Qatar
A small desert peninsula, Qatar has more to see than its size suggests: I.M. Pei's Museum of Islamic Art, Jean Nouvel's desert-rose National Museum, the lamplit lanes of Souq Waqif and dunes rolling down to the Inland Sea. It works best as a winter stopover of two to four days, when evenings on the corniche are warm rather than stifling.
Overview
Qatar is a small, flat peninsula jutting into the Gulf, and almost everything happens in and around Doha, whose metropolitan area holds most of the population and whose skyline has risen within a generation on natural gas wealth. A first visit is shaped like a city break: museums and the corniche, the restored souq, the Pearl and Lusail's new waterfront, then a day trip south into the dunes or north to the mangroves and the ruins of Al Zubarah. Preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup left a new metro and whole new districts.
Qatar is expensive by regional standards, but the metro is cheap and taxis reasonable. Summer, from June to September, is fiercely hot and humid, so outdoor life shifts to air-conditioned malls and late evenings; winter is mild and pleasant. The atmosphere is calm, orderly and conservative, with alcohol limited to licensed hotel venues. Many visitors arrive on a stopover and are surprised by how much art is on show, from the museums to public works by Richard Serra and Damien Hirst. It suits culture-focused short breaks more than beach holidays or nightlife.
Map of Qatar
Top 5 highlights
- 1Culture
Museum of Islamic Art
I.M. Pei's geometric limestone museum stands on an artificial island off the corniche, holding some 1,400 years of Islamic art: ceramics, manuscripts, carpets and metalwork. The adjoining MIA Park has Richard Serra's sculpture '7' and skyline views.
- 2Culture
Souq Waqif
A restored market quarter of mud-rendered lanes selling spices, textiles, perfume and falcons, with a specialist falcon hospital nearby. It comes alive after dark, when shisha cafés and Gulf restaurants fill every courtyard.
- 3Architecture
National Museum of Qatar
Jean Nouvel's building of interlocking discs, inspired by the desert rose crystal, wraps around the restored palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani. Immersive galleries trace Qatar's story from geology and pearling to oil and gas.
- 4Nature
Khor Al Adaid
The Inland Sea in Qatar's far south-east, where high dunes run down to a tidal inlet facing Saudi Arabia. It can only be reached by 4x4 across the sand, so go on an organised trip with an experienced desert driver.
- 5History
Al Zubarah
Qatar's UNESCO-listed ghost town on the north-west coast, a pearling and trading port abandoned in the early 20th century. Excavations reveal its streets and houses, and a restored 1938 fort nearby houses a small exhibition.
Biggest cities
Doha
The capital holds nearly all of Qatar's sights, including the Museum of Islamic Art, the National Museum, Souq Waqif and a long corniche, linked by a fast metro that also serves the airport.
Al Rayyan
A sprawling municipality merging into western Doha, home to Education City, the Aspire Zone and several World Cup stadiums; visit for specific sights rather than to wander.
Al Wakrah
A fast-growing coastal town just south of Doha with a restored old souq, a calm public beach and seafood restaurants near the Zaha Hadid-designed Al Janoub Stadium; an easy half-day trip.
Al Rayyan and Al Wakrah are municipalities that run into Doha's urban sprawl; populations are rounded municipality figures from the 2020 census.
When to go to Qatar
Best time: Nov–Mar.
Average climate in Doha
Festivals & events
- Feb–MarRamadan
The holy month changes the country's rhythm: quiet days, then lively nights of iftar feasts and late-opening souqs. Garangao, a children's celebration with sweets and songs, falls mid-month.
- Nov–DecQatar Grand Prix
A Formula 1 night race at Lusail International Circuit near the end of the season, drawing big crowds; book hotels early if you plan to visit that weekend.
- DecQatar National Day
On 18 December the corniche hosts parades, air displays and fireworks, with heritage events at the Darb Al Saai site in the days beforehand; expect road closures and crowds.
How much does Qatar cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Machboos
The national dish: rice cooked with loomi (dried lime), baharat spices and tomato, topped with chicken, lamb or fish.
Harees
Wheat and meat slow-cooked and beaten into a smooth, savoury porridge finished with ghee, especially popular during Ramadan and Eid.
Luqaimat
Crisp fried dough balls drizzled with date syrup and sesame seeds, sold hot from Souq Waqif stalls and served at every celebration.
Getting around
The Doha Metro's Red, Green and Gold lines are fast, cheap and spotless, linking the airport, West Bay, Msheireb, Souq Waqif, Education City and Lusail. Uber, Careem and Karwa taxis fill the gaps at reasonable prices. Hire a car or join a tour for Al Zubarah and the north; trips to Khor Al Adaid need a 4x4 and an experienced desert driver. In summer, walking any distance is impractical.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- DG240V — UK plugs fit
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 999 (ambulance, fire, police)
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +974
- Time zone
- UTC+3 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Service charges are often included in hotel restaurants; elsewhere around 10% is appreciated. Round up taxi fares and tip desert-safari drivers.
- Etiquette
- Dress modestly in public, covering shoulders and knees, especially in malls, museums and souqs. Avoid public displays of affection, and don't eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours in Ramadan.
- Main airports
- Hamad International Airport (DOH), Doha
Visas & entry for Qatar
Shown for a British passport.
Visa on arrival
You can get a tourist visa on arrival if you’re travelling on a full British Citizen passport.
You must still get a visa in advance if:
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Hepatitis BMeaslesRabiesTuberculosisTyphoid
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Qatar
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Fri 18 Dec 2026 | Qatar National Day |
| Tue 9 Feb 2027 | National Sports Day |
| Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Wed 10 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Thu 11 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Tue 18 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Arabic
| English | Arabic | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | مرحبا | MAR-ha-ba |
| Thank you | شكراً | SHUK-ran |
| Please | من فضلك | min FAD-lak |
| Excuse me | لو سمحت | law sa-MAHT |
| How much is this? | بكم هذا؟ | bi-KAM HAA-tha |
Know before you go
- Hamad International Airport is on the metro Red Line, so a long layover can be enough for the Museum of Islamic Art or an evening in Souq Waqif.
- Alcohol is sold only in licensed hotel bars and restaurants and is expensive; being drunk in public is an offence, so plan nights out around your hotel.
- From May to September, keep outdoor sightseeing to early morning or after sunset, carry water, and use the air-conditioned metro rather than walking between sights.
Qatar travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Qatar?
The best time to visit Qatar is generally Nov–Mar. Peak months are January, February, March, November and December. Average highs in Doha range from 22°C to 42°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Qatar cost per day?
Roughly £60 a day on a tight budget, £140 mid-range and £320+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Qatar?
Qatari riyal (QAR).
What plug type does Qatar use?
Type D and G sockets at 240V. UK visitors need a travel adapter.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Qatar?
Traffic drives on the right in Qatar, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Qatar?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for Qatar?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can get a tourist visa on arrival if you’re travelling on a full British Citizen passport. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Qatar before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/qatar/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Qatar?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Hepatitis B, Measles, Rabies, Tuberculosis and Typhoid sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
