of Souq Waqif. Originally built in 1880 as a police station, it was renovated in 1927 and has now been converted into a museum that houses displays of life in Qatar.
3. Go to Dukhan Beach
Situated an hour's drive from Doha, this is one of the most popular beaches in Qatar as it is good for snorkeling and the shallow beach makes it a good location for families.
4. Explore the Museum of Islamic Art
Wander through exhibitions showing 1,400 years' worth of Islamic art from three different continents and learn about the artists and artwork over the centuries.
5. Visit Souq Waqif
At the heart of Doha lies Souq Waqif, with the smells of incense and spices, bright colors and the sound of stall keepers bargaining. This souq has been refurbished but has managed to maintain its traditions.
When to visit Qatar
With its desert climate, the best time to visit Qatar is in the winter months of November to March when the daytime temperatures are, on average, around 75°F and nighttime temperatures can drop to as low as 57°F.
How to Get to Qatar
Entry requirements
Travelers from the European Union are not required to carry a visa to visit Qatar. However, US citizens can get a visa upon entry to the country. The passport needs to be valid for six months and has to have two blank pages for stamps, with the visa valid for a period of 30 days. You are required to hold a return or onward ticket.
Plane
Hamad International Airport in Doha is the only airport in Qatar and receives flights operated by the national carrier, Qatar Airways as well as airlines such as Iberia Airlines, Finnair and Latam Airlines.
Boat
Although most boat traffic to Qatar is commercial, cruise line companies, such as MSC, have Qatar on their itineraries around the Gulf.
Popular airports in Qatar
Popular airlines serving Qatar
Where to stay in Qatar
Qatar has accommodation ranging from elaborate 5-star hotels run by international chains, such as the Hilton and W, to slightly smaller hotels in the Souq Waqif area in Doha. This area is home to several boutique hotels, which are also in the luxury bracket. It is best to stay in Doha or along the West Beach area.
Where to stay in popular areas of Qatar
Most booked hotels in Qatar
How to Get Around Qatar
Public Transportation
The public transport network in Qatar is owned by a government company that owns all the bus and taxi/limousine services within the city of Doha and beyond. Taxis are the main form of public transport used in Doha and it is suggested that fees are to be agreed upon in advance.
Bus
The bus company is run by the government and provides connections within Doha. Fares run about 4 QAR (1.10 USD) in the city while traveling to the outskirts can cost up to 9 QAR (2.50 USD), depending on the distance traveled.
Car
Car rental companies, such as Avis and Hertz, exist at the airport in Doha and you can rent a car to explore Qatar on your own. The road network is good and constantly being upgraded, but traffic can be quite congested, especially around Doha.
The Cost of Living in Qatar
Credit cards are accepted throughout Qatar and ATMs are situated throughout the country, although there may not be as many outside Doha. A gallon of milk and a dozen eggs will cost around 34 QAR (9.30 USD) in a grocery store and eating out will cost around 25 QAR (6.80 USD) per person in a local inexpensive restaurant.