Middle East > Qatar: Weather, Map, Costs and Travel Guide

The capital, Doha, offers the traveler its white houses and mosques, besides its coastline bordered by palm trees and gardens, but also its ultra-modern buildings. You can take a stroll along the corniche or stroll through the parks or visit the various museums: Museum of Islamic Art, Museum of Orientalists and Museum of Modern Art. Do not miss a visit to the souk of the old town. On the modern city side, the set of artificial islands The Pearl testifies, among other places, the wealth of this part of the city.

Qatar is also home to picturesque villages, between seaside and mangroves, beaches and deserts, and even an inland sea to the south-east, hard to imagine when you are in the futuristic environment of Doha. You will discover Al Khor, its park and its mosques, Zubara and its fort, Dhakira and the fishing villages around. The island of Shara'o has very beautiful beaches and seabed ideal for diving.

The mosques and forts are the unmissable monuments that you can admire in Qatar, throughout its territory.

The activities to be practiced: treks or safaris in 4X4 in the desert parts (80% of the country), with bivouac in the desert, various water sports like sailing and kite-surfing, or simply bathing.

Also interested in crafts, through pottery and sculptures, drawings, paintings, but also traditional jewelry, necklaces or gold bracelets, often magnificent.

Finally you will be able to attend races of horses or dromedaries, or demonstrations of falconry: not to be missed!

The passport is required and you will be issued a visa for 14 days upon arrival.

The current currency is the Qatari Ryal (QAR).

Many airlines serve Qatar (including Qatar Airways, one of the best airlines in the world), and you will land at Doha Airport, 8 km from the city center, to be reached by taxi. To move around the country, the car (and especially the SUV) is the most convenient means of transport. There is very little public transport even in Doha, so taxis are preferred, especially since they are very affordable.

Health: No vaccine is mandatory to return to Qatar but conventional vaccines are recommended as always, as well as those against hepatitis A and B. Mosquitoes are very present, so plan for protection. Beware of dehydration, consider drinking plenty of water.

Safety: It is forbidden to import alcohol, film or photograph public buildings or military installations.

Shopping: Deluxe items and electronic devices are zero-rated so can be interesting. In the Doha souk you will find spices, embroidered clothes, carpets.