Luxury holidays in Qatar promise endless opportunities for relaxation, indulgence, action and adventure.

This phenomenal destination has activities to please absolutely every visitor, with the option to do as little or as much as you please.

Beaches

• A coastline spanning more than 560km and a myriad of unspoilt beaches mean Qatar is an excellent choice for relaxing beside the sea.
• Families can expect serene beach days at Al Wakrah Beach, where gazebos, umbrellas, sports courts and a kids’ playground are among the amenities available.
• Fuwairit Beach is an ideal choice for animal lovers and water sports enthusiasts offering kitesurfing, as well as the opportunity to spot endangered Hawksbill turtles nesting from April to July.
• Katara Beach is another option for water sports fun, with water skiing, knee boarding, parasailing, jet skiing, sailing and kayaking all on offer
• For a laidback family beach day, Al Maroona Beach is a great choice. The calm, shallow waters here are ideal for swimming, while kids will have hours of fun splashing about in the cool surf.
• Umm Bab and Simaisma Beaches are other superb options for a peaceful day by the sea, while Sealine Beach is ideal for activities, with camel rides and dune bashing among the activities available here.

Activities Galore

• Aquatic fun can be had at the Meryal Waterpark, where you’ll find 69 slides, chutes and rides, including the 85 metre-tall Icon Tower, the world’s tallest waterpark tower.
• Kayaking among the Al Thakira mangroves provides an option for those seeking an immersion into the natural wonders of Qatar, or you could choose a relaxing dhow cruise.
• A visit to The breathtaking ‘Inland Sea’ or Khor Al Adaid is a must-visit natural attraction. A UNESCO world heritage site, it is one of the only places in the world where the sea meets the desert, and is accessible by 4x4 vehicle.
• Explore Qatar’s desert landscape on camel or horseback, while a traditional Bedouin-style experience gives visitors the chance to immerse themselves in Arabic culture.
• Banana Island Adventure Park promises unparalleled fun with activities like ziplining, climbing walls, human slingshots, free falling and much more.

• Travellers with a head for heights can even take to the skies. Activities such as skydiving or paragliding are available, as well as the opportunity to experience Qatar from above in a light aircraft or glider.

Culture

• Embrace Qatar’s heritage during a visit to the National Museum of Qatar. Designed by architect Jean Nouvel, the building features a number of exhibitions and artifacts charting the nation’s fascinating history.
• Explore Katara Cultural Village to discover ornate mosques, a Greek-style amphitheatre, planetarium, art galleries and Qatari cuisine.
• For a traditional shopping experience and a unique taste of everyday life, Souk Waqif is the perfect destination, with rugs, jewellery, clothing, ornaments, spices and souvenirs among the wares on offer.
• History buffs should make a beeline for the Al Zubrah Archaeological Site. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is home to a typical Arabic fort, ancient palaces, mosques, fisherman huts and more.
• For creative inspiration, the Museum of Islamic Art is a must, featuring four floors of art exhibits plus a heritage library with 21,000 books.

Family Fun

• Family-friendly theme park fun awaits at Angry Birds World, the winter-themed Snow Dunes, Virtuocity, a dedicated e-gaming hub and Doha Quest, Qatar’s first-ever theme park, featuring 30 thrilling rides.
• A variety of child-friendly museums are also on offer, including the Kahramaa Awareness Park, featuring augmented reality exhibitions and interactive games, the Al Thuraya Planetarium and the Museum of Illusions.
• Oli Oli, is another fabulous attraction boasting numerous exhibits, including the Water Gallery, Kinetic Gallery and Fitness Gallery that promise hands-on splashing, playing, building and exploring.
• For an unforgettable animal experience, pay a visit to the Panda House at Al Khor, where you’ll find giant pandas Suhail and Thurya, and make memories to last a lifetime.

Indulgence

• Those seeking a little indulgence should take advantage of Qatar’s wellness and spa offering, with a number of luxury hotels and resorts serving up rejuvenating pampering and treatment packages.
• Find shops, boutiques, restaurants and entertainment venues in abundance, with AlHazm Mall, Mirqab Mall, Mall of Qatar and Villaggio Mall among the destinations to choose from for a spot of retail therapy.

Street food feasts

If hunger strikes when you’re out and about on your holiday in Qatar, you’ll find plenty of fantastic street food options to fill you up, especially in the capital, Doha. If you missed breakfast, keep a look out for Balaleet, a traditional morning dish made of vermicelli sweetened with sugar, rosewater and spices, including cinnamon, cardamom and saffron. Another popular quick bite that can be easily eaten on the go is Shawarma, which consists of thin cuts of chicken or other meats rolled in a pita or flatbread. If that doesn’t tempt you, you might prefer another filling in your flatbread, with sweet and savoury options such as cheese, mince meat and honey. Other street food snacks on offer include spiral-cut seasoned potatoes cooked and served on a wooden skewer and falafel, made from ground chickpeas mixed with herbs and deep-fried in a ball or pattie.

Fine dining delights

Taste the high life during your holiday in Qatar dining in style at some of the sensational gourmet restaurants that can be found in Doha. Gastronomic delights from near and far can be enjoyed, with cuisines to please absolutely every palate. Feast on Mediterranean fusion dishes at Patio by Walima, enjoy a taste of Italy at La Spiga by Paper Moon or find Oriental mezza, barbeque grills and more at Shisha Garden. For delectable Southeast Asian food head to Spice Market, devour Lebanese cuisine at Al Nafourah Gardens and discover authentic Qatari flavours at SMAT. However, if true refinement is what you seek, you’ll be pleased to know that Doha is home to not one, but three Michelin-starred dining destinations. These are IDAM by Alain Ducasse, which is located in the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, and offers contemporary French cuisine, Jamavar, where you’ll be treated to irresistible Indian dishes, and Alba, rewarded for its outstanding Italian creations.

Traditional delicacies

Eat like a local during your Qatar holiday and discover a myriad of authentic delicacies featuring influences from North Africa, the Levant, India and

more. Majboos, Qatar’s national dish, is a must if you want to immerse yourself in the destination’s culinary traditions. Found in a host of estaurants in Doha, this hearty one-pot meal is made with lamb, chicken or fish, along with rice and a variety of spices. Other delicious meat dishes include Saloona, an Arabic stew made with beef, lamb or fish, Kousa Mahshi, which sees courgettes stuffed with ground lamb and vegetables and Margoog, with ingredients including aubergines, carrots, tomatoes, courgettes, potatoes and tenderised meat.

Sweet treats

Holiday calories don’t count, so eat your heart out during your visit to Qatar sampling all the traditional sweets and desserts on offer. Luqaimat is one unmissable favourite, which consists of deep-fried flour dumplings covered in honey or syrup and a sprinkling of sesame seeds. Another must-try creation is Esh Asarayah, which is made with bread, cream and pistachio nuts. If you’re a sucker for biscuits and cakes, Khanfaroush is sure to tempt you, while Basbousa, which is semolina soaked in syrup or rose water, is another treat you won’t be able to resist. Other delights to discover include Baklava, which consists of layers of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and soaked in honey syrup, and Rez b Haleeb, a Lebanese rice pudding made with sugar, milk and rice.

Budget eats

If you’re aiming to stick to a budget while holidaying in Qatar and would rather spend your money on attractions and experiences, you won’t have to go very far for an affordable breakfast, lunch or dinner. A multitude of cheap casual eats are on the menu in fast food outlets, restaurants and cafes across Doha and beyond. A great place to pick a low-cost bite is in one of Qatar’s colossal shopping malls, where you’ll find huge food courts filled with a choice of budget-friendly eateries and global takeaway chains. With everything from hearty meals to grab-and-go snacks on offer you’ll find fare for every need and appetite. Discover a smorgasbord of bargain dining options in venues including Mall of Qatar, Villaggio Mall, Q Mall, The Centre, Doha Souk Mall, Gulf Mall and Al Mirqab Mall among others.