A QUICK GUIDE TO QATAR

A QUICK
GUIDE TO
QATAR
Katara Cultural Village
3
Khor Al Adaid
Hayyakum!
Welcome to Qatar!
Hospitality is one of the most treasured values of
welcome to all our friends from overseas.
Well established as a center of global excellence in
culture, business and sport, Qatar combines all the
luxuries of a top class resort destination along with
a fascinating glimpse of traditional Arabian culture
and heritage. It offers outstanding facilities for
sightseeing, desert adventures, family fun and sport.
We hope you enjoy your time here, and that you keep
coming back.
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Souq Waqif
For an authentic taste of traditional Arab commerce,
wander down the bustling alleys of the Souq. The
labyrinth of small shops offers a treasure trove
of Middle Eastern merchandise from spices to
perfumes, clothing, utensils, handicrafts and a
vast range of souvenirs … all at bargain prices.
Souq Waqif is also a great place to relax over a
coffee, soak up the local atmosphere and enjoy an
extravaganza of music, art and family entertainment.
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Souq Waqif
Doha Corniche
Doha Corniche
The showpiece 7-kilometre waterfront promenade is
a major attraction for residents and visitors alike. Take in
the crisp morning air with a jog or bring your family for
a relaxing evening stroll. As the sun goes down, hop on
a wooden dhow for a cruise in the bay and enjoy
a panoramic view of the city’s beautifully-lit skyline.
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Katara Cultural Village
A modern interpretation of the rich heritage of
Arabia, Katara is ideal for a relaxing day of culture,
entertainment and family fun. Katara’s impressive
theatres, performance venues and galleries feature
leading regional and international artists and stage
plays, concerts, film festivals and much more.
Recreational options include a well equipped public
beach offering a choice of water sports facilities, plus
a wide selection of restaurants, cafes and food outlets.
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Katara Cultural Village
Museum of Islamic Art
Museum of Islamic Art
Wonder at the magnificent collections covering 14
centuries of the finest Islamic art and artifacts from
across the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa.
The museum ranks among the world’s leading
cultural landmarks. Designed by the celebrated
architect IM Pei, it is housed in a dramatic modern
building prominently situated along the Corniche
waterfront. Its café and surrounding park offer visitors
spectacular vistas of the city.
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Khor Al-Adaid (Inland Sea)
Inaccessible by road, this tranquil expanse of water is
a UNESCO recognized natural reserve and one of the
few places in the world where the sea encroaches
deep into the desert. Located in the south eastern
corner of the country, this unique Qatari natural
phenomenon can be reached by 4x4 over the dunes,
either independently or as the culmination of an
organized safari.
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Khor Al Adaid (Inland Sea)
The Pearl-Qatar
The Pearl-Qatar
Lying just off the coast on the northern fringes of
Doha city, The Pearl-Qatar is a spectacular manmade island representing the epitome of the modern
marina lifestyle and offering an insight into Qatar’s
ambitious future development plans. Where once
there was nothing but sea, now stand tall towers,
beachfront villas, peppered with exclusive retail
spaces, five-star hotels and fine-dining restaurants.
Admire the luxury yachts berthed in the three
spectacular marinas at sunset or enjoy a coffee
and set out on a lavish shopping spree.
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Museums & Art Galleries
Al Markhiya Gallery
almarkhiyagallery.com
+974 6600 8750
Al Riwaq Doha
qma.com.qa
+974 4452 5555
Katara Art Center
kataraartcenter.com
+974 4408 0244
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Mathaf Arab Museum
of Modern Art
mathaf.org.qa
+974 4402 8855
Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim
Al Thani Museum
sheikhfaisalmuseum.com
+974 4486 1444
Souq Waqif Arts Center
+974 4417 6204
Museum of Islamic Art
Barzan Tower
Sightseeing
Al Zubarah Fort
Al Zubarah Fort, together with its
surrounding archaeological works, is
recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage
site. Located in the north west of the
country, the immaculately restored fort
was formerly used by the military and
coast guard.
Al Wajbah Fort
With its high towers and thick walls, Al
Wajbah Fort is considered the oldest in the
country. Scene of a famous victory over
Ottoman forces in 1893, it is a treasured
landmark of the Qatari people.
Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdul
Wahhab Mosque
Named after the Muslim scholar, the
grand mosque can accommodate 10,000
worshippers at a time and is the State
Mosque of Qatar. It is open to visitors of all
faiths.
Barzan Tower
Close to Umm Salal Mohammad Fort and
originally built as a watchtower in the late
19th century, the fully restored three–storey
Barzan Tower, together with its twin east
tower, stands 16 meters high.
Umm Salal Mohammad Fort
Located some 15 kilometers north of Doha
and built during the late 19th century,
the fort features thick, high walls and an
impressive façade.
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Tours, Sports & Activities
City Tours
Visit all the major sights of Doha by taking an organized or
tailor-made tour, renting a self-drive car or stepping aboard a
hop-on, hop-off tour bus (dohabus.com; tel 4442 2444). Besides
the many heritage and architectural attractions, don’t miss Doha’s
iconic new developments such as Katara Cultural Village and
Pearl Qatar, a spectacular man-made island with its high rise
towers, marinas and luxury shops and restaurants.
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Desert Adventures
No visit would be complete without experiencing the
quintessential desert adventure, an exhilarating 4x4 safari over
the dunes, perhaps including a camel ride, a chance to try sand
boarding or even drive a dune buggy. Witness spectacular desert
sunset and end the day with a moonlit barbeque … or perhaps
camp overnight under a million stars. Qatar’s impressive dunes
are easily accessible from Doha extending southward to the
Inland Sea.
Sand dunes in South Qatar
Doha Golf Club
Exploring
Qatar offers an amazing range of opportunities to get off the
beaten track and experience something new and different. Take
a trip to a camel race or visit an ancient fort, dusty village or
dhow harbor. You can explore the wonders of nature too, like the
40-metre deep gypsum caves at Dahl Al Misfir or mangroves at
Al Thajira. The possibilities are endless.
Golf
Tee off at the Doha Golf Club, home of the annual Qatar Masters
tournament, a ranking event on the European PGA Tour. The club
is open to leisure golfers. For details, contact dohagolfclub.com or
Tel. +974 4496 0777.
Water Sports
The warm waters of the Gulf are ideal for water sports and
Qatar’s hotels and tour companies will direct you to the range of
activities on offer, from scuba diving to parasailing, kitesurfing,
wakeboarding, sailing and fishing.
Dhow Cruises
Enjoy a cruise aboard an authentic wooden dhow. Take a short
trip around the bay from the Corniche or a longer cruise from the
Bay Club (Tel. +974 4484 4852).
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Useful Information
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Public Holidays
Important Numbers
What’s On in Qatar
National Sports Day
second Tuesday of every February
Emergency
999
Eid Al Fitr
28 July 2014 (may vary)
Directory Assistance
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There is always something going on in
Doha – from theater troupes to festivals,
exhibitions to sporting tournaments.
Eid Al Adha
04 October 2014 (may vary)
Doha International Airport
+974 4465 6666
Qatar National Day
18 December
Qatar Tourism Hotline
+974 4444 4106
Find out what’s on in Qatar by checking out
www.onqatar.qa. Also available as a mobile
app for iOS and Android.
Al Diwan Al Amiri
The Pearl-Qatar
Public Transport
Tourist Bus
Doha Limousine
+974 4483 9999
Karwa Taxi
eng.mowasalat.com/site
+974 4458 8888
Doha Bus
dohabus.com
+974 4442 2444
Elite Limousine
+974 4442 6184
Limousine Services
Fox Transport
foxtransport.net
+974 4462 2777
Al Million Taxi
almilliontaxi.com
+974 8005500 (toll-free)
Karwa Bus
eng.mowasalat.com/site
+974 4458 8888
Mowasalat Limousine
eng.mowasalat.com/site
+974 4458 8888
Cabz Transport
cabz.com
+974 4441 8144
Qatar Limousine
+974 4468 8688
Ibticar – Wheelchair
Accessible Limousines
ibticar.com
+974 4410 1581
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Sharq Village & Spa
FOLLOW US
CONTACT US
QATAR
FRANCE
[email protected]
+974 4444 4106 (Hotline)
+974 4499 7499
[email protected]
+33 1 53 25 11 11
UNITED KINGDOM
GERMANY
[email protected]
+44 20 7367 0978
[email protected]
+49 89 689 06 38 0
qatartourism.gov.qa
/qatar.qatartourism
/qtourism
/qtourism
/qtourism