- Police: 999
- Dress conservatively. Women should have shoulders and knees covered. Must wear head scarf and be completely covered to visit mosques
- Money: CAD 1.00 = QR 3.00
- Bargaining at souqs is expected
- Water is drinkable
- On Fridays, businesses shut between 10-12pm and some shops will remain closed
- Men generally won’t shake the hands of women out of respect
- Avoid public displays of affection
- Very safe
- Tipping 10-15% is appreciated although most hospitality outlets will include the service charge
- 102 countries may enter Qatar visa free including Canada
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GETTING AROUND
Doha Metro: connects to major areas incl airport.
- Purchase Travel Card from ticket vending machine located in every metro station. Costs approx QR10 for about 5 rides
- Red Line takes you to Katara Village
- Red Line takes you from airport to city centre (cheaper if you purchase Travel Card)
- Metro station usually opens at 6am except for Fridays when it opens at 2pm
Trams:
1) Lusail Tram – connects to metro through Lusail & Legtaifiya stations. Ride using metro travel card
2)Msheireb Tram – connects all of Msheireb Downtown Doha. 2km circuit & free
3)Education City Tram – free to ride
Karwa Taxis: book on the Karwa Taxi app
Uber: extremely quick and inexpensive. I used it multiple times and waited less than a minute for all my rides. You’ll need cell service to book. I use Airalo eSIM which is super convenient
WALKING ROUTE
Exploring Education City
- Qatar National Library (Open Sat – Thur 8-8pm, Fri 4-8pm), Free
- Education City Mosque. Free
- Al Khater House (traditional Qatari family courtyard house). Free
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DOHA ACCOMMODATION
Al Najada Doha by Tivoli
I loved my stay here. Right across the street from the souq, fabulous breakfast buffet and the staff were amazing.
- best area is in Souq Waqif area. Wide variety of restaurants, shops and traditional markets. Well connected with other parts of city by metro and bus.
- Alwadi Hotel Doha $$
- Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels by Tivoli $$
- Al Najada Doha by Tivoli $$
- Kingsgate Hotel $
- Al Bidda Boutique Hotel
- The Mirqab
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TO VISIT
- taxi to Katara Cultural Village for evening stroll (lively at night and lit up)
- early morning to Qanat Qartier on Pearl Island (Venetian style, picturesque)
- Katara Cultural Village: Katara Mosque, Pigeon Tower & Golden Majid. Shops open 8am-2am daily
- sunset (2:30pm pickup) tour of North Qatar incl Al Thakira Mangrove Park (Purple Island), Al Zubara Fort (Unesco site) and Qatari village (I honestly would skip this tour. It should’ve booked the sunset desert tour instead.)
- Booked w/ Royal Route Tours (WhatsApp +974 5559 5351). 510 rials
- walk along Al Corniche
- Mina District at Old Doha Port (colourful architecture & fish market)
- Box Park at Old Doha Port (colourful shipping containers)
- Museum of Islamic Art (unique architecture)
- Education City Mosque (unique architecture). Opens at 11am. Allowed entry during prayer
- Qatar National Library (unique architecture). Opens at 8am Sun-Thur
- Souq Waqif: Falcon Souq, Art Center to watch artists working, stables of Arabian horses (open 7-10pm daily)
- Fanar (distinct landmark & replica of Great Mosque of Al-Muyawwakil in Iran).
- Doha Skyline Viewpoint for sunset & view of skyscrapers across the water
- evening walk around Msheireb Downtown Doha (lively at night)
- early morning to rear of Souq Waqif for sunrise view of Fanar and souq
- National Museum of Qatar (unique architecture). Opens at 9am, Sat – Thur except closed Tue. 22 min walk from hotel
- Fish market. Opens at 9am. Definitely visit. Stunning inside.
- Al Wakrah Souq (heritage souq on the water). Opens at 10am daily except in summer when it opens at 5pm due to the heat
- Imam Abdul Wahhab Mosque (book free tour thru Abdulla Bin Zaid Al-Mahmoud Islamic Centre or just arrive after prayer and an available guide will take you around. You can’t go into the prayer hall without a guide and it’s free)
- Khor Al Adaid Beach aka Inland Sea (outside of Doha). Unique in that sea meets the desert
- Dahl Al Misfir (cave/sinkhole outside of Doha)
- Purple Island mangroves (can walk or book kayak tour)
- Al Zubara Fort (Sun-Thur 9-5pm, Fri 12:30-5pm). Free. Outside of Doha in coastal town of Al Zubarah
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THINGS TO DO
- Paratriking at Sealine Beach. Book w/ 365 Adventures. 365adventures.me
- Hot Air Balloon ride
- Food tour with Embrace Doha. Book @ www.embracedoha.com
- Walking tour of souqs
- Desert tour with 365 Adventures of Khor Al Adaid. Book at 365adventures.me
- Kayak tour with 365 Adventures of Purple Island mangroves. Books at 364adventures.me
- Dinner in the desert tour with 365 Adventures
- Desert tour with Qatar Gold Dune Safari Tour. Approx 4hrs. Leaves twice a day at 8:30am and 1:30pm. Book in advance!
- Desert Safari and North Tour w/ Royal Route Tourism. Book at www.royalroutetours.com
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EATS
- Damasca One in Souq Waqif
- Parisa Souq Waqif (beautifully decorated and great food)
