Qatar

Qatar is a low desert peninsula reaching into the Persian Gulf from the east of the Arabian Peninsula. Doha curves around Doha Bay: wooden dhows line the Corniche, with the towers of West Bay across the water. Souq Waqif, with its falcon souq, keeps the old trading spirit; the Museum of Islamic Art and the National Museum of Qatar, shaped like a desert rose, face the sea; and Msheireb Downtown, Katara Cultural Village with its beach and amphitheatre, The Pearl with its marinas and Lusail’s waterfront show the modern city.

Beyond Doha, dunes run down to the Inland Sea at Khor Al Adaid, and kayaks glide through the mangroves of Al Thakhira near Al Khor. On the north-west coast lie the UNESCO-listed ruins of the pearling town of Al Zubarah, while in the west, around Zekreet and Ras Abrouq, limestone formations rise from the desert. Islands and beaches, dhow cruises, desert safaris and watersports fill the days.

Hospitality begins with coffee and dates, and Gulf cooking, seafood and souqs are part of everyday life. Summers are very hot and humid, often above 40 °C; the main season is the cooler months, roughly November to March, when daytime temperatures are typically around 20–30 °C. Qatar suits couples, families, culture and design lovers, wellness seekers and travellers breaking a longer journey.