Doha
Doha is the capital of Qatar.
Get in
By plane
Doha's airport is the biggest in the country and is becoming increasingly important in the Gulf Region. Local carrier Qatar Airways is building a worldwide network from there and alreay connects the city with destinations in Africa, Europe and Asia.
If you're already in or around the Gulf region, the cheapest way to fly to Doha is with Air Arabia, but you will almost certainly have to break your journey in Sharjah, the airline's hub in the United Arab Emirates.
By car
Saudi Arabia is the only country that borders Qatar and it can be difficult to obtain permits to drive through Saudi Arabia.
There are plans to build bridges linking Qatar with both Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates in the future.
Get around
Bus
In late 2005, a public bus service, with two different routes, was introduced as the city's first mode of public transport. By March 2006, there were six routes running, but it is still a limited service.
Taxi
The only other way to get around without your own vehicle is by taxi. There are two different types of taxis: orange-and-white metered ones, which are cheaper but less comfortable; and air-conditioned green or white ones, for which you often have to agree on a price before you hop in.
The demand for taxis often exceeds the supply and sometimes you find yourself waiting on a street corner for 20-30 minutes before you can flag one down. In the scorching heat of summer, this is pretty much unbearable.
See
The visual highlight of Doha is Al-Corniche, a long seaside promenade that curves around Doha Bay and affords pretty views of Palm Tree Island and the city's skyscrapers. In the afternoons you will see plenty of locals strolling along the Corniche, often trying to get out of the way of the odd crazy Western ex-pat on rollerblades. It's also a good place for jogging or cycling. There are several parks close to the Corniche which are ideal for families, and right on the Corniche there is a giant statue of Orry, the Oryx who is the mascot for the 15th Asian Games, to take place in Doha from December 1-15, 2006.
The Qatar National Museum remained closed in early 2006, but it is expected to open sometime before the Asian Games begin in December 2006.
Do
Doha has a reputation for not being the most exciting place on earth, but there are still a few things to do if you are in the city for a business trip and have some time to spare.
A popular excursion is to take the small boat ride from the Corniche (near the Sheraton) to Palm Tree Island in Doha Bay. On the island there are deck chairs to lay out on, beach volleyball and football facilities, food and drink available and a swimming pool (though the pool was empty in December 2005). You can swim in the bay as well while looking back at the ever-expanding Doha skyline.
A typical Middle Eastern activity in the afternoons is to find a sheesha cafe and smoke some fruit-flavoured tobacco. One of the best places in Doha is Ras-Naswa at the non-Sheraton end of the Corniche. Located in a picturesque old-style building reminiscient, in colour and texture if not grandeur, of the red Mughal structures in India, Ras-Naswa has a nice outdoor garden and serves decent Middle Eastern food.
Doha has several markets which are worth visiting as well. See the Buy section for more details.
If you want to people-watch afluent young Qataris who are inseparable from their mobile phones, the best places to head are the modern shopping malls, starting with City Centre, not far from the Sheraton.
Buy
You can buy most things you want in Doha, as long as it's not pork products or alcohol. There are several modern shopping malls such as City Centre and Landmark which offer quality shopping.
The best shopping experiences, however, are to be had in the various souqs (markets). Not far from the Corniche near an HSBC branch and a landmark spiral tower is the Souq Waqif (also referred to as the Iranian Souq or Old Souq), a good place to pick up souvenirs and to see falcons for sale with a pleasant ambience. Another souq worth visiting is the Omani Souq on Haloul St, parallel to Salwa Road. There you can buy things like spices, incense and woven baskets. Next door is a vegetable market.
Eat
Given the population diversity in Doha, there is a large variety of diferent types of cuisine, including Indian, Thai, Chinese, Italian, Korean and, of course, typical Middle Eastern food.
One of the best eating experiences in the city is the Al-Bandar restaurant complex at the end of a wharf off the Corniche (near the Pearl fountain, close to the non-Sheraton end of the Corniche). Three restaurants with indoor or outdoor seating overlooking the bay serve Lebanese and seafood dishes, among others. Main meals start at around QR35 per person.
Turkey Central offers good, cheap Middle Eastern fare. The portions are large (try the Mixed Grill) and the appetizers are recommended. It's on Al-Mirghab St; to get there, turn right off C Ring Road just after Hardee's if you're heading away from City Centre. Across the street from Turkey Central and a little further back towards Hardee's is a decent Thai restaurant.
Of the international hotels, 'Il Rustico' at Rydges serves quality Italian food, as does one of the restaurants at the Ritz-Carlton.
Among the American fast food chains in Doha are McDonald's, KFC, Hardee's, Arby's, Burger King and Dairy Queen. Pizza places include Pizza Hut, Little Caesar's and Pizza Inn.
More upscale American chains include TGI Fridays (in the Landmark shopping mall), Applebee's, Chili's, Bennigan's and Ponderosa Steakhouse.
Note: Because of the restricted availability of alcohol in Qatar, you cannot drink alcohol at restaurants except those that are part of international hotels.
Drink
Alcohol is only available in bars attached to international hotels such as the Ramada, Rydges, the Ritz-Carlton etc. To purchase it outside these bars, you have to have a Residence Permit and apply for a liquor licence. When you have that, you can purchase a certain amount of alcohol each month (related to your salary) from one bottle shop on the outskirts of town.
Soft drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages are readily available.