CITY GUIDE
"Doha a world-class city in the making, thanks to its spectacular modern skyline, peerless Museum of Islamic Art, a fine and expansive traditional souq, and burgeoning arts and culinary scenes. On any given day you could sample a portfolio of sophisticated restaurants and then watch the sun set over sand dunes that seem to spring from a fairy tale."
- Lonely Planet
BIRTHDATE -
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3rd September 1971
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2,505,000
AKA -
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Bida, El Beda, Al Bidda
MEANING -
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Roundness
RIVER -
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There is a canal running through the Villaggio Mall with Gondoliers on it
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It started out as a small fishing village.
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After being founded in 1820 it became the capital of Qatar 1971 after being a British Protectorate.
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It had a flourishing pearl trade in the first half of the 20th century.
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Oil was discovered in 1940 and changed everything.
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It is due to hold the World Cup in 2022.
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December to February in winter is cool but not cold.
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March to May is spring and still very warm.
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June to August is summer where temperatures are over 40 C.
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September to November is Autumn and still 40 C.
FLIGHTS -
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Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH) - has direct flights to 174 destinations in 80 countries in all continents. It is now a major travel hub and the perfect place for a stopover enroute.
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Get your travel insurance once you've paid for your airfares to protect your investment.
BOOKINGS -
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Everything should be booked well in advance to avoid disappointment
NAVIGATING -
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Before you go download Maps.me and all the relevant maps.
VISA - Click here for information
TOP 10 - In No Order
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Souq Waqif
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Museum of Islamic Art
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Katara (Cultural Village)
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The Pearl-Qatar
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Corniche
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Dune bashing
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(Sheikh Faisal Bin - Qassim Al Thani Museum)
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Falcon Souq
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Banana Island Resort
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National Museum of Qatar
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It is the second most flat country in the world after the Maldives, and
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Safest and richest and no trees.
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99 percent of the people live in the Capital.
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Locals are out numbered by ex-pats 6 to 1.
AIRPORT TRANSFER - Doha Hamad Airport (DOH) 14km
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There are buses, taxis and limousines
Image by Nordcap Studio from Pixabay
Photo by Mike Swigunski on Unsplash
Doha Souq
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Once you've bought your tickets get some travel insurance to protect yourself
Avenir Light is a clean and stylish font favored by designers. It's easy on the eyes and a great go-to font for titles, paragraphs & more.
Avenir Light is a clean and stylish font favored by designers. It's easy on the eyes and a great go-to font for titles, paragraphs & more.
Museum of Islamic Art
STAY -
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Most hotels are available on Booking.com unless otherwise stated. It's best to get bookings with free cancellation and pay on site when you get there. Hotels chosen are usually 3*** or 4 or 5 if they are good value. They are chosen firstly for their location, value for money, positive testimonials regarding cleanliness and service and features like rooftop terraces and great views.
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Since the end of Covid a lot of prices have gone through the roof. So if the selected hotel is out of your price range click on the location map and choose something cheaper nearby. Or you might prefer something else but try to stay in the same area.
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It's the safest city in the world - for earthquakes and the second safest for crime
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Be sun smart - slip, slop, slap, seek, slide
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Carry a scarf or something to put over your face in dust storms
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Don't wear revealing clothes or be too affectionate in public
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Don't take photos of local women
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Machbus (rice, meat, and veg is the national dish in Qatar),
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Harees (a kind of wheat and meat porridge),
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Thareed (a meat and veg stew),
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Balaleet (fried noodles topped with an omelet),
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Luqaimat (like a doughnut dipped in honey)
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Alcohol is mainly found in the big hotels and is very expensive.
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You may need to dress up, have your passport with you and some places only do bottle service. There are some happy hours.
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During Ramadan everything is closed.
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Save your money.
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Hotels can be reasonable,
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Alcohol is unreasonable, it has a 100 percent sin tax attached,
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Otherwise costs are similar to the west
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Bring some extra cash
GETTING AROUND -
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Taxis are hard to get, expensive and rip you off.
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Uber is a better alternative.
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The Souq should be walking distance from your hotel.
MUST DO -
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Souq Waqif
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Villaggio Mall
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Doha Festival City
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(with an indoor snow park)
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Al Hazm (opulent)
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Mall of Qatar
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The Pearl
Photo by Florian Wehde on Unsplash
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Go to Doha Tours 2
DOHA STOPOVER 3N
HIGHLIGHTS - souk, mia & the pearl
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Doha (Arabic for roundness) founded in the 1820's became the Capital of Qatar in 1971 when it ceased being a British Protectorate. It is now the richest country per capita in the world.
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With Qatar Airways taking passengers from Australia to Europe and vice versa many people are finding themselves with the opportunity to spend a few days in Doha. There's plenty to see and do here and have a rest en-route which means you can arrive at your destination fresh and hit the ground running. These days you can get around by using the Doha Metro.
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Hotels are reasonably priced in the historic heart of Doha. See if you can get a good deal at the DoubleTree by Hilton Doha Old Town ***** (outdoor pool, 2 restaurants, bar, private beach, fitness centre) or somewhere within walking distance of Souq Waqif. It is a great place to hang out, eat, drink and shop. Next door is the Falcon Souq where you can learn about this ancient art and even hold one. The birds are worth thousands of dollars and some are more expensive than a new car. There is a show room and a hospital where you can see the Falcons being trained and cared for.
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Nearby are the horse stables for the prized Arabian horses. These stables are more like a 5***** horse palace and you are free to wander around.
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The 7 kilometer waterfront promenade Corniche stretches the whole way around Doha Bay and affords spectacular views of the city. At one end you will find the Museum of Islamic Art. It was built on a stand alone island so no future buildings could obstruct it. The 91 year old man (I.M. Pei) who designed the pyramid at the Louvre was persuaded to come out of retirement to design it. It has the largest collection of Islamic Art in the world and was collected over a 1400 year period. Alain Ducasse has a restaurant here so time your visit around lunch time. The rooftop terrace has the best views in town.
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Visit an invigorating Hammam (Traditional Bathhouse) when you get a chance. You will sweat, get scrubbed and pummelled and walk out feeling fantastic. Available for the ladies too.
The Pearl
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Desert adventures are a short distance away. Head out for Sunset, BBQ and Belly Dancing. Or you could stay out overnight. There is a cultural village, lot's of shopping, sunset dhow rides in the bay and the Pearl. A man made island with enough attractions to earn it the epithet of the "Arabian Riviera". You can get a drink here as well. You may have to dress up a little but you'll find a few happy hours, some live music and a rooftop bar as well. For some good food and delicious cocktails head out to Trader Vic's with views out on the Persian Gulf.
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Other attractions include the Villagio Mall, featuring Venice and ice skating - the Barzan Towers which were built in the late 19th century.
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With so much to see and do you might want to stop over on the way home as well.
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