How to prepare for your trip in Doha - A guide for the first-time travellers!

 Doha, the capital of Qatar, is a large trading and economy centre in the Middle East. But it is not limited to just that, Doha has so much to offer the modern tourist. If you would like to enjoy a vacation in Doha, make sure to take a quick look at these tips. The guide gives you some essential tips on the things you must know about before you embark on this journey.

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Transport

Getting around Doha conveniently is important to make sure that you do not waste precious 'vacation' time. So, what is the most convenient mode of transport in Doha? Well, it is the taxi which is the most common public transport. The prices charged by the taxi drivers are quite modest and the cost largely depends on the time of day you will be riding taxis in. Night taxi drivers would cost a lot more than the daytime ones.

 Restaurants and cafés

So how can you distinguish between the good restaurants and cafés with the not so good ones? Well, it is quite easy. If you see a restaurant packed with locals, you can be sure that they are going to provide you with delicious food. If you would like to try authentic cuisines, you can check out restaurants at Doha hotels the likes of Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara. You can dine with a view.

Renting a car

You can also rent a car easily in Doha to get around, this will give you the ultimate comfort and freedom to explore Doha at your convenient time. To be liable to rent a car, you must provide a valid driver’s license and credit card details with the amount of collateral. If you would like to rent a car for more than 10 days, you will be requested to obtain a temporary driving license which will be available in the local governance.

The best times to visit Doha

The most favourable weather conditions to visit Doha will be between April and May. This is a good time to rest and recuperate during a vacation. Early autumn is also another popular time to visit Doha. You will experience gentle weather where you can do a lot of outdoor activities. During the summer months, you can expect temperatures to reach about 35°C. So, the Middle East is best avoided during the summer season!

Bargaining

As expected, Doha is a shopping centre. There are local traditional markets that you must checkout to obtain artisan objects that boast of Arab elegance. However, make sure to bring your haggling skills to the market. Many sellers increase the price drastically to foreigners. Make sure to bring change too! Often, sellers would say that they do not have change and you might have to part away with a sizeable portion of your cash because of it!

Phase and exhibitions

Doha hosts interesting exhibitions and fairs which are devoted to various handicrafts. You must make sure to find out about these events well in advance and plan your schedule accordingly. Remember, these are great places to purchase unique hand crafts and souvenirs. Therefore, do not miss out on an opportunity to witness excellent handicrafts made by the local talents!

Communication

The official language in Doha is Arabic. However, you will find that the locals speak English very well. You can easily navigate within the tourist regions by speaking English. The employees in restaurants, shopping centres and hotels are very proficient in several foreign languages including the English language. Therefore, you will not find it difficult to communicate and get yourself around Doha without much hassle.