Our recommendations for the best things to do in Qatar

Exciting adventure is Qatar’s forte, making it one of the best destinations for a cultural and activity-led holiday. From dune bashing in the desert, to riding the waves while kite surfing, here are some of our recommendations for the best things to do in Qatar…

Enjoy a private Doha city tour

A private tour of the city is a brilliant way to immerse yourself and discover any places you may want to visit later on at your own pace. Usually lasting around four hours, you’ll have exclusive insight into some of Qatar’s best attractions, including Souq Waqif, Qatar National Museum and Dhow’s harbour. You can even opt for a night tour to experience the bustle of The Pearl and Katara Cultural Village. Give our sales team a call and we can arrange these fun city tours for you.

Feel the adrenaline with dune bashing

Dune bashing is perfect for thrill-seekers, and in our opinion it’s a must-do when visiting Qatar. Marvel at the beauty of the Qatari desert while careering down soaring sandy dunes in a 4x4, or join a dune bashing trip at the unique Inland Sea, where you can see orange sand dunes spilling into the azure water before a tasty beach BBQ. This is a very popular activity and for good reason – it’s a really fun way to see the desert and get an adrenaline rush at the same time.

Explore the thriving arts and culture scene

Qatar has a wonderful arts and culture scene, including fantastic museums and art galleries to explore should you need a break from the sunshine. Wander up to the 29th floor of the W Doha to discover ART29, a cool art gallery that supports local up-and-coming artists, or have a stroll through Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art to view work that spans across the Arab world. The National Museum of Qatar, meanwhile, takes you on an insightful journey through Qatar’s history.

Stay in the desert overnight

An incredible overnight experience, and a special activity that we think is well worth adding to your Qatar holiday. Start with a driving along the curving dunes, arriving at a lovely beachside camp. You’ll spend the evening enjoying delicious Middle Eastern cuisine cooked by the campfire, and you’ll wake early in the morning to watch the sun rise across the desert.

Shop at bustling souqs

The souqs are part of Qatar’s tradition, consisting of vibrant and busy markets where traders and merchants sell fantastic products including handwoven rugs, perfumes, pottery and gold jewellery – to name but a few. Souq Waqif is perhaps the most well-known century old trading market in Qatar, and it’s a great spot to immerse yourself in the hubbub of sounds, smells and sounds.

Enjoy Qatar’s fun water sports

A peninsula surrounded by the Arabian Sea and blessed with warm sunshine all year; Qatar is a water sport enthusiast’s paradise. Kite surfing is very popular here, as is kayaking which you can do in natural reserves at the Inland Sea or the Al Thakira mangroves. Venture to Corniche to dapple in water sports like paddle boarding and wind surfing in the crescent shaped water promenade, and why not take the family to Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park to have a splash and enjoy the 25 water slides and water attractions. 

Fancy booking a holiday in Qatar to enjoy these brilliant excursions? Here are some of our favourite hotels close by to the action:

Grand Hyatt Doha Hotel & Villas
Intercontinental Doha
Sharq Village & Spa, a Ritz Carlton Hotel

Or perhaps you fancy visiting two brilliant destinations at once. If so, why not discover our fabulous Qatar twin centres, including Qatar and Maldives, and Seychelles and Qatar