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Doha
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Doha – a brief overview
Looking at Doha’s glittering skyscrapers and luxury malls, it’s hard to believe that Qatar was among the poorest of the Gulf states until the mid-1950s. But with oil came unimaginable wealth and it’s not hard to see where much of it has been spent. Recent years have seen a building boom, with antique structures giving way to towers made from steel and glass.
Nevertheless, traces of Doha past do remain, not least in the ever-engaging Souq Waqif and the nearby Al Koot Fort. Quieter spots such as the Corniche are worth searching out, although it’s hard not to get swept up in Doha’s moneyed brand of glamour.
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Top 10 sights in Doha
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Katara
Just outside the city centre, Katara is a purpose-built cultural village that combines restaurants serving up traditional Qatari fare with galleries and shops showcasing the work of local artists and designers.
Souq Waqif
Al Souq St
Doha
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Opening times:
Daily 1000-1200 and 1600-2200
Once a shabby warren of centuries-old alleys, Souq Waqif was recently given a Disney-style makeover and now resembles a 19th-century bazaar, although trading continues much as it always has.
Al Shaqab Stud
Home to Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Ali Al Thani’s prized collection of purebred Arabian horses, Al Shaqab runs tours which include a spin around the stud’s lavish stables and a close encounter with some of the bloodstock.
Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum
Housed within a huge 19th-century fort, this museum contains more than 2,000 eclectic artefacts collected by founder Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, a billionaire businessman, over the last half century.
The Pearl
Corniche St
Doha
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Doha’s answer to Dubai’s Palm, the Pearl is a manmade island built on the site of a former pearl diving site. Porto Arabia, with its harbour promenade and packed with upmarket shops and restaurants, is a popular lunch spot.
Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art
Education City
Qatar Foundation Gate 14
Al-Luqta Street
Doha
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Qatar Foundation Gate 14
Al-Luqta Street
Doha
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Opening times:
Tue-Thu and Sat-Sun 1100-1800
Fri 1500-2100
Another museum with a local potentate to thank for its existence, Mathaf is home to the vast Arabic art collection built up by Sheikh Hassan bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Thani.
Al Koot Fort
Ukaz St
Doha
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Opening times:
Sun-Thu 0900-1200 and 1600-1900
Fri-Sat 0900-1200
One of the few 19th-century buildings to survive Qatar’s recent building boom, the Fort, a towering pile of honey-coloured stone decorated with elaborate arabesques, now houses a modest museum.
Al-Corniche
Al-Corniche
Doha
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A peaceful crescent-shaped stretch running from Ras Abu Abboud Street to the Sheraton Doha Hotel, the Corniche boasts striking sea views and a network of shaded paths and cycling trails.
Heritage House Museum
Grand Hamad Street
Doha
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Opening times:
Sun-Thu 0900-1200
Fri 1500-1800
A picturesque 1930s villa, the Heritage House was once the Ethnographic Museum but has now been restored to its former glory and offers a snapshot of Qatari life, albeit of the upmarket kind, in the years running up to WWII.
National Museum of Qatar
Museum Park
Doha
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Opening times:
Sat-Thu 0900-1900
Fri 1330-1900
The new National Museum of Qatar was opened in 2019. It is organized into three “chapters”: Beginnings, Life in Qatar and The Modern History of Qatar, and each theme is presented across 11 individual galleries. The spectacular museum building was designed by French star architect Jean Nouvel. The low buildings extend around one and a half kilometers along the coast, its curved disks overlapping like the petals of the bizarrely sculpted mineral formation the desert rose.
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Country information
Country overview
The eyes of the world are on Qatar right now. In just forty years, this small Gulf state has been catapulted from one of the poorest countries in the region, to the richest (per capita) in the world.
The German Foreign Office, das Auswärtige Amt, publishes regularly updated general and country-specific travel information on its website (auswaertiges-amt.de). Here, you will also find safety advice and information about particular risks and travel warnings, in other words, the department’s urgent appeals not to travel to a country or a certain region of a country at all if it can be avoided.
Geography
Qatar is an oil-rich peninsula jutting out into the Gulf between Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, with just one border, at the south of the country, with Saudi Arabia. The peninsula is just 160 km (100 miles) north-south, and apart from the capital, Doha, most of the towns are oil-company compounds. The coastline stretches for 563 km (350 miles), with a scattering of sandy beaches – the best of which are in the north and west.
Much of the country consists of sand dunes and salt flats across a low, barren plain, although towards the north of the peninsula there is scattered vegetation. There is also a small range of hills in the north-west, the highest of which is Qurayn Abu al Bawl, which reaches just over 100m (328ft) and is part of the Jebel Dukhan range.
The country’s most distinctive geographical feature is in the south of the country close to the border with Saudi Arabia; a wide area of rippling dunes surrounding an inlet of water from the Persian Gulf, Known as Khor al-Adaid, it is a favourite spot for jeep safaris and day trips from Doha.
General knowledge
Key facts
Population: 2042444
Population Density (per sq km): 179
Capital: Doha.
Language
Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken.
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.
The Qatari Riyal is tied to the US Dollar.
Electricity
240 volts AC, 50Hz. British-style plugs with three square pins are used.
General business opening hours
Sat-Thurs 0800-1200 and 1600-1900. Government office hours are Sat-Wed 0700-1400. Some are open on Thursday mornings too.
Public holidays
Listed below are the public holidays for the period January 2020 to December 2021.
Note
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given below 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. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last up to several days, depending on the region.
2020
Sports Day: 11 February 2020
Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan): 24 – 26 May 2020
Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice): 31 July – 2 August 2020
Independence and National Day: 18 December 2020
2021
Sports Day: 9 February 2021
Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan): 13 – 15 May 2021
Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice): 20 – 22 July 2021
Independence and National Day: 18 December 2021
All information subject to change.
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Nightlife in Doha
Doha’s nightlife offering has improved markedly in recent years, although much of what’s on offer remains clustered in and around the big hotels.
Nevertheless, there’s plenty of choice.
Habanos
The Ritz Carlton
West Bay Lagoon
Doha
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West Bay Lagoon
Doha
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A glamorous Cuban bar in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel jazzed up with opulent décor and neon lighting.
Sky View Bar
La Cigale Hotel Doha
60 Suhaim Bin Hamad Street
Doha
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60 Suhaim Bin Hamad Street
Doha
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Perched on the 15th floor of La Cigale Hotel, open-air Sky View does great cocktails.
Wahm
W Doha Hotel & Residences
West Bay
Doha
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West Bay
Doha
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The W Hotel’s cocktail lounge is Middle Eastern themed and seriously glamorous.
Jazz Club
Oryx Rotana Hotel
C Ring Rd
Doha
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C Ring Rd
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Kick back in one of the deep leather armchairs with a whisky from the extensive Scotch menu.
Lava Lounge
InterContinental Doha
West Bay
Doha
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West Bay
Doha
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A bar during the week, Lava turns into a club featuring international DJs on Thursday and Friday nights.
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Restaurants in Doha
Fresh local fish from the Persian Gulf, slow-cooked lamb and broiled camel are all Qatari staples and found on menus across the city.
Along with traditional fare and excellent Indian cuisine, Doha also boasts glamorous eating spots overseen by top international chefs.
IDAM
Museum of Islamic Art
Doha Port
Doha
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Doha Port
Doha
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Price: Expensive
Phillipe Starck interior design and an Alain Ducasse menu combine in this chic eating spot.
Spice Market
W Doha Hotel & Residences, West Bay
Doha
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Price: Expensive
A favourite haunt of the local glitterati, Spice Market does delicately flavoured South Indian food.
Layali
Salwa Rd
Doha
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Price: Moderate
Doha’s most popular Lebanese restaurant serves up Arabic staples in large portions.
Elevation Burger
The Pearl
Ad Dawhah
Doha
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Ad Dawhah
Doha
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Price: Moderate
Huge deluxe burgers made from organic, ethically sourced beef.
Shake Shack
Villaggio Shopping Mall
Al Waab Street, Al Aziziyah, Doha
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Al Waab Street, Al Aziziyah, Doha
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Price: Cheap
A cheap and cheerful American chain serving up US classics such as coleslaw and fries.
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Calendar of events
Souq Waqif Spring Festival
December 2019 – April 2020
Venue: Souq Waqif and other venues
A family festival that brings together street performers, puppet and musical shows, along with African circus performers, magicians and a range of slightly surreal one-off events, including a human cannonball, a seal and penguin show and bungee jumping.
Qatar International Food Festival
The Islamic Art Park becomes an enormous outdoor kitchen for four days every March with food stalls, demonstrations by some of the city’s most high profile chefs and the chance to try different recipes from many of Qatar’s Middle Eastern neighbours.
Eid al-Fitr
May 23 – 24, 2020
Venue: Throughout Doha
A flurry of cultural events and shop sales accompanies this religious festival, which is timed to celebrate the end of Ramadan fasting.
Eid al-Adha
July 30 – August 3, 2020
Venue: Throughout Doha
Also known as the festival of sacrifice, Eid al-Adha follows the annual Islamic pilgrimage and commemorates the trials of the Prophet Abraham. Please note that most venues do not serve alcohol the night before, and the first day of Eid.
Qatar Motor Show
For serious petrolheads, this is one of the most exciting dates in the motoring calendar; a five-day festival in the country where state-of-the-art motors are the top status symbol. There are outdoor driving and motorbike events on the Motor Show’s private circuit, exhibitions of classic cars and futuristic designs and all aspects of the motor industry are covered.
All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.
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Hotels in Doha
It might not go for the gold taps and bling beloved of other Gulf states such as the UAE, but there’s no shortage of luxury where Doha’s hotels are concerned.
Along with the big-name chains, the city has a smattering of decent budget sleeping spots.
La Cigale
60 Suhaim Bin Hamad Street
Doha
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Category: Expensive
Neon-lit and glass-fronted, La Cigale is one of the most glamorously luxurious hotels in Doha.
W Doha
West Bay
Doha
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Doha
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Category: Expensive
Like all W hotels, the Doha branch specialises in (relatively) low-key luxury.
Mercure Grand Hotel
Wadi Musheirib St
Doha 7566
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Doha 7566
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Category: Moderate
Just around the corner from Souq Waqif, the Mercure Grand Hotel is stylish and comfortable.
Al Madina Suites
Al Nada St
Doha
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Category: Moderate
Centrally located and very convenient, Al Madina has big rooms with all the mod cons.
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Best time to visit
Today: Friday, 15.01.2021 09:00 UTC
sunny
temperature
19°C
wind direction
southwind speed
8.125 mphhumidity
10%7 days forecast
Saturday
16.01.2021
26°C / 16°C
Sunday
17.01.2021
29°C / 14°C
Monday
18.01.2021
25°C / 15°C
Tuesday
19.01.2021
25°C / 15°C
Wednesday
20.01.2021
23°C / 14°C
Thursday
21.01.2021
24°C / 13°C
Friday
22.01.2021
18°C / 12°C
Climate & best time to visit Qatar
Qatar has a dry, subtropical desert climate, with low annual rainfall and intensely hot and humid summers. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Qatar, when temperatures are warm but not hot and the evenings can be pleasantly cool. June to September is oven-temperature hot and best avoided. – the average temperature for June, July and August is around 42ºC (108ºF), but it’s not unusual for the mercury to reach an eye-wateringly high 50ºC (122ºF).
In the winter months, temperatures are cooler but still warm, with the average around 23ºC from December to February. Almost all rainfall occurs during the winter months, mostly in heavy cloudbursts and thunderstorms. Because Qatar is such a small country, there is little regional variation in the weather, although coastal areas may be slightly cooler than inland.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| absolute max | absolute min | Ø absolute max | Ø absolute min | relative humidity | Ø precipitation | days with deposit > 1mm | sunshine duration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31 °C | 3 °C | 21 °C | 12 °C | 71 % | 13 mm | 2 | 7.9 h |
| Feb | 36 °C | 5 °C | 23 °C | 13 °C | 70 % | 17 mm | 2 | 8.0 h |
| Mar | 39 °C | 8 °C | 26 °C | 16 °C | 63 % | 16 mm | 2 | 7.8 h |
| Apr | 46 °C | 10 °C | 31 °C | 20 °C | 52 % | 9 mm | 1 | 9.1 h |
| May | 47 °C | 15 °C | 38 °C | 25 °C | 44 % | 4 mm | < 1 | 10.5 h |
| Jun | 49 °C | 21 °C | 41 °C | 27 °C | 41 % | 0 mm | 0 | 11.4 h |
| Jul | 48 °C | 23 °C | 41 °C | 29 °C | 49 % | 0 mm | 0 | 10.5 h |
| Aug | 48 °C | 22 °C | 40 °C | 28 °C | 55 % | 0 mm | 0 | 10.6 h |
| Sep | 45 °C | 20 °C | 38 °C | 26 °C | 62 % | 0 mm | 0 | 10.2 h |
| Oct | 43 °C | 16 °C | 35 °C | 23 °C | 63 % | 1 mm | < 1 | 9.8 h |
| Nov | 38 °C | 11 °C | 29 °C | 19 °C | 66 % | 3 mm | < 1 | 9.2 h |
| Dec | 32 °C | 6 °C | 24 °C | 15 °C | 71 % | 12 mm | 1 | 7.8 h |
| year | 49 °C | 3 °C | 32 °C | 21 °C | 59 % | 75 mm | 8 | 9.4 h |
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Phone calls & Internet
Telephone/Mobile Telephone
Dialing code: +974
Telephone
There are no area codes.
Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone operators. Mobile phone use is pretty much a national addiction; coverage is excellent.
Internet
There are plenty of internet cafes in Doha.
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Shopping in Doha
Key Areas
Shopping is practically a sport in Doha and is the number one source of entertainment for locals come the weekend. Most head to one of the many mega malls such as the imaginatively named The Mall, where you can find everything from Armani to Zara as well as Arabic brands such as Oman’s Amouage. The main alternative to the malls is Souq Waqif, which is packed with traders flogging a mind-boggling array of wares, including traditional crafts, gems and even soap.
Markets
At Souq Waqif (Al-Souq Street and Grand Hamad Street), you can pick up embroidered Qatari clothing, souvenirs and all manner of pungent spices. Souq Al Asiery (Al Ahmed Street) is the place to go to run your fingers along roll upon roll of beautifully printed (and inexpensive) fabric. Omani Souq, behind the Salwa Central Market, is a mish-mash of smells and sights, where the aromas of dried fish, dates, perfume and incense mingle.
Shopping Centres
The Mall (D Ring Road) is the biggest, but the Landmark Mall (Al Shamal Road) is almost as large and is home to a huge range of shops. The Alfardan Centre (Al Ashat Street) is also worth visiting for upmarket designer shopping.
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Traveller etiquette
Social Conventions
Beneath the surface of consumerism and western images, Qatar is an extremely traditional country and it’s important to observe some local courtesies. Outside western hotels, it’s respectful for women to cover knees and shoulders, while men should generally wear a shirt and trousers. When Arab men meet they usually exchange a handshake, and while this is extended to western men, it is rare for an Arab man to shake hands with a western woman. When taking photographs, seek permission before taking photos of people and be cautious taking pictures in public.
At business and social functions, traditional Qatari coffee is served as part of the ritual welcome.
Guests are served in order of seniority – a few drops are poured before topping up the cups of the remaining party. Cups must be held in the right hand: accept two cups – taking only one cup will embarrass the host; taking more than three will embarrass everybody else. Never pass or receive items with the left hand.
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Health
Food & Drink
Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice from hotels and public facilities in Doha is generally safe to drink. In other areas, bottled water is a sensible precaution. In general, food hygiene standards are good and it’s fine to eat from markets and street food stalls. Use common sense and only eat well-cooked meat and fish; in the summer months, inadequate storage in the heat can cause problems.
Other Risks
Vaccinations against tuberculosis and hepatitis B are sometimes recommended. In the summer, temperatures can easily hit 35°C (95°F) and it is easy to get sunstroke or become dehydrated. Simple measures such as covering the head, keeping out of the midday sun and regularly sipping water help avoid this. Respiratory problems can also be an issue due to the dust and sand in the air, particularly in the summer months.
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Visa & Immigration
IATA Travel Centre
The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.