Qatar is a small country in the Persian Gulf, one of the richest countries in the world. The tourism industry is a growing area in the economy, which the government places a lot of emphasis on. To attract guests, Qatari hotels offer lower prices than neighboring UAE with the same high level of service.
The main resort of Qatar is the capital city of Doha, where you can sunbathe on well-groomed beaches and enjoy excellent shopping at affordable prices (compared to the same Abu Dhabi or Dubai). If we compare Qatar with the Emirates, then we can conclude that this is the UAE 5-7 years ago. That is, the tourist infrastructure and service have already reached a decent level, and prices have remained more than affordable.
The best time to travel to Qatar is from March to May and from September to January. During the summer months, the temperature reaches 50 degrees, which makes a comfortable stay almost impossible.
What to see in Qatar?
The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a brief description.
Doha city
The capital, the main settlement of Qatar, where 50% of the country's inhabitants live. In the XIX century the city was one of the most important ports of the British Empire. After the discovery of oil and gas fields, a rich and modern metropolis with parks, skyscrapers, shopping centers, magnificent hotels and well-groomed embankments has grown on the site of a nondescript town.
Address: Doha city, Qatar, Qatar
Opening hours: 24/7
Museum of Islamic Art
Located in Doha, it is an outstanding example of modern architecture that fits perfectly into the urban landscape of the capital. There are about 10 thousand exhibits in the museum collections, including ancient manuscripts of the Koran, modern creations of Islamic artists, and rare books. The building was built in 2007 by the American architect Vignoli.
Address: Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar, Qatar
Phone: +974 4422 4444
Opening hours: 9:00 - 17:30
Corniche (Doha)
It stretches for several kilometers along the Persian Gulf and is a favorite place for tourists and locals to walk. The embankment starts at the Sheraton Hotel and ends at the Marriott Hotel. Prestigious apartments, office buildings, cultural sites and park areas are located here.
Address: Corniche (Doha), Qatar, Qatar
Opening hours: Open 24 hours.
Aspire Tower
A marvel of modern architecture, the tallest tower in the capital. The structure was built in the form of a torch topped with intertwining steel ovals. The height of the tower is almost 318 meters. On 36 floors there are offices, a hotel, a swimming pool, a sports museum and commercial premises. The Aspire Tower was erected in honor of the 2006 Asian Games held in Qatar.
Address: Aspire Tower, Qatar, Qatar
Opening hours: 08:00 - 22:00
Fort Zubara
Part of the historical heritage of Qatar and one of the most important cultural sites of the country. This is a construction of the beginning of the 20th century, which was used as a coast guard post until the 80s. The fort follows the style of traditional architecture of the Arabian Peninsula - it has a laconic and practical design, thick walls, round battlements on the sides.
Address: Fort Zubara, Qatar, Qatar
Opening hours: Saturday to Thursday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Friday: 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Al Kut Fort
Another historical monument, used as a police building and prison during the Turkish occupation. After the Arab authorities came to power, the fortress was no longer used due to the end of hostilities. In 1978, after a large-scale reconstruction, a museum was opened here, where products of national Qatari crafts are exhibited.
Address: Al Kut Fort, Qatar, Qatar
Opening hours: 08:00 - 16:00
Umm Salal Mohammed Fort
It is located 25 kilometers from the city of Doha. It is a small building built in the middle of the desert on the shores of the azure waters of the Persian Gulf. There is also a recently restored small mosque. The fort is not always open, it is possible to enter there only if one of the servants opens the door.
Address: Umm Salal Mohammed Fort, Qatar, Qatar
Opening hours: Daily 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Souq Waqif Market
A traditional Arab bazaar where everything is sold: exotic birds, carpets, jewelry, spices, clothes, weapons, furniture, souvenirs. The stone streets of the market are periodically patrolled by mounted police in arafat and caftans, which adds an extra flavor to the place. There are also many restaurants hidden here where locals meet to smoke hookah.
Address: Souq Waqif Market, Qatar, Qatar
Phone: +974 4402 0000
Opening hours: Saturday to Thursday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 AM, Friday: 1:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Ethnographic village "Katara" (Doha)
Created with the assistance of Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani with the aim of familiarizing tourists with the history and cultural heritage of the country. The village is included in all tourist routes. On its territory there are exhibition galleries, theaters, shops with local pearls, there is even a well-maintained beach.
Address: Ethnographic village Katara (Doha), Qatar, Qatar
Phone: +974 4408 0000
Opening hours: Daily: 9:00 - 22:00
Pearl of Qatar
An artificial island where luxurious apartments, private villas and expensive hotels are built. Up to 40,000 thousand people can fit on the island, the total area is 4 km², and the length is 32 km. This is a very ambitious project, created to attract funds from local and foreign investors. It helps to popularize and raise the prestige of Qatar.
Address: Pearl of Qatar, Qatar, Qatar
Opening hours: 09:00 - 22:00