Doha

Doha is the capital city of Qatar. Known for its modern skyline, world-class museums, pristine waterfront, and cultural souqs, there’s no shortage of things to experience in Doha. Here’s our guide on how to be a tourist in Doha, Qatar.

Where to stay

The best area to stay in Doha is near The Pearl. It’s a high-end district with plenty of shopping and dining options. The area is on the pricier side, so if you’re looking for something more affordable, Doha Old Port and West Bay are great alternatives.

Getting around

Uber is by far the easiest way to get around Doha. With Qatar’s low gas and oil prices, fares are incredibly cheap - we’ve never seen Uber prices this low anywhere in the world. Drivers are plentiful and Doha is so compact that even the longest trip usually takes around 30 minutes. The airport is also close to the city center.

Cruise port

Cruise ships dock at Hamad Port, which is just past the airport. You cannot walk to anything from the port, so Uber is your best option.

Things to do

Mina District

The Mina district is a great area to walk around, take in the architecture, and browse some local stores. Many shops open in the late afternoon, around 4 PM, since Doha is a night-oriented city and it’s too hot to be out during the day.

While you’re in the area, be sure to check out the Fish Market. The building itself is known for its beautiful architecture, and it’s a great way to get a glimpse of a local market.

Villaggio Mall

Villaggio Mall is a large, Venice-inspired indoor mall. You can take a gondola ride along the canal for 10 Qatari riyals. The mall features a wide variety of shops, from local brands to designer fashion. There’s a food court with American chains like Chipotle and Pizza Hut, as well as plenty of other dining options. Inside the mall, you’ll also find a theme park called Gondolania, which operates on a pay-per-ride system and includes roller coasters, a cinema, laser tag, bowling, and an ice rink. Villaggio Mall is perfect for the middle of the day, when the hot desert sun makes it too uncomfortable to be outside.

Katara Towers

This isn’t really an activity - it’s more about seeing the building. The Katara Towers are the iconic U-shaped twin towers in Lusail. Inside, the towers house two hotels: Raffles Doha and Fairmont Doha. There are several restaurants, but you’ll need a reservation to enter, as you cannot just drive up without a purpose. For the best view of the building, walk out toward the Lusail Corniche. There’s also a hub of restaurants nearby, including In-N-Out Burger, which is a great spot for photos.

Place Vendome Mall

Place Vendôme Mall is an upscale shopping destination, featuring mostly high-end stores along with a few mid-range options. The main attraction for visitors is the Dancing Fountains water show, which lasts about five minutes and runs every hour from 7 PM to 11 PM.

Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif is a traditional, bustling market filled with souvenirs, spices, perfumes, and clothing. It’s a good idea to have cash, as smaller vendors may not accept cards, but there are plenty of ATMs around the souq. The best time to visit is in the evening, when it comes alive. Be sure to check out the camel market for photos, and camel rides are also offered for children.

Restaurants

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Things to know

Currency

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Safety

Qatar maintains strict laws for their citizens making it a very safe country for tourists with minimal crime. This is also the case for solo female travelers. We felt surprisingly safe for a Middle Eastern country, even as a female.

The United States considers the United Arab Emirates a level 2 threat due to potential of terrorism or missile attacks. Keep in mind that the UAE is surrounded by countries like Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Iran which means that the UAE is at risk for terrorism. While the USA and UAE have good relations, the surrounding countries do not like Americans. During our trip to the Middle East, the US bombed Yemen. We did not have any problems, but pretended to be Canadian out of precaution. Just be aware of the region of the world you are in and current events.

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We hope you enjoyed our guide on how to be a tourist in Doha. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions!

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