Qatar is the richest country in the world, per capita. Yet, 85.7% of the population are immigrants or expats. A small but influential landmass, Qatar is perhaps one of the coolest places in all of the Middle East.
This will come in handy for many reasons. Firstly, protection from the sun. Scarves are garments typically saved for wintertime for most Americans. However, even though scarves can keep you warm, they can also keep you cool by providing shade from the intense sun. Be sure to bring a hat and sunglasses too. Additionally, Qatar expects people to be modestly covered throughout their time there. Use scarves to cover skin that your clothes do not. As Qatar is a Muslim country, women often cover their hair with scarves, hijabs, or burkas.
Qatar is a desert. The weather is dry and blazing. Stay hydrated by keeping a water bottle on your person at all times. If you wish to treat yourself with the utmost care, bring an insulated bottle. This will keep your water nice and cold for whenever you need to quench your thirst. It can also be nice to pour over yourself on the extra hot days.
Salat al Jumu’ah, or Friday Prayers, are a weekly ritual in Qatar. As most are attending Mosque during this time, this is a great time to get photos of empty streets for your social media timelines. Cafes won’t open until 1 or 2pm on these days, as does the metro.
Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar.
Doha has been named one of the safest places to travel as an independent female. While ranked one of the top three safest cities in the world, there are still men-only establishments that female travelers should be wary of. Often tea houses or secluded restaurants, these enterprises often have a “family area” for women and children who aren’t permitted inside with the men.
Qatar is a desert. Sand dunes are the mountain ranges of the middle east. Rent an ATV and skirt along the desert winds. Or grab a boogie board and glide down the dunes as if you’re riding beach waves. Make sure to shower off before you climb into your hotel bed – sand insidiously creeps its way into your every crevice.
Just as Morocco has its famous Bazaar, Qatar has Souq Waqif. Translated to “standing market” in Arabic, Souq Waqif was built to remind locals of a world gone by. Vendors trade, barter, and haggle for age-old spices, fabrics, art, and more. Handmade by native workmen and women, the souvenirs able to be bought here will last you a lifetime.
This seven-kilometer promenade reaches from the Persian Gulf to the West Bay. Stroll this movie-ready scenery and perhaps get a coffee, fly a kite, or get out of the city for a bit by hopping on a dhow and seeing the skyline from the sea.
Designed by architect I.M. Pei, he wanted the establishment to be built on its own island so that no other buildings would disrupt its majesty. Just off the Corniche, some have said the museum appears to be floating on water in some sort of life-size optical illusion. There are constant exhibits, but there are also high-profile exhibits that rotate in and out of the museum.
Doha will be home to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. As football is the most popular sport among both the local and expat community, the event will be widely watched. Yet that isn’t the only sport to come see; the ATP World Tour stops in Qatar’s capital every winter, bringing tennis stars of every caliber. The Qatar Moto Grand Prix, World Superbikes, and the Qatar Masters Gold Tournament are global events held annually in the Khalifa Stadium. Traditional sports are also played within the stadium: Arabian horse racing, camel racing, and falconry.
There are four airports in Qatar, three being civil airports while the final is a military airport. Only one of these is international: Hamad International Airport. This offers many business class flights for your convenience.
Qatar has a warm season and a cool season. For those who appreciate cooler weather, you may wish to visit during December, January, or February. Temperatures average between 14 and 25 degree Celsius. Many say this is the best time to visit Qatar. However, if you prefer the intensity of dry heat, go during the warm season: May through September. July is the hottest month of the year and even locals say not to visit during this time.
A nonstop flight from JFK to Doha is 12 hours and 15 minutes. There are additional business class flights with options for one-stop flights and multiple-stop flights.
Voyagu does not rank its valued airline partners, but we provide a list of airlines that offer both discounted business class airfare and last-minute business class deals to Qatar. Some of these may not have direct flights while instead arranging comforting connections:
For this destination, try Qatar Airways.
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