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 ravel Information [more info]
- Time Zone & Climate
- Language
- Electricity & Water
- Currency
- Shopping hours
- Working Times
- Visa Regulation
Attractions[more info]
- Corniche
- Dhow (Boat) Trip on the Doha Bay
- Palm Tree Island
- Qatar National Museum
- Ethnographic museum
- Qatar National Theatre
- Aladdin's Kingdom
- Al Koot Fort
- Animal Market and Falconry Souq
- Arabian Horse Farm
- Al Shahaniya Camel Race Track
Tours[more info]
- Doha City Tour
- Desert Safari to the Inland Sea
- Qatar Attractions Tour
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Shopping[more info]
- City Centre Shopping Mall
- Souqs
Sports [more info]
- Khalifa Tennis & Sqash Complex
- Water Sports
- Doha Golf Club
Annual Events [more info]
- Qatar Tennis Open
- Qatar Golf Masters Tournament
New Projects in Doha [more info]
- New International Airport
- Museum of Islamic Arts
- Qatar National Library
- Education City
- Pearl of Qatar
- Lusail
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Travel Information
Doha, the capital of Qatar, is located half-way down the east coast of the peninsula and represents a vital centre of culture, commerce and communications, and a host port with a strategic Arabian Gulf location.
Qatar's oil and gas fields are not the only resources of the country. Indeed over the last few years, Doha has gained acclaim for its developments in the fields of sports, tourism and education. Its proximity to the warm, pristine waters and sandy beaches of the Arabian Gulf, as well as its cultural heritage make Doha an exciting new destination to be explored. Tourists delight in the old souqs and traditional buildings housing museums, and in the many new sports facilities being created for the Asian Games 2006.
Time zone & Climate
GMT +3
Temperatures range between 20 and 30 degrees during winter and between 25 and 48 degrees during summer, with an average temperature of 35 degrees. Humidity is quite high during summer time.
Language
Arabic is the official language, but English is also widely spoken.
Electricity & Water
Voltage is 220 volts AC at 50 hertz; 110 volts AC in bathrooms.
Tap water is quite safe to drink, but locally bottled mineral water is generally served in hotels and restaurants.
Currency
The official currency is the Qatari Riyal (QR), which is divided into 100 Dirhams.
The exchange parity against the dollar has been set at a fixed rate: 1 US$ = 3.63991 QR.
Shopping hours
Saturday through Thursday: 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, with malls open 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.
On Fridays, some shops remain closed all day and others open at 4:00 pm. But most of the malls and supermarkets offer extended Friday shopping.
Working Times
Week-end is Friday and Saturday, but some companies from the private sector might be open on Saturday.
Working Hours are mostly as follow:
- Government Offices: 7:00 am to 2pm
- Private Establishments: 8:00 am to 12:00 noon & 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Malls stay open until 9:00 or 10:00 pm.
- Banks: 7:30 am to 1:00 pm.
- Opening hours for museums are usually: 9:00 am to 12:00 noon and 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm (closed on Friday morning).
Visa Regulation
Everyone except nationals of other Gulf States needs a visa to enter Qatar.
Visa regulations may change, so we recommend contacting the nearest Qatar embassy prior to traveling.
Attractions
Corniche
The Corniche, the ideal place to relax, is where many living in Doha go for a picnic, to walk, run or do some roller-blading. You can stroll along this seven-kilometer stretch of coastline, enjoying the beautiful daytime views or to admire the sea and the lights of Doha at night.
Dhow (Boat) Trip on the Doha Bay
Sunset Cruises on traditional dhows provide incredible views of the city at night.
Palm Tree Island
Located in the middle of the Doha Bay, this man-made island is covered with palm trees and offers pretty beaches. With ample water sports facilities, children's play areas and restaurants, it is popular for family outings. It can be reached only by boat, just a five-minute ride from the jetty.
Qatar National Museum: : a few minutes away from the hotel
The country's award-winning museum is housed in the restored Fariq Al Salata palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Qasim, which was constructed in 1901. The museum offers a display of diverse traditional and historic artefacts of Qatar and the region, along with a gallery that traces Qatar's main development since the discovery of oil and gas.
Ethnographic museum
This museum is located in a 20th century Qatari house, which has been restored and gives a good idea of Qatari houses before the oil and gas era. This museum will help you understand the roles of the various rooms and their importance in the life of the family. Closed on Saturdays, admission is free.
Qatar National Theatre: a few minutes away from the hotel
This theatre was inaugurated in 1982 to be the State's official theatre. It contains 490 seats and hosts the performances of visiting Arab and international theatrical troupes.
Aladdin's Kingdom (Amusement Park): near the Bavaria City Suites Doha
The Kingdom of Aladdin lies in the West Bay area. It has more than 18 game features to suit all age groups. It also has a rest house, an artificial lagoon, a theater and a cafeteria.
Al Koot Fort
Often called the "Doha Fort", this Moorish-style fort houses a display of traditional crafts and paintings. It is located near the old souq area.
Animal Market and Falconry Souq
This market features camels, sheep, fowl, caged birds and domestic pets. And during the falconry season (from October until March), you will find falcons and all the equipment required for this sport. And falconers will be more than pleased to tell you everything about their birds.
Arabian Horse Farm
Horse racing is one of the oldest sports in Qatar and very much appreciated by Qataris. International horse beauty contests are as well the focus of attention and appreciation for many.
Al Shahaniya Camel Race Track
Most camel races take place at this track, where there is a large spectator stand, although many locals follow the races from their vehicles. A very exiting spectacle.
Tours
Doha City Tour
The Doha city guided tour will take you to the Corniche seafront, Qatar National Museum, Dhow Harbour, Old Souq, and to the Falcon and traditional Markets. This tour starts and finishes at the Hotel.
Desert Safari to the Inland Sea
Tour operators offer one-day trip to the inland sea. Located in the middle of the desert, this is an area of exceptional beauty. The sea surges into a wide channel creating a vast shallow tidal lake. Experienced safari drivers will take you on a thrilling ride up and down the dunes and you will then enjoy a nice lunch and swim in the warm inland sea.
Qatar Attractions Tour
This full-day tour will take you to the major tourist attractions and landmarks in and around Doha, including the Inland Sea and the desert. Departure and return from/to the hotel.
Shopping
Doha offers a wide range of shopping opportunities: from modern shopping complexes to traditional shops in the old souq, you will find everything you need.
City Centre Shopping Mall: within walking distance of the hotel
As one of the largest shopping malls in the Gulf, the City Centre includes more than 350 shops, restaurants and supermarkets, as well as a lot of entertainment facilities for the whole family. The world most famous brands are to be found there, as well as ice skating rinks and bowling alleys.
Souqs
Along those narrow walkways, you will find almost everything from traditional incense and clothing, to modern equipment. There are different types of souqs, each with its own specialty: from textile to spices. And do not miss the gold souq!
Sports
In preparation for the Asian Games 2006, Doha is currently improving and expanding greatly its sports facilities. 2 additional stadiums, a 36-lane bowling alley complex, a shooting range, horse racing track and other facilities are currently under construction.
But the existing facilities offer already plenty of opportunities to the sports enthusiasts.
Khalifa Tennis & Sqash Complex
With 17 courts, swimming pool and gymnasium.
Water Sports
A wide range of water sports is available in Doha. The warm waters of the Arabian Gulf offer a lot of opportunities:
Doha Golf Club
Designed by Peter Harradine, this 18-hole, par 72 championship course has hosted many international championships. A nine-hole floodlit academy course is as well available in this 150 hectare oasis.
Annual events
Qatar Tennis Open
Qatar Exxon Mobil Tennis Open and the Qatar Total Open are held in Doha every year. Some of the world's leading players from the men's and women's circuit converge then to the capital of Qatar for these prestigious tournaments being hosted by the Qatar Tennis Federation.
Qatar Golf Masters Tournament
Since 1998, the Qatar Masters bring each year some of the world's leading golf professionals to Doha. The Qatar Masters has been a regular feature on the European schedule since its beginning, and in 2005 it has even featured players from the Asian circuit.
New projects in Doha
New International Airport
In response to a projected demand for additional international passenger capacity to the region, a new international airport is being constructed for an estimated at QR18 billion. The first phase is due for completion in 2008. It will be situated 4km east of the existing one and will be able to handle 12 million passengers per year after the first phase of construction.
Museum of Islamic Arts
Due for completion in 2006, it will be located on a man-made island. This museum will showcase some of the best Islamic Arts. It will be the largest museum of its kind in the world.
Qatar National Library
Designed by Japanese architect Isozak, Qatar National Library will represent a new landmark in the city of Doha. The library will open in 2006 and will be situated on the foreshore of Doha's picturesque Corniche. It will also contain a natural museum, art galleries, conference and lecture halls, cafeterias and restaurants.
Education City
Developed by the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, this 7-milion sqm site will house some of the word's most famous institutions.
Schedule for completion in 2008, it will provide educational facilities to all, from kindergarten to graduate and post-graduate studies, covering all fields: science, business, Islamic studies, information technologies,... and even a teaching hospital.
Pearl of Qatar
The Pearl of Qatar consists of a 366-hectare man-made island, east of West Bay, linked to the mainland by a causeway. The facilities will include 4 marinas with space for more than 700 boats, residential quarters, shopping areas, hotels, entertainment and recreational facilities, schools and community centres.
The opening is planned for September 2006.
Lusail
Qatar's single biggest development will cover over 35 square kilometers of waterfront for an estimated budget of 5 billion US$. Lusail development will include a large blue water lagoon with 2 marinas, major residential areas, extensive commercial districts and mixed-use areas, comprehensive leisure and entertainment facilities including 2 golf courses and an entertainment district, beaches as well as parks, schools and medical centres.
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