is doha safe for solo female travellers

1. One thing you should be aware of is men-only establishments tea houses and restaurants that are closed off to Qatari ladies and foreign women alike (this should be pretty obvious if theres only dudes around). (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Or for the shopping solo, you can take a sightseeing tour, dine in a nice restaurant and shop to your hearts content at one of the many malls before sunbathing on the sandy coastline or getting pampered at a spa. Rated one of the safest countries for solo female travellers by the Women's Danger Index and with excellent gender equality, landlocked Austria has a fairytale . There are also international restaurants within the Ritz-Carlton and Grand Hyatt to name just a few. This is by the far the best time to visit Qatar (and for the record, this is when the World Cup will take place, too). The good news (if there can be any good news): Luckily, however, these death penalty laws are rarely (if ever) enforced. 1. Best of all, a one-way metro fare costs just 2 QAR. If you're visiting Qatar as a woman, then long skirts are about to become your best friend. Best time to visit Definitely in the winter! Yes, Doha is generally safe for solo female travelers. * Check prices, dates and availability: Swiss-Belinn Doha, Voco Doha West Bay Suites If you prefer a studio apartment, the voco Doha West Bay Suites has suites and rooms with world-class service and a health club and restaurant serving all types of cuisine. A new report ranks the safest countries for LGBTQ travelers, as well as the most homophobic [+] countries in the world. If your stopover is shorter (6-12 hours), you can opt for a discounted Doha transit tour instead. If you are planning to venture further out than the capital and see more than the Doha places to visit, Al Shamal is a coastal town that showcases the pearl trade of the country. Travellers also benefit from an incredibly rich food scene, including some great Indian and Yemeni restaurants. According to the LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index, Brunei is the most dangerous country for gay travelers in 2023, followed by Saudia Arabia and Nigeria. This is where the waters of the Gulf meet the desert dunes and create a spectacular inland sea. Weekends upto 8PM. I just came from there 2 days ago. I felt safe most of the time. Here, you have two options: Either hire your own wheels and self-drive the easiest way to explore on. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Desert gusts are tempered, skies are clear, and rainfall is minimal, giving Doha a spring-like atmosphere. If you are planning to visit also take in to consideration the following. Coming in second on the list is Sweden, followed by the Netherlands. If you are traveling alone, or dont feel comfortable tackling the nightlife by yourself, look for events run by hostels or tour operators; these aren't only pub-crawls for backpackers, but can also include food or cultural tours. Cool season (December through February) is mild, with temperatures averaging 14-25 Celsius most days. Even though I was with my tall and burly American friend, I could feel all hundreds of eyes on me. This year, the BBC featured Rwanda as the second safest destination for solo female travelers specifically. Citizens of 38 countries including the UK can obtain a 30 day Qatar tourist visa on arrival for QR100, Flights to Qatar from Europe it takes approximately 5 to 7 hours to Qatar. Women should dress modestly and avoid wearing revealing clothing. Even the Doha Fire Station looks like a work of art! Sources include Human Rights Watch, the Gallup World Poll and ILGA (the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association), just to name a few. You could also hire a limousine if youre feeling flash or use the Uber app. There are approximately 900 carvings here from fish and scorpions to carvings of dhows. Public transport within Doha is efficient and affordable. West Bay is the main financial district with many restaurants and places to shop. If you are headed to Qatar, you have come to the right place.. You can visit the zoo in morning between 8 am to Noon, Museum of Islamic Arts and Souq Wakif during the day. There can be instances where men continually follow or request a photograph, and if standing your ground and saying No! doesn't work, finding a cafe or restaurant to enter directly sends the message to leave you alone. Learn more. - Mementoes like Arab with camel, Dhows made in wood and metal, Sheesha, Camels, Oryx, Falcons, incense holders, etc. Saving it! In the more modern major cities, dressing in shorts and dresses is the norm, but do still expect to receive some looks from locals. I've travelled to Istanbul and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If your Qatar layover falls on a Friday, keep in mind that youll have to structure your itinerary around these restricted hours. Taxis are available at the airport and are a convenient way to get to your destination. You can exchange your Dollars near the Souq either from Alfardan or UAE Exchange. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-64033778', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Dohahaha! Islamic culture is welcoming to foreigners and tolerant of other religions so as a visitor to Qatar you can expect to be accepted and welcomed. You wont be approached in the souq, for instance. Re: Safety of English women in Doha ? The official currency in Qatar is the Qatari riyal (QAR). In the U.S., over 300 anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-trans laws were proposed in 2022 alone, which is very eye-opening to me.. Report inappropriate content. ACSDoha@state.gov. For coffee and cake or a spot of afternoon tea head to one of these: Seasons Tea Lounge at Four Seasons Doha, W Cafe at W Doha Hotel & Residences or Cafe Murano at Marsa Malaz Kempiniskix. Like many travellers before me, it was precisely this sense of the unknown that lured me to visit Doha that, and the promise of fragrant souqs, harbours crowded with dhow boats and men parading the streets with falcons perched on their wrists instead of Rolex watches. Here is also where you can find a Falcon Souq. But you cant ignore the fact that many of these workers are low-paid (or unpaid) labourers. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-64031257', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Doha visit - thanks again for all your help! Youll then be eligible for a free stopover of 1-4 nights. What Can I do @ Doha Airport for 13 HOURS !!! b) Regarding safety, be assured that Doha is an absolutely safe place for a single woman. Sailing around Doha Bay youll see the Corniche in all its panoramic glory and the spectacular high-rise business district of West Bay. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. There is no dress code for women but its recommended to respect the culture by keeping beachwear on the beach and dressing appropriately in public. 17 years ago Save Doha is quite safe. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-26089748', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Doha for a week. Aside from the traditional Middle Eastern and Arabic restaurants, you can find steakhouses within hotels such as the Doh Marriott and Movenpick, Asian Hotel in the Grand Hyatt and Intercontinental, Chines at the Oryx Rotana and Radisson Blu, as well as seafood restaurants in Sharq Village & Spa and the Katara. If we had our time again, we would choose either the InterContinental or Souq Waqif Boutique Hotel. I have a 20 hours layover at Doha airport at the end of December (from 0:00 to 20:00). July, traditionally the hottest month of the year, should be avoided at all costs. Western women may get some attention in Qatar but its usually just curious stares and not uncomfortable. In which order would you recommend me seeing the sights I have mentioned? Most cafes and restaurants close during the day, while shops, museums and the souq all observe restricted hours. As Fergusson points out: There are parts of America that are very progressive and would be considered safe. In the end, we spent around 40 USD per person per day on food and transport in Doha. Search for Travel Advisories. Most peoples experience of Qatar will be like mine: A somewhat superficial brush with a small but socially complex country on an extended layover. Ultimately, it will take shifts in society to create true change becauseas Fergusson points outlaws will only take you so far. Qatar is probably one of the safest places in the world, crime rate is virtually zero. Prices start from 156/$186 a night for a superior king room. Attention from locals is mostly harmless curiosity, and sometimes involves staring, a request for a photograph or a quick chat. If its a shopping experience you want, Qatar is a great location for it. Other countries are developing their legislation much faster and at a country-wide level while the U.S. tends to lag behind, especially in certain states, says Fergusson. Its easy to get lost in the maze of souks. Massive underground car parks have been installed to limit traffic and encourage people to walk or cycle. Furthermore, its helpful when negotiating taxis to see which route they are taking or if they are overcharging you for amile-long trip claiming it is very far. There are grungy corners, yes but for the most part, even the oldest parts of the city (including the souq) have been entirely reconstructed. Types of Girl about the Globe (GatG) Adventure GatG, Culture GatG, Desert GatG, History GatG, Shopping GatG. Being in the Middle East, Qatar has a desert climate and you can expect sun all year. As a visitor, you feel Qatars cultural diversity on several levels. I will try and do a Dhow (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You can wander the alleyways and spice stalls and just lose yourself in the atmosphere of this seaside market. Stay in the desert to experience the sunset and see the stars in a Bedouin camp where you can experience a traditional barbecue, before retiring back to your hotel for the evening. This area on the waterfront is great to explore. Check in Museum. There are three metro lines: The north-south red line (handy for getting to Katara Cultural Village), and the east-west gold and blue lines. Quran - You may get a free copy also. I hope you will post your experience after your trip. Taxis are excellent, use the greeny blue Karwa ones they are the equivalent to STATE taxis and are the cheapest. There are a wide range of restaurants and cuisine here. Getting around is straight-forward. Im so glad we stopped there for 4 days on our way to Budapest. How safe is it to go to the malls and just be out? Going on one of these means you have a planned route and a guide looking out for you, and its also a great way to meet people. Or visit the Qatar National Museum. The only time I would DEFINITELY advise against it is after 10 oclock at night in the immigrant workers section located behind the Ramada Encore hotel. I am planning on visiting a friend in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? There are plenty of restaurants in Souq specializing in cuisines from different parts of the world. Alternatively, you may use, Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel. If you love sports, Qatar holds some major sporting events that you can watch in the Khalifa International Stadium or at one of its waterfront locations. Doha International Airport is a great destination to go on a solo trip as a woman. Another challenge: While some of the world is catching up to equal rights for gay and lesbian couples, transgender and non-binary people still have the furthest way to go. If you can spare an hour at least, it would be worth visiting. Remember when Qatar was first named host country for the 2022 FIFA World Cup? You can even try your hand at fishing at the popular fishing spot called Al Dhakira. When visiting a new country, its a good idea to dress on the conservative side and then gauge what's acceptable. Report inappropriate content transtraveller Middle East Level Contributor 88 posts 1 review 2. Qatar is crime-free making it an extremely safe country to visit and Women in Qatar play an active part in the country. You may have misgivings about safe travel in Doha as a woman alone - don't. It is one of the safest places in the region. Or venture outside the capital for the Ezdan Mall, Hyatt Plaza, Landmark Mall, The Mall, The Pearl-Qatar, Al Khor Mall, Dar Al Salam Mall, Gulf Mall, and the 01 Mall. I feel much safer here than I do in England ! You should have no problems being alone in the airport. The list is based on 10 factors related to LGBTQ+ safety, including protections against discrimination, criminalization of violence, illegal same-sex relationships and more. If you want to hire it for yourself for an hour, usually it costs around QR 200 (USD 55). You can buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world. It's either the taxi/Uber or the Doha Metro Train. My goal is to make an impact in the world and to inspire you to travel solo. Friday prayers, or Salat al-Jumuah, are an obligatory religious ritual in Qatar. Required fields are marked *. Some popular restaurants are given below: For local arabic cuisine Al Terrace Al Mirqab Boutqiue Hotel. Year-round sunshine is pretty much guaranteed in Qatar and it hardly rains except in winter when it is only a quick shower. Ok, I will ask for Oryx Rotana at the Qatar desk and see if I'm lucky :) Maybe if the hotel is too good, there will be a risk I won't want to leave to go out and explore (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Southeast Asia hasUber and Grab, which makes booking a ride home easy. Needless to say, small towns and rural areas are more conservative, so you should always dress modestly outside Doha. How much approx do you think I would need for taxi ride form/to hotel, a short dhow cruise, entrance to Museum of Arts, dinner and maybe some small souvenier?? I'm staying at Kingsgate hotel near Souk Waqif metro so it looks to be away from that area but I'll still heed your advice . Please help me out. Is Qatar safe to travel to, particularly if you're visiting as a woman? Girl about the Globe Copyright 2012-2023. Getting very excited about the day in Doha! This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Its not unusual for the mercury to soar to 43 Celsius in June, July and August. We stayed at Saraya Corniche for 2 nights during our Doha stopover. Thanks :-). However visitors must get entrance tickets from the ticketing counter. The Fergussons started tracking the safest and most dangerous places for gay travelers in 2019 and have been updating the story annually since then. Thanks. This well-known museum takes you on a journey through 14 centuries of Islamic art and showcases some of the finest art and artefacts. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Tuesday Closed. To make things confusing, the policy isnt always obvious at first. Coronavirus (COVID-19) and travel: The situation around the world is changing dramatically. Many countries have pending legislation but are stuck in limbo and aren't pushing anything forward. From my observations, locals and expats in Doha tend to dress modestly in their daily life. Nevertheless, there are other states where gay, trans and non-binary people are targets, both legislatively and in their day-to-day lives, he says. Need any assistance, please revert. Re: English woman travelling alone to Doha. Try sustainable products that don't require you to dispose of sanitary items. One example of this is that Canada had 0.24 trans murders per million population over the past decade. Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Most public spaces are of course mixed, but some restaurants and cafes have special family areas for women and children. Streets are well-lit at night, and apart from the odd overexcited taxi driver, theres not really a hassle culture in Doha. An encounter on Vietnams Perfume River raises the question how much can we truly understand the lives of others? Souq Waqif is a traditional Arabian market that has been restored and modernized. Wildlife and desert lovers can ride a camel, sleep in the desert and experience the art of falconry. Traditionally used for fishing and other commercial activities, many are now used for tourism and dinner cruises along the river instead.

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