06 January 2009 07:49 GMT
AirAsia Indonesia starts flights to Singapore
London City goes 'silent' this month
Easyjet to open more routes from Geneva
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Exploring the city
- Top sights |
- Restaurant picks |
- Hotel picks |
- Bar picks |
- For the family |
- Outdoors |
- Shopping |
It has to be said that Qatar is not amongst the world's most thrilling destinations. Doha is a new city, and more resembles a large construction site than a finished capital, while activities tend to revolve around air-conditioned malls and hotels.
Nevertheless, if you’ve got less than a day in Qatar and want to see some highlights before flying on elsewhere, then you could do worse than trying the following ideas.
Corniche and West Bay
These are the best places to get a feel for Doha. The corniche is a seven kilometre-long walkway along the Doha seafront, lined with grassy verges and looking out over the impressive, crane-filled skyline of the West Bay area. It’s the perfect place to stretch legs – assuming you’re not here in the heat of the summer – and look out over the clear, shallow waters of the Gulf.
Souq Waqif
This is Doha’s new “old” souq, having been renovated in recent years. It’s still the most authentic of Doha’s outdoor shopping areas, though, and comes alive in the evenings when the shops re-open after the afternoon break. Although a lot of everyday household goods are sold here, it’s still a good place to pick up Arabic-themed souvenirs such as jewellery, fabrics, spices and coffee pots.
Khor al-Adaid (Inland Sea)
Qatar’s most impressive natural feature, this Inland Sea is actually a large inlet of water surrounded by magnificent sand dunes which offer a taste of the Arabian desert. It’s a popular spot both for tourists and locals – who like to bash dunes at the weekend in their 4x4s. There are no roads or public transport leading to the area, so you’ll have to book with a local tour operator. A good place to look for listings is the Qatar Tourism board website (www.experienceqatar.com, +974 441 1555). Short trips can be done in a half-day, with longer versions offering camping under the stars.
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