When I was offered the chance to discover Qatar, I had a moment of hesitation… Can you travel to Qatar for tourism? I must admit I hesitated before setting off to visit Doha. First of all, because I had absolutely no idea what to expect, and secondly, of course, because being a woman traveling alone in these Middle Eastern countries seemed complicated to me. But in the end, I told myself that an opportunity like this was not to be missed. It was too good an occasion to confront something completely different, perhaps very far from my own aspirations, to discover a region and a culture fairly distant from what I know with a “blank slate.” But isn’t that also part of the magic of a trip to the Middle East?
Far from the prejudices and misconceptions I had about the country, Qatar is a state of modernity in full expansion. The landscape is filled with construction sites in an impetus that seems boundless.
The perks:
- Hospitality and consideration for guests are one of the country’s strong points in terms of tourism. As a guest, you will always be treated with great respect and care.
- It is also a destination that is still exclusive, allowing you to enjoy the country’s many advantages to the fullest and with a certain sense of privilege.
Tradition, modernity, comfort, hospitality, and openness are the key words I will take away from these few days, where we tried to understand the Qatari spirit and essence by fully immersing ourselves in the region’s atmosphere. If traveling opens the mind, it also allows you to put into perspective the information often devoid of context and meaning that reaches us through the media.
I’ve broken my short trip down into 2 articles:
- This first article focuses on a selection of things to see/do in Qatar and its surroundings, as well as some practical tips.
- A future article on great places to visit (restaurants, hotels, etc.) that I tested during my stay.
_
Table of Contents
Visiting the MIA, Museum of Islamic Art in Doha
This private museum, opened in 2008 and dedicated to Islamic arts throughout the centuries (from the 7th to the 19th century) and countries (3 continents are represented), is one of the most beautiful in the world on the subject. The collections are superb and really worth the trip. They are beautifully presented in a sober and airy museography that serves, above all, the displayed objects, which are all exceptional pieces.
The modern building, which represents a veiled woman whose gaze follows you wherever you are (I tried it, and it really is the impression you get!), was designed by IM Pei, a famous architect, notably of the Louvre Pyramid in Paris. The museum even contains a restaurant under the aegis of Alain Ducasse. I didn’t have the opportunity to test it, but it might be a good reason to make another quick stop in Doha in the future…
A little extra: don’t hesitate to go out onto the museum’s two side terraces during your visit, as they are the perfect spots to get a magnificent panoramic view of the Doha skyline.
The insider tip: I saved the best for last. While admission remains free for Qatar residents and children under 16, it is now paid for non-resident tourists (100 QAR, or about 25 €). In addition, there are free guided tours in English or Arabic (remember to check the days and times on the official website, as the museum is now closed on Wednesdays).
MIA, Museum of Islamic Art Open every day except Wednesday
_
Doing a bit of shopping in Souq Waqif in Doha
This traditional market, located in the heart of Doha and near the Corniche, offers a lively and fragrant experience (the streets of the souq smell particularly good). You can find a wide variety of local products at attractive prices. Very far from the atmosphere of the Medina souks in Marrakech, the Doha souq is calm and extremely clean. No merchant will come to encourage you to enter their shop if you don’t want to; here, you are left to stroll from stall to stall without any solicitation.
You could, for example, buy Oud & Bukhoor incense here, which is the most well-known and precious in Qatar. It is made with wood essences mixed with essential oils. In fact, if you enter a Qatari’s home, you will first be invited to stand over the incense smoke (that’s what I was told, but I admit I didn’t have the opportunity to test it, unfortunately) to perfume your clothes with the sweet scent of your host’s home. A fun and poetic idea, I think.
_
Falconry Shop, Aed Bin Ali falcon merchant
Falconry is an ancient sport still very much practiced in Qatar, especially during the winter hunting season. There is even a hospital specially dedicated to falcons in the souq, the Souq Waqif Falcon Hospital. Plus, I was lucky enough to be able to carry one for a few moments (don’t pay attention to my not-very-reassured look, there was no danger), and it’s actually quite a heavy bird.
_
Pearl Shop of Saad Ismail Al Jassim
The fishing and trade of very high-quality pearls are an integral part of Qatari history, and they are very proud of it because the pearl was their main source of livelihood for many generations. This industry completely collapsed when the Chinese discovered the cultured pearl technique, and this turnaround left a scar and a sense of caution in the way Qataris view their income sources. Relying on only one area to survive is an experience they clearly don’t want to repeat…
All this to say that you will find many shops selling pearls in the souq, which can make for a nice gift idea to bring back home.
_
Take a traditional dhow cruise/dinner in Doha Bay
These authentic wooden dhows are reproductions of those used back in the day by the Qataris, notably for pearl fishing. It is one of the best ways to admire the Doha Corniche and its famous 7 km skyline, beautifully lit up at night.
The QIA (Qatar International Adventures), a company for discovering Qatar founded in 1999, offers this type of package. Duration: this short cruise can last up to 4 hours. Price: between 200 and 250 QAR for adults and between 100 and 150 QAR for children (meal included). The tip: special offer every Thursday night between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM for 150 QAR for adults and 80 QAR for children (meal included).
_
Interact at FANAR, the religious cultural center in Doha
The Fanar is the Islamic Cultural Center of Qatar. Its goal is to inform the general public about Qatari culture as well as the Muslim religion. You can also discover, among other things, Islamic art through Arabic calligraphy (a very important and respected art in Qatar) and Islamic architecture.
The building itself is impressive, as it is topped by a tower representing a lighthouse (hence the name Fanar, which means “lighthouse” in Qatari). It also contains a mosque, a religious school, offices, a prayer hall, and a library. It is one of two places in Doha where you can attend the Friday sermon in English.
Free Abdullah Bin Jassim St, Doha, Qatar
_
Visit the Msheireb Enrichment Center in Doha
The Msheireb Enrichment Centre is a half-museum, half-edutainment information center, created by Qatar Foundation to present the country’s past and future projects in a highly interactive and educational way. I recommend visiting this place (plus it’s free) at the beginning of your stay because it provides key insights for understanding the city’s geography, history, and Qatari culture in general. The Center is also docked at the Doha Corniche, near one of the oldest monuments in the city, the Sheraton Hotel, as if it were waiting to set sail for new adventures.
Msheireb Enrichment Centre Free Sheraton Park, Al Corniche St, Doha, Qatar Open daily except Fridays
_
Discover the Al Shaqab stables
We have had the chance of visiting the Al Shaqab stables, a horse breeding facility with the most beautiful Arabian Thoroughbred specimens, created in 1992 by Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, with the goal of improving the emirate’s Arabian horses and giving Qatar a place in the international equestrian world.
What is incredible (besides the beauty of the horses) is this impression of being in an elite sports complex, to the point that the horses even benefit from aquatic training, like an equestrian spa. You almost want to take their place… It is therefore possible, even for the public and tourists, to take a short guided tour of the facility (by reservation, Sunday to Thursday).
Al Shaqab Ar-Rayyan, Qatar
_
Go kayaking in the Mangrove
It’s a great activity to do to discover the mangrove in the Al Thakira region (in the north of Qatar) and to take some idyllic photos on the desert beaches of Qatar, not to mention that it tones your arms…
Activity offered by QIA (Qatar International Adventures)
_
Go on a 4×4 safari in the Qatari desert
Dune bashing is a very popular sport in Qatar, with thrills guaranteed! As for me, being prone to motion sickness (which was actually the opportunity to test a natural solution against nausea that I will talk to you about at greater length in another article), I was very afraid of the result, but I actually really loved this little excursion in the dunes, especially since I was in the front of the car (a prime spot that I recommend).
It’s also an opportunity to discover the Inland Sea (Khor Al-Adaid), a magnificent natural site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, where water and desert sand meet in an improbable way, a unique combination in the world, and to travel to the border with Saudi Arabia.
The safari also includes a small rest stop at the QIA Camp, facing the sea, a perfect place to enjoy a swim in the inland sea.
4×4 Desert Safari Price: 225 QAR for a half-day Desert Safari / 300 QAR for a full day in the desert / 425 QAR for one night in the desert
_
The Qatar Airways experience
The national airline connects Doha (where the new Hamad International airport was built in 2014) to over 170 destinations worldwide, making Qatar one of the most important stopover points between Europe and Asia. In my imagination, flying with Qatar Airways was already a trip in itself, and I wasn’t wrong.
In Eco mode:
Economy class is, in itself, the equivalent of business class on other airlines, and comfort as well as high-end hospitality are the brand’s watchwords.
The pros: USB port to charge your electronic devices, a screen in front of every seat, and meal and drink service throughout the flight. The journey is pleasant.
In Business mode:
On the way back, we were lucky enough to be upgraded and to discover the business class of the Qatar Airways A380, clearly the biggest plane I have traveled on so far, with its 2 decks! You instantly enter another world. Traveling in these conditions is an unparalleled experience compared to what I had lived through before. It is ultimate luxury, or almost, and the problem is that once you’ve tasted that, it’s hard to go back to economy… but hey, you have to, it’s still way out of my travel budget…
The advantages: extra comfort with lots of space, the possibility to lie down completely and therefore sleep almost as if in a bed, an open bar available throughout the flight, a menu with a vast and delicious choice of dishes and drinks (without extra charge, obviously), there is never a queue for the toilets and when you’re a girl, that counts, service with great care worthy of a palace, little gifts (toiletry kit, blanket, pillow, etc.).
The tip: for layovers of more than 6 hours, Qatar Airways and the Qatar National Tourism Council organize a paid tour of the city to discover Doha (starting from 115 QAR, or about €29). You need to check at the Doha City Tour desk in the airport.
_
What to pack for Qatar
When you are a woman, traveling to Qatar (especially when it starts to get hot) and packing a suitcase that is appropriate for both the climate and the local customs can quickly become a real headache…
How to survive the high temperatures while remaining respectful towards the local population. Looking at my wardrobe, I quickly felt like a loose woman, incapable of pulling out a summer outfit that wasn’t short on the bottom or revealing on top… In short, I spent several hours trying on clothes to select a few decent outfits, which actually came more from my distant past as a hippie teenager…
In the end, I went to a lot of trouble for nothing, because at the risk of disappointing some, my fears were unfounded. Yes, you can walk around Doha with bare shoulders and even a skirt without anyone bothering you or giving you intense stares. Of course, you shouldn’t go out into the street in a bikini, but I think you wouldn’t do that in Paris either, so there you go… So my only advice would be to bring a shawl and a sweater to cover up, but that’s essentially because of the strong air conditioning, which is omnipresent in all the country’s buildings.
_
Useful information for Qatar
- For my part, I tested the destination at the end of April. It was beautiful and hot (between 30 and 35 degrees) but it remains bearable compared to the stifling 50 degrees of the summer period. Temperatures are between 7 degrees in winter and 50 degrees in summer.
- Arabic is the official language, but it is very easy to make yourself understood in English almost everywhere.
- Doha is the capital of the Emirate.
- Nearly 88% of Qatar’s population are expatriates.
- Time difference with France: 1h in summer (2h in winter).
- Currency: the Qatari Riyal.
- French nationals benefit from a free visa waiver upon arrival, valid for stays of up to 90 days.
- The work week in Qatar is from Sunday to Thursday, and offices are closed on Friday and Saturday, which correspond to our weekend.
- Heads up, remember to bring an adapter, as standard British plugs are used there.
_
I also take this opportunity to thank Qatar International Adventures for hosting us so well, and especially our guide Borhane, as well as my great fellow travelers, Mathilde from Stay Tuned For Food (with whom I often travel, like to Cap d’Agde), Cédric from The Parisian Eye, Thibault from Travel Me Happy and Raphaëlle our great chaperone.
_
I hope that with all this, I have made you want to discover Doha and Qatar, perhaps during a future stopover. And if you also have your own tips for this destination, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments!
Photo credits: Mademoiselle Bon Plan, Mathilde Meteye Photos not copyright-free, photographer authorization required before any use
