Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world. Since 2000, it has built almost 100 skyscrapers in two decades, including dozens of supertall skyscrapers (>150 meters). Its economy has skyrocketed from its massive natural gas reserves. For a country of 2.7 million, only 330,00 are Qatari citizens, with most of the population in Doha. The rest of the residents are mostly foreign workers. Qatar has used this immense wealth to diversify its economy and embark on a sportswashing campaign, which included the 2022 World Cup.

Adventures | Must Sees | Food

ADVENTURES

Sandboarding in Qatar

You get a face full of sand, but it’s fun gliding down smooth and powdery desert dunes. Try some beginner’s sandboarding in Qatar.

Dunebashing

Go off-roading on the desert dunes while listening to banging beats.

Camel Riding

Ride a camel to the top of a dune. Hold on tight because they lurch back and forth in a rocking motion when they stand up.

MUST SEES

Doha

Qatar’s capital is on the center of the country’s eastern coast next to a large round bay. Qatar itself is on the Qatar Peninsula jutting out from the Arabian Peninsula by the Persian Gulf.

Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif is the old bazaar of Qatar. Over a century ago, the souk was a gathering spot for Bedouins and locals for trading livestock and goods. There are buildings with passageways with textiles, clothing, spices, nuts, falcons, gold, shisha, and food.

Pearl Monument

Pearling was once Qatar’s main industry. Slaves from Africa and Asia were divers, sailors, and pullers who harvested oysters from the seabed. Free divers descended 100 feet on a single breath. The giant pearl sculpture commemorates this enterprise at the Corniche.

Dhow Harbour

A dhow is a traditional sailing vessel for transporting goods. There are dozens of double decker dhows now waiting in Dhow Harbour. The dhows are available for cruises along the coastline.

Doha Skyline

Check out Doha’s modern city skyline from Doha Skyline Viewpoint across from Dhow Harbour. Doha is rapidly growing with more than dozens of skyscrapers completed in the last ten years, and dozens more under construction.

West Bay

From LaLiga TwentyNine’s on the 61st floor, you can see the amazing futuristic skyscrapers of Doha all lit up at night. There are three levels of turf-covered steps where you can get tapas and refreshments while watching football matches.

Corniche

The Corniche follows the curved path along Doha Bay for seven kilometers. There are various art installations on the path. The West Bay skyscrapers look like twisting tornados, torches, cylindrical spires, star gates, and shark’s fins.

The Pearl-Qatar

The Pearl-Qatar’s answer to Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah. It is an artificial island of reclaimed land that looks like a string of pearls. It is the first land available for ownership by foreigners.

Inland Sea

The Inland Sea is at the southeastern corner of Qatar by its border with KSA next to the Persian Gulf. KSA is so close you can see it across the sea. The water in the Gulf isn’t too cold and is crystal clear, with streaks of blue and green.

Dunes

Explore the desert dunes on a Toyota Land Cruiser. There are tracks of previous SUVs, a few cones, and some cell phone towers, but that’s it for navigation.

Lusail Stadium

Bowl-shaped Lusail is the largest stadium in Qatar with a capacity of 88,966. It hosted the World Cup final match.

Walima

Walima is a spectacular rooftop restaurant at the Mondrian Doha, near the Pearl-Qatar.

FOOD

Machboos

Machboos is a dish containing rice, meat, onions, and tomatoes mixed with spices.

Khobes Rgag

Khobes rgag is a thin flat bread of flour, water and salt. You can use it to scoop up stews or pick up grilled lamb kebabs.

Karak

Karak is a hot sweet chai tea with condensed milk, and cardamom.