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Things to do
Active breaks and adventurous activities offer some of the best ways to experience and appreciate Qatar’s natural beauty, from towering dunes and desert areas to watery wonders like the Inland Sea, its northernly mangrove forests and the veritable watersports havens of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Bahrain.
From extreme sports to soft adventure activities such as hiking and cycling, there’s no shortage of active options to keep the whole family occupied, away from the golf courses, thus ensuring that everyone makes the most out of their stay, racking up some adventurously authentic and fun experiences along the way.
Open your active account early in the cosmopolitan capital, Doha, by leveraging the cooler morning air with a sunrise walk or run along the four-mile Corniche. Job done, refuel with a hearty breakfast at one of the healthy local eateries en route such as recent opening Thalatheen, with its nutritious, plant-based menu.
Suitably recharged, it’s time to hotfoot it to Qatar’s northwest coast to Bir Zekreet, also known as Brouq Nature Reserve. Here you can hike or bike in the shadow of mushroom-shaped rock formations and escarpments while keeping an eye out for old forts, abandoned film sets and artist Richard Serra’s monumental East-West/West-East installation.
Alternatively, trace the eastern coast north from Doha to reach Al Thakira Mangroves, near Al Khor. Guided kayaking tours among the mangrove forests are a great bet for families with children of any age. All will enjoy learning about this important fragile ecosystem from the experienced guides as they navigate the narrow waterways, pointing out local wildlife such as indigenous and migratory birds. Top it all with a stroll along the walkway leading to Purple Island and a relaxing break, or picnic, on Al Thakhira Beach.
Later, back in Doha, return to the Corniche for a sunset dinner dhow cruise, or take the family on a fun Middle Eastern taste tour at Souq Waqif. In the case of the latter, you could cap the experience with yet more classic local dishes at a restaurant such as Al Sufra, at the Marsa Malaz Kempinski. That is if anyone is still hungry after grazing on all the tasty nibbles on offer at the stalls, from stews and regag pancakes to ice creams and sweet dumplings.
Having ticked off some of the northern highlights, it’s time to head south out of Doha on a full-day guided tour in Khor Al Adaid, the desert region fanning out from Qatar’s Inland Sea, which serves as Qatar’s preeminent adventure playground.
The various desert safari options offered here by local tour operators represent an ideal option for adventurous families thanks to the combination of activities such as sandboarding, camel rides and quadbike or ATV excursions, although families with younger children may decide to pass on the high-octane dune bashing tours.
If you have time, consider overnighting in a Bedouin-style desert camp, sampling the nomadic tribe’s legendary hospitality, which ranges from entertainment to barbecue dinners, before sleeping under a blanket of stars. This can be followed by activities such as refreshing dips in the Inland Sea, or simply appreciating the majesty of the scenery, scaling the dunes to marvel at the twinkling waters.
Other desert-based activities worth considering include paragliding from atop the sand dunes near Sealine Beach Resort.
It’s now time to see what the capital has to offer, starting early by taking the family on a private sunrise hot air ballooning excursion over Doha. Lasting around 45 minutes, it’ll prove an unforgettable experience.
Back on the ground, head over to Aspire Zone in Baaya district. Visitors could spend days exploring the active options on offer in this vast sporting complex, also known as Doha Sports City, from exercising and participating in sports to watching them at the many world-class venues. Fans of ‘the beautiful game’, meanwhile, should consider coinciding their visit with Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in November and December.
Good bets for watersports include the various high-end hotels, or Doha-based operators such as Qatar Water Sport, Aquasports Qatar and Abe's Doha Water Sports. The latter offers everything from standup paddleboarding and kayaking to sailing and kitesurfing, with the Spit in Lusail one of the more solid Doha options, and Zekreet and Fuwairit among the best options further afield.
Families could also consider brushing up on their active skills, or learning some new ones, at facilities such as Regatta Sailing Academy. Other popular picks include the Stallions or Warriors cricket academies, and Smash Tennis Academy. Plus, there’s always the option of booking in some dives or lessons with local operators such as Doha’s Poseidon Dive Center and Alghais Diving Center.
Come evening, schedule in an exploration of the Katara Cultural Village area before treating the family to a last memorable dinner at a popular local eatery such as There There. And if anyone’s missing their golf too much, there’s always the option of catching a few nocturnal holes on Education City Golf Club’s floodlit nine-hole, par-three course.
This luxurious Ritz Carlton property is a great bet for sporty families who will certainly appreciate the opulent spa, well-served beach area and the watersports and pools. Other selling points include the excellent Kids’ Club and its intriguing design, modelled on a traditional Qatari village.
Everyone from business travellers adding some downtime onto a work trip to leisure travellers passing through on flights further afield will appreciate a short stay in this popular transit hub — Doha’s compact nature and logical layout help visitors make the most of their time.
All the information you need for the perfect round on Qatar’s golf courses, by Joy Chakravarty
From high-octane thrills and adrenalin-pumping pursuits to more sedate ‘soft’ adventures, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Qatar, reports Karl Cushing.
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