Qatar travel guide
Qatar is a small peninsula on the Persian Gulf whose capital, Doha, has grown into a modern city of museums, waterfronts and striking architecture. Beyond it are desert, dunes and the sea, all within a few hours' drive. It works well as a stopover or a short winter break for travellers interested in art, food, souqs and desert trips.
Places worth the trip
Museum of Islamic Art
A building by I. M. Pei on its own island off the Corniche, holding manuscripts, ceramics, metalwork and textiles from across the Islamic world over many centuries. The park next to it has views of the Doha skyline.
National Museum of Qatar
Jean Nouvel's building of interlocking discs, inspired by the desert rose crystal, tells the story of Qatar from its geology and Bedouin life to pearling and the present day.
Souq Waqif
A rebuilt traditional market of alleys selling spices, textiles, perfume and falcons, with a falcon hospital nearby. It is liveliest in the evening, when its restaurants and shisha cafés fill up.
Khor Al Adaid (Inland Sea)
In the south-east, sand dunes meet a sea inlet on the border with Saudi Arabia. Visits are by four-wheel drive with an experienced driver, crossing dunes to swim or camp by the water.
Al Zubarah
Qatar's UNESCO World Heritage site, the remains of an eighteenth-century pearl-trading town on the north-west coast, with a restored fort.
The Corniche and Katara Cultural Village
Doha's seven-kilometre waterfront promenade curves around the bay, ideal for walks at sunset or a dhow trip. Katara, further north, has an amphitheatre, galleries, mosques and a public beach.
Msheireb and the Qatar museums
The Msheireb Downtown district has rebuilt historic houses as museums about Doha's past, and Qatar's art scene also includes Mathaf, a museum of modern Arab art, and the Fire Station artist residency.
Interesting facts about Qatar
- Before oil and gas, Qatar's economy depended largely on pearl diving, which collapsed in the twentieth century after cultured pearls were developed.
- Qatar hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2022, the first held in the Middle East.
- Qatar shares one of the world's largest natural gas fields with Iran, beneath the waters of the Gulf.
- Falconry is a cherished tradition, and falcons have their own passports and hospitals.
- Qatar's only land border is with Saudi Arabia; the rest of the country is surrounded by the sea.
Best time to visit Qatar
November to March is the best time to visit, with warm days and cool evenings ideal for the Corniche, the desert and outdoor dining. April and October are hotter but bearable. From May to September the heat is intense, often well above 40 °C, with high humidity on the coast; life moves indoors to malls and air-conditioned museums. During Ramadan, eating and drinking in public during daylight is not permitted, and opening hours change.
Getting around
The Doha Metro is modern, clean and air-conditioned, with lines serving the airport, the Corniche, Msheireb, Katara and Lusail; there are separate carriages for families and a first-class option. Ride-hailing apps and metered taxis are reliable and easy to use. Renting a car is an option for exploring the north of the peninsula, but dunes and the Inland Sea require a four-wheel drive with an experienced driver, best booked as a tour.
Practical details
- Capital
- Doha
- Currency
- Qatari riyal (QAR)
- Languages
- Arabic
- Plug types
- G
- Voltage
- 240 V, 50 Hz
- Emergency
- 999
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- Service charges are often included in hotels and restaurants. Otherwise around 10% is appreciated, and small tips for drivers and porters are common.
Staying online in Qatar
Mobile coverage is excellent across Doha and its suburbs, with 4G and 5G widely available. Signal weakens in the desert and in the far south around the Inland Sea. Free Wi-Fi is common in malls, the metro, the airport and hotels. Some internet calling services may be restricted, so check that your preferred apps work. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land, which is particularly convenient on a short stopover.
Qatar eSIM plans
1 GB
1GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Qatar, V2
无限流量
Unlimited eSIM Data for 1 Day for Qatar, V2
无限流量
Unlimited Plus eSIM Data for 1 Day for Qatar, V2
3 GB
3GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Qatar, V2
Useful apps
- Karwa Taxi: Book Qatar's official taxis, with fares calculated by the app.
- Uber: Widely used in Doha, including from Hamad International Airport.
- Qatar Rail: Doha Metro and tram journey planning and travel card information.
- Google Maps: Directions in Doha and journey times on the metro.
Qatar travel FAQs
Dress modestly in public places such as malls, museums and souqs, with shoulders and knees covered. Swimwear is fine at hotel pools and beaches. Mosques require more coverage, and some provide robes.
Yes. The airport is close to the city and connected by metro and taxi, so even a long layover allows time for the Museum of Islamic Art, the Corniche and Souq Waqif. Check whether you can leave the airport with your nationality and ticket.
Yes, coverage is excellent. Roaming on a home plan can be expensive, so a travel eSIM is a quick way to get local data, especially useful on short stays and stopovers, while your home number stays active.
Alcohol is served in licensed hotel bars and restaurants. Drinking in public and being drunk in public are not permitted.