“Reminded of Dubai, but with a beautiful Oriental soul” What is worth knowing about a vacation in one of the richest countries in the world — Qatar?

A Russian woman who visited Qatar told about the good attitude of the locals to tourists

A small kingdom on the shores of the Persian Gulf can be a real discovery for tourists who are interested in a vacation in the Middle East. Unlike the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with its obscenely high prices, pretentious luxury and monotonous skyscrapers made of glass and concrete, Qatar offers travelers a more versatile and pleasant leisure time. In addition to urban buildings, there are authentic historical quarters, blooming parks where you can hide from the scorching sun, an Arab bazaar with a century-old history, a picturesque embankment, a four-story clinic for falcons, art galleries and collections of antiquities. And Qatar is among the top not only the richest, but also the safest countries in the world. How to spend a vacation there — tells .

What is Qatar attractive for Russians?

The popularity of this Middle Eastern state has increased dramatically among tourists, including Russians, after the World Cup in 2022. It is said that the capital of Qatar, Doha, has been greatly transformed during the preparation for the reception of a large number of guests.

“We did not expect Doha to be so multifaceted and unusual. This, of course, is not the Emirates. If there are only skyscrapers and high—rise buildings in the Emirates, then Doha was struck by the fact that there are four diverse beautiful neighborhoods that are very different from each other,” a tourist from Russia named Elena shared her impressions.

View of the Qatari skyscrapers

In addition, Qatar is now one of the most frequent destinations for transfers. It is unlikely that in a day or even two you will be able to enjoy all the beauties of this country, but you will definitely get the overall impression.

A big plus of a vacation in Qatar for travelers from Russia is the absence of the need to apply for a visa in advance, it is received at the airport upon arrival. You can stay in the country for up to 90 days

Tourists go to the kingdom to bask on the beach and briefly forget about the rainy Russian autumn or frosty winter, breathe in the aromas of spices and bargain in the oriental bazaar, look at Arabian horses and falcons, ride camels in the desert, taste traditional coffee with cardamom and pilaf with lamb and take a photo against the background of the fashionable Pearl Qatar district (“The Pearl of Qatar”) with expensive boutiques, luxury yachts and other attributes of a sweet life.

According to tourists, there are usually no problems with communication with local residents. Most people speak English and are ready to help in case of any difficulties, and hotels often have Russian-speaking guides.

I was very comfortable on this trip (except for the June heat, of course). It is noticeable that Russian tourists are treated with curiosity here. And most importantly, with an open heart and kindness. And I’m also glad that it turned out to be not as expensive in Qatar as many imagine

Sasha Konovalova is a Russian travel blogger

How to get to Qatar

Qatar Airways has direct flights from Russia to Qatar. The journey time will be approximately 5.5 hours.

75 500 rubles

Moscow — Doha air tickets for the end of May (round trip, luggage included, price per passenger)

Connecting flights will be slightly cheaper. For example, for about 52 thousand rubles (without luggage), you can buy a Moscow — Doha air ticket with transfers to Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

Qatar’s largest airport, Hamad, was recognized as the best airport in the world by the Skytrax World Airport Awards in 2024. The service and services there are at the level of a five-star hotel: passengers can not only shop in fashionable boutiques and eat in chic restaurants, but also, for example, go for a massage, to a spa or an exhibition of modern art.

You can get to Doha from the airport by bus, metro or taxi (the official city service is Karwa Taxi, there is also a more familiar Uber). The trip to the center will take about half an hour.

Materials on the topic:

Cheap Europe, “family” Oman and holidays for adventurers.Where to go in summer: top beach destinations in Russia and abroad on April 21, 2024

Russians are forced to fly with transfers more often.How to turn them from a torment into a pleasant journey?August 27, 2023

The most scandalous football World Cup has started in Qatar.What should a tourist do there and what should he know before traveling?November 21, 2022

When is the best time to go

The best period for a holiday in Qatar is from October to April. At this time, you can swim and comfortably explore the sights.

From May to the end of August, tourists who do not like the heat should refrain from traveling to this country: the temperature often exceeds the 40-degree mark. Despite the fact that air conditioners are working everywhere in the premises, for some travelers such heat still becomes a test.

I’ve been to hot countries more than once, but I’ve never felt such heat before. It’s hard for me to put it into words or compare it with anything. It was so hot that we had to walk until 9:00 and after 17:00. And it was still difficult

Sasha Konovalova is a Russian travel blogger

According to local residents, the worst time in Doha is in July and August, when it’s +50 outside and very high humidity.

Money, communication, transport

Qatar’s national currency is the Qatari rial, which consists of 100 dirhams. 1 rial is equal to about 25 rubles and 0.27 dollars. Russian cards do not work in this country, tourists are advised to take dollars with them. They can be exchanged for rials at the airport, banks or currency exchanges (it is important to keep in mind that neither of them work on Fridays). Another point worth mentioning is that Qatar does not accept dollars issued before 2009. You will be able to spend them only in Duty Free stores.

The largest telecom operators in Qatar are Vodafone Qatar and Ooredoo Qatar. Both provide high-quality internet coverage throughout the country. You can buy a SIM card at the airport and communication salons, you will need a passport for this. Wi-Fi is available in hotels, restaurants, museums and shopping malls.

It is convenient to get around Doha by metro, it is simple and consists of only three lines that lead to all the main attractions of the city. An unlimited daily pass costs about 6 rials (approximately 150 rubles). There are tickets for Standard and premium class carriages – Gold.

“A card to the golden wagon costs five times more than a regular subway ride. There are family carriages where men and women with children can stay. As a rule, only men get into standard carriages. Well, it is clear that only visitors go to the subway, local residents do not use it, and the cars on the “golden card” are always empty. We have never seen anyone sitting there,” said the traveler Elena

To travel by bus, you need to buy a Karwa Smartcard from special vending machines. There are several types of it: a Limited Card for two trips during the day and an Unlimited Card for unlimited travel for 24 hours. When entering and exiting the bus, it must be applied to the reader. All transport is clean, modern, air-conditioned.

A taxi will cost from 10 rials (about 250 rubles) per trip. To use it, you need to download the Uber or Karwa applications (you will need a local SIM card number to register with it).

Where to find accommodation

The best hotels in Qatar with private beaches (according to the rating Booking.com ):

• Hilton Doha,
• Wyndham Grand Doha West Bay Beach,
• Marsa Malaz Kempinski,
• The Ritz-Carlton,
• Delta Hotels by Marriott City Center Doha

The Ostrovok portal is suitable for housing search or, if you have a foreign bank card, — Booking.com . The Airbnb service is not developed in the country. Hotels are available for every taste: from the luxurious five-star Radisson Blu Hotel Doha, InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa and The Ritz-Carlton to more modest three-star hotels.

According to travel blogger Sasha Konovalova, housing prices in Qatar are not as high as is commonly believed.

“We saw a lot of available options when we were looking for a hotel (I’m traveling with a young man). It was important for us to have a convenient location (close to attractions and the metro), a swimming pool, breakfast and comfortable accommodation. As a result, we stayed at the Imperial Suites Hotel. On our dates, it cost about $ 100 per day (about 9 thousand rubles — approx. “Tapes.“) for two with breakfast (it may be more expensive in the season),” she noted.

4,500 rubles

is the minimum cost of accommodation in a Doha hotel per day (price for two guests)

Another Russian traveler, Elena, said that she stayed at the four-star Shaza Doha Hotel, which was a five-minute walk from the old part of the city. “The hotel is good, very large rooms — it seems to me, 50 meters. The hotel itself and the entrance group are very beautiful, but the breakfast is meager,” the tourist shared her impressions, adding that five days in this hotel cost 53 thousand rubles.

The Intercontinental Hotel Doha

There are not many all-inclusive hotels in Qatar. One of them is Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha. Its concept is suitable for families with children: there are swimming pools, a kids club, a spa, many restaurants and a private beach.

Qatari cuisine

Traditional Arabic dishes in many restaurants in Qatar are complemented by the author’s experiments of famous chefs. There are also establishments with classic versions of popular local treats.

Tourists are recommended to try makbus, a traditional dish with rice and stew, similar to our usual pilaf. It is made from mutton, chicken, camel or goat meat. Cardamom, saffron, coriander, cloves, black pepper, nutmeg and other spices give the macbous a unique flavor. The dish is not very spicy, even a little sweet.

Madruba, a spicy rice porridge with chicken, cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, cloves and black pepper, is also very popular. Another dish similar to porridge is hares. To prepare it, chopped wheat is mixed with chicken and simmered for a long time.

Meat lovers should try gyuzi — roast lamb on a spit, which is served with nut rice, and fish lovers should try safi (sea fish, which is served with white rice and sauce).

One of the most popular types of street food in Qatar is sambuses

Local street food includes traditional dishes for the entire Middle East region: shawarma, sambous (fried triangular pies with meat, cheese or vegetable filling), chapatis (tortillas that are baked in special frying pans without oil).

A large selection of desserts will delight sweet lovers. Arabic donuts lukaymat soaked in syrup deserve attention; kunafa — dough fried in butter until crisp with syrup; asida — pudding made of wheat flour and butter, seasoned with saffron and cardamom; khabis — dates soaked in water, mixed with sugar, vegetable oil, spices and rose water.

At the end of the meal, you can drink Arabic coffee with cardamom or karak — sweet black tea with milk and spices.

“Restaurants serve a lot of biryani rice and various dishes based on it, kebabs. Very tasty dates in chocolate or with fillings (the Qinwan store sells the best in the country). Desserts are specific — they are too sugary for us (they use flower water a lot),” advised a Russian woman named Daria who lived in Qatar

An iconic place that is advised to travelers who want to try Qatari cuisine is the Shay Al Shomous restaurant in Souk Waqif Market. It belongs to the first woman in the country to open her own business, her name is Shams Al-Kassabi. There is a spice shop nearby according to the hostess’s own recipe.

Bayt el Talleh Lebanese Restaurant serves Middle Eastern cuisine. Its terrace offers a good view of Doha. In addition, you can order a set there to try as much food as possible.

In the menu of the famous chef Alan Ducasse’s restaurant Jiwan, which is located on the fourth floor of the National Museum of Qatar, French dishes are harmoniously combined with Qatari. The restaurant is also famous for its non-alcoholic cocktails.

Tourists who get tired of the local cuisine are advised by the Italian restaurant Il Galante located at the Banyan Tree Hotel. According to reviews, the dishes there are in no way inferior to those prepared in the historical homeland.

Before traveling to Qatar, it should be noted that there is a complete ban on alcohol and pork. It is unlikely that you will be able to find them in restaurants in the country.

What to see in Doha

Experienced travelers are advised to spend at least four days in Doha. During this time, you will be able to get around all the main areas of the city, enjoy oriental culture, explore local traditions and leisurely sit in cafes and restaurants, tasting gastronomic delights.

Glittering skyscrapers, air-conditioned streets, unmanned metro, advanced science centers… Sometimes Doha seems like a city from the future. In many ways, she reminded me of Dubai, only with a beautiful oriental soul. Qatar reverently protects its culture and tries in every possible way to show it to tourists

Sasha Konovalova is a Russian travel blogger

The very heart of Doha is the Msheireb district, where you can start exploring the city. Modern architecture and high technology are intertwined there, forming a comfortable public space for residents and tourists. In the area, all the houses are bright, built of limestone, and the streets are lined with marble tiles, the cleanliness is perfect. There are museums of the country’s history, mosques, expensive hotels, boutiques, offices and restaurants. There are no cars at all, tourists can travel by free tram.

“There are a lot of rich people on the streets. Walking around this area, you feel like the poorest among them,” admitted Russian Elena.

Architecture of the Msheireb district in Doha

Qatar National Museum It is interesting for its unusual architecture, referring to futuristic and science fiction films. When creating his creation, architect Jean Nouvel was inspired by the “rose of the desert” — a crystal that forms in the thickness of sand after rain. The building consists of several disks connected to each other, between which glass windows are visible. Exhibits in eleven halls tell the story of Qatar from ancient times to the present day. Guests will immerse themselves in the life of Bedouins and pearl divers using immersive technologies, as well as see traditional clothes and jewelry, models of ancient ships, weapons and archaeological finds.

In the evening, when Doha is dotted with colorful lights, and the sweltering heat is replaced by fresh coolness, it will be especially pleasant to walk along the Corniche along the Persian Gulf. It is from here that a spectacular view of the skyscrapers opens. And in the evening, you can go on a cruise on traditional wooden dow boats from the embankment. Before Qatar became a country of the rich, they were used by traders who transported goods to other Arab countries, as well as pearl fishermen.

How did Qatar manage to turn from a country of fishermen into the richest state in the Middle East?

It’s hard to believe now, but once one of the richest countries in the world was a sparsely populated desert land on the shores of the Persian Gulf, which lived only on money from pearl and sponge mining and fishing.

Everything changed when oil was discovered in Qatar — the first deposits were discovered back in the 1930s, but mining stopped during World War II and resumed only in 1949. Initially, the rights to the Qatari deposits were held by Great Britain, under whose protectorate the country was located.

In the 1960s, the ruler Ali bin Abdullah Al Thani was overthrown, and in his place came Sheikh Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani, to whom Britain transferred a third of all oil fields. Eleven years later, Qatar gained independence, and around the same time, one of the largest gas fields in the world was discovered there. In addition, the Al Thani dynasty bought the mining rights from the British and created the state-owned General Oil Corporation. The export of minerals around the world began, and the country became rich. The money from the oil and gas trade went to the construction of Doha, the development of social programs, financing of health and education.

Now everyone who was born in Qatar is fabulously rich from the cradle. All children automatically receive a personal account with starting capital, which accumulates about half a million dollars by the age of majority. As you know, the rich are not very eager to work in the service sector, so these positions in the country are occupied by migrants.

Suk-Vakif market, which has been operating since the middle of the XX century, is advised to visit even those tourists who are not going to buy anything: there you can not only get acquainted with the flavor of oriental bazaars, but also relatively inexpensive to eat local cuisine. Colorful shops selling spices, sweets, carpets, shawls and other goods perfectly convey the spirit of ancient Qatar.

Suk Waqif Market has a separate street with shops selling falcons and everything you need for falconry

The undoubted advantage of this market is that sellers behave quietly, do not try to impose anything, do not grab people’s hands and do not shout after them. Not only guests of the country, but also local residents come to Suk Waqif to shop. And there are also some features that you will not find in other Arab markets.

The most interesting thing is a few streets with shops selling falcons and everything necessary for falconry. It was very unusual and amazing for us. Keeping such birds is not cheap entertainment. And in the same neighborhood, next to the shops, there is a four-story clinic for falcons. We went in there and were amazed. There are men at the reception, all in white clothes, and they are holding falcons, apparently ill

An elenaturist from Russia

Pearl Qatar district (“Pearl of Qatar”) is located on artificial islands built in the shape of a shell with pearls. It is known for its clean beaches with snow-white sand, luxury real estate and the Qanat Quartier, stylized as Venice with its canals, cozy outdoor cafes, flower beds, colorful houses and bridges.

“In the middle of this area there are huge parking lots with expensive yachts. They say that everyone who lives in this area must have a car and a yacht,” Elena said.

The West Bay area is home to the most impressive skyscrapers in Doha. One of the main symbols of the city — the Doha Tower (or Burj Doha) – rises almost 250 meters above the city. The facades of the building are covered with patterns referring to traditional architecture and similar to the marshabias popular in the Arab world — wooden grilles that are installed on windows to protect from the sun.

Katara Cultural Village— a modern complex with theaters, art galleries, shops selling works of art, a large park and two mosques (golden Gold Mosque and blue Katara Mosque). Tourists come here for concerts, performances, exhibitions and festivals. On one of the streets of the cultural village there are air conditioners that are built right into the sidewalk — in case one of the guests overheats under the scorching sun.

Theaters, museums, art galleries and two mosques are located on the territory of the cultural village of Katara

The Museum of Islamic Art was designed by the Chinese-born American architect Yumin Bay, the author of the famous transparent pyramid in the courtyard of the Louvre. The museum’s collection includes works of art, books, ceramics, textiles, jewelry and other items related to Islam from different eras. The halls of the museum themselves are dark, and each exhibit is illuminated by a spotlight aimed at it.

The building is surrounded by water on all sides, and the picturesque MIA landscape Park is located nearby, which can be accessed via two bridges. This place is considered one of the most beautiful green areas of Doha. And there is also the best observation deck for downtown skyscrapers and one of the stadiums of the 2022 World Cup — “974”.

Qatar’s National Library was designed by another famous European architect, the Dutchman Rem Koolhaas. The building is a large amphitheater room with a reading room and a book depository, where the most important manuscripts and texts of the Arab-Islamic civilization are collected. Bookshelves and a white marble floor, large bright spaces, an automatic book sorting system, hanging seats — this place completely destroys the classic image of a library with dusty shelves, dim light from green lamps and the musty smell of book bindings.

What to do outside Doha

Go on safari in the desert

About 60 kilometers from Doha is the Mesaid desert with the Khor al-Adaid Nature Reserve, which is protected by UNESCO, and the eponymous “inland sea” – a salt lake formed by the waters of the Arabian Gulf. A unique picture — sand dunes meeting with the water surface — can only be seen here and in Namibia, it is not found anywhere else in the world.

A trip to the sea along the sand dunes in an SUV, buggy or sandboard will appeal to fans of outdoor activities and those who want something more exciting than walking around Doha and visiting museums. Some excursions include an overnight stay at the Regency Sealine Camp Beach Hotel. Prices for excursions start from $ 50 (approximately 4.5 thousand rubles) per person.

The Khor al-Adaid Nature Reserve is one of the few places in the world where you can see a unique picture: sand dunes meeting the water surface

Kayaking in the mangrove forest

The Al-Takira Nature Reserve is a thicket of mangroves where you can go kayaking. It is one of the oldest and largest forests in Qatar, home to several species of birds, including flamingos and herons.

Mangroves are a unique ecosystem. Underwater, the branches of the trees are covered with salt, algae and tiny shells. Part of the underground roots of mangroves are equipped with tubes that allow them to absorb air during high tide.

See camel racing and falconry

One of the most popular sports in Qatar is camel racing. For fans of this entertainment, they even built a separate Al-Shahaniya racetrack near Doha, where competitions of special breeds of these animals are held. By the way, robot jockeys are sitting on camels, which are remotely controlled by the owners of the two-humped participants of the tournament. Where else will you see this?

In addition, Qatar is very sensitive to falcons and even holds falconry festivals. Excursions are organized for tourists, where they talk about the methods of teaching birds, their behavior and habits, and sometimes they allow themselves to participate in a demonstration hunt.

Tips for tourists

Unlike Saudi Arabia and Iran, where tourists are asked to strictly observe the dress code and even wear a headscarf, Qatar treats visitors more loyally. As in any Islamic state, women should avoid too short and revealing clothes, but covering the body from head to toe is not necessary.

“It is better to keep a balance: open shoulders and closed knees and vice versa. Usually there are no problems, especially if you just walk around the city, but shopping malls may not be allowed in shorts (depends on the security). At Pearl (expat district), they turn a blind eye to the dress code, you can even swim on the beach in a bikini there,” said Daria, a Russian woman who lived in Qatar.

Despite the absence of formal prohibitions on open shoulders and knees, it is better to choose clothes for a trip to Qatar as closed as possible, not only so as not to offend the locals with their appearance, but also to protect the skin from aggressive sunlight. You should definitely bring sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen.

What else is important to remember:

• It is forbidden to bring alcohol into the country. It is also not for sale in Qatari stores. The only option is to buy hot drinks in restaurants at hotels, but you need to take into account that their cost will be much higher than in Russia and even in Europe.
• Sockets in Qatar differ from Russian ones — they have a British connector. You can take an adapter with you or ask for it at the reception at the hotel.
• Travelers who want to spend the night in the desert are advised to take warm clothes with them: it may be cool after sunset. It is also not superfluous to carry a hoodie with you to shopping malls and museums, where air conditioners are always working.
• In Qatar, it is customary for a man to address a man during a dialogue, and a woman to address a woman. Therefore, in some establishments, waiters will accept a girl’s order through her companion, you should not be offended by this.

In general, the attitude of local residents towards visitors is friendly and friendly. “No one looks you over from head to toe and does not follow you with an appraising look. Everyone is ready to help, tell you the way or answer any question,” said Russian Elena.

Источник