Alcohol:

Alcohol is available in hotel and club restaurants and bars. However, restaurants outside the hotels are not permitted to serve alcoholic beverages.

Business Hours:

The working week in Qatar is generally from Sunday to Thursday, with Friday and Saturday being off. However, few businesses are closed on Friday, with just half-a-day on Thursday. The government offices work between 6am and 2pm, while commercial offices work in two shifts – the first from 7.30am to 12noon, and next from 3.30am to 7.30pm.

Clothing:

Lightweight summer clothing is suitable for most of the year, but sweaters or jackets may be needed for the winter months, especially in the evenings. Compared with certain parts of the Middle East, Qatar has a very relaxed dress code. However, care should be taken not to give offence by wearing clothing which may be considered revealing. At the pool or on the beaches, trunks, swim-suits and bikinis are quite acceptable. Good quality sunglasses are advised, and photo- chromic lenses for those who wear spectacles. Hats or some protection for the head are advisable when in direct sunlight.

Photography:

Normal tourist photography is acceptable but it is considered offensive to photograph Local Women. It is also courteous to ask permission before photographing men. In general, photographs of government buildings or military installations should not be taken.

Useful Tips:

In Ramadan, never eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours. Do not take photographs of military installations or national women. Never drink alcohol in public.

Currency:

The monetary unit is the Qatari Riyal (QAR) which is divided into 100 dirhams. The Qatari Riyal is linked to the Special Drawing Right of the International Monetary Fund. It has been held constant against the US dollar since the end of 1980 at a mid-rate of approximately US$1= QAR3.64.

Language & Religion:

The official language is Arabic but English is widely spoken and understood. Both languages are commonly used in business and commerce. Islam is the official religion of the State of Qatar and there are a large number of mosques throughout the city. Other religions are respected and have Christian churches.

Local Time:

The State of Qatar is three hours ahead of GMT.

Credit Cards:

American Express, Diners Club, Visa, MasterCard, etc. are generally accepted in the main hotels and larger shops but some retailers offer beer bargains for cash.

Climate:

Sub-tropical, arid climate Sunny, blue skies can be expected most of the year. Rainfall is infrequent and irregular, falling mainly in winter. Summer (June to September) is hot with daily maximum temperatures of 40oC. Winter is cooler with occasional rainfall. Spring and autumn are warm, mostly dry and pleasant, with maximum temperatures between 25oC and 35oC and cooler night Temperatures between 15 and 22oC.

Electricity, Water and Telecommunication:

Electrical outlets in the State of Qatar usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you’re plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. Tap water is quite safe to drink but visitors usually prefer boiled mineral water and this is generally served in hotels and restaurants. Qatar is an important connecting link in the world telecommunications network: Telephone (Land Line & Mobile), Internet, Radio and Television. The International Country Calling Code is +974, followed by an area code.

Facilities for Disabled:

Travelers An increasing number of public areas now have access and facilities for people with disabilities. Several of the city’s leading hotels also have specially adapted rooms and facilities for the handicapped.

Holidays, Festivals and Important Dates in Qatar:

Qatar holidays are, mostly, Islamic holidays. Islamic holidays do not have a set date as they follow a lunar calendar. Often, the exact day of a holiday will not be announced until the night before: Eid Al Fitr, Lailat Al Qadr, Eid Al Adha, Mawlid An-Nabi (The Prophet’s Birthday).

National Day:

Every December 18th, Qatar celebrates its National Day in commemoration of the historic day in 1878 when Shaikh Jasim, the founder of the State of Qatar, succeeded his father, Shaikh Muhammad Bin Thani, as the ruler and led the country toward unity. This national occasion emphasizes the identity and history, embodies the ideals and visionary aspirations that this country was founded on, and pays homage to the great men and women who participated in building this nation

酒精：

酒店和俱乐部餐厅及酒吧供应酒精饮品。 但是，酒店外的餐厅不得供应酒精饮料。

营业时间：

卡塔尔的工作周一般为周日至周四，周五和周六休息。 然而，很少有企业在周五关闭，周四只有半天。 政府办公室在早上 6 点到下午 2 点之间工作，而商业办公室则分两班倒——第一个从早上 7.30 到中午 12 点，第二个从早上 3.30 到晚上 7.30。

衣服：

一年中的大部分时间都适合穿轻便的夏季服装，但冬季可能需要毛衣或夹克，尤其是在晚上。 与中东某些地区相比，卡塔尔的着装要求非常宽松。 但是，应注意不要穿着可能被认为暴露的衣服冒犯他人。 在游泳池或海滩上，泳裤、泳衣和比基尼是完全可以接受的。 建议佩戴质量好的太阳镜，戴眼镜的人建议使用光致变色镜片。 在阳光直射下，建议戴帽子或保护头部。

摄影：

正常的旅游摄影是可以接受的，但拍摄当地女性被认为是冒犯性的。 在拍摄男性之前征得许可也是有礼貌的。 一般来说，不应拍摄政府建筑物或军事设施的照片。

小提示：

在斋月期间，切勿在白天在公共场所进食、饮水或吸烟。 不要拍摄军事设施或民族妇女的照片。 切勿在公共场合饮酒。

货币：

货币单位是卡塔尔里亚尔 (QAR)，1 等于 100 迪拉姆。 卡塔尔里亚尔与国际货币基金组织的特别提款权挂钩。 自 1980 年底以来，它兑美元的汇率一直保持不变，中间汇率约为 1 美元 = 3.64 里亚尔。

语言与宗教：

官方语言是阿拉伯语，但英语被广泛使用和理解。 这两种语言在商业和商业中都很常用。 伊斯兰教是卡塔尔国的官方宗教，整个城市都有大量的清真寺。 其他宗教受到尊重，并有基督教会。

当地时间：

卡塔尔州时间比格林威治标准时间早三个小时。

信用卡：

American Express、Diners Club、Visa、MasterCard 等信用卡在主要酒店和大型商店普遍被接受，但一些零售商提供啤酒特价现金。

气候：

亚热带干旱气候全年大部分时间都可以看到晴朗的蓝天。 降雨稀少且不规则，主要在冬季降雨。 夏季（6 月至 9 月）炎热，日最高气温为 40oC。 冬季较凉爽，偶有降雨。 春季和秋季气候温暖，大部分时间干燥宜人，最高气温在 25 至 35 摄氏度之间，夜间温度在 15 至 22 摄氏度之间。

电力、水和电信：

卡塔尔国的电源插座通常提供 220 至 240 伏交流电。 如果您要插入专为 220-240 伏电输入而设计的设备，或兼容多种电压的设备，那么您只需要一个适配器。 自来水可以安全饮用，但游客通常更喜欢煮沸的矿泉水，酒店和餐馆通常提供这种水。 卡塔尔是连接世界电信网络的重要纽带：电话（固定电话和移动电话）、互联网、广播和电视。 国际国家电话代码是 +974，后面是区号。

残疾人设施：

旅行者 现在越来越多的公共区域为残疾人士提供通道和设施。 该市的几家主要酒店还为残疾人士提供特别改装的客房和设施。

卡塔尔的假期、节日和重要日期：

卡塔尔假期主要是伊斯兰教假期。 伊斯兰节日没有固定日期，因为它们遵循农历。 通常，直到前一天晚上才会宣布确切的假期日期：Eid Al Fitr、Lailat Al Qadr、Eid Al Adha、Mawlid An-Nabi（先知的生日）。

国庆日：

每年 12 月 18 日，卡塔尔都会庆祝其国庆日，以纪念 1878 年卡塔尔国的创始人谢赫贾西姆接替他的父亲谢赫穆罕默德本塔尼成为统治者并带领国家走向统一的历史性日子。 这个国家庆典强调身份和历史，体现了这个国家建立的理想和远见卓识，并向参与建设这个国家的伟大男女致敬