Qatar is becoming a major tourist destination in the Middle East, offering luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and world-class cultural attractions. Doha, Qatar's capital, has a stunning skyline and blend of modern and traditional architecture. Visitors can experience the luxury resorts along the coast, go dune bashing in the desert outside the city, or see Islamic art at the renowned Museum of Islamic Art. With its excellent amenities and pleasant winter weather, Qatar is establishing itself as one of the top places to visit in the region.

1. G Promotion
A state of art:
Qatar’s capital,
Doha, is becoming
one of the Middle
East’s highlights
Perched on the Arabian Peninsula, Qatar is the new kid
on the block for those venturing to the Middle East. The city
boasts far more than just a pretty face, with a plethora of
luxurious pursuits on hand

2. Find your base
camp in Qatar, with
each hotel sharing
the country’s
modern spirit
LIVING
IT UP
STAY
Sharq Village & Spa
WHY: It boasts a private
coastline, traditional Middle
Eastern architecture and
unrivalled spa facilities.
ritzcarlton.com
W Doha
WHY: A favourite spot in
Doha for many travellers,
W combines a futuristic
approach with top-class
restaurants in the heart of
the city. wdoha.com
Marsa Malaz Kempinski
The Pearl
WHY: Perched on its own
island, The Pearl blends
European architecture with
Arabian hospitality.
kempinski.com
G Promotion
You would be forgiven for
assuming that Dubai is the
byword for the pinnacle of
Middle Eastern luxury.
With thousands flocking to
the hyper-modern city every
year, the headline act of the
UAE remains in a state of
metamorphosis while it works
towards the construction
deadline for the World Expo
in 2020.
But across the Arabian Gulf
is the UAE’s neighbour, Qatar,
forming part of the largest
peninsula in the world, with
the Gulf of Bahrain to the west.
Qatar is often just seen as a
business destination (and the
home of the 2022 FIFA World
Cup), but there’s more to the
Gulf’s cultural capital than
meets the eye. For those
seeking the next up-and-
coming vacation destination,
Qatar sits in waiting with its
royal flush of holiday must-
While Doha’s skyline is
stunning, to gain a more
grounded view of Qatar head
to the outer-city sand dunes.
The Inland Sea (Khor Al-Adaid),
about 80km southeast of Doha,
is a particular highlight. It shares
a border with Saudi Arabia and
was given its English nickname
thanks to the seawater found
between the undulating desert
dunes. With a shoreline that
mimics a lake, Khor Al Adaid
is the perfect setting for
between November and March,
when the summer humidity has
left (or hasn’t arrived yet) and
the relentless desert sun is yet
to peak. Temperatures range
from a comfortable 26C to the
radiant mid-thirties. Of course,
sartorial discretion is advised for
both cultural and meteorological
reasons in Qatar. Swimwear is
acceptable at a hotel’s private
beach, but shoulders, upper arms
and knees should be covered up
when venturing further afield.
haves. Year-round sunshine?
Check. Extensive beaches across
the peninsula? Check. Culture,
art and high-end hotels? Check,
check, check.
Once you have landed in
the irrefutably luxurious Hamad
International Airport, make sure
to take in the view of the Qatari
capital, Doha. Sky-scraping
financial complexes surround
the renovated inner-city souks,
and the best view of Doha’s
impressive (and Dubai-rivalling)
silhouette is from a dhow boat
in the port. The sharp contrast
between the ultra-modern feel
of the city and the traditional
dhow can also be seen in Doha’s
hotels (see sidebar, right) and
even in the desert – the perfect
blend of old-world hospitality
and cosmopolitan sophistication.
The sun shines on Qatar
all year round, but to make
the most of this jewel in the
Middle East, it’s best to travel
Souk it in: Doha’s
financial district, as
viewed from the port
a post-desert-safari barbecue.
A spot of “dune-bashing” (desert
off-roading) is recommended, as
well as other alternative sports
including sand-skiing, sand-
boarding and falconry. What’s
more, 563km of sandy coastline
fringes the country, making it
ideal for both lounging beach-
side and exploring the depths
when scuba diving. Al Ghariya
beach, a popular spot for
camping on the shoreline, is
a great spot for a weekend
getaway, and if you travel 80km
north from Doha, you’ll find
Maroona, a 42km beach famous
for its soft sand and unrivalled
water quality.
There is also, of course, the
Qatar Masters Tournament.
Played at the Doha Golf Club,
the home of golf in the Gulf,
this is a regular fixture in every
discerning Qatari sports fan’s
calendar – as is the ExxonMobil
ATP tennis tournament, which
Name that dune
(clockwise, from main):
Dune bashing in the
outer-city desert;
Katara Cultural Village;
falconry – one of
Qatar’s most
popular sports; the
Marsa Malaz Kempinski
The Pearl hotel

3. Case essentials
Master the Middle Eastern heat from
sunrise to sunset with this effortlessly
urbane approach from House Of Fraser
G Promotion
has been frequented by tennis
titans Novak Djokovic and
Rafael Nadal.
With a mission to deliver
a broader understanding of
Islamic art to the masses,
Doha’s Museum Of Islamic
Art showcases a staggering
14 centuries-worth of
exhibitions in a space that is
purpose-built for exploration
and discussion. There is
Mathaf: Arab Museum
Of Modern Art, too, which
houses more than 9,000 works.
It shares a historical (and
cultural) relationship with
North Africa, Asia and Turkey,
creating an inspiring space
that reflects the Middle East’s
contribution to art over
the centuries.
Middle Eastern shopping
culture thrives throughout
Doha’s labyrinthine souks –
illuminated in a golden glow
once the sun sets across the
bay – but, for more luxurious
retail therapy, you can hone
in on the Villaggio Mall for
menswear heavyweights such
as Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford,
Lanvin and Valentino.
Combining new-age thinking
and centuries of history, Qatar
will soon doubtlessly surpass its
neighbours as one of the Middle
East’s most attractive spots.
■ For more information, visit
qatartourism.gov.qa
Ready, jet set, go: Plan your holiday to Qatar with Dial-A-Flight and
discover some of the best holiday prices to Qatar. dialaflight.com
The coast is clear:
Doha’s famous
skyline; the Museum
of Islamic Art
(below, left) and
the Qatar Racing
and Equestrian Club
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1 Sunglasses by Gucci, £209. 2 Eau de toilette by Tom Ford,
£145 for 50ml. 3 Shirt by Only & Sons, £26. 4 Trousers by Howick, £55.
5 Belt by Linea, £22. 6 Sandals by Ted Baker, £22.
All available at House Of Fraser. houseoffraser.co.uk