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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Best time to visit Qatar: Weather, festivals and travel tips
If you're thinking about visiting Qatar, whether for a desert escape, a luxurious layover, or to explore its rising cultural scene—timing is everything. Qatar isn't just sand and skyscrapers anymore (although it does those very well). This Gulf gem has become a serious travel destination, complete with five-star everything, world-class museums, and a growing list of events that are giving Dubai some competition. But before you pack your bags, it's good to know when to go, what to expect, and how to make the most of your trip. Because, spoiler alert: this isn't a place you want to visit in July unless you have a very serious relationship with air conditioning. Here's the lowdown on the best time to visit Qatar, the weather you will face, the festivals worth catching, and some handy travel tips to keep your trip smooth and stylish. Weather in Qatar: Choose your season wisely Qatar is hot. Like, melt-your-flip-flops-on-the-sidewalk hot. The country has a desert climate, so you'll either get 'perfect beach day' or 'oven with WiFi.' Best months to visit Qatar: November to March This is Qatar's sweet spot. Temps hang out between 65°F to 80°F (18°C to 27°C). That means: Comfortable days for outdoor sightseeing Perfect evenings for rooftop dining and desert adventures No risk of turning into a puddle on a walk from the mall to your Uber Summer months: June to September Let's call it what it is: scorching. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like US$31 trillion in wealth extracted from Indonesia during Dutch colonial rule: President Prabowo CNA Read More Undo Daytime temps can hit 110°F+ (43°C) and the humidity can be brutal. Most outdoor activities shut down, and even locals avoid being out too long. If you do come during this time, expect to spend your trip indoors: malls, museums, and spas are your best friends. April–May & October months are warmer, but not unbearable. You can still enjoy outdoor sights in the early morning or evening, and rates for hotels may be lower than in peak season. Festivals and events in Qatar Qatar has stepped up its cultural game in recent years. Whether you're into food, art, or fashion, there's something going on—especially during the cooler months. Qatar National Day (December 18) It's the biggest celebration of the year. Expect parades, fireworks, concerts, and a strong showing of national pride. Doha becomes one big party. Qatar International Art Festival (October) A huge draw for artists and creatives from around the world, this event brings together painting, sculpture, digital art, and live installations. Qatar International Food Festival (March) If you love food (and who doesn't?), this one's for you. Sample dishes from around the globe, meet celebrity chefs, and try traditional Qatari cuisine like machboos and luqaimat. Camel racing season (November to February) Yes, it's a thing—and it's wild. Robot jockeys, high-speed camels, and cheering crowds in the desert. A true local experience. Sporting events Post–World Cup, Qatar is still big on sports. Look out for international tennis, Formula 1, and equestrian events throughout the year. Travel tips for visiting Qatar Whether it's your first trip or your fifth, these tips can help you travel smarter: Dress code Loose, modest clothing is appreciated, especially in public spaces. Swimwear is fine at hotel pools and private beaches. Book early for peak season November to March is busy. If you're planning to visit during this time—especially around holidays or major events—book your hotel and flights well in advance. Plan for Friday mornings Friday is the holy day in Qatar, and many businesses, museums, and shops open late or stay closed until afternoon. Use it as a chill-out or beach morning. Use local taxi services Public transport is improving, but rideshares are still the most convenient way to get around Doha. They're safe, affordable, and AC-equipped . Don't skip the museums Even if you're not a 'museum person,' don't miss the Museum of Islamic Art or the National Museum of Qatar. They're architectural wonders with seriously cool exhibits—and a perfect escape from the sun. When should you book that ticket? If you want the full Qatar experience—exploring Souq Waqif, riding camels in the dunes, kayaking through mangroves, or sipping karak tea on a winter night—aim for November to March. The weather is perfect, the events are in full swing, and the energy is high. But even if you visit in the off-season, Qatar has plenty to offer indoors, from luxury shopping to world-class spas to Michelin-starred meals. No matter when you go, just come curious and leave room in your suitcase—because Qatar blends tradition and modern glam in ways that just might surprise you.
Euronews
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
A feast for the eyes and mouth, from kites to street food
Qatar 365 takes you on a tour of the country's yearly marquee festivals, which are popular for their family-friendly atmosphere. Laila Humairah samples street food and Michelin-starred cuisine from all over the world at the biggest-ever edition of the Qatar International Food Festival. Johanna Hoes went to the Qatar Kite Festival and met with kite enthusiasts and an artist who puts a new meaning to 'bird's eye view'. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
Tourism Breaking News
05-05-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Qatar welcomes more than 1.5 million visitors in first quarter of 2025
Post Views: 130 Qatar's tourism sector kicked off 2025 with strong momentum, welcoming more than 1.5 million international visitors from January to March, driven by an integrated tourism strategy that combines major events, strategic partnerships and diverse tourism experiences that meet the aspirations of different visitors. Visitors from the GCC (36 per cent), followed by visitors from Europe (28 per cent) and Asia and Oceania (20 per cent) led the way, reflecting Qatar's growing position as an attractive tourist destination in regional and international markets. Visitor arrivals were distributed by air (51%), land (34%) and cruises (15%), highlighting the effectiveness of Qatar's diverse reach strategy. Eid Al Fitr 2025 recorded the highest tourist arrivals during the festive period in the past three years, with 213,500 visitors arriving over an eight-day period, an increase of 26% compared to 2024, and visitors from the GCC constituting 49% of the total visitors, recording an annual increase of 18%, while hotel occupancy reached 77%, recording an annual growth of 10%. This growth was accompanied by strong performance across the hospitality sectors, with average hotel occupancy reaching 71% and 2.6 million hotel nights sold, reflecting a significant increase in demand driven by key events such as the Qatar Web Summit, Doha Jewellery & Watches and Qatar International Food Festival. H.E. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, President of Qatar Tourism and Chairman of Visit Qatar, said: 'The achievements of the first quarter of 2025 reflect the strength of our long-term strategic approach to developing the tourism sector. By deepening collaboration locally, regionally and internationally, we continue to diversify target markets, enhance visitor experiences, and cement Qatar's position as a vibrant year-round tourism destination. We are delighted to welcome 1.5 million visitors in the first quarter and look forward to welcoming more visitors throughout this year.' The State of Qatar affirmed its regional leadership in the tourism sector, by hosting the fifty-first meeting of the United Nations Tourism Organization Regional Committee for the Middle East, where discussions focused on harnessing Qatar's strengths in the fields of sports, innovation, and infrastructure to drive sustainable tourism regionally. As part of its commitment to responsible development, Qatar is moving forward with the project to transform Khor Al Udeid into a premium desert tourism destination, which is based on the Tourism Master Plan, combining environmental conservation with nature-inspired experiences. To enhance the visitor experience, Qatar Tourism launched the 'Taste of Qatar' initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and Ipsos, with the aim of setting benchmarks and developing the country's food scene to meet the aspirations of both residents and visitors. Major events that promote the sector and elevate the global landscape Doha Jewellery & Watches 2025 welcomed around 30,000 visitors and saw the participation of more than 500 luxury brands from Qatar and abroad. Sales of the exhibition exceeded QAR 246 million, a growth of around 10 per cent compared to last year. The first-of-its-kind Ras Brouq desert event attracted more than 55,000 visitors over 60 days, while Visit Qatar's Sealine Season attracted more than 48,000 visitors. The Qatar Shopping Festival 2025 also recorded records of more than QAR 120 million in sales, an increase of 50% over the previous year, and prizes worth QAR 2.5 million were distributed. The fourteenth edition of theQatar International Food Festival attracted more than 360,000 visitors, with the participation of 180 restaurants, including 28 international restaurants, while the 'Eat First' festival welcomed more than 100,000 visitors, in the old Doha Port. Continuous growth of cruise tourism The 2024/2025 cruise season saw 87 ships received (a growth of 19% compared to the previous season), including 5 additional ships that made their first voyages to Doha Port, and 13 departures and closings. The number of cruise visitors during this season exceeded 360,000, an increase of 4% compared to the previous season. Transfer passengers – starting or ending their journey in Qatar – accounted for more than 10 per cent of total visitors, reflecting the country's growing position as a major hub for cruise tourism in the region. Global promotional campaigns promote awareness about the destination Qatar continues to strengthen its global position in the tourism sector through a combination of media campaigns and global engagements in priority markets. In the first quarter, Qatar had a prominent presence at global platforms such as FITUR 2025, the Berlin International Travel and Tourism Exchange and the Mumbai Outbound Travel Show. In addition, Visit Qatar has strengthened its pause campaigns through media and marketing campaigns and expanded its media reach targeting key markets. Regionally, media campaigns played a pivotal role in enhancing engagement and attracting visitors, particularly from the GCC, which accounted for 36% of total international visitors in the first quarter. Three key initiatives have had a strong impact, including the 'Hala Bal Jar Al Ghali' campaign during the holy month of Ramadan, the interactive TV show 'Have fun and win', and the Eid al-Fitr campaign 'Eid Activities on Us'. These efforts have contributed to enhancing cultural communication and encouraging travel during key periods, contributing to record numbers of visitors during Eid Al Fitr 2025.
Gulf Insider
05-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Qatar Welcomed 1.5M+ Tourists in Q1, Led by GCC and Europe
Qatar's tourism sector began 2025 with strong momentum, welcoming more than 1.5m international visitors between January and March. Visitors from GCC countries accounted for (36 per cent), followed by Europe (28 per cent) and Asia and Oceania (20 per cent), reinforcing Qatar's growing appeal across varied markets. Visitor arrivals by air (51 per cent), land (34 per cent) and sea (15 per cent) highlight the effectiveness of Qatar's diversified access strategy. Notably, Eid Al Fitr 2025 delivered the highest holiday arrival figures in three years, with 214,000 visitors during the eight-day period, a 26 per cent increase over 2024. GCC visitors accounted for 49 per cent of the total, marking an 18 per cent year-on-year increase, and hotel occupancy reached 77 per cent, up 10 per cent from the same period last year. Strong performance across the hospitality sector accompanied this growth. 71 per cent average hotel occupancy and 2.6m room nights sold reflected heightened demand fuelled by key events including Web Summit Qatar, the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE), and the Qatar International Food Festival. Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chair of the Board of Directors of Visit Qatar, said: 'The achievements of the first quarter of 2025 demonstrate some of the planned outputs of our long-term approach to tourism development. Part of the development transcends into deepening collaboration across local, regional and international markets and continue to diversify source markets, enhance visitor experiences, and reinforce Qatar's position as a dynamic, year-round destination. 'We are excited to have welcomed 1.5m in Q1 and look forward to welcoming more guests throughout this year.' Qatar reaffirmed its leadership in regional tourism by hosting the 51st UN Tourism Regional Committee for the Middle East, where discussions focused on harnessing Qatar's strengths in sports, innovation, and infrastructure to drive sustainable tourism across the region. As part of its commitment to responsible development, Qatar is also progressing the transformation of Khor Al Udaid into a premier desert tourism destination. Anchored in the Tourism Assets Masterplan, the project blends environmental preservation with upscale, nature-based visitor experiences—positioning it as a model for eco-tourism in the region. To further elevate the visitor experience, Qatar Tourism has also launched the 'Taste of Qatar' initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and Ipsos, aimed at benchmarking and enhancing the country's dining landscape for both residents and tourists. The Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition 2025 welcomed nearly 30,000 visitors, featuring more than 500 international and local brands, and recorded sales exceeding QR246m ($68), up nearly 10 per cent from last year. Visit Qatar's first-of-its-kind Ras Abrouq desert activation drew 55,000 visitors over 60 days, while Visit Qatar's Sealine Village attracted over 48,000 attendees. Shop Qatar 2025 generated QR120m ($33m) in sales, a 50 per cent increase year-on-year, and awarded QR2.5m ($688,000) in prizes. The Qatar International Food Festival brought together more than 365,000 visitors and 180 restaurants, including 28 international outlets, while the Throwback Food Festival welcomed over 100,000 to Doha's Old Port. The 2024/2025 cruise season recorded 87 ship calls (up 19 per cent from previous season), including five maiden voyages and 13 homeporting calls, bringing in over 360,000 cruise visitors, which is a 4 per cent increase year-on-year. More than 10 per cent were turnaround passengers, supporting Qatar's positioning as a regional cruise hub. Momentum is set to continue with a robust calendar of confirmed events. Qatar will host the T100 Triathlon World Championship Final in partnership with the Professional Triathletes Organisation annually until 2030. Upcoming highlights include the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, the return of the Visit Qatar E1 Grand Prix of Electric Boats, as well as a series of major festivals and sporting events, all set to further diversify tourism offerings and drive sustained growth. Also read: Omar Farooq's 'Ana Laha' Wins GCC Award From Qatar Foundation's Akhlaquna Initiative
ILoveQatar.net
04-05-2025
- Business
- ILoveQatar.net
Over 1.5 million international visitors received in Qatar between January and March 2025
Qatar's tourism sector began 2025 with strong momentum, welcoming over 1.5 million international visitors between January and March. This surge was driven by an integrated tourism strategy that combines high-profile events, strategic partnerships, and diversified destination experiences. Visitors from GCC countries accounted for (36%), followed by Europe (28%) and Asia and Oceania (20%), reinforcing Qatar's growing appeal across varied markets. Visitor arrivals by air (51%), land (34%) and sea (15%) highlight the effectiveness of Qatar's diversified access strategy. Notably, Eid Al Fitr 2025 delivered the highest holiday arrival figures in three years, with 214,000 visitors during the 8-day period, a 26% increase over 2024. GCC visitors accounted for 49% of the total, marking an 18% year-on-year increase, and hotel occupancy reached 77%, up 10% from the same period last year. Strong performance across the hospitality sector accompanied this growth. 71% average hotel occupancy and 2.6 million room nights sold reflected heightened demand fuelled by key events including Web Summit Qatar, the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition (DJWE), and the Qatar International Food Festival. HE Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chair of the Board of Directors of Visit Qatar, said: 'The achievements of the first quarter of 2025 demonstrate some of the planned outputs of our long-term approach to tourism development. Part of the development transcends into deepening collaboration across local, regional and international markets and continue to diversify source markets, enhance visitor experiences, and reinforce Qatar's position as a dynamic, year-round destination. We are excited to have welcomed 1.5M in Q1 and look forward to welcoming more guests throughout this year.' Leading Regional Synergies, Sustainable Tourism, and Visitor Satisfaction Qatar reaffirmed its leadership in regional tourism by hosting the 51st UN Tourism Regional Committee for the Middle East, where discussions focused on harnessing Qatar's strengths in sports, innovation, and infrastructure to drive sustainable tourism across the region. As part of its commitment to responsible development, Qatar is also progressing the transformation of Khor Al Udaid into a premier desert tourism destination. Anchored in the Tourism Assets Masterplan, the project blends environmental preservation with upscale, nature-based visitor experiences—positioning it as a model for eco-tourism in the region. To further elevate the visitor experience, Qatar Tourism has also launched the 'Taste of Qatar' initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and Ipsos, aimed at benchmarking and enhancing the country's dining landscape for both residents and tourists. Major Events Fuel Demand and Elevate Global Profile The Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition 2025 welcomed nearly 30,000 visitors, featuring over 500 international and local brands, and recorded sales exceeding QAR 246 million, up nearly 10% from last year. Visit Qatar's first-of-its-kind Ras Abrouq desert activation drew 55,000 visitors over 60 days, while Visit Qatar's Sealine Village attracted over 48,000 attendees. Shop Qatar 2025 generated QAR 120 million in sales, a 50% increase year-on-year, and awarded QAR 2.5 million in prizes. The Qatar International Food Festival brought together 365,000+ visitors and 180 restaurants, including 28 international outlets, while the Throwback Food Festival welcomed over 100,000 to Doha's Old Port. Cruise Tourism Grows Steadily The 2024/2025 cruise season recorded 87 ship calls (up 19% from previous season), including five maiden voyages and 13 homeporting calls, bringing in over 360,000 cruise visitors, which is a 4% increase year-on-year. Over 10% were turnaround passengers, supporting Qatar's positioning as a regional cruise hub. Ongoing Global Campaigns Drive Awareness Qatar continues to elevate its global tourism profile through a mix of high-impact campaigns and strategic market activations. In Q1, Qatar had a prominent presence at global platforms including FITUR (Spain), ITB Berlin, and the Outbound Travel Fair in India, reinforcing its appeal to high-potential travellers. In addition, Visit Qatar enhanced its international stopover campaigns and broadened visibility through content-driven outreach and targeted media placements across key source markets. At the regional level, tailored campaigns played a pivotal role in boosting visitation and engagement, particularly from the GCC, which accounted for 36% of all international arrivals in Q1. Three major initiatives made a strong impact including the Ramadan campaign 'Welcome Our Dear Neighbours', the interactive TV programme 'Emrah wa Erbah', and the Eid Al Fitr campaign 'Entertainment on Us'. These efforts successfully deepened cultural resonance and encouraged travel during key periods, contributing to record-breaking visitor numbers during Eid Al Fitr 2025. Momentum is set to continue with a robust calendar of confirmed events. Qatar will host the T100 Triathlon World Championship Final in partnership with the Professional Triathletes Organisation annually until 2030. Upcoming highlights include the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™️, the return of the Visit Qatar E1 Grand Prix of Electric Boats, as well as a series of major festivals and sporting events, all set to further diversify Qatar's tourism offerings and drive sustained growth.
