The peninsular Arab country of Qatar juts out into the Persian Gulf, between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Qatar is known for its ability to accelerate into future design while staying true to its phenomenal heritage. The country is home to the world’s best Museum of Islamic Art, as well as some other fine historical sites including: Al Zubarah Fort, a World Heritage Site housing the remains of an ancient pearl diving centre. Arts and culture fundis delight in Katara, a sensational arts hub featuring impressive galleries and performance venues, and shoppers relish in the sights and sounds of Souq Waqif, arguably the finest traditional market in the Gulf. Don’t miss the opportunity to take lessons in falconry, enjoy a trip to the awe-inspiring Khor Al Adaid inland sea, and soak up sparkling sea views along the capital of Doha’s Waterfront Promenade.
Once little more than a tiny pearl fishing village, Doha, Qatar's capital and largest city has, in recent years, undergone a makeover of epic proportions thanks to the minuscule nation’s enormous oil wealth and its rather ambitious goal of becoming the greatest powerhouse of the Middle East. Visitors today will discover a vibrant tourist hub. Excessively high skyscrapers, lavish hotels and extravagant malls have replaced the vast stretches of undeveloped land that once covered the city’s landscape and historic markets have been renovated to reveal modern twists. While there is little of historical interest, the city’s array of impressive museums, its world-class shopping opportunities and its jaw-dropping over-the-top architecture mean there’s no shortage of attractions to keep visitors blissfully entertained.
