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Qatar Travel Guide

The latest travel Information on Qatar, includes ideas on Things to See and Do, Local Events, Consulate & Embassy Contact Addresses and much more, all from a first-time visitors point of view.

Qatar Information

Overview

Forget the 20th-century stereotype of a rich Arab Gulf state, of hastily thrown up tower blocks, chaotic streets and bafflingly tacky urban sculpture: Qatar - or at least the capital, Doha - has metamorphosed into a self-confident, elegant entrepôt that gives the UAE a run for its money.

Occupying a flat peninsula jutting into the oil-rich waters of The Gulf, Qatar is one of the richest per capita countries in the world - a wealth exhibited in high-profile projects, such as the new Museum of Islamic Art, built to house the largest such collection in the world.

With 50% of Qatar’s population living in the capital, the country is a virtual city state. But for those not content with jogging around Doha’s fine corniche, a string of beaches beckon for rest and recuperation, and the magnificent dunes of Khor al-Adaid help even up the odds between God and Mammon.

Top Things To See

Be one of the first to step inside the newly completed Museum of Islamic Art, opening spring 2008; designed by the renowned architect IM Pei, the keep-like exterior, with its postmodern windows and virtual moat, is in itself worth a visit.

Visit the Qatar National Museum (website: www.qnm.8m.com/main.htm), housed in Fariq al-Salata Palace. Although under renovation for several years, the site remains a fine example of traditional architecture.

Before you dive into Souq Waqif, take a look at Doha Fort; built in the 19th century by the occupying Turks, it has been used as a prison and a stamp museum among other things.

Watch the construction of two important additions to the cultural life of Doha: a photography museum with retractable roof and a national library built on two giant pillars, aimed at crowning Qatar as Capital of Arab Culture by 2010.

Take a pair of binoculars to Al-Shahaniya , near Doha, and pick a winner at the race track; known as the ’sport of sheikhs’, camel racing continues to be an important part of Qatar’s heritage.

Book an overnight tour to Khor al-Adaid and find your own superlatives for sunset and sunrise over Qatar’s inland sea; access to this area of salt-flats and sand dunes is by 4-wheel drive, and tour prices include barbeque and camping.

Hire a car and see the ’other side’ of Qatar: the pleasant fishing towns of Al-Khor and Al-Zubara were once important for the pearling industry, while Umm Salal Mohammed and Umm Salal Ali hint at a more ancient past.

If you are half-crazed for the sight of a hill, head for Bir Zekreet; the surrounding escarpment doesn’t boast much in the way of altitude but it does offer an interesting lesson in wind-blown desert formations.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Top Things To Do

Jog along the magnificent crescent-mooned corniche to fully appreciate Doha’s gleaming modern skyscape and colourful beds of petunias; go early morning or at sunset to catch the cosmopolitan company of Doha’s inhabitants.

Try your bartering skills on the vendors in Souq Waqif; with a nose for a bargain you can find antique plates from China, prayer beads of amber, leather-tipped camel sticks and aromatic chests of cardamom from India.

Sip mint tea at one of the many coffeeshops around the souq and try a croak on a sheesha: don’t be fooled by the innocent-sounding flavours of apple, peach and strawberry - these splendid waterpipes have a high tobacco content.

Sample the delicacies of the sea at one of Doha’s many fish restaurants; after ginger squid on skewers, steaks of king fish, and white-flaked hamour wrapped in bananas leaves, you’ll never look at a tin of tuna again.

Paddle in the shallows, or lounge in a spa at one of Qatar’s growing number of resorts; for those wanting a bit of history with their sun-downer, try the pyramid-shaped Sheraton, the grande dame on Doha’s skyline.

Cruise into the sunset on a dhow boat ride around Doha Bay; these characterful hand-made vessels creek and groan with each gentle wave but, as the traditional Arab fishing vessel, they know all about braving high waters.

Play a round or two at the Doha Golf Club and be in the company of the greats; the Qatar Masters in March is an important event on the international circuit.

Tackle a sand dune on sand-skis, a quad-bike or plain Shank’s pony in the dunes south of Doha, near Mesaieed - or for those with more poetry in their souls, pick a quiet ridge for a picnic.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Going Out

Food and Drink

Within the capital area, there is a wide range of quality dining options, many but not all of which are to be found in the 5-star hotels. The locally caught fish is a treat whether lowered genteelly to your plate with silver service or brought sizzling to the table on kebab sticks at a more local-style cafe. If the ubiquitous Gulf menu of rice, lamb and mezze (homos, chopped salads and other appetisers) is not to your taste, then there are plenty of Indian, Chinese and Thai options to suit all budgets. The fruit concoctions - such as lemon and mint, or avocado milkshake - are irresistible in summer. Options for dining are limited outside Doha.

Things to know: Alcohol is widely available in most top-end restaurants and hotel bars in Doha although it is officially reserved for hotel guests or ’club members’. Drinking alcohol in public outside these establishments is prohibited.

National specialities:
• Traditional Levantine shawarma (spit-roasted meat shavings, served in pitta bread).
• Egyptian foul and taamiyeh (deep-fried balls of mashed chickpeas).

Legal drinking age: 21.

Tipping: A service charge is often added to bills in hotels and most restaurants, otherwise 10% is appropriate. However in smaller establishments, tipping is not the custom, and over-generous tips from tourists often backfire through the subsequent cutting of wages.

Nightlife

Qatar isn’t renowned for its nightlife but, that said, times are changing and as Doha hosts an increasing number of high profile international sports events, inevitably the after-hours options are growing to meet demand. Many of the hotels offer jazz evenings, live bands, food promotions and even cookery classes. There are also many cinemas showing English-language films while the Doha Players perform plays in English. For the best listings, buy a copy of the quarterly Marhaba, Qatar’s Premier Information Guide.

Shopping

In the 1990s one could be forgiven for thinking that Qatar was intent on erasing all signs of its heritage. Now, the country seems equally bent on trying to fetch some of that character back again. One place where this shift in self-presentation can be seen in action is in central Doha’s Souq Waqif. Successfully rebuilt to look old, the new incarnation of ancient Souq Waqif is the place to shop for traditional instruments, silk, giant aluminium pans, nuts and spices. There are also several large modern malls, with cinemas, restaurants and other facilities as well as brand shops.

Shopping hours: Generally Sat-Thurs 0800-1200 and 1600-1900 or later, with the malls open until 2100 or 2200. Many shops are open on Friday evenings as well.

Climate

Summer (June to September) is extremely hot and intensely humid. Winter is cooler with occasional rainfall. Spring and autumn are warm and pleasant.

Required Clothing

Lightweight cottons and linens are recommended during summer months but avoid wearing silk, which sticks to the skin with the humidity. A cardigan is useful for over-cooled malls in the summer and a jacket is a must for cooler evenings during the winter. If you intend to take a camping trip in spring or autumn, you’ll be glad of an extra layer of clothing at night.

Public Holidays

Below are Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
10 Jan Islamic New Year.
3 Sep Independence Day.
2 Oct Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) (4 days).
9 Dec Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
18 Dec National Day.
29 Dec Islamic New Year.

2009
10 Jan Islamic New Year.
3 Sep Independence Day.
21 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) (4 days).
28 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
18 Dec National Day.

Note

Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.

Health

Diphtheria

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Hepatitis A

Special Precaution: Yes

Malaria

Special Precaution: No

Rabies

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Tetanus

Special Precaution: Yes

Typhoid

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Yellow Fever

Special Precaution: No*

Health Care

Hamad General Hospital in Doha offers subsidised medical and dental treatment for tourists although health insurance is advised for pre-existing conditions.

Note

* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from infected areas.

Further Health Information

We advise you to check health requirements for the country you are traveling to with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic as health requirements and vaccinations can change at short notice.

Money

Currency

Qatari Riyal (QAR; symbol QR) = 100 dirhams. Notes are in denominations of QR500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50 and 25 dirhams.

Note: The Qatari Riyal is tied to the US Dollar.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted.

Traveller's Cheques

Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Banking Hours

Sun-Wed 0730-1200 and Thurs 7000-11.30. Many banks open for longer hours and open on Saturdays too.

Passport/Visa

British