Doha, Qatar

The first thing that might come to your mind when thinking what is in Qatar is desert and military. You aren’t wrong! However, Qatar is one of the safest countries in the world and is very rich. The only major threat that it faces is the small body of water separating it from other erratic countries (such as Iran). So to clear the air on what Doha has to offer, i’ll be answering some questions about what activities and fun you can find as well as some helpful notes on culture.

How many days do I need to see Qatar? 1-2. Make sure that when you head out, its not during prayer hours (double check on Fridays).

How big are the Souqs and will I likely get lost in them? The Souqs are iconic mazes of market style stores that sell cheap, unique items. The one you shouldn’t miss is “Souq Waqif.” However, in terms of size, this market is only a very small fraction of what Morocco and Turkey’s markets are. If you do find yourself momentarily lost, just keep walking forward. You’ll find yourself either in the square or right on the outskirts of the center within 5 minutes.

What can I expect to find in the Souqs? Fake name brand watches, sun glasses, purses, wallets, shoes, and clothing. Perfume and cologne- and watch out because they will come up and spray you without your permission. You will come across some Nepal themed stores that sell vibrant bags, cushions, blankets, pillows, baskets and rugs (but you’ll probably need to ship them home.) You can find sections of the souqs that specifically sell nothing but spices and teas. You’ll see piles and piles of cashmere scarves. Double check the quality and ask for 1/2 the price listed on the sticker. You will also find tons of your basic souvenirs as well as local fabric and clothing. They are also proud of their intricate chess boards and pottery. Also, If I were you, I would skip the entire caged animal section. It was devastating to see 1 week old puppies and kittens stuffed in bird cages.

What can I do for fun outside of the city center? You’d be suprised but their malls are unforgettable. Have you been to the Villagio in Vegas? They have the same thing here! The entire mall is a scene from Italy with gondola rides and all. IF you stop by “Festival City mall,” be sure to stop by the massive gaming arena and VR rooms. They also have indoor ice tubing! The Mall of Qatar is MASSIVE. And there is an Ikea…need I say more?

Are there any bucket list activities that I can cross of my list, here? Yes! I went dune riding in an ATV with a group of friends for about $40 (for 2 hours.) You can choose what CC you want and can split the price with someone if you don’t want to drive alone (making it $20/pp!). You can also ride a camel on the beach (…or eat camel meat!)

What is the weather like? It’ll either be cold and windy or SUPER HOT and windy. From Dec-April, I would stick to leggings or jeans with a tshirt and a sweater. I had to bring out the gloves and hat some nights. For summer, or May-November, be prepared for a fluctuation of 90-120 dry heat. Sometimes Qatar will humor you with 130 degrees, full humidity and blow dryer wind.

What should I wear? The locals are very modest and will stare at those who are not. My first time out, I wore flip flops and had to suffer through a day of people looking at nothing but my feet. No need to wear scarves because there is a lot of tourism – however, I probably would as a solo traveler. No shorts, skirts, tank tops or low cut shirts. I would also avoid wearing a bikini unless you are at a resort pool. Even the locals go to the beach covered from head to toe.

What should I eat while i’m here? The great thing about this city is that not even half of the vendors are from Qatar. Most people come from all over the world. Pakistan, India, Philippines, Nepal, etc. You will find all of these cuisines here! Some restaurants have amazing views of the city center or skyline. Some gems are stowed away somewhere in the center or within the souqs. One thing to note is that you probably wont find any that sell alcoholic products. However, they provide delicious mocktails (mainly blended tropical drinks and mojitos. OH, AND YOU MUST GET MOROCCAN TEA WHILE YOU ARE HERE.