Traveling to Qatar as a woman is much like traveling to any other Middle Eastern country. There are do’s and don’ts, and following them seriously impacts your experience.
Qatar is a tiny Gulf state that is one of the wealthiest nations in the world. Home to over 1 million immigrants, the big draw to living in Qatar is competitive salaries and access to travel in the Middle East.
It’s a great place for a holiday and a favorite among many solo female travelers.
Doha, Qatar’s capital, is also a great stop-over point for many airlines traveling from Asia to Western Europe or North America.
Whether you find yourself relocating to Qatar for a job or are stopping over for a 12 hour stint between flights, here are a few things every woman should know about Qatar.
Respect That This is a Muslim Country
What does that mean for you? You need to be aware of certain customs and behavioral expectations so you do not offend the locals, or worse, wind up in jail. Below are 7 pieces of advice to help your visit.
Don’t wear short shorts or tank tops in public
Traveling to Qatar as a woman means you’ll need to pack longer sleeves. Muslim countries are very conservative when it comes to dress code.
To keep from offending, cover your knees, midriff and shoulders. Qatar is hot, so wear a skirt that covers your knees or a pair of light linen pants when you are out in public.
Bring a scarf or a shawl to cover your shoulders or wear a t-shirt. This will prevent people from staring at you or a grouchy old Qatari from yelling at you for being inappropriate.
You can wear whatever you like at home, inside women-only gyms, and at the bars and clubs.
Be aware- women always look put together
Their make-up is impeccable; they have fancy handbags and wear designer shoes. All the time. I’m talking about to the gym and grocery shopping.
Keep this in mind if you don’t want to look out of place. I am completely comfortable in walking around in my yoga pants and t-shirt, but I know feeling significantly under-dressed can make some girls uncomfortable, so this is just a heads-up.
Do not get drunk in public
Alcohol is still taboo in Qatar. There are hotel bars and clubs you can go to, and you can dance and act silly inside those establishments to your heart’s content.
But once you leave, be aware that public drunkenness is not tolerated.
You can be arrested for it and put in jail. Make sure you have arranged for a ride home ahead of time if you are not staying in the hotel you are partying at.
Men will stare at you
There are 7 men for everyone 1 woman in Qatar. They are not used to seeing beautiful girls walking around so if you are out at the mall or hanging out in a hotel bar, be prepared for some extra attention. Walking around the streets can also be quite the experience. Men will whistle and make cat calls at you, but it not unsafe—only annoying.
Greetings between men are a little strange
They greet each other by touching noses. It is also common place to see man walking around with interlocked pinkies. This is completely normal!
Some establishments are for men only
Be respectful of this. Many sheesha places and tea huts are reserved for men to play cards or dominoes and they do not want to be distracted by women.
If you show up somewhere and there are no other women around, this is a good indicator that you are not welcome.
Stick to places like Souq Wakif or spots on Doha’s Corniche, where restaurants and cafes are more family and women friendly.
“Western Places” generally follow different rules
Hotel bars, clubs, and places like the European Family Club, have their own set of rules.
Westerners tend to hand out in places like this because you can get a beer, wear a two piece bathing suit, and feel like you are a little closer to home. If going out and enjoying the nightlife is important to you, finding the major hotels is your best option.
The Intercontinental, W Hotel, La Cigale, the Ramada, and the Sheraton are some hotels that have bars and clubs, and they require you to bring your passport to prove that you are not a Qatari woman.
Qatari ladies are not allowed inside any of these bars and clubs, and most Qatari men generally stay away as well. This gives you the chance to let loose with the non-Muslim community.
Just make sure you follow the advice from #3—don’t leave these establishments if you are drunk unless you are going straight home!
In generally, people are very accepting and welcoming. As long as you are trying to remain sensitive to the customs of Qatar, traveling as a woman to Qatar is like traveling anywhere else.
These guidelines are not difficult to follow, and will certainly make your visit or transition more comfortable for you as well.
Have you been to Qatar and what other tips do you have for us?
6 Comments
I have a question about the dress code. I am moving to Qatar to teach Phys Ed and I usually where yoga pants(tight at the thigh, loose at the calf) and a baggy polo shirt. Will this be okay or will I offend ppl because my pants are too tight? Please let me know what you think or have any advice on what a PE teacher should wear (considering we are active more than normal teachers)
As a P.E. Teacher you may be fine. My school wouldn’t allow us to wear Capri pants. I either had to wear a skirt or full length pants, so you may want to double check with your employer. Around town, yoga pants are fine as long as you keep your bum covered!
I have been humiliated at Fahrenheit Club in Doha. It was my first time to go there and to my surprise, sleeveless shirts and above-the-knee skirts/ dresses are not allowed. I was wearing a dress with long sleeves, but yes, it’s above the knee. The security told us to buy leggings at the lobby instead. So to comply with the rule, we bought leggings and changed our outfit.
When we got inside the bar, I saw some women wearing shorter dresses than mine! So I went outside and talked to the guards why they allowed the others. They told me I have no concern with the other girls. Woooow! So unfair and unjust! Is this how they treat their customers?!
So I removed my leggings in the washroom and joined my friends at the table. When I went to order my drinks, two guards came near me and ordered the bartender not to give me anything.
I did not change my dress. The guard followed me again so I went out of the club because I am too sick and tired of them. The guard humiliated me outside and even raised his voice! (I was alone, my friends were inside.)
I had been to some clubs in Doha like Sundowner, Wahm, Lava, etc. and the people are nice!
So everyone out there, never go to Fahrenheit- the worst club in Doha! The security guards are extremely rude! They favor only the people they know.
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Hi Samantha! Thank you so much for this post. I’m considering moving to Doha this summer for an international school job. I’m a single, mid 20s woman and my only concern is about making friends. Did you find it easy to meet people and make friends there?
i have a friend in Qatar and he wont let his male brothers and other family talk to me because they wouldn’t stop flirting with me ?