Festivals & Events in Qatar

By planeAir travel to Qatar has boomed in the last decade. Most visitors to the country arrive via Hamad International Airport (IATA: DOH) near Doha. The national carrier, Qatar Airways, has established an extensive network of flights to 124 destinations from its Doha hub. Flights to Sydney, scheduled to...

There are three types of public transport in Qatar: buses, taxis and limousines, all owned by the state-owned company Mowasalat (Karwa), with the exception of some private limousine companies.By busThe bus service started in October 2005. Ticketing is done via a Karwa smartcard, which is available in three versions:Smartcard...

Qatar issues a 30-day visa on arrival at Doha Airport to nationals of the following countries: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,...

For a relatively small peninsula in the Middle East, there is a lot to see in Qatar.Historical monumentsThe history buff will not be disappointed, with a selection of ruins, rock art and museums to keep the mind wandering. The most famous is the archaeological site of Zubarah, which contains...

A good activity for tourists is simply to experience the country's tradition. The traditional way of life of the Qataris was simple: Bedouin nomads roamed the desert with their camels, and fishermen searched the seabed for pearls to trade. Although these two ways of life have largely disappeared in...

Food in QatarQatar has a seemingly unlimited choice of food, many of which are excellent. If you want to try European cuisine in a refined setting, go to a hotel like the Ramada or Marriott, both of which offer excellent sushi and the option of alcoholic drinks with your...

The national currency is the Qatari Riyal (QAR). The riyal is pegged to the US dollar at a rate of QR 3.64 per US dollar. One riyal is divided into 100 dirhams, with coins of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 dirhams. The riyal is available in denominations of...

Respect the Islamic beliefs of Qataris and Bedouins: Although there is no legal obligation to wear the hijab, women should not wear tube tops or tight-fitting clothes, although there is no strict rule and women are free to dress as they wish. It is perfectly acceptable for any nationality...

By phoneIf you are calling from abroad, the Qatar country code is 974. There is no city or area code. When you call abroad from Qatar, the international dialling code is usually 0. Qatari phone numbers now have eight digits. Previously it was seven, but this was changed by...

Arabic is the official language in Qatar, although it is safe to say that the majority of the population does not speak it. The number of foreign workers from the Indian subcontinent and the Philippines far exceeds the number of local Qataris, especially in Doha (where foreigners make up...

Qatar's culture is similar to that of other eastern Arab countries and is strongly influenced by Islam. Qatar's National Day, celebrated annually on 18 December, has played an important role in developing a sense of national identity. It is celebrated in commemoration of the succession to the throne of...

AncientHuman settlement in Qatar dates back to 50,000 years ago. Settlements and tools dating back to the Stone Age have been excavated on the peninsula. Mesopotamian artefacts from the Ubaid period (ca. 6500-3800 BC) have been discovered in abandoned coastal settlements. Al Da'asa, a settlement on the northeast coast...

Stay safe in QatarThe emergency number for police, ambulance or fire brigade is 999.Qatar stands out clearly from the surrounding region, there is no war, no conflicts and hardly any crime.Western women travelling alone are sometimes stared at by local men, along with other unwanted curiosity seekers. However, this...

The climate in Qatar can be described as dry and unforgiving. In summer, which lasts from May to September, the days are characterised by intense and humid heat, averaging 35°C, but not unknown to peak at 50°C. In winter, October to April, the days are much more bearable at...