Doha

Qatar is a Muslim country running on Gulf Arab traditions, but it's also home to expats who make up nearly 90% of the population. That mix creates a genuinely cosmopolitan atmosphere layered over a conservative foundation. Friday is the Islamic weekend equivalent.

Most government offices and many shops close or run reduced hours on Fridays, and everything stops during Friday morning prayers (roughly 10am–noon). Alcohol exists but only in licensed hotel bars and restaurants. You won't find a corner bar.

Qatar has no personal income tax, which partly explains why so many professionals relocate here. LGBTQ+ travelers should know that same-sex relationships are not legally recognized, and while authorities generally don't interfere with tourists, discretion matters. During Ramadan (expected to start around February 17, 2026), eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours is illegal for everyone, tourist or not.

Hotels accommodate non-Muslims with private dining spaces. Pointing with a single finger is considered rude. Use your whole hand instead.

Photos of local women or government and military buildings without explicit permission can get you in real trouble, including fines of up to QAR 100,000.

Cover shoulders and knees in public spaces including malls, museums, and government buildings. This applies to all genders. You won't be arrested for a short-sleeve shirt, but showing respect goes a long way..

During Ramadan 2026 (starting around Feb 17), eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours is illegal for everyone, not just Muslims. Hotels provide private dining areas for non-fasting guests.. Public displays of affection are frowned upon for all couples, including married ones.

Hand-holding is generally fine; kissing or embracing in public is not.. Don't point with a single finger. Use an open hand or gesture with your chin instead..

Never photograph people, especially local women, without asking permission. Photographing near government buildings, palaces, or military installations can result in arrest. When in doubt, skip the shot..

Friday morning (roughly 10am–noon) is prayer time and most non-essential businesses shut. Plan accordingly if you need to run errands.. Karak tea shops are everywhere and deeply embedded in daily life.

People honk outside karak shops and get their orders delivered to their car. Order one. It costs next to nothing (QAR 1–3)..

Alcohol is only served in licensed hotel bars and restaurants. Do not carry alcohol in public or attempt to buy it from non-licensed establishments. Qatar has zero tolerance on this..

Baqalas (small convenience stores) are the local equivalent of a corner shop and are open at all hours. Essential for forgotten toothbrushes, late-night snacks, and phone chargers.. Avoid posting critical comments about the Qatari government, culture, or individual companies on social media while in the country.

It can be treated as a cybercrime offense.

Doha is consistently ranked among the safest cities in the world, finishing 2nd globally according to Safeture and Riskline, and 3rd in the CEOWORLD 2025 report. Violent crime against tourists is essentially non-existent, and women can walk alone at night in most areas without issue. That said, there's one thing to understand: your biggest risk here is not crime.

It's accidentally breaking a local law. Alcohol is only served in licensed hotel bars and restaurants, and being visibly drunk in public can get you detained. Posting critical comments about Qatar's government or culture on social media while in-country is treated as a cybercrime offense.

Avoid photographing military installations, palaces, or government buildings. For LGBTQ+ travelers, same-sex relationships are technically illegal, and while authorities generally don't target tourists, discretion is strongly advised. Heat is a genuine physical hazard from June to September when temperatures regularly exceed 40°C.

Schedule outdoor activities for early morning or evening. Dehydration and heatstroke are real. Carry water.

Emergency number is 999 (covers police, ambulance, fire). Qatar requires visitors to have valid health insurance. A basic policy can be purchased on arrival for QAR 50.

Petty theft is rare but not impossible in crowded areas like Souq Waqif. Use common sense. Note for US citizens: As of March 2026, the US State Department issued an advisory ordering non-emergency US government personnel to leave Qatar due to tensions related to US-Iran hostilities.

US travelers should check the State Department's current advisory at travel.state.gov before booking.

The Doha Metro is clean, affordable, air-conditioned, and reliable. Single fare is QAR 2. Monthly pass is QAR 120.

Three lines (Red, Gold, Green) cover the main areas including West Bay, Msheireb, Al Sadd, The Pearl, and Hamad International Airport. It doesn't reach every corner of the city, but it handles the core routes well. The Lusail Tram connects the Lusail area and links to the metro.

For everything else, Uber and Careem are the go-to. Base fare for taxis runs QAR 8 plus QAR 8/km. Pre-booking via app is cheaper and more predictable than hailing a Karwa cab on the street.

The airport (Hamad International) is about 15–20 minutes from central Doha by metro or taxi. Taxi from the airport to West Bay or Msheireb: roughly QAR 40–60. One real downside to driving in Doha: traffic is legitimately terrible during rush hours (7–9am and 5–7pm).

The city was designed around cars, and road layouts can be confusing. If you're staying for more than a couple of weeks, renting a car makes sense for weekend trips into the desert or to Sealine Beach. Petrol is QAR 2.

05–2.07/liter. Careem and Uber also operate in Doha and are generally cheaper than regulated Karwa taxis for shorter trips.