Introduction
What to do
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Getting around
Local costs

Qatar travel guide

Qatar Tourism | Qatar Guide

You're Going to Love Qatar

Qatar is a country that provides a stark contrast between the traditions of life in the desert and the increasingly modern way of life, with its upmarket restaurants and the 21st-century architecture and buildings.

Article

What to do in Qatar

1. Take a Tour to Khor Al Adaid

In the south-east of Qatar is Khor Al Adaid, which is an inland sea in the middle of the desert. This lake, with its remarkable scenery is not accessible by road and visitors will need to take 4x4s to cross the desert dunes.

2. Visit Doha Fort

Also known as Al Koot Fort, this is situated on the site of Doha Old Town and is in the middle of Souq Waqif. Originally built in 1880 as a police station, it was renovated in 1927 and has now been converted into a museum that houses displays of life in Qatar.

3. Go to Dukhan Beach

Situated an hour's drive from Doha, this is one of the most popular beaches in Qatar as it is good for snorkeling and the shallow beach makes it a good location for families.

4. Explore the Museum of Islamic Art

Wander through exhibitions showing 1,400 years' worth of Islamic art from three different continents and learn about the artists and artwork over the centuries.

5. Visit Souq Waqif

At the heart of Doha lies Souq Waqif, with the smells of incense and spices, bright colors and the sound of stall keepers bargaining. This souq has been refurbished but has managed to maintain its traditions.

1. Take a Tour to Khor Al Adaid

In the south-east of Qatar is Khor Al Adaid, which is an inland sea in the middle of the desert. This lake, with its remarkable scenery is not accessible by road and visitors will need to take 4x4s to cross the desert dunes.

2. Visit Doha Fort

Also known as Al Koot Fort, this is situated on the site of Doha Old Town and is in the middle of Souq Waqif. Originally built in 1880 as a police station, it was renovated in 1927 and has now been converted into a museum that houses displays of life in Qatar.

3. Go to Dukhan Beach

Situated an hour's drive from Doha, this is one of the most popular beaches in Qatar as it is good for snorkeling and the shallow beach makes it a good location for families.

4. Explore the Museum of Islamic Art

Wander through exhibitions showing 1,400 years' worth of Islamic art from three different continents and learn about the artists and artwork over the centuries.

5. Visit Souq Waqif

At the heart of Doha lies Souq Waqif, with the smells of incense and spices, bright colors and the sound of stall keepers bargaining. This souq has been refurbished but has managed to maintain its traditions.

When to visit Qatar

Qatar in May
Estimated hotel price
AED 581
1 night at 3-star hotel
Qatar in May
Estimated hotel price
AED 581
1 night at 3-star hotel

With its desert climate, the best time to visit Qatar is in the winter months of November to March when the daytime temperatures are, on average, around 75°F and nighttime temperatures can drop to as low as 57°F.

How to Get to Qatar

Entry requirements

Travelers from the European Union are not required to carry a visa to visit Qatar. However, US citizens can get a visa upon entry to the country. The passport needs to be valid for six months and has to have two blank pages for stamps, with the visa valid for a period of 30 days. You are required to hold a return or onward ticket.

Plane

Hamad International Airport in Doha is the only airport in Qatar and receives flights operated by the national carrier, Qatar Airways as well as airlines such as Iberia Airlines, Finnair and Latam Airlines.

Boat

Although most boat traffic to Qatar is commercial, cruise line companies, such as MSC, have Qatar on their itineraries around the Gulf.

Entry requirements

Travelers from the European Union are not required to carry a visa to visit Qatar. However, US citizens can get a visa upon entry to the country. The passport needs to be valid for six months and has to have two blank pages for stamps, with the visa valid for a period of 30 days. You are required to hold a return or onward ticket.

Plane

Hamad International Airport in Doha is the only airport in Qatar and receives flights operated by the national carrier, Qatar Airways as well as airlines such as Iberia Airlines, Finnair and Latam Airlines.

Boat

Although most boat traffic to Qatar is commercial, cruise line companies, such as MSC, have Qatar on their itineraries around the Gulf.

Popular airports in Qatar

DOHDoha Hamad Intl

Popular airlines serving Qatar

British Airways
Good (6,815 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,776 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,686 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,562 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (9,206 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,272 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (9,927 reviews)
TAP Portugal
Good (1,846 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,203 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (967 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (850 reviews)
Ethiopian Air
Good (769 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (2,924 reviews)
Egyptair
Good (349 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (254 reviews)
JAL
Excellent (1,453 reviews)
China Southern
Good (94 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (1,767 reviews)
Air China
Good (86 reviews)
Air India
Okay (2,898 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Qatar

Where to stay in Qatar

Qatar has accommodation ranging from elaborate 5-star hotels run by international chains, such as the Hilton and W, to slightly smaller hotels in the Souq Waqif area in Doha. This area is home to several boutique hotels, which are also in the luxury bracket. It is best to stay in Doha or along the West Beach area.

Where to stay in popular areas of Qatar

Most booked hotels in Qatar

See all
Intercontinental Doha Beach & Spa, An IHG Hotel
5 stars
Excellent (9.2, Excellent reviews)
AED 632+
View
Wyndham Grand Doha West Bay Beach
5 stars
Excellent (9, Excellent reviews)
AED 369+
View
Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara
5 stars
Excellent (8.7, Excellent reviews)
AED 1,301+
View
Hilton Doha
5 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
AED 492+
View
Grand Regency Doha, Trademark Collection
5 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
AED 239+
View
Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha
5 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
AED 317+
View

How to Get Around Qatar

Public Transportation

The public transport network in Qatar is owned by a government company that owns all the bus and taxi/limousine services within the city of Doha and beyond. Taxis are the main form of public transport used in Doha and it is suggested that fees are to be agreed upon in advance.

Bus

The bus company is run by the government and provides connections within Doha. Fares run about 4 QAR (1.10 USD) in the city while traveling to the outskirts can cost up to 9 QAR (2.50 USD), depending on the distance traveled.

Car

Car rental companies, such as Avis and Hertz, exist at the airport in Doha and you can rent a car to explore Qatar on your own. The road network is good and constantly being upgraded, but traffic can be quite congested, especially around Doha.

Public Transportation

The public transport network in Qatar is owned by a government company that owns all the bus and taxi/limousine services within the city of Doha and beyond. Taxis are the main form of public transport used in Doha and it is suggested that fees are to be agreed upon in advance.

Bus

The bus company is run by the government and provides connections within Doha. Fares run about 4 QAR (1.10 USD) in the city while traveling to the outskirts can cost up to 9 QAR (2.50 USD), depending on the distance traveled.

Car

Car rental companies, such as Avis and Hertz, exist at the airport in Doha and you can rent a car to explore Qatar on your own. The road network is good and constantly being upgraded, but traffic can be quite congested, especially around Doha.

Best car hire deals in Qatar

Compact SUV

4 Adults, 2 Bags

AED 87/day

Compact SUV

Full-size SUV

5 Adults, 2 Bags

AED 366/day

Full-size SUV
Find car hire in Qatar

The Cost of Living in Qatar

Credit cards are accepted throughout Qatar and ATMs are situated throughout the country, although there may not be as many outside Doha. A gallon of milk and a dozen eggs will cost around 34 QAR (9.30 USD) in a grocery store and eating out will cost around 25 QAR (6.80 USD) per person in a local inexpensive restaurant.

Everything you need to know for your stay in Qatar

Popular cities in Qatar

Doha

Qatar Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Qatar country guide for the best Qatar travel tips. To help you organise your Qatar trip ideas, this Qatar visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do and more.