6 reasons to visit Doha

The Qatari capital of Doha is a refreshing alternative to Dubai. Hannah Sherwood lists a few of the best reasons to go.

Sunset camel ride

Fantastic food

The Gulf state of Qatar may be relatively new to tourism, but Doha, its capital city, has some amazing hotels – with restaurants to match. We stayed at the sleek Westin and, alongside a good mix of tourists and locals, feasted on grilled beef sirloin and a sticky coconut-rice and mango dessert at its Sabai Thai restaurant. Spice Market restaurant at W Doha, served us up anothe rmemorable meal – Vietnamese jumbo prawn curry, followed by a knockout dessert: miso caramel pudding with black sesame and pomegranate.

Stunning sculpture

Qataris love their art, and their museum authority spends millions on it every year. It’s well worth the hour-and-a-half dusty drive west from Doha into the desert to see Richard Serra’s breathtaking East-West/West-East sculpture , erected in 2014. The vast work has become a real hit with locals, who come to stroll and reflect on weekends.

Museum of Islamic Art

Sand-dune dashing

One morning we travelled southwards into the desert for a spot of sand-dune bashing. This involves being strapped into a 4x4 and putting your life in the hands of an experienced desert driver, who takes you up and down the dunes at great speed. Not for the faint-hearted, it’s a uniquely exhilarating experience in a beautiful desert landscape.

Desert glamping

A little south of Doha, where the desert meets the sea,we spent one atmospheric night at the Regency Sealine Camp, where 15 en-suite glamping tents are kitted out with proper beds, TV and air conditioning. Meals of grilled meats and delicious salads are taken in a simple communal dining tent. You can also go camel riding if you fancy.

A delicious spread

Traditional markets

Souq Waqif  was built in the early 20th century as a place fo rBedouins and locals to trade, and boats once sailed straight up to this traditional market. Today, there’s a road and a park between it and the sea, but it’s still an atmospheric place to explore. Wander its little alleyways and check out the spices, furnishings, jewellery and clothes – even if, like me, you only come away with souvenir camel magnets. We also stopped off for a traditional Arabian coffee – aromatic and super-sweet.

Inspirational art

Like a postmodern fortress rising from the waterfront, Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art, designed by eminent Chinese-American architect IM Pei, is even more impressive inside, and its collection – which includes manuscripts, textiles and ceramics – spans 1,400 years.

Getting there

Travelpack offers a four-night holiday to Qatar from £1,429, including accommodation and flights from London Heathrow with Qatar Airways . For transfers, tours and activities, see regencyholidays.com or visitqatar.qa.