Qatar - Small Country, Big Adventure
Qatar, a small country on a peninsula in the Persian Gulf, is quickly becoming one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing tourist destinations. It has had an injection of funding into its tourism industry for both tourists and businesses due to its prime geographical location between Europe, Asia and Africa. With a large coastline and vast desert, it presents tourists with lots of opportunities to have unique and bucket list activities. In this article, we’re going to give you a brief overview of what the country has to offer and why you should take a visit.
How to get to Qatar
Qatar is easily accessible from the UK with direct flights taking between six and a half and seven and a half hours. You can fly from the UK from one of 4 airports: London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, and Edinburgh. The main carrier is the country’s airline Qatar Airways which is one of the world's most awarded airlines.
Doha
Doha is the capital of Qatar and is home to more than 90% of the country’s population. It is a city which is full of activity and has a wonderful mix of history and modernity. From here you can explore all of the country and nowhere is further than a couple of hours away from Doha. There is lots to do in Doha with a mix of skyscrapers and modern buildings, some of which focus on the country’s long history. In the north of the city lies the Katara Cultural Village, this hub of activity is home to concert halls, theatres, galleries and other great facilities all on one complex. It lies next to a beach and can be easily reached from the centre by any means of public transport, all of which have been recently revamped. Also in the north of the city lies the Pearl Qatar, an artificial island which is home to the picturesque Qanat Quarter and the Pearl Qatar Mosque. If you’re looking to soak in the culture whilst in Qatar you can get the Culture Pass which allows you to explore much of what it has to offer with free admission to many museums, galleries and much more.
A must visit in Qatar is the Souq Waqif a traditional Arabian marketplace, which was renovated on the site of the old trading market back in 2004. The Souq is a wonderful experience for the senses with streetside cafes and restaurants, shops selling everything from shoes to antiques and entertainment all at your fingertips. This popular spot is open till late and is a great place to visit and take it all in. Another popular area full of lots to do is the Doha Corniche, a 4 mile stretch of waterfront promenade which also incorporates a number of parks. There is lots of greenery, with many parks perfect for a stroll or a bike ride. In this area are also the Museum of Islamic Art and the National Museum of Qatar, which are well worth a visit.
Beyond Doha
Whilst Doha makes up much of the country's population, there is still much to explore in the rest of the country. As we mentioned earlier, nowhere in the country is no further than a few hours away from Doha. In the north of the country is Zubarah Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site which encompasses the fort and surrounding town as well as the full archaeological site. Moving eastwards, experience breathtaking whale watching tours just off the coast or soak in nature in the Thakira Mangroves, a large area of vegetation which attracts a large number of species of birds. The best way to see the mangroves is by kayak, but you can also explore on foot.
In the southwest sits the Hilton Salwa Beach Resort which features Desert Falls, one of the largest theme parks in the Middle East. This massive attraction features 56 rides and slides, most of which are water-based and great for kids and adults allowing you to cool down from the hot sun. In the southeast, there are excellent places for you to bring out your inner thrill-seeker with activities such as Paragliding or Dune Bashing (driving or racing through the sand dunes in anything from a buggy to a 4x4) on offer. Whilst in this area you should definitely visit the inland sea, a large body of water area only accessible across the sands by 4x4. Here you can do overnight camp stays under the stars or get out on safari. Itineraries on these safaris include camel riding and sand skiing or boarding.
We hope this has given you a brief taste of what Qatar has to offer and shows you why it is a place you must visit. For more travel inspiration and destinations, read our blogs or take a look around our website and then give us a call on 01157843388. If you already know where you’re looking to book, call us, email enquiries@ct4ntravel.co.uk or fill in our contact form with what you’re looking for. Don't forget to follow us on social media to find out the next Destination of the Week and for all your holiday needs. If you've been to Qatar, where was your favourite place? What was the best thing you did, or do you think we missed anything? Let us know in the comments or on social media, just click the buttons below which take you to our social pages