Friday 27 November 2020, 09:45

Five cool things about Qatar

From sightseeing trips and nature tours that cover all aspects of local life to unlimited shopping opportunities, Qatar offers visitors a wide variety of activities, with something for everyone. The FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020™ will undoubtedly afford football fans everywhere the chance to enjoy a unique experience in this Gulf country.

Generosity and hospitality

Bedouins are known for their hospitality and traditionally sharing their food with their guests. This culture is still deep rooted in Qatari society and permeates all aspects of life in Qatar. Offering Arabic coffee and sweets to guests remains an expression of hospitality. Qatari cuisine is rich and unique, with its dishes influenced over the years by the gastronomical delights of the Indian Subcontinent, Iran, the Levant and North Africa.

Resorts and beaches

Qatar has many wonderful resorts where people can relax and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. These include the Sealine Beach Resort, one of the finest coastal strips near the capital. Visitors can also spend time at the Al Ghariya Resort on the seafront, where there are many walk areas like the Doha Corniche, a waterfront promenade extending for several kilometres along Doha Bay in Qatar’s capital.

Islands and water sports

Given its geographic location, rich marine life, and crystal-clear waters, Qatar is an ideal destination for water sport lovers, who can enjoy fishing trips, rowing boats, water skiing, kitesurfing, paragliding, and scuba diving among shipwrecks or coral reefs. Qatar also has a number of unique islands like Palm Island, the artificial Pearl Island, and the Zekreet peninsula, which boasts picturesque beaches and natural rock formations.

Historical sites and castles

Lovers of archaeology and antiquity can see many historical sites telling the story of Qatar’s distant past, such as the UNESCO world heritage site Al Zubarah and its unique fort. There is also the Museum of Islamic Art, Katara Cultural Village, and Souq Waqif, all among Qatar’s most popular tourist attractions. The country is also home to several ancient forts that were used as military or civilian installations, such as the Doha Fort, Barzan Towers and Umm Salal Fort.

Desert adventures and dune challenges

In addition to the spectacular beaches and islands, Qatar also has some beautiful desert and rocky terrain. Visitors can enjoy desert safari trips, ride camels and camp under the stars in a Bedouin tent, or perhaps visit Khor Al Udayd, which features sand dunes in stunning formations and has been dubbed ‘the Inland Sea’. There is also Al Jassasiya, a magnificent area of rock carvings, where visitors can see examples of pre-historic sculptures.