If you are looking for reasons to visit Qatar, this may be the right place for you. Qatar is the wealthiest country in the Middle East, where it is warm all year round. This is a country that looks more like the future than the present:
- Unthinkable skyscrapers.
- Malls of unreal beauty.
- Hotels that look like flying saucers.
Ranked among the top 10 airlines globally, Qatar Airlines will make your flight a pleasure in its own right. For reference: the age of the airline’s aircraft is no more than five years if you are concerned about safety.
Doha is a beautiful young city that is developing at an unrealistic speed. Therefore, it is worth “booking” time for a leisurely visit to its interesting places, including the masterpiece of oriental architecture – the National Museum, the Ethnographic Museum and, of course, the artificial island of Pearl Qatar, the pearl of Qatar, where the Museum of Islamic Art is located.
One can genuinely feel the country’s spirit in the ethnographic village. The history will be told by the ancient fort Umm Salad Mohammed, which is located not far from the capital and the Al-Zubar fort, situated in the northwest of Qatar. Almost all famous world hotel chains are represented in Qatar, and most of the hotels have 4 and 5 stars.
Give in to the local cuisine and relax at one of the beautiful beaches!
The cuisine in Doha restaurants is represented by both European dishes and authentic oriental ones. Alcohol is not sold in shops and supermarkets, You can only buy it in hotels (and even then not in all) and in restaurants, but the alcohol prices are very high. Hotels own almost all beaches in Doha. The entrance to them for hotel guests is free; other tourists will have to pay for it.
The primary public beach is in the heart of Doha – Qatar (Katara Beach then ). Its peculiarity is that men should wear T-shirts and shorts, and women should have knees and elbows covered, which is not surprising for a Muslim country.
Umm Bab is a unique beach with palm trees. Of the advantages – remoteness from Doha, as a consequence – low population. An excellent opportunity to relax under a palm tree right by the sea.
Fuvayrit ( Fuwairit ) – many kilometres of beaches known for the turtles that swim here to lay their eggs. Of the minuses: the complete absence of cafes, restaurants, shops.
Maroona is a small cosy beach bordered by Fuvayrit; it is also called “French”. There is no shade on the beach, there are no cafes, shops, and they come here for golden soft sand and crystal clear water, the opportunity to swim with a mask and enjoy a quiet relaxing vacation.
Celine ( Sealine ) is Qatar’s best public beaches – a colossal coastline, white beaches, well-developed infrastructure.
Can we please get to food now?
Sure, can! Arabic cuisine is a general concept for several countries of the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Yemen, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait). The boundaries of Arab cuisine can be expanded at the expense of countries close to the Arabian Peninsula (Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Iran).
Typical products for Arab cuisine are meat (lamb, beef, veal, goat meat), less often – poultry (chicken, pigeons) and fish, cereals ( rice, bulgur, couscous), legumes (beans, lentils, peas), dairy products (but not milk, but cheese, yoghurt, cottage cheese, kaymak, soft drinks), spices, herbs and herbs (garlic, pepper, cinnamon, saffron, cumin and many others), olive oil, vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, onions, olives, capers), nuts (pistachios, almonds) and fruits (including dried fruits).
Everyday dishes: shashlik ( kebab ), pilaf, biryani (somewhat reminiscent of pilaf), kubba (kubbe, kebbe) – meatballs in the form of balls, yakhni (stew), shawarma, vegetables stuffed with meat, lamb on a spit, falafel, bricks(pies), al-madruba fish dish and many others. Numerous appetisers (meze) are necessarily served with main dishes – these can be vegetable pastes (mutabbal, babaganush), pies, vegetable salads, and cereals.
From sweets, they make halva, baklava, Turkish delight, muhalabiya ( rice pudding ), candied fruits, kunafa (from kadaif dough), dates with almonds and honey, basbusu (crumbly pie with syrup) and many others.
Arabs are very fond of coffee, and they usually add spices (cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, saffron or nutmeg) to it. Tea and fruit juices are also drunk here, but they are inferior to coffee in popularity.
Getting around from one restaurant to the other will not be a problem since Doha offers many channels of commute. Some of them are:
- City buses;
- Taxis;
- Uber;
- Car rental companies.
Keep in mind that van-hire in Doha, Qatar, is also possible if you are looking for that.
Well then, if you are still looking for an excellent reason to visit, keep scrolling for the biggest why-you-must-visit Qatar.
FIFA World Cup 2022
As you know, Qatar in 2022 will host the World Cup. Qatar is preparing to surprise its guests with hospitality, innovation, and a rich cultural program. For the first time in history, the tournament will be held in the Middle East and winter. According to preliminary data, the 2022 championship will become the most expensive in the tournament’s history – the volume of costs will exceed $ 200 billion. The costs directly on sports facilities will be about $ 10 billion. The rest of the funds are actively invested in the development of the country’s infrastructure. Preparations for the Mundial are in full swing – the country is changing before our eyes. An updated public and water transport system has already been launched, 48 metro stations have been opened, the main terminal of a super-modern airport, public spaces, etc.
Qatar is ready to receive tourists now
