Doha is the modern Middle East. About half of the total population of the country lives in the capital of Qatar, and almost all of them are very rich or at least prosperous. Previously, pearls were mined off the local shores of the Persian Gulf, and then huge deposits of oil were discovered here, and today every resident of the country receives his share of the profits from this.
Tourists come to Doha to see an amazing city in which skyscrapers and the modern rhythm of life coexist with ancient Arab traditions. Here you can visit luxurious shopping centers and amusement parks, as well as see how the Bedouins live. But the favorite entertainment of locals and tourists is camel racing, which takes place here in winter and spring, when the heat subsides.
How to get to Doha
Doha has an international airport. Qatar Airways operates flights from Moscow to Doha several times a week.
Transport
You can travel around the country by train, but to get around the city it is best to catch a taxi or rent a car. Taxi fare during the day – 10 QAR per 200 m, at night – 20 QAR.
car rental
The conditions for car rental in Doha are quite favorable: prices are low and for the first ten days you can use the driver’s license of your country, after this period you need to issue a Qatari temporary license.
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 everything. In small markets located on the outskirts of the city, you can buy fish, spices and spices, as well as truffles, dates, Arabic perfumes, dishes, straw products and even exotic plants at affordable prices (bargaining is appropriate). You should look for gold at the Sak Gould market, and even a camel will be sold to you at the local bird markets.
Those who do not like the bustle of the market can visit the Hyatt Plaza and Landmark shopping malls, where you can buy clothes of famous brands, go to the cinema and drink coffee. It is also worth visiting the largest in the Middle East and the seventh largest in the world, the City Center Doha complex, which, among other things, fit a water park, two bowling alleys, two ice rinks, a ballroom and a spa. Women can only skate on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Cuisine and restaurants
Local restaurants prepare dishes from lamb, veal, goat meat, poultry, rice, vegetables and fruits, fresh and canned. But pork is banned. An important place on the table is occupied by fish, eggs, cheese, as well as onions, garlic, peppers, aromatic herbs and other spices. A feature of Arabic cuisine is that the meat is usually prepared without the use of fat.
Entertainment and attractions in Doha
The former palace of Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed houses the National Museum of Qatar – the most popular local attraction. There is a huge two-level aquarium here, on the upper level there are representatives of the local marine fauna, and on the lower level there is the entire underwater world of the bay, in the aquarium you can see sea turtles, which are almost gone in the Persian Gulf itself. Also in the museum you can get acquainted with the history of the formation of Islam in the country and learn about the Arab sea expeditions.
Real men, defenders should definitely visit the Museum of Weapons, which presents the private collection of the Sheikh. Also worth visiting is the Ethnographic Museum, which tells about Qatar before the oil boom, and the Museum of Islamic Art. See other countries beginning with Q.
The local fishing harbor also deserves attention, and children can be taken to Palm Island – an entertainment center, taken to the Doha Zoo, where the inhabitants of the desert live, or to the amusement park “Aladdin’s Kingdom”, which has more than 18 attractions, an artificial lagoon and a theater. There is a special timetable for women in the park.
Not far from Doha is the Shahaniyya nature reserve, which is home to white oryx, one of the rarest species of antelopes. Doha Fort often hosts exhibitions of traditional Qatari handicrafts. You can also go on a desert jeep safari with a visit to the Bedouin camps, and when it’s not very hot, camel racing and falconry are held in Doha.
Weather in Doha
Doha has a tropical, dry climate. The average temperature in summer is +50 °C, in winter, as a rule, it is not lower than +7 °C, there is very little precipitation, mainly in winter. It is best to go to Doha from April-May and September-October, at this time the climate is mild – the temperature is slightly above 20 ° C.
