Qatar
Qatar is a small country located on the west coast of the Persian Gulf. In recent years it has become one of the wealthiest countries in the world due to its natural gas and oil reserves.
Doha is the capital city of Qatar and is a popular transit point for people travelling on long haul flights across the world with Qatar Airways. Doha is the perfect place for a short stopover whilst in transit to or from another destination. It is a wealthy and rapidly expanding country which is obvious as you drive through the city, with tall skyscrapers and modern buildings filling the horizon.
Due to it’s location, Qatar is a hot country year round making the best time to visit between November and April. The months of June to September are extremely hot with temperatures well above 40 degrees celsius all day and often into the night, making it difficult to go outdoors and enjoy the sights, even in the evening.
It is important to note that Qatar is an Islamic country and it is important to respect the local laws and customs.
Things to See and Do in Qatar
Visit the Museum of Islamic Arts
Visit The Pearl
Walk along The Corniche
Shop and dine in the Souq Waqif
Ride a dhow boat in the bay overlooking the city
Go dune bashing in the desert
See the Saudi border
Spend a day volunteering at QAWS
“Museum of Islamic Art”
“The Pearl-Qatar”
Typical Costs When Travelling
Accommodation – Mid range to luxury hotels are abundant and very affordable in Qatar. West Bay area, The Corniche and Al Souq are all popular areas to stay, each offering different things to see and do. I stayed at the Al Najada Hotel by Tivoli and highly recommend it. It is directly across from the Souq Waqif, a fantastic place to eat, drink and shop and is within walking distance to The Museum of Islamic Arts and The Corniche.
Food – If you like Middle Eastern cuisine, you are going to love the food in Qatar! There are plenty of plant based options with hummus and lentils being popular staples. The Souq Waqif has loads of restaurants to choose from, my absolute favourite being Layali al Qahira. The hummus I ate in Qatar was the best I’ve eaten in my life! West Bay area and The Pearl-Qatar also have lots of restaurants and cafes however these areas are a lot more expensive.
Transportation – From my experience, the best way to get around Qatar is to use taxis, Ubers and to walk provided it is not too hot. Taxis are the most affordable and convenient way to get around.
Suggested daily budget – $100-$150 AUD (Note: This is a suggested budget assuming you’re staying in a mid range hotel with breakfast included, eating out for lunch and dinner, and using a mixture of taxis and walking. Using the budget tips below, you can always lower this number. However, if you stay in nicer accommodation or eat at fancier restaurants, expect this to be higher!)
Money Saving Tips
1
Walk wherever possible
Save spending money on taxis and Ubers and get your step count up! Provided it is not too hot, The Corniche connects the West Bay to the Al Souq area and is a lovely way to see the area.
2
Book accommodation in advance
Keep an eye out for good deals for hotels online and book as soon as you see a good deal. This can save you a lot of money!
3
Eat in the Souq Waqif
The Souq Waqif is an open market style venue and has a large range of dining options that are considerably cheaper than the West Bay area and The Pearl.
4
Don't spend too much time in malls
The less time you spend wandering around in malls, the less temptation there is to spend additional money!
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February 14, 2020
