Explore Doha. The 8km curving Corniche is a great way to get your bearings, and you can also set sail on the Gulf in a traditional dhow, once used for pearl fishing, dive to shipwrecks from Downtown Doha itself, paddleboard, sail and kayak – tours by the latter can take you to hidden sandbanks and beaches.
Doha’s landmark buildings include the Msheireb quarter, Education City and the Museum of Islamic Art on its artificial island, with the world’s largest collection of Muslim art. Another must-see is the Jean Nouvel designed National Museum of Qatar, inspired by a ‘desert rose’ (multilayered crystals that form in salty sand), showcasing the history of Qatar from prehistoric times.
Beyond Doha, the desert beckons with activities including dune bashing in SUVs and camel rides; half-day tours encompass both. Also exhilarating is a SUP paddleboard trip through the mangroves of the Al Thakira natural reserve north of Doha with its herons, purple crabs and seasonal flamingo population.
You can also take an organised day tour to Khor Al-Adaid, the Inland Sea, in southeast Qatar. This tidal river forms a unique lagoon system protected by UNESCO for its terns, ospreys and oryx. Lastly, the otherworldly Brouq Nature Reserve on the far west of the peninsula has mushroom-like limestone outcroppings, gazelles and ostriches, plus the East-West/West-East art installation by Richard Serra.