In this article, we would like to share the travel guide to Qatar along with handicrafts, souvenirs and introducing the markets of Qatar.
Where is the country of Qatar?
Qatar is located on the west coast of the Persian Gulf. This country includes a small desert peninsula that extends north from the large Arabian peninsula.
After the rise of Islam, this region became subject to the caliphate of the Islamic caliphs. Later, before it came under the control of the Second Dynasty in the 19th century, it was administered by a number of domestic and foreign dynasties. The Second Dynasty, supported by Britain, fought against rival tribal groups and against the Ottoman Empire, which occupied the country in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and in return Britain determined Qatar’s foreign policy until Qatar’s independence in 1971. After that, the monarchy continued in Qatar.
Qatar has one of the largest reserves of oil and natural gas in the world and employs a large number of foreign workers in the process of extraction and production. Due to Qatar’s oil wealth, its residents enjoy a high standard of living and a well-established system of social services.
The capital of Qatar is the coastal city of Doha, which was once the center of pearl fishing and where most of the country’s residents live.
The most important tourist attractions in Qatar
Qatar has expanded its tourism industry in recent years. Tourists from all over the world choose Qatar to see local and modern culture in the attractions of the Middle East. Next, we introduce the most important tourist attractions in Qatar.
Video of travel to Qatar and handicrafts
Arab Modern Art Museum
The Mathaf Arab Museum of Modern Art, which was built on a 5,500 square meter land in the former school site in Doha, houses a huge collection of modern and contemporary art from the Arab world and holds permanent exhibitions. And it is temporary. In this museum, the works of African, Asian and European artists are also displayed, which are historically related to Qatar. The museum’s collection of works is one of the largest collections of paintings and sculptures in the Arab world, which shows the evolution of Arab art from the 1840s to today, and provides visitors with interesting information about them and different styles of contemporary art. This museum is considered among the tourist attractions of Doha and it is possible to visit it from Saturday to Thursday, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm and Friday from 1:30 pm to 7:00 pm.
1. Museum of Islamic Arts
If you are planning to travel to Qatar, you should know that the Museum of Islamic Arts is located in the embrace of a calm and transparent blue frame. To get to the museum, you have to cross a bridge over the water; Approaching the museum, its amazing and beautiful view appears. The white building of the museum has a dazzling glow under the sunlight and makes its atmosphere more attractive and mysterious. When you step inside the museum, you will be amazed by the complexity of the interior, which contrasts sharply with the uniformity of the exterior of the museum.
Katara Cultural Village
Photo source: visitqatar.qa website (photographer: unknown)
Be sure to visit Katara during your trip to Qatar, because Katara is a cultural village that is located between the West Bay commercial area and the towers of the Pearl of Qatar residential area, and leads to a wide beach on one side and the twin hills of Katara on the other. In this village, you can visit the Katara Mosque, which is decorated with Iranian and Turkish tiles and enamels. Next to the mosque, pigeon towers stand out with a rectangular structure.
Another attraction of Katara village is the amphitheater with an area of 3,275 square meters, built in classical Greek style with a capacity of more than 5,000 spectators. 21 Super Luxury Street, Golden Mosque, art galleries, educational workshops and various exhibitions are other parts of this village. If you wish, you can go to Katara Beach and enjoy water activities such as boating, surfing, parasailing and water skiing.
There are hills in the north and south of Katara village, which are the choice of many tourists for sightseeing and watching the sunset due to the presence of green space, water feature and walking paths.
2. Doha Castle
This military fort is located in Doha and was built in 1927. Now this fort has been converted into a museum and hosts works such as wooden decorations, old fishing gear, oil paintings and old photographs. If you are interested in better understanding the history of Qatar and the lifestyle of its inhabitants, this fort will make for an enjoyable day for you. The most magnificent part of this fort is its exterior. The view of this strong building attracts the attention of every viewer.
3. Qatar National Museum
The design of the Qatar National Museum is so complex that anyone could mistake it for an origami masterpiece. This white mansion has curved edges and its architecture is unique. The design of the museum was inspired by the desert rose. Desert rose is one of the natural wonders that is formed by the formation of crystal forms in a certain climate. Seeing this mansion during your trip to Qatar can be memorable for you.
4. Petroglyphs of Al-Jasasiyya
Al Jassia is one of the most different places to visit in Qatar. The attraction of this mountain is due to its petroglyphs, incredible and exceptional carvings. People believe that these carvings are some kind of symbols and they have shapes that depict animals, boats and daisies. Many shapes and symbols are unrecognizable and their true meanings cannot be understood. They say that these symbols are hundreds of years old and their protection is very important for the country of Qatar.
5. Doha desert
The Doha desert has remained untouched and pristine in most parts, and if you are a nature lover, you should take time to see this desert on your trip to Qatar. The charm of desert landscapes makes you feel small in front of the boundless awe and glory of this strange landscape. Desert safari tours are organized for sightseeing in the desert.
Artificial pearl island of Qatar
Pearl is an artificial island in the Persian Gulf located near Doha, the capital of Qatar. The area of this island is approximately 4 million square meters and it is known as one of the tourist attractions of Doha among tourists. There are residential and commercial buildings and various entertainments on this island.
Spire Zone
Photo source: visitqatar.qa website (photographer: unknown)
Spire Zone is only a few minutes away from the center of Doha and is easily recognizable by its 300-meter-high tower. This area includes world-class sports grounds, a training academy, a sports medicine hospital, as well as five-star hotels and numerous restaurants, and is considered an ideal destination for sports lovers.
Spire Park is a part of this complex that covers more than 80 hectares and consists of walking paths, a children’s playground, a large lake, cafes and restaurants. This park is one of the most famous sights in Qatar, which is considered a great place for morning and evening walks. Spire Park is located near Villagio Mall, and after shopping and sightseeing, you can relax in this park and enjoy its atmosphere.
Khor al-Adid beach
Photo source: visitqatar.qa website (photographer: unknown)
Khor Al-Adeed beach is a peaceful and cozy place in the southeast of Qatar, where, in addition to local people, many tourists take refuge there to refresh their mind and soul. There are wonderful sand dunes in this area, their height reaches up to 40 meters and you can have an exciting drive on the dunes. In addition, watching these hills is not without pleasure; Because they magically change color under the sunset.
Villagio Mall
Photo source: visitqatar.qa website (photographer: unknown)
The Villagio shopping and entertainment center is located in Spire Zone and it has relatively cheap to luxury goods such as clothes, jewelry, etc. A wide range of cafes and restaurants operate in this shopping center that cover every kind of taste. Villagio Mall offers services such as free high-speed Wi-Fi, porter services and wheelchair services for the convenience of visitors.
If you are traveling with your family and have a child with you, there are many activities from gondola rides to the theme park in this mall that you can easily entertain them. This indoor theme park includes a bowling alley, laser tag, roll glider and roller coaster, and has a ski slope, which is considered the largest slope in Doha. The 4D cinema hall is another entertainment facility of the park, which brings you and your child exciting times with special effects such as water spray, seat vibration, etc.
Doha Corniche
Photo source: afar.com (photographer: unknown)
Doha Corniche is one of the most popular attractions in Doha, which includes a seven-kilometer path along the Doha Bay and is an excellent choice for viewing the modern city skyline. This area, which is the focus of various occasions such as National Day celebrations and National Sports Day, turns into a hangout for people to walk during the night. Many people also rent a boat or jet ski to watch the city’s glittering skyline from the water.
The Sheraton Hotel is located at the northern end and the Museum of Islamic Art is located at the southern part of the Corniche. If you wish, you can go to Sheraton Hotel Park for a picnic, cycling and relaxing, or enjoy the stunning views from the park’s pyramidal hill.
Many restaurants, including Arabic restaurants, Italian restaurants, etc., operate along the Corniche, which will provide you with a different and delicious food experience in a calm environment with amazing views of the blue sea.
Angry Birds Park Doha
Photo source: regencyholidays.com (photographer: unknown)
Angry Birds Park is one of Qatar’s theme parks located in Doha Festival City. This park was opened in 2017 in an area of 17,000 square meters, and since its main theme is “Angry Birds”, it is considered a wonderful space for children’s entertainment.
There are special adventure activities for every age group of kids in Angry Birds Park that kids can enjoy according to their taste. One of the most attractive parts of the park is a large tree with a height of 17 meters. Other parts of the park include Studio City (rock climbing, spiral slides, roll glider), Red House (sand play, roller coaster), Explosive Bomb, Red Alert, Pirate Beach, Angry Birds Karting, Trampoline Park, etc.
Since restaurants and cafes are located near Angry Birds Park, families can spend exciting hours with their children without any worries.
6. Cornish beach promenade
One of the most popular places for lovers of walking, cycling and hiking is the Doha Corniche, a promenade by the ocean. This place is very popular for sports enthusiasts and you can usually see them on this beach promenade early in the morning. Of course, many people visit this promenade during the day to enjoy the city skyline of Doha. At night, you can watch a stunning view of the sunset and the reflection of light on the calm waters.
7. Souq Waqif
This market is just a few minutes away from Corniche. Souq Waqif is known as the social heart of Doha and is a great place for shopping, sightseeing, eating delicious food or hanging out at one of the local cafes. The market is usually packed with visitors walking the streets to see the architecture and the many cultural shops selling everything from embroidery and spices to perfume and incense. This is a famous central market for buying unique souvenirs for your loved ones.
8. Aspire Park
Spire Park is one of the largest parks in the Persian Gulf region and one of the most beautiful landscapes in Qatar. This park is in stark contrast to the typical desert scenery you’re used to seeing in Qatar. Many tourists visit this park daily, especially on weekends. Meshal Tower or Spire Tower is one of the attractions of this park. This amazing 300-meter building was the torch of the 15th Asian Games, which today has become a lovely hotel. A visit inside is definitely worth it.
9. Katara Cultural Village
Katara Cultural Village is located on the east coast of West Bay and Pearl. Katara was created with the vision to introduce the country of Qatar as a cultural and artistic beacon, a beacon that shines with theater, music, literature, gatherings and performances in the Middle East. Major events such as the Doha Tribeca Film Festival, Doha Tedax and the Ajyal Youth Film Festival are held there.
Qatar National Library
Photo source: visitqatar.qa website (photographer: unknown)
Qatar National Library was established in 2012 and opened in 2018 with the idea of creating a platform to preserve the heritage and culture of the Persian Gulf and to form one of the best educational and research centers in the world. This library has an area of 42 thousand square meters and contains more than one million books. In addition, it provides more than 500,000 publications, e-books and newspapers to those who are interested. Valuable texts and manuscripts related to Arab-Islamic civilization are also kept in this library.
The Qatar National Library, which is part of the Education City, has provided an excellent environment for learning, play and innovation; In such a way that visitors can perform a series of activities such as videography (combination of text, image and sound), photography, design, sound editing and 3D printing using the tools and equipment at the library’s innovation stations. The focus of this library is on the preservation of important cultural and historical items, and therefore, there is a special preservation and conservation laboratory here that deals with the restoration of works.
10. pearl of Qatar
“Pearl” is an artificial island in the West Bay area of Doha. The name of this island is taken from the place where the island was built. This place has been one of the main pearl diving sites in Qatar. Many come here to shop in its many upscale shops and malls or stroll along the lovely boardwalk overlooking the seafront promenade lined with international cafes and restaurants.
Qatar souvenirs
Gold, pearls and jewelry are the most famous souvenirs of Qatar
Qatar is the pearl capital of the world. There are many shops in Qatar that produce pearl jewelry. Even if you are not a fan of jewelry, pearl earrings and necklaces in Doha stores will surely attract you. These handmade pearls are a great option for souvenirs as they are inexpensive and can be a perfect gift for anyone. Apart from pearls, you can also find other jewelry made of gold, amber and semi-precious stones in the markets of Qatar. One of the most important reasons for the suitability of these souvenirs is that they are both very small and easy to carry. So you can bring this souvenir to anyone you want and be happy with their happiness.
Spices , nice smell
One of the popular souvenirs when traveling to any country is the country’s spices. If a country does not have a spice market, it must lack something for its tourists. You may be able to find spices specific to that country even in a small shop with a lot of searching. Buy local spices from Doha, Qatar and bring the menu of local Qatari dishes to your country. Spices are great souvenirs because they take up little space and bring home the flavor of the trip. Note: Be careful to wrap the spice package properly so that it does not damage your favorite clothes in the luggage when moving.
Fabrics and textiles, different clothes from another culture
You can easily buy fabric and textiles in Doha. In the markets of this city, you can buy the fabric of your choice from different colors, models and materials at a very reasonable price and bring it home. If you know how to wrap it or know someone who knows how to wrap fabric beautifully, this option is a great souvenir to buy in Qatar. Buy fabric, bring it home with you and feel the joy of cultural difference.
Shawls and woolen blankets
Shawls and woolen covers are also great items to buy as souvenirs. These products can be a good souvenir of a trip to Qatar due to their variety and beauty in color as well as their very reasonable price compared to other parts of the world.
Decorative boxes, a wooden souvenir
One of the very good traditional souvenirs in Qatar are wooden decorative boxes. Boxes in different sizes and shapes are a very suitable gift from a trip to Qatar. In addition to the beauty of these decorative boxes, this product is also very useful. You can drop your purchased pearls into it.
Arabic coffee set for those who love coffee!
The “Dalah” set or the Arabic coffee cup is the thing in which the bitter and spicy traditional Qatari coffee has been served for centuries. Because of the beauty of this set of cups, you can use them in home decoration. But in addition to its beauty and its use in decoration, it can be a tool used by professional coffee drinkers.
Dried fruit and nuts, a souvenir for the hungry
In the markets of Qatar, especially in Doha, you can find high-quality dates, pistachios, peanuts, nuts, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, and other dried fruits. Dates are quite local in Qatar and are one of the most popular options for buying souvenirs among tourists. This product has different sizes and types, sweets and different colors. We suggest that you buy dates on your trip to Qatar.
decorative hookah
If you are interested in collecting a collection of colored hookahs or you know such a person in your surroundings, buying colored hookahs for home decoration is a good option.
Travel to Qatar for the World Cup
The biggest football event in the world will be held on November 21, 2022 in Qatar. If you are planning to travel to Qatar to watch the World Cup, you need to know a few things.
1. What date does the World Cup start?
The opening match will be held at 10:00 a.m. local time on November 21, 2022 at the Elbit Stadium, which is one of the 8 stadiums that will host the World Cup.
The organizing body of the tournament predicts that Qatar will have 1.5 million visitors during the World Cup.
2. Where to get tickets for the matches?
FIFA is the main responsible for ticket sales. The tickets for the matches are included in a card called Hay’ya Card, which also includes a permit to attend Qatar. You can also use the public transportation system for free with this card. Depending on the situation of the corona virus in the coming months, it may also include the necessary documents related to the corona virus, for example, confirmations of receipt of vaccinations.
3. Are there dress codes in Qatar?
According to the Qatar Tourism Organization, visitors (men and women) are expected to respect local culture by avoiding revealing clothing in public. Men and women are advised to wear clothing appropriate to the local culture and cover their shoulders and knees.
4. How is commuting in Qatar?
You will not have any problem to travel in Qatar. The longest distance between the 8 stadiums hosting the matches is 75 km, and the use of all public transport on the day of the match is free for the fans of the sports teams. The cost of the Doha metro ticket is 2 Qatari Rials.
How much does it cost to travel to Qatar?
The average cost of traveling to Qatar is 630 Qatari Rials per person per day. This cost is calculated based on the average travel costs of other passengers. The cost of daily food for one person is 180 Rials and the cost of using public transportation is 70 Rials. The average cost of the hotel for 2 people is 695 Rials. A trip to Qatar for 2 people is 8860 Rials per week.
If you are a family of three or four, prices are often reduced, as children’s tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can cost less for families.
Frequently asked questions about traveling to Qatar
1. Is hijab compulsory in Qatar?
In Qatar, women are not required to cover their head and face, keep the hijab, or wear an abaya, but are expected to dress modestly to respect the culture of the local community. Both men and women should dress appropriately, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
2. What is the currency of Qatar?
The currency of this country is the Qatari riyal, which is divided into 100 dirhams.
3. Is it possible to travel to Qatar by ship?
Qatar has 5 main ports, but these ports are used for commercial purposes and not for passenger arrivals. The only port used as a point of entry for passengers is Doha Port, and this port is only for those traveling on cruise ships that make a short stopover in Doha.
4. Do you need a visa to travel to Qatar?
Iranian citizens must obtain an airport visa or visa upon arrival to travel to Qatar. This visa is also issued online and its validity period is 3 months, but you are allowed to stay in Qatar for up to 30 days.
