<strong>Doha's Corniche: </strong>The seven-kilometer promenade stretches across the Persian Gulf in the West Bay from the Sheraton Hotel to the Museum of Islamic Art and is lined with palm frees and parks.
Doha's Corniche: The seven-kilometer promenade stretches across the Persian Gulf in the West Bay from the Sheraton Hotel to the Museum of Islamic Art and is lined with palm frees and parks.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Dhows: </strong>Traditional boats available for hire along the shore are a great away to see the city skyline.
Dhows: Traditional boats available for hire along the shore are a great away to see the city skyline.
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<strong>Katara Cultural Village: </strong>The gem of Qatar's art and culture scene features a mosque patterned with turquoise and purple mosaic , an outdoor amphitheater overlooking the sea and an opera house home to the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra.
Katara Cultural Village: The gem of Qatar's art and culture scene features a mosque patterned with turquoise and purple mosaic , an outdoor amphitheater overlooking the sea and an opera house home to the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra.
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<strong>East-West/West-East: </strong>Artist Richard Serra's huge monolithic sculptures can be found out in Qatar's western desert.
East-West/West-East: Artist Richard Serra's huge monolithic sculptures can be found out in Qatar's western desert.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Museum of Islamic Art: </strong>A<strong>r</strong>chitect I.M. Pei suggested this museum be built on a stand alone island and from some angles it looks like it's floating on water.
Museum of Islamic Art: Architect I.M. Pei suggested this museum be built on a stand alone island and from some angles it looks like it's floating on water.
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<strong>Bayside dining: </strong>The cafe and park at the MIA offer spectacular views over Doha's West Bay.
Bayside dining: The cafe and park at the MIA offer spectacular views over Doha's West Bay.
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<strong>The Pearl: </strong>Built on reclaimed land, the artificial island spans nearly four million square meters and features a lavish mix of residential, commercial and entertainment outlets.
The Pearl: Built on reclaimed land, the artificial island spans nearly four million square meters and features a lavish mix of residential, commercial and entertainment outlets.
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<strong>Al Thakira Mangroves: </strong>This large area of greenery and water has its own ecosystem in an otherwise sandy, scorching desert. Herons and flamingos have been migrating to the region for years.
Al Thakira Mangroves: This large area of greenery and water has its own ecosystem in an otherwise sandy, scorching desert. Herons and flamingos have been migrating to the region for years.
Nabil El Andari/QTA
<strong>Sporting events:</strong> Football is the most popular sport among the local and expat community here and new stadiums and infrastructure are currently being built to accommodate the surge of fans expected for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Sporting events: Football is the most popular sport among the local and expat community here and new stadiums and infrastructure are currently being built to accommodate the surge of fans expected for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy/Qatar 2022 via Getty Images
<strong>Al Zubarah Fort: </strong>The archaeological remains of Al Zubara became Qatar's first World Heritage listed site in 2013.
Al Zubarah Fort: The archaeological remains of Al Zubara became Qatar's first World Heritage listed site in 2013.
Jo de Frias
<strong>Souq Waqif:</strong> Doha's iconic "standing market" is a maze of shops bursting with fabric, spices, sweets, household goods souvenirs and art.
Souq Waqif: Doha's iconic "standing market" is a maze of shops bursting with fabric, spices, sweets, household goods souvenirs and art.
Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Al Shaqab:</strong> This huge equestrian center on Doha's northwestern outskirts is a showcase for Arabian horse breeding excellence. It's tours are fascinating even for non-horsey visitors.
Al Shaqab: This huge equestrian center on Doha's northwestern outskirts is a showcase for Arabian horse breeding excellence. It's tours are fascinating even for non-horsey visitors.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Ancient ways:</strong> Despite the modernity of Doha, the old traditions are never very far away in Qatar.
Ancient ways: Despite the modernity of Doha, the old traditions are never very far away in Qatar.
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<strong>Camel racing: </strong>The "sport of the sheiks" is popular at the racetrack near Al Shahaniya, an hour's drive into the desert north of Doha. Adults only ride the camels in training -- small robots take the reigns for races.
Camel racing: The "sport of the sheiks" is popular at the racetrack near Al Shahaniya, an hour's drive into the desert north of Doha. Adults only ride the camels in training -- small robots take the reigns for races.
Christian Senger/Flickr
<strong>Dune bashing: </strong>Driving across the dunes in a 4x4 is one of the most thrilling Qatar activities. Several operators in the country offer half day, full day or overnight adventures.
Dune bashing: Driving across the dunes in a 4x4 is one of the most thrilling Qatar activities. Several operators in the country offer half day, full day or overnight adventures.
Pixabay / Creative Commons
<strong>Dune biking: </strong>Another variation on a dune-based theme are mountain biking, although Qatar is very hot and humid in summer.
Dune biking: Another variation on a dune-based theme are mountain biking, although Qatar is very hot and humid in summer.
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<strong>On the green: </strong><a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dohagolfclub.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">Doha Golf Club</a> is an oasis of green grass, imported shrubs and cacti, and eight artificial lakes where top pros come every year to compete in the Qatar Masters.
On the green: Doha Golf Club is an oasis of green grass, imported shrubs and cacti, and eight artificial lakes where top pros come every year to compete in the Qatar Masters.
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<strong>Shopping malls: </strong>The Venetian-inspired Villaggio Mall is one of many outlandish malls in Qatar and has over 200 stores as well as an indoor canal.
Shopping malls: The Venetian-inspired Villaggio Mall is one of many outlandish malls in Qatar and has over 200 stores as well as an indoor canal.
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<strong>Film City: </strong>This modern recreation of an ancient Arabic village deep in the desert of the Zekreet peninsula draws daytrippers from Doha.
Film City: This modern recreation of an ancient Arabic village deep in the desert of the Zekreet peninsula draws daytrippers from Doha.
Isabell Schulz/Flickr
<strong>Mall of Qatar: </strong>The shopping opportunities are extensive with several vast cathedrals to consumerism.
Mall of Qatar: The shopping opportunities are extensive with several vast cathedrals to consumerism.
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<strong>Brunch spots: </strong>Hotels in the capital go all out when it comes to brunch, and the Sheraton Grand Doha holds one of the best.<br />
Brunch spots: Hotels in the capital go all out when it comes to brunch, and the Sheraton Grand Doha holds one of the best.
Sheraton Grand Doha