Qatar: Uncover Stunning Doha | Travelstart Weblog

Falcons, folklore and pearl-hunting meet stratospheric skyscrapers, five-star lodges and blazing commerce in dynamic Qatar.
Qatar is visa-free for South Africans (and residents of greater than 80 different nations). You don’t need to pay or apply for a visa. As a substitute, South Africans will likely be issued a 30-day visa waiver at their port of entry into Qatar. This waiver permits the holder to spend as much as 30 days in Qatar, both on a single journey or on a number of journeys. You can too apply to have it prolonged for an extra 30 days.

What you’ll want:

• a sound passport with a minimal validity of six months
• a confirmed onward or return ticket



Good to know

Hamad Worldwide Airport is the World’s Greatest Airport for the second yr in a row on the SkyTrax Airport Awards 2022, making this a wonderful journey hub in your technique to nearly wherever in Europe, America or Asia.

However given the visa waiver, you’d be loopy to not take a number of days to discover this dynamic metropolis, crammed with every little thing you count on and extra.

Discover wonderful flights to Doha right here

When is the most effective time to go to?

Summer time (June to September) is high-season and temperatures hover round 40°C, typically spiking to an eye-watering 50°C! Air-conditioning comes customary, however spring (March to Might) is a superb time to go to with temperatures somewhat milder. Winters (December to February) are gentle with temperatures averaging round 23°C through the day.

Don’t have sufficient time?



When travelling by way of Qatar, longer transit occasions are a breath of recent air. In case your transit is 8 hours or extra, you’ll be able to flip your cease into an prolonged vacation by becoming a member of a metropolis tour of Doha, or a desert journey taking within the unbelievable Inland Sea. For transit of three hours and fewer, go for excursions and actions inside Hamad Worldwide Airport.

The tour consists of an English talking information. Arabic is the official language in Qatar however with so many expats you’ll discover English extensively spoken.

Wonderful issues to see and do in Doha

Take an insta-pic underneath the arches on the lovely Museum of Islamic Artwork

Quickly closed


The museum has free admission and is house to a group spanning 1400 years. Taking a stroll across the adjoining MIA park can be a should because it boasts the most effective views of the skyline within the metropolis. The museum is presently internet hosting an exhibition showcasing motifs and artisans from Turkey, Iran and India.
Closed on Tuesdays. Free Wifi and no admission price.

Discover the heartbeat of town at Souq Waqif



Picture courtesy of @hinnaqazi by way of Instagram

There was a souq on this spot longer than anybody can bear in mind, its present incarnation is a sequence of fantastically recreated and restored conventional Qatari buildings. It is a great spot for a wander, discover the market stalls and seize a chew to eat. The Falcon souq is a must-visit, particularly on Thursday evenings while you’ll catch a glimpse of Qatari tradition with Qatari patrons and shopkeepers discussing the birds. When you ask properly it’s possible you’ll be allowed to take a peek on the specialised falcon hospital. Souq Waqif is the proper technique to get to know this dynamic metropolis. Souq Al Wakrah-Qatar by the ocean is one other great place to go to.

Expertise the historic Qatari tradition at Katara Cultural Village



Picture courtesy of @wanderlust_travelling_3/ by way of Instagram

The village showcases historically-accurate Qatari structure and is a enterprise centre and cultural house with an amphitheater. Katara seashore affords enjoyable summer time promotions like specials on jet-ski rides.


Picture courtesy of @kataraqatar by way of Instagram

Take a dip within the huge blue Persian Gulf



Picture courtesy of @visitqatar by way of Instagram

563 km of shoreline means there are a lot of seashores to get pleasure from. Picnic, swim or jet-ski, simply bear in mind to respect the modest costume code particularly through the holy month of Ramadan.


Picture courtesy of @buenaphotos by way of @visitqatar by way of Instagram

Get to know Doha’s hip espresso tradition



Picture courtesy of @flatwhite.qa by way of Instagram

Aptly named Flat White, this cool espresso spot is run by two caffeine lovers aiming to take specialty espresso in Qatar to a different stage.
Opening Hours: Sat-Wed 7 am -11 pm Thu-Fri 7 am – 11:30 pm

Unit 346, 27 La Croisette, Porto Arabia, The Pearl, Qatar
(+974) 4029 1965


Picture courtesy of @flatwhite.qa by way of Instagram

Splurge on a spa and pool day on the 5-star resort the Torch, Doha



Picture courtesy of @thetorchdoha by way of Instagram

Also called Aspire Tower this 300 metre tall skyscraper resort has a implausible Saturday particular the place you’ll be able to examine in to your personal Deluxe Room, get pleasure from full entry to the sky-high swimming pool, sauna and steam room for R1636 (450 Qatari Rial). The particular additionally entitles you to getting a 25% low cost of their eating places.
The numerous 5-star lodges that grace Doha’s skyline are a monument to Qatar’s latest historical past and stratospheric financial rise. Qatar boasts the very best per capita revenue on the world and correspondingly is a playground to rich elites with many elaborate buying malls. Look a bit nearer and also you’ll be entranced by Qatar’s contradictions.

Seize a cold-pressed juice at Qatar’s 100% vegan café Evergreen Organics



Picture courtesy of @flatwhite.qa by way of Instagram

For conventional middle-eastern meals there are quite a few eating places at Souq Waqif providing up a plethora of dishes from the area and elsewhere however dynamic Doha additionally has thrilling restaurant developments such because the recently-opened Evergreen Organics. The café focuses on well being and vitamin and is a beautiful oasis within the metropolis.
Fashionable meets historic on this middle-eastern hub. We’d love to listen to your ideas on dynamic Doha within the feedback beneath.

This text was initially printed on 19 August 2017