If you only have a 24 or 48-hour layover, you can get a good taste of Doha.

Qatar's tourist authority introduced a program to incentivize lengthier layovers in an effort to entice more people to travel with the national carrier and break up their route in Doha. A stopover, which can be booked through Qatar Airways, can take a lot of the stress out of planning a trip.

This is how it works: Select your flights to and from Doha (they must be with Qatar Airways, and you must leave a minimum gap of 12 hours between flights). After that, you'll be eligible for a 1-4 night 'free stopover.' A large discount on a selection of 4 and 5-star hotels, as well as a free transit visa, are among the benefits (if you need one).

If your layover is only 6-12 hours long, you can save money by taking a Doha transit trip.

Remember when Qatar was chosen the 2022 FIFA World Cup host country? The majority of newscasters' first reaction was to point out how unsuitable the weather was for outdoor activities.

Qatar has a desert environment, which means it's always hot and dry. However, this does not imply that it is hot all year.

Temperatures range from 14 to 25 degrees Celsius on most days during the cool season (December to February). Doha has a spring-like climate, with tamed desert winds, clear skies, and minimal rainfall. By far the greatest time to visit Qatar is now (and for the record, this is when the World Cup will take place, too).

With that in mind, Qatar is not a destination to visit during the summer. From May to September, the weather is substantially warmer, with highs in the low 40s. July, the hottest month of the year, should be avoided like the plague. In June, July, and August, temperatures can reach 43 degrees Celsius.

You should also think about whether your trip will fall during Ramadan. Qatar is an Islamic country where the bulk of the population fasts and prays for 30 days. During Ramadan, it is forbidden to eat or drink in public in Doha, according to Sharia Law. During the day, most cafes and restaurants close, while shops, museums, and the souq all have limited hours. During the Holy Month, other laws, such as dress code, are more tightly enforced.

Salat al-Jumu'ah, or Friday prayers, are an obligatory religious rite in Qatar. Doha might feel like a ghost town on a Friday morning because most people are busy attending mosque.

On Fridays, restaurants, cafes, and museums do not open until 1 or 2 p.m. The Museum of Islamic Art and the Souq Waqif, two of the city's most prominent attractions, are both closed on Friday mornings. Keep in mind that if your Qatar layover comes on a Friday, you'll have to plan your trip around these limited hours.

Remember that the Doha metro does not begin service until 2 p.m. on Fridays.

When it comes to the clothing code in Doha, there appears to be a conflict between official regulation and public consensus, similar to the rules for couples.

Locals and expats in Doha, dress modestly. Clothing that is long and loose-fitting appears to be the preferred style. Tourists are expected to cover their shoulders and knees as much as possible. Swimsuits are only allowed in hotel pool areas or on private beaches, so don't show too much skin.

If you're visiting a mosque or a religious site, the laws are obviously more tougher. You won't be allowed to enter a mosque unless you're fully clothed and wearing a scarf over your head (women). If your shoulders and knees aren't covered, you can be denied admittance to the Museum of Islamic Art. Although the airport dress code is more relaxed, it is recommended to bring a light jacket and long pants if you're transiting through Doha and want to feel more at ease.

Inappropriate dress can result in everything from awkward stares from locals to being escorted out of an event by security or even being fined by the police. During Ramadan, dress regulations are more tightly enforced. Outside of Doha, you should always dress modestly because small towns and rural places are more conservative.

There are specific regulations and social practices to be aware of if you're traveling to Qatar as a couple.

Until recently, it was illegal for unmarried couples to share a hotel room. At least for foreign tourists, this rule appears to have been loosened in recent years. It still applies to Qatari spouses and foreigners living in the nation, according to recent sources.

If you're concerned about this, stick to foreign hotel brands (for example, the InterContinental) or just email your hotel ahead of time to double-check their policy.

Although homosexuality is prohibited in Qatar, it is fairly uncommon for guys (such as business travelers) to share a hotel room. More information and advice on queer travel in the Middle East may be found here. This is definitely one of the Things about Qatar You Should Know before travelling to this country.

If you're looking to stay in a hostel in Doha, be sure it's gender-separated. Some hostels (such as Casper Hostel) solely have male dorms, while T Ladies Hostel only has female dorms. To further complicate matters, the policy isn't always evident at first.

Men's and women's dorms are available at Q Hostel, however no hostel in Qatar offers mixed dorms. Couples may be better off upgrading to a mid-range hotel as a result.

Last but not least, Airbnb is permitted in Qatar and might be a cost-effective alternative to a hotel. Around The Pearl, there are some lovely self-contained apartments with sea views, as well as more basic private rooms near the souq.

Doha is a completely safe destination for solitary female travelers as long as you dress appropriately and avoid certain behaviors like drinking in public (more on alcohol later).

Doha has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, which is why it is consistently listed among the top three safest cities in the world. The streets are well-lit at night, and there isn't much of a 'trouble culture' in Doha, except from the occasional overexcited taxi driver. In the souq, for example, you will not be approached.

Watch out for'men-only' establishments, such as tea houses and restaurants that are only open to men (this should be obvious if there are only dudes around). There are separate 'family spaces' for women and children in certain restaurants and cafés, and the metro has family carriages if you wish to sit among other ladies.

Another thing that shocked visitors about Qatar is that expats make up 85.7 percent of the population. The top three countries represented are India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

On various levels, you may sense Qatar's cultural richness as a visitor. To begin with, the diversity of faces on the street is noticeable, giving Doha a global vibe. Travelers can also take advantage of a diverse culinary scene, which includes several excellent Indian and Yemeni restaurants.

However, it's impossible to overlook the fact that many of these workers are low-wage (or unpaid) laborers. Forced labor isn't directly tied to the tourism business in Qatar, as far as I'm aware, but it's something to bear in mind when visiting Doha. The ILO is a great resource for information on this topic.

Instead of water or alcohol, try a cup of tea. Tea is widely available in Doha, and visiting a local café or chai house for a cup or two (or three) is a must-do for any visitor. In the mornings, you'll see groups of guys playing dominoes and drinking short glasses of frothy, brick-colored karak tea.

In the 1950s, Indian and Pakistani expats brought Karak to Qatar. Karak, a powerful brew of tea, milk, sugar, and spices cooked low and slow for optimum flavor, is a variant of Masala Chai. Only cardamom is used in the original Qatari form, however cinnamon, cloves, or ginger can be be included.

Depending on the establishment, a cup of karak costs from 1-4 QAR. This is definitely one of the Things about Qatar You Should Know before travelling to this country.

Doha is an odd city to walk around in. For starters, most people prefer to drive, thus pavements are frequently unoccupied (especially in the middle of the day). This is definitely one of the Things about Qatar You Should Know before travelling to this country.

The time it takes to cross the street is one oddity. In order to handle excessive traffic in the inner city, every crossroads is equipped with lights and pedestrian crossings. These are powered by a'smart system,' which use sensors to detect cars and direct traffic flow.

As a result, waiting 10 minutes or more to cross the street in Doha is not uncommon. However, you must wait since drivers are unpredictable, speeding is rampant, and jaywalkers can be fined up to $140.