Whether you’re travelling alone or with a group of girlfriends, Qatar has a plethora of activities and attractions to choose from. The country has been named the safest country in the world five times in a row, making it an ideal destination for female travellers. Qatar has a constantly changing landscape, ancient alleys set against a modern skyline, and varied topography. The destination offers the ideal combination of sun, sea, and sand activities, making it an excellent fit for any travel interest.
Here is a list of a few activities to explore in Qatar:
Relax, Rest, and Recuperate
Qatari spas redefine luxury. Take a meaningful break from the monotony of life by immersing yourself in one-of-a-kind treatments at world-class decadent spas. The destination has cutting-edge wellness resorts that open up a new dimension of well-being. Visit Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som, the Middle East’s first fully immersive wellness resort that offers therapies based on the wellness principles of Traditional Arabic & Islamic Medicine. It is Qatar’s largest retreat centre, and it harnesses the power of local ingredients. The Al-Messila is another such example, with its minimalistic yet luxurious setting offering a luxurious oasis and a new perspective on holistic well-being and sensual awakening.
Devour Delicacies
Qatar is proud of its culinary and hospitality offerings. The destination is a multi-cultural hub of international cuisines, with residents from over 100 countries. The diverse food culture offers a variety of local food options as well as fine dining restaurants run by Michelin-starred chefs such as Alain Ducasse and Pino Lavarra, to name a few. Indulge in authentic cuisines at restaurants like Nobu that deliver delicious Japanese and continental food, La-spiga for Italian meals, Jiwan for a well-rounded modern Qatari dining experience, and several others.
The destination also has an Instagram-worthy cafe culture and casual dining options like Boho Social and Sugar & Spice that will excite both your taste buds and your social feeds.
Adventure Escape
Qatar, known as the “Land of Epic Adventures,” is a peninsula nation surrounded by water on three sides and a soft dune desert on the other. Depending on your interests, the destination provides the ideal blend of sun, sand, and sea activities. Visit the ‘Inland Sea’ (locally known as Khor Al Adaid), a UNESCO-recognized site where the sea advances into the desert, or go dune-bashing in the desert. Skydiving, paragliding, and hot air balloon rides are among the most popular adventure activities.
Water sports enthusiasts are in for a treat. Qatar’s coastline stretches over 560 kilometres, with abundant marine life and crystal waters ideal for fishing, sailing, canoeing, water-skiing, jet-skiing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, and other water sports. It has a number of public and private beaches that are ideal for female tourists. Fuwairit Kite Beach, Zekreet Beach, Al Safliya Island, and other popular beaches can be found here. The country also contains the Al Thakhira Mangroves, which are a birdwatcher’s paradise with watery channels and golden beaches that are ideal for kayaking.
Shopping Indulgence
Qatar offers an unrivalled shopping experience, with everything from high-end brands to local markets. The destination has a comprehensive collection of high street and luxury brands from around the world, as well as a wide range of recreational facilities. The country is home to the Middle East’s largest Place Vendome, a Parisian-inspired mall with 580 high-end stores, including every global fashion brand.
The Villagio mall, with Venetian-inspired interiors, is another example of opulence; an indoor canal complete with gondolas transports shoppers from one wing of the mall to the other. The mall features a high-end high street with all of your favourite luxury brand names. GaleriesLafayette, located in Katara Cultural Village, is a Parisian shopping experience in the heart of Doha, offering over 400 designer brands from around the world, with a focus on leather goods, fine jewellery, watches, and pret-a-porter fashion.
Those looking for a more authentic shopping experience can visit the Souq, which sells everything from dates, honey, spices, and seasonal delicacies to perfumes, jewellery, textiles, clothing, pets, handicrafts, souvenirs, and much more.
Art Exploration
Qatar’s one-of-a-kind museums and public art installations are architectural works of art in and of themselves. They tell of the country’s pride in its art form. The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ), designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, draws attention to its desert rose-inspired architecture, which resembles naturally occurring crystal formations in the desert. The museum is built around Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al-original Thani’s palace. It spans 430,500 square feet and speaks volumes about Qatar’s history while also celebrating its future.
Another architectural marvel is the Museum of Islamic Arts, also known as the crown jewel of Qatar museums. The museum, designed by another Pritzker Prize winner, I.M. Pei, is a reflection of Islam’s history and culture.
You will come across a number of public art installations while exploring Qatar. The Force of Nature II, a large bronze sculpture by Lorenzo Quinn depicting Mother Nature as a woman hurling the planet in circles, is one to look out for. The Miraculous Journey exhibit at Sidra Medical and Research Centre depicts the wonder of the extraordinary process of foetal development. The Lamp Bear by Urs Fischer, one of several impressive sculptures at Hamad International Airport, is centrally located in the duty-free area. A bronze-sculpted 23-foot yellow teddy bear sits beneath a lamp. The piece is both humorous and comforting, reminding visitors of their childhood or treasured possessions.
Qatar is blessed to have year-round pleasant weather for all kinds of activities. Its strategic location makes it an ideal stop-over destination. All Indians can get a visa on arrival in Qatar, making it an easy getaway.
Tags: QATAR, Qatar Tourism, travellers, Women Travellers