Qatar attractions

Khor Al Adei (1)

Also commonly known as Khor Al Udeid or the Inland Sea, these sand dunes will change the way you view Qatar. Situated along a inlet of the Arabian Gulf, they offer steep slopes for dune bashing, sand skiing and snowboarding, camel riding, as well as, Bedouin camping and swimming. There are no paved roads. It is essential you book with a reputable tour company. Gulf Adventures is one of my favourites. They take care of everything from picking you up in a four-wheel drive at your hotel to organising an evening barbecue with shisha on the beach. For other tour operators see qatartourism.gov.qa. All camps are basic but adequate. A four-hour Inland Sea Safari will cost you 450QR, but I prefer going for a full day. If the outside temperature is above 30C, wear closed shoes or you risk burning your feet. Even teenagers will love this tour.

Dune Bashing (2)

Like a roller coaster on sand, except there are no tracks. You’ll be driving straight up dunes, cresting along the edge before plummeting down again. If you have heart problems, get car sick or you’re pregnant, this isn’t for you. Do not attempt this on your own and never with a rented car. Hire a tour company to take you on a desert safari. I recommend Gulf Adventures who will pick you up from your hotel in a four-wheel drive. For other tour operators see qatartourism.gov.qa. Tour drivers are extremely skilled so let them know whether you want a wild drive or a calm one. Half a day is minimum. It’s not ideal in summer and don’t eat a large meal before going. End the excitement with a rest on the beach and a swim in the Arabian Gulf before heading back to the skyscrapers of Doha.

See My Culture (3)

Due to the large foreign labour force in Qatar, tourists rarely have an opportunity to interact with Qataris. But the Qatari couple behind See My Culture offers a variety of events to help foreigners explore the local culture. Future events include a Qatari Kitchen Workshop, Culture Conversation with a Qatari fashion designer, Qatar Movie Night with Qatari film makers, Falcon Hunting with Qataris, Fishing Expedition and Qatar Farm Visit. They’re always doing something new. They are quite active on Instagram and Twitter under SeeMyCulture. It’s a voluntary, non-profit making organisation and most events are free, but events like the Cultural Exchange Boat Trip cost up to 300QR. Their trips and events book quickly, taking up to approximately 80 participants so book as early as you can to secure your place. The meeting point varies depending on the tour. Whenever I’m in town, I look at their website to see what they’re offering and try to arrange my schedule around it.

Doha Gulf Club (4)

A PGA golf circuit in the middle of the desert of the Gulf, this is a golf fanatic’s dream. The club has beautiful landscaping with artificial lakes, old palm trees and lawns of grass. Pros can head straight to the 18-hole, 7,374-yard, par 72 championship course. Beginners can enjoy the less demanding 9-hole Academy Course or hit the driving range and putting green. Non-club members are not charged to use the driving range and pay only for ball usage. You can hire golf clubs, shoes and balls. Weekends are for club members only. If you want to see a tournament, see the website for the current schedule. The clubhouse is a favourite for a relaxed drink outside, with the putting greens as eye candy. Best to avoid the food.

Al Riwaq (5)

Along the seafront beside the Museum of Islamic Art stands a massive 5,000 square metre exhibition venue. The temporary exhibitions that fill this space often spark energetic debate - one of the aims of Qatar Museums which manage this site. This space has held exhibitions by world-renowned artists such as Richard Serra, Damien Hirst and Takashi Murakami. Always check the website in advance to see whether there’s a current exhibition and note that it is closed on Tuesdays. Entry fees are variable depending on the current exhibition, sometimes even free. The gift shop is always worth checking out. After wandering about the exhibition I love to walk along the promenade and visit the café at the MIA Park which is right outside Al Riwaq’s front door.

Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art (6)

This museum, located on the outskirts of town in an old, renovated school building, focuses on edgy Arab art. In the past it has featured contemporary artists such as Mona Hatoum and Cai Guo-Qiang. This site is worth a visit if it’s open and a new, permanent exhibition is scheduled for November 2014 but delays are common in Doha so do check ahead. You’re greeted with art even before entering the building. Just outside the main entry you’ll find an imposing rock sculpture in the shape of an abstract dhow; have a look for the hidden cave and peek inside. There’s a small but high-quality gift shop and I often come here to buy presents for my family. A bright pink shuttle bus runs regularly between the Museum of Islamic Art and Mathaf and it’s free. I advise you to use it.

Stand-Up Paddling (7)

Stand-Up Paddling (or SUP) is a newcomer to the Doha water sports scene. The calm, turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf are ideal for beginners who want to try this sport. As a non-athlete I was surprised by how easy it is to learn. You can arrange a lesson and paddle session with the local company, QSUP. They supply everything you need and show you the basics. There’s also a tour that takes you through the Venetian canals of The Pearl, which is absolutely lovely at sunset. Sessions are available for children aged three years and over, adults, beginners and advanced. More advanced tours take paddlers up to seven miles out, towards islands surrounding mainland Qatar. See their website for a detailed schedule.

Mangrove Kayaking (8)

Qatar isn’t only desert. Pockets of mangroves are found along the east coast. To explore these, schedule a kayaking tour through the company Entalek. They provide equipment, introductory lessons and snacks. Meet at the Thakhira, or Dhakira, Marina. You’ll get a short introductory lesson before hopping into your kayak and paddling off through the mangroves. Other tours are available such as snorkeling, sunset kayak tours, starlight kayaking (followed by a barbecue, African drumming and bonfire), as well as a variety of eco tours to show and explain the ecology of Qatar. Entalek also rents kayaks for a day and will deliver to a spot of your choice for 200QR a day. Tours are for everyone aged four years and over, and from beginner to advanced. This is one of my favourite activities in Qatar. I particularly love the morning tours before it gets too hot.

Doha Bus Tour (9)

A bright yellow, open-topped bus will take you from one end of the Corniche to the other, starting near the Marriott hotel and passing major tourist attractions along the way. At each of the 18 stops a GPS-controlled, audio tour tells you a bit about the place and what makes it special. Hop on and hop off at your leisure. Tickets can be bought on the bus or at one of their ticket booths in City Center or Souq Waqif and are valid for 24 or 48 hours. Buy your tickets online to receive a 10 per cent discount. Before you hop off be sure to ask when the next bus comes by. Due to Doha traffic times can vary between 15-40 minutes. A nice touch is the complimentary, chilled water on board. In my experience the 24-hour ticket is sufficient to give a introductory tour of the city and I avoid using the bus during the rush hour due to road congestion.

Dhow Cruise (10)

Traditional wooden boats in Qatar are called dhows. You’ll see them lined in the bay along the Corniche, mostly between Sheraton Park and the Museum of Islamic Art. You can hire them by the hour to take you for a cruise on the Arabian Gulf or for a shorter jaunt within the bay. Simply stop at one of the dhows and ask for a ride. Rates are negotiable, but are usually around 80-100QR per boat per hour. They don’t go too far out into the sea and you can usually see the skyline for the entire trip and take spectacular photos. You can also arrange in advance with a tour company for a trip to the nearby Safilya Island and an onboard barbecue. I always pre-book a late afternoon trip there so I can swim while the crew prepares dinner. On the way back, watch as the sun sets and the lights of the city begin to shine. Dhow Dinner Cruises are another memorable way to experience the Arabian Gulf (see qatartourism.gov.qa for cruise companies). These last around three to four hours and cost from 300QR per person.