In December 2021 Qatar hosted the Football World Cup, and this oil-rich Middle Eastern country was keen to impress. With ancient marketplaces, magnificent sand dunes and quaint fishing villages it already has a lot to offer and it’s constantly undergoing huge development.
Qatar Facts
• Capital City: Doha
• Currency: Qatari Riyal, QAR
• Language: Arabic
• Time Zone: +3 GMT
• Dialling Code: +974
Practical Info
Religions Practised:
Islam.
Total Area:
11,437 square kilometres.
Population Size:
1,493,051.
Voltage and Plug Info:
240 V. British-style plug with two flat blades and one flat grounding blade or South African/Indian-style plug with two round metal pins above a large round grounding pin.
Visas:
Citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan can obtain a visa on arrival while other nationalities will need to apply for one before arriving in Qatar. Be aware this can be a fairly lengthy process. Israeli passport holders are not allowed to enter Qatar.
Safety:
Some people are put off travelling to the Middle East as a result of ongoing conflicts but Qatar is a safe place to travel and street crime is low. However, you should still always watch your belongings; pickpockets thrive in city crowds. Female travellers should avoid walking alone at night.
Vaccinations and Health:
Medical facilities are excellent in Qatar but can be expensive so make sure you take out adequate travel insurance. If you are planning on visiting during the summer months, drink plenty of water- the heat can be a killer. Tetanus and Hepatitis A boosters are advised but you may also wish to have typhoid and Hepatitis B.
Qatar Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit?
The best time to visit Qatar is in winter, between November and February. From May until September, temperatures regularly top 40°C and there are frequent sandstorms- not exactly ideal travel conditions.
Getting There and Away
The easiest way to get in is by air and the national airline, Qatar Airways, connects the country with all Gulf countries as well as the US and a number of Asian and European cities. Overland, buses run from Jordan, Syria, Kuwait and Dubai but as all pass through Saudi Arabia (the only entry point) you’ll need to make sure you obtain a transit visa.
Getting Around
A good network of buses links most destinations within the country and are comfortable and reasonably priced. Hiring a car is also an option (if a slightly hairy one; accidents are commonplace) or, if in Doha, taxis are the best option.
Don’t Leave Here Without…
Jockeying for position
Hit the races – the camel races that is – like the ones in Shahaniya. Watch from a safe distance or, if you have a car and good insurance, join the locals and drive alongside the speeding beasts.
Grabbing a curry
Munch on a thali, a lamb tandoori or a samosa – the numerous South Asian expats in Qatar mean all your fave curry-house treats can be found and at prices closer to Lahore than London.
Brushing up on your Islamic art
Doha’s Museum Of Islamic Art is home to treasures from Andalucia to Central Asia and meanders through 1,500 years of history. That’s a lot to take in, so you might want to visit twice.
Finding water in the desert
After an exhilarating four-wheeled drive across 40m sand dunes, the waters of the Inland Sea provide a refreshing contrast to Qatar’s arid landscape.
Becoming a mall rat
A turbo-charged economy, a large expat population and tax-free status have turned Qatar into a shopper’s paradise. Let your inner shopaholic loose in Doha’s luxury malls.
View more destinations with my Middle East travel tips.