Capital: Doha … 2,656,000 People … 11,581 km² 
The Country
Bordered by the Persian Gulf and surrounded by desert, Qatar is a small but wealthy nation on the Arabian Peninsula. Known for its futuristic skyline and rich reserves of natural gas, it blends rapid development with deep cultural pride. While modern life moves fast in Doha, Qatar holds on to its heritage, offering a unique mix of old and new in the heart of the Middle East.
Fun Facts
Residents of Qatar enjoy a tax-free salary, as there's no personal income tax.
Falconry is a beloved sport, and in Qatar, prized falcons can have their own passports to travel by plane.
Before oil and gas, Qatar's economy was built on pearl diving, which was dangerous but highly valued. Pearl diving dates back to 4,600 BCE.
My Experience
Day 1
My brief time in Qatar was made much more brief due to a long delay out of Kathmandu International Airport. Originally, I was to arrive into Doha at noon and fly out the next day at 8 a.m. Instead, I arrived at 10 p.m., and still had an 8 a.m. flight to catch the next day.
Undeterred by this turn of events, I hit the ground running. As soon as I cleared immigration I jumped into a cab, dropped my small backpack at the hotel (as my main travel backpack was checked through to Seattle), and set out in search of good food, a memorable view and at least one authentic middle-eastern experience I could take home with me.
Stepping out of my hotel at 11 p.m., the warm desert and the sound of a quiet city cautiously greeted me. After a few weeks in India, Nepal and Bhutan, the stillness of a large city felt a bit unsettling at first. After walking for some time, and crossing the path of a few street cats, I arrived at the Souq Waqif.
Souq Waqif, the “standing market”, has been a gathering place for centuries. Originally established at the edge of the old city’s dry riverbed, it was where Bedouins and local traders came to exchange livestock, spices, textiles, and stories. Though a fire in 2003 nearly destroyed the entire complex, the Qatari government restored it meticulously, preserving its traditional architecture while subtly modernizing it to serve both locals and curious visitors like me.
Locals sat outside cafés, smoking shisha and sipping tea, talking quietly as the night settled in. A few market stalls were still open, selling snacks or souvenirs, but most had closed for the evening. I wandered alone through narrow passageways, passing rows of shuttered shops. Every so often the alleys opened into large courtyards, each giving me a slightly different glimpse of the souq. It was peaceful, and a little surreal, walking through such a historic place with almost no one around.
After some time exploring, I eventually settled into one of the few cafés still open. It was nearly empty, with only a couple of other customers lingering at their tables.
I ordered a plate of hummus with warm pita, some grilled halloumi, a cup of mint tea and some shisha; partly to relax, partly just to take in the full experience of being there.
The server brought over the hookah and let me know, apologetically, that they’d be closing soon. If I wanted to enjoy the shisha, I’d have to make it quick. Not wanting to miss the chance, I may have indulged a bit too quick. It hit harder than I expected, especially after a long travel day and very little sleep. I leaned back in the chair, lightheaded but content, before wrapping up my meal and setting back out. Good food, check.
Still not quite ready to return to the hotel, I followed a nearby path that led downward through a stretch of underpass. Dimly lit, tiled, and nearly empty at this hour, it was quiet except for the echo of my footsteps and the low hum of traffic overhead.
When I emerged on the other side, I found myself at the Corniche, Qatar’s famous waterfront promenade, right beside the giant oyster and pearl monument. The sculpture sat glowing under floodlights, a symbol of Qatar’s pearl diving past (before oil, before skyscrapers, when the country’s economy was built on the sea).
Just beyond it, across the bay, the Doha skyline rose. Sleek, modern towers lit in neon blues, purples, and golds. The water was still, reflecting the city lights almost perfectly. I stood there for a few minutes, taking it all in: the contrast between old and new, the stillness of the night, the surreal feeling of being somewhere so far from where I’d started the day. Memorable view, check.
Continuing on, I started walking along the Corniche toward the Grand Mosque. The streets were mostly empty, but the path was well-lit and peaceful. As I approached the mosque, I noticed something unexpected just off to the side of the road: a large camel pen.
Dozens of camels stood under floodlights; some resting, others calmly eating. It was an unexpected sight, Just beyond them, the Grand Mosque came into view- its white domes and tall minaret lit against the night sky.
Known as the Al Shouyoukh Mosque, it’s one of the largest mosques in Qatar. Built in the early–mid 20th century, it incorporates traditional Arab design with subtle modern elements.
Seeing the camels in front of the mosque, with the city skyline behind them, was a quiet moment that summed up a lot about the region. Old and new, tradition and change, all existing in the same space. Authentic middle-eastern experience, check.
By this point, it was 2 a.m., and I had to be at the airport in just a few hours. As much as I wanted to keep exploring, I knew I was running on fumes. I forced myself to turn back and walk to the hotel, cutting through the quiet streets one last time.
Back at the airport just before sunrise, I was reminded again of how sharply Qatar blends tradition with modernity. Hamad International Airport is easily one of the most impressive airports I’ve ever seen. Sleek, modern and immaculately designed, the terminals are spacious, calm and filled with luxury brands Even at that early hour, everything ran smoothly. Security was efficient, staff were polite, and there were no lack of places to grab a much needed cup of coffee.
In many ways, the airport felt like a continuation of the city itself. Clean, controlled and forward-looking, but not without a touch of charm. As I waited at my gate, watching the sun rise over the runway, it struck me that for a country I’d barely had a night in, Qatar had left a surprisingly lasting impression.
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