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Qatar: Adventure, culture and affordable luxury
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Compact Qatar defies expectations and delivers a rush of sensations. One of the world’s fastest-growing cities and beautifully bathed in the warming glow of amber light at night, Doha is home to grand hotels, soothing spas, endless restaurants and some of the world’s best shopping - with options for every budget. But dig deeper and you’ll also find a deep-rooted appreciation for the country’s heritage, geography and identity. Spectacular settings for paragliding, dune bashing and camel riding, silken desert dunes are smoothed into shape by gentle breezes; warmed by endless sunshine, the country’s custard-coloured coastline is lapped by inviting turquoise waters. Tying it all together, awe-inspiring museums and galleries welcome everybody to learn about the country’s culture and history.
Qatar: For moments that stay with you
Beach Holiday
Gloriously blue skies and invitingly warm waters are an everyday reality in compact Qatar, where an inviting beach is never far away. Of course, water sports galore are on offer, from snorkelling to kitesurfing at upbeat Fuwairit Kite Beach resort, though you may prefer to just take things easy: waterside wellness retreats and dreamy seaside spas also await. Still, it’s Qatar’s natural wonders that often make the biggest impact - alongside populations of dugongs and turtles, Qatar is home to one of the world’s largest aggregations of whale sharks.
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Sports & Adventure
Prepare for adventure: from high-adrenaline activities like kitesurfing, jet-skiing and parasailing to family-friendly sports outings, it’s so easy to set pulses racing in Qatar. Deep in the desert, there’s dune buggying, bashing and boarding; water lovers can swim and dive in the warmth of the Arabian Gulf; for families in this football-loving nation, it’s possible to enjoy some friendly competition playing interactive games at the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic & Sports Museum or to get heart rates up at one of the country’s high-tech theme parks.
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City Break
Doha’s continually evolving skyline is indicative of a city that, excitingly, is in a state of constant flux. Every fresh year brings with it a flurry of remarkable new landmarks, pioneering hotels, exceptional restaurants and compelling cultural attractions. But however fast the pace of change, one proud constant is that the capital remains incredibly safe. Whether you’re planning just a short stopover or a longer stay, an immensely warm welcome awaits.
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Art & Culture
Qataris’ appreciation for the arts will quickly become apparent to anyone who tours the country: the concentration of ambitious cultural attractions here is exceptional. In the capital, the beautiful National Museum of Qatar and waterfront Museum of Islamic Art are two of the Arabic world’s preeminent institutions. But there’s much more besides, from ancient rock carvings to the avant-garde architecture that characterises Education City, alongside the thought-provoking art installations embedded everywhere, whether in the desert or downtown Doha.
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Romantic Getaway
There’s an obvious, and irresistible, castaway romance to the idea of a languid night spent amid the dunes and hideaway resorts of the Qatari desert. But wherever you go here, the majesty of the country and its exceptional standards of service means couples can expect an immensely spoiling holiday. Whether luxuriating in a five-star spa resort, dining barefoot on the beach or observing whale sharks, holidays here are endlessly lovely.
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Relaxation
If you’re in need of calm, Qatar delivers effortlessly. Home to the world’s most lauded hotel brands and offering elevated standards of service that keep holidays stress-free, this destination excels at relaxation. That might mean back-to-back spa treatments or lazy days lolling on a sunlounger, bestseller in hand, though usually the most rejuvenating days commence slowly. After a long lie-in, is there anything better than indulging unhurriedly in a luxury resort’s buffet breakfast?
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Souqs
Humble, homely counterpoints to modern malls, Qatar’s markets are crammed with curios and souvenirs - and convey so much about traditional Arabic culture. A warren of stalls and simple cafes, Souq Waqif is laden with aromatic spices, pearl-diving paraphernalia and beautiful gold jewellery. Delve deeper, however, and you’ll find more animated surprises: handsome Arabian horses reside in central stables, a camel pen houses those doe-eyed creatures, and a well-equipped falcon hospital caters for avian ailments ranging from broken wings to feather faults.
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Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park
Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas has one particularly surprising amenity: the remote beachside retreat is home to Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park, one of the largest theme parks in the Middle East. Accessible to everybody but especially loved by families, it incorporates 25 invigorating attractions and slides including a Laser Tag bunker and the 32-metre-high Spinning Rapids slide.
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Katara Cultural Village
One of Qatar’s key creative enclaves, this low-rise hub incorporates a warren of laneways that houses some of the country’s most charming attractions (think the Arab Postal Stamps Museum or the Visual Arts Center, with its welcoming workshops). But there’s more; of course. A spiralling Greek amphitheatre hosts crowds of up to 5,000 for scintillating outdoor performances. On nearby Tasty Street, wooden food cabins draped in fairy lights provide affordable night-time feasts.
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Fuwairit Beach
A coastal nation, Qatar’s full of beautiful beaches. Still, few are as adored as Fuwairit. Perhaps it’s the relative effort it takes to get there that adds to visitors’ appreciation. Just over an hour from Doha and with the route partly off-road, the beach is best reached by 4x4.
WIth the journey complete, this is a setting in which visitors can kick back completely. Ideal for families, the shallow waters here are exceptionally clear and ideal for all manner of watersports, from stand-up paddle boarding to wakeboarding. Kitesurfers are especially well catered for too: home to Fuwairit Kite Beach kitesurfing resort, this is one of the best places in the world to practise the sport as well as a picturesque host venue for the GKA Kite World Tour.
Another attribute comes via Fuwairit Beach’s stature as a centre for Qatari ecology. Turtles are born here and strict protective measures include timed beach closures to ensure those adorable new arrivals can reach the water in safety. Be sure to check opening schedules before commencing your journey.
Inland Sea
In Qatar, the enigmatic Inland Sea has a near-unrivalled majesty. At the country’s southernmost border, this beach and natural reserve, also referred to locally as Khor Al Udaid, is flanked by mountainous sand dunes that slide directly into the water. Surrounding desert plains are capped with sparkling strips of salt, crystalline remains from evaporated sea water.
It’s an endlessly awe-inspiring off-road landscape that should only be navigated with the assistance of a professional tour company. Shifting sands and coastal winds mean the surrounding dunes change constantly. But with a guide at your side, endless intrepid adventures - from dune buggying to paragliding - can be arranged easily. Or you could simply admire all that beauty from a seaside desert camp, feasting and drinking with friends and family as the sun sinks into the depths of the desert.
Msheireb Downtown Doha
A decade in the making, this 77-acre mixed-use development is the world’s first smart and sustainable downtown regeneration project and will serve as a blueprint for city planning the world over. As such, there’s plenty to wow architecture aficionados (like the Middle East’s largest open-air public square, complete with a retractable roof and clever underfloor cooling systems), but that’s just the half of it.
Another of Doha’s cultural centres, its Heritage Quarter contains an assembly of converted courtyard houses now operating as museums that commemorate Qatar’s past. Sophisticated shopping options are all around, cute eateries are scattered here and there, and a lively calendar of public events, from sports screenings to exhibitions, mean the atmosphere is always social and jovial.
For moments that stay with you
Surprise yourself
As an emerging holiday destination, Qatar takes pride in surpassing travellers’ expectations. Whether you’re planning a stopover or a longer stay, there’s more to experience here than you could possibly imagine. Beyond the countless beautiful beaches, magnificent hotels and world-class dining, make time to explore The Pearl-Qatar, an immaculate manmade island where pretty, pastel-coloured neighbourhoods have been inspired by the grandeur of Venetian architecture. At dusk, sail aboard a traditional dhow boat for peerless views of Doha’s skyline. Whether admiring the groundbreaking design of the National Museum of Qatar or the rustic allure of remote desert resorts, aesthetes will be wowed again and again by the country’s natural and manmade beauty.
Art, culture, adventure and shopping
- Qataris’ deep appreciation for the arts and culture will become immediately apparent to anyone who explores the country: it is home to some of the most pioneering, thought-provoking and beautiful museums in the world. For proof, just look to the awe-inspiring National Museum of Qatar. Designed by the architect Jean Nouvel, it is formed of colossal, swooping golden discs that mimic the organic curves of a desert rose. Inside, exhibition halls recount Qatar’s story from antiquity to the present day. Look out for the Baroda Carpet, a priceless 18th-century rug inlaid with some 1.5 million pearls alongside sparkling rubies, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds. There’s so much more to admire. On Doha’s waterfront, the Museum of Islamic Art presents one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of Islamic artefacts, from Iranian manuscripts to Spanish ceramics. At Katara Cultural Village, attractions include the Katara Amphitheatre and the Arab Postal Stamps Museum. The Fire Station gallery showcases modern and experimental art. At Msheireb Downtown Doha, four heritage houses have been converted into intimate museums that recount key periods of Qatar’s past. Elsewhere, the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum celebrates humanity’s greatest sporting accomplishments and includes an interactive games zone where family and friends can compete. Ambitious temporary exhibitions take place throughout the year, and expect to encounter ambitious artworks all over Doha and in the most unlikely destinations. Take Richard Serra’s East-West/West-East, a series of colossal, towering steel frames that are embedded deep in the otherworldly terrain of Brouq Nature Reserve.
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- Adventure awaits in Qatar. You’ll find it all along the coastline, where kitesurfers dart along the horizon. The sport’s phenomenal popularity here is no surprise: the Arabian Gulf’s calm, warm waters and refreshing north winds are a perfect training ground for beginners and professionals. If you want to develop your own technique, you’ll find lessons are available for all levels.
Adrenaline lovers should also explore Qatar’s dramatic desert landscape. A soft landing awaits anyone daring enough to parachute, paraglide or paratrike over the sands, though the views can also be enjoyed on hot-air balloon rides. At ground level, tour guides lead dune buggying and dune bashing excursions that race over these constantly changing landscapes. A camel ride over those same golden grounds might eventually lead to the Inland Sea, a coastal hideaway that makes a memorable base for off-grid camping and sunrise fishing.Read more
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- Doha’s cultural diversity is beautifully integrated into the city. You’ll notice it in the many languages you hear and the delicious global cuisines you'll sample, from homely Vietnamese pho to fancy French specialities. The capital’s rooftop bars are bustling showpieces for Qatar’s cosmopolitan character too, with sweeping views of the skyline and the elegant Corniche promenade. The pace is a little slower at one of The Pearl-Qatar’s cafes, where the sunset views are spectacular. At newly revealed Al Maha Island, buzzy waterfront restaurants serve the freshest seafood as families happily cheer and whoop in the neighbouring theme park Winter Wonderland.
Even the most committed shoppers will find the city’s retail offering inexhaustible. For traditional souvenirs (think fragrant spices, dazzling jewellery and bespoke perfumes), explore the laneways of Souq Waqif. Other surprises here include stables housing Arabian horses, camel pens and a falcon hospital, all testament to Qataris’ love for animals.
Greater Doha’s mega-malls contain every major brand. The mammoth Place Vendome Qatar includes fashion boulevards housing the world’s biggest luxury names. Ringed by pretty outdoor eateries, its courtyard is home to immense dancing fountains.
More generally, malls often incorporate play zones, beauty facilities and theme parks. Families will be endlessly entertained by attractions such as Angry Birds World, at Doha Festival City, alongside Kidzania and Quest, where the world’s tallest indoor roller coaster runs late into the night.Read more
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- In Qatar, the Arabian Gulf’s blissfully warm waters are never far from reach. This peninsula nation is bordered by 560km of coastline, a sweeping ribbon of golden sands lapped by turquoise waters. Sun lovers will find countless beautiful beaches await, from undeveloped hideaway stretches to glamorous social clubs connected to Doha’s most luxurious hotels.
Popular with families due to its shallow waters and regulations allowing barbecues, Al Thakira beach (about 40km from Doha) stands by Qatar’s largest and oldest mangrove reserves. Visitors can kayak through the trees on saltwater channels. At Fuwairit Beach, Fuwairit Kite Beach resort is a colourful base for travellers keen to enjoy some of the world’s best kite-surfing conditions.
Just beyond the curl of Doha’s Corniche promenade, lively WestBay Beach is where the city comes to socialise and sunbathe - with its beach clubs, playgrounds, inviting outdoor restaurants and even occasional concerts, the energy here feels electric. Just across the water, Al Safliya is an intimate island that can be reached by dhow. It provides an easy-access retreat for jet skiing, banana-boat rides, paddle boarding and beach volleyball, all with staggering views of the Doha skyline. For something more indulgent, resorts such as Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas, St. Regis and Sharq Village have private beaches where guests can gather for upbeat brunches and drinks right by the water’s edge.Read more
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