Qatar – Travel Guide
Qatar often conjures images of a land brimming with modernity and ancient allure, a realm where tradition seamlessly merges with innovation. It’s a place where gleaming skyscrapers stand as testaments to its rapid development, juxtaposed against the timeless beauty of its cultural heritage. Qatar is also known for its vibrant souqs and bustling markets, where the echoes of ancient trade routes still resonate. The hospitality of its people, rooted in Bedouin tradition, is as warm as the desert sun that bathes its landscapes. Amidst its arid terrain, Qatar reveals unexpected pockets of greenery and life, offering a captivating oasis in the heart of the desert.
About Qatar
Qatar FAQ
What is Qatar known for?
Qatar is known first and foremost as a desert adventure vacation destination, where you can ride a camel and drive an all-terrain vehicle all in the same day. It`s well-known for its Bedouin cultural traditions, which are on display at the Katara Cultural Village and other places around the emirate. It`s known for its great shopping opportunities, from traditional souqs to elaborate Western-style luxury shopping malls. Qatar is known for its lively food scene, with dozens of cuisines being consumed in a country known for its large expatriate community. Finally, an image of Qatar is incomplete without picturing the traditional dhow boats in Doha Harbor.
What are the best places to visit in Qatar?
Travelers must see the capital, modern and gleaming Doha. From here you can take day trips to explore the rest of the emirate.
How many days should I spend in Qatar?
We recommend approximately 3-7 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in Doha.
What is the best way to get around Qatar?
You can see Qatar by air and by car. Qatar is roughly the size of Connecticut, so distances in the country are small and an advanced road network connects all corners of the emirate. International arrivals land at Hamad International Airport, south of Doha.
What is the currency of Qatar?
The currency of Qatar is the Qatari riyal (QR), of which there are 100 dirhams. Have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for riyals upon arrival. Currency exchange desks are available at the airport, most high-end hotels and resorts, and many other places around the country.
Do people speak English in Qatar?
The majority of people in Qatar can speak English, due to its history as a British protectorate and its longstanding place in Qatari schools and in the business community. It will not be difficult to locate English speakers in cities and tourist areas. Arabic is the official language, however; be prepared to learn basic Arabic phrases like hello/goodbye, please/thank you, and the numbers from 1-10, 50, 100, and 1,000. To say `How do you speak English`, say `Hal tatahadath al’injilizia?`
Best Time to Visit Qatar
Qatar has a dry, subtropical desert climate with low annual rainfall and intensely hot and humid summers. The best months to visit Qatar are November to early April. Such climatic conditions allow for sightseeing and outdoor activities across the country, and these are considered to be the peak-tourist season in Qatar.
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Because Qatar is a small and flat country, there is little regional variation in the weather, although coastal areas may be slightly cooler than inland. Doha, the capital of Qatar, is highly urbanized which can make the weather in Doha feel slightly hotter than it is.
December – February
Winter (December to February) is relatively cooler, with the average temperature ranging between 72°F – 77°F. Occasional rainfall can be expected during winters, mostly in heavy cloudbursts and thunderstorms. Temperatures start to climb towards the end of February, where they begin to get up into the mid-80’s.
For winters, it is advisable to carry warm clothes and rainwear. There is always a little regional variation in the weather of Qatar, since it is a small country. Coastal areas of Qatar may be slightly cooler than inland.
Events and Festivals
– Al-Shahaniya Camel Racing: The ultimate desert Sport! Camel racing in Qatar is a competitive sport with millions of dollars on the lines. Weekly races take place every Friday from October through February, with the main competitions in March and April.
– Katara Traditional Dhow Festival: Dhow boats have taken sailors around the Arabian seas and beyond for centuries, and each year Qatar celebrates this fantastic sailing vessel in its Traditional Dhow Festival at Katara Cultural Village in Doha. They festival typically takes place in December.
– Doha Cultural Festival: This event highlights a variety of local traditions and art. Events take place at several venues throughout Doha, with performances planned to appeal to the whole family. This event is usually held in February or March annually.
– Eid al-Fitr: Festive celebrations at the end of Ramadan. A 3 day celebration of festivities talke place closing out the month of fasting, prayer and reflection. It’s a public vacation in Qatar, giving people the chance to gather and enjoy fast-breaking meals together. Some businesses are closed, but there’s a festive atmosphere throughout the country. As the date of Eid depends on the sighting of the moon, there may be variations in the exact date that is celebrated. The announcement of the exact dates of Eid Al-Fitr may not happen until close to the start of Ramadan.
– Souq Waqif Spring Festival: Qatar’s famous market, Souq Waqif, gets even more energetic during its annual spring festival which runs for 15 days from late December to early January. along with shopping, there are several activities to enjoy, as well as a chance to catch circus shows, acrobatic performances, magic shows and art exhibitions.
May – September
Due to the extremely hot and dry weather conditions during the summer months of May to September, this duration is considered as an off-peak season in Qatar. Temperatures typically range from 90°F to 109°F, although it’s not unusual for the temperature to reach as high as 122°F in July and August. If you find yourself here during the hot period, plan to seek refuge in one of the many air-conditioned malls or attractions. During the summer months, we recommend wearing loose fitting cottons and linens.
Spring and Autumn
Spring (March and April) and autumn (October and November) are warmer months, mostly dry, and pleasant. On average, the temperatures range from 80°F to 88°F (in April). Nights are still cool enough to be comfortable. The water temperatures are at a beautiful mid-70’s during this time. All kinds of seaside activities are available.
Autumn (October and November) is when temperatures start to cool down from the summer with cooler days in the low 90’s and nights fall down to low 80’s. November brings even cooler temps, with daily temperatures ranging from 79-84 °F and nights dropping to around 61-68°F.
Events and Festivals
– Aspire International Kite Festival: The skies over Aspire Park in Doha come alive with colorful kites every March in the city’s annual kite festival. This event also brings activities during the 3 days of festivities including competitions, parades and cultural performances.
– Katara Traditional Dhow Festival: Dhow boats have taken sailors around the Arabian seas and beyond for centuries, and each year Qatar celebrates this fantastic sailing vessel in its Traditional Dhow Festival at Katara Cultural Village in Doha. They festival typically takes place in December.
– Qatar International Food Festival: This annual event is held annually in March or April, which brings foodies and hungrey visitors alike to sample fabulous cuisine by chefs from around the world. Among the events are live cooking shows by acclaimed chefs, healthy food workshops, farmer’s markets and farm-to-table experiences.
– Qatar Masters Golf Tournament: This prestigious golf tournament hosted by the Doha golf club since 1998, is one of the three European tour golf tournaments which are staged in Middle East. The tournament takes place annually in March.
– Ajyal Film Festival: This festival is a week-long event in late November celebrating the motion arts. Filmmakers, musicians and artists from around the world join the festival which is held at Katara Cultural Village in Doha.
Tipping in Qatar
In the U.S. tipping is customary and expected for everything from lackluster to outstanding service. It is an etiquette which is ingrained in all trades, from wait staff at restaurants to our baristas, valets, cab drivers, porters, and many more trades. In Qatar tipping is not as habitual, and it is not always expected.
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This guide attempts to cover most situations that you, as a tourist, will encounter. Hopefully using these `tips` will provide a smooth experience when interacting with locals in restaurants, bars, hotels, tour operators, and taxis.
Currency:
Can I pay in U.S. dollars, or should I use the Qatari riyal (QR)?
The currency of Qatar is the Qatari riyal (QR). Have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for riyals upon arrival. Currency exchange desks are available at the airport, most high-end hotels and resorts, and many other places around the country.
One riyal is divided into 100 dirhams. Coins are worth one, five, 10, 25 or 50 dirhams, and notes come in denominations of one, five, 10, 50, 100 and 500 riyals.
All major credit and debit cards are accepted in large shops. Visa (Plus and Electron), MasterCard and Cirrus are accepted at ATMs of HSBC, the Qatar National Bank and the Commercial Bank of Qatar.
Restaurants and Bars: When should I tip? How much is customary?
A service charge of 10-15% is usually added to top-end restaurant bills. However, the people providing the service usually do not receive it. Therefore, it’s appreciated to tip about 10-15% in restaurants. If no tip is included, 10% is appreciated, but it is suggested to be discreet, as some establishments have begun to reduce wages in anticipation of tips.
Tips are not expected in bars. Tipping in Bars in Qatar is probably an area that has the greatest discrepancies. Tips are not expected but welcomed. A tip of 10 QAR is acceptable however, use your discretion based on the service.
Hotel Staff: Who should I tip?
Tipping in a hotel in Qatar follows almost the same rule as the rest of the world. A tip of about 10-20 Riyals ($2-$3) for doormen and leave an equivalent of $2 per day for housekeepers too.
Taxi Drivers: Should I tip?
In Qatar, tipping a taxi driver is recommended; a minimum of 5-10 Riyals tip is highly appreciated. There are 2 kinds of taxi service that is the normal taxi and the airport taxi. Limousine services are also available for a higher rate.
Tour Guides: Is a tip required?
Usually tour guides in Qatar are tipped about $5 per day (about 18 -20 Riyals). You could also tip the driver a few dollars if you are happy with their service. Be sure to communicate and discuss all relevant information with your tour guide before actually meeting them.
Final Thoughts:
The truth is there isn’t a particular tipping etiquette in Qatar as there is in the USA for example. Partly for the reason that Qatar has such a big expat community and the expats from different countries tend to still have a tipping etiquette as they do back home. As with anywhere, if you get exceptional service you can always tip more while I leave less if we have had particularly bad service.
Top Cities in Qatar
What to expect while traveling
