Doha is the modern Middle East. Qatar’s capital is home to about half of the country’s total population, and almost all of them are very rich or at least prosperous. Earlier, pearls were mined near the Persian Gulf’s local shores, and then vast deposits of oil were discovered here, and today every inhabitant of the country receives his share of the profit from this.
Tourists come to Doha to see a fantastic city where skyscrapers and modern rhythm of life coexist with ancient Arab traditions. Here you can visit luxury shopping centres and amusement parks and see how the Bedouins live. The favorite pastime of locals and tourists is the camel race, which occurs here in winter and spring when the heat subsides.
Transport
You can travel around the country by train, but the best way to get around the city is to take a taxi or rent a car.
Money
There are no problems with ATMs, they can be found in any part of the city. Currency exchange offices are located in the south of Doha.
Shopping
Doha boasts a large number of traditional markets where you can buy almost anything. In small markets located on the outskirts of the city, you can buy fish, spices and herbs, as well as truffles, dates, Arabic perfumes, dishes, straw products and even exotic plants at affordable prices (bargaining is appropriate). Gold should be sought in the Sak Gould market, and even a camel will be sold to you in the local bird markets.
Those who do not like the bustle of the market can visit the Hyatt Plaza and Landmark shopping malls to buy clothes from famous brands, go to the movies and have a coffee. Also worth a visit is the City Center Doha, the largest in the Middle East and the seventh-largest in the world, which includes, among other things, a water park, two bowling alleys, two ice rinks, a ballroom and a spa. Women can only skate on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Car rental
The conditions for car rental in Doha are quite favorable: the prices are low, and for the first ten days, you can use the driver’s license of your country. However, you need to issue a Qatari temporary license after this period. Doha van rental is also a budget-friendly option.
Cuisine and restaurants
Local restaurants prepare dishes from lamb, veal, goat, poultry, rice, vegetables and fruits, fresh and canned. But pork is prohibited. Fish, eggs, cheese, and onions, garlic, peppers, aromatic herbs and other spices occupy an essential place on the table. The peculiarity of Arab cuisine is that meat is usually cooked without the use of fat.
Doha entertainment and attractions
The former palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed houses the National Museum of Qatar, the most popular local attraction. There is a vast two-level aquarium. On the upper level, there are representatives of the local marine fauna. On the lower level – the entire underwater world of the bay, you can see sea turtles in the aquarium, which are almost gone in the Persian Gulf. Also in the museum, you can get acquainted with the history of Islam’s formation in the country and learn about the Arab sea expeditions.
Real men, defenders should definitely visit the Museum of Weapons, which presents the Sheikh’s private collection. Also, worth visiting is the Ethnographic Museum, which talks about Qatar before the oil boom, and the Museum of Islamic Art.
The local fishing Harbour is also noteworthy. Children can be taken to Palm Island – an entertainment center brought to the Doha Zoo, where desert dwellers live, or to the Aladdin Kingdom amusement park, which houses more than 18 rides, an artificial lagoon and a theatre. There is a particular work schedule for women in the park.
Doha is not far from the Shakaiya nature reserve, which is home to white oryx, one of the rarest species of antelope. Doha Fort often hosts exhibitions of traditional Qatari crafts. You can also go on a jeep safari in the desert with a visit to Bedouin camps, and when it’s not very hot, camel races and falcon hunts are held in Doha.
Doha weather
Doha has a tropical, dry climate. The average temperature in summer is +50 ° C, in winter, as a rule, not lower than +7 ° C, very little precipitation falls, mainly in winter. It is best to go to Doha between April-May and September-October, at which time the climate is mild – the temperature is slightly above 20 ° C.
