1Try paratriking in Doha

Get ready for an unforgettable thrill. Go paratriking over the rolling dunes of Qatar, right over the waves of sand and sea. No experience or licence is necessary; you will be with your own pilot, giving ‘flying private’ a new look. Whether you're an adrenaline junkie or a first-time flyer, paratriking in Qatar promises an exhilarating journey unlike any other. You're strapped into your seatbelt and you sit in the backseat of what looks like a skeleton of a swamp boat. The motor starts up, your driver slowly drives across the sand, and suddenly you're up in the air and over the coast.

2Marvel at modern art in the middle of the desert

Relive the thrill of 2001: A Space Odyssey, towering iron monoliths spanning across just over a kilometre in Zekreet, East-West/West-East by Richard Serra. This impressive installation, almost ten years old, is designed to withstand the harsh desert environment, transforming as it corrodes under the relentless, sand-laden winds. Al Zubarah, hosting Shadows Travelling on the Sea of the Day by Olafur Eliasson, shows an abstract interpretation of the seal of solomon, an ancient Islamic symbol. Its reflections are designed to disorient and play into the vastness of the landscape. SlugTurtle TemplEarth by Ernesto Neto nearby invites interaction, calling visitors to sit, sing, and dance around the structure, celebrating humanity.

3Stumble across abandoned fishing villages

In Qatar, the Bedouins first roamed the desert, practising a nomadic way of life. Over time, the Hadar tribes settled along the coast, surviving through pearl diving and fishing. The discovery of oil in the 1950s led to rapid economic growth and urbanisation, leading many coastal villages to be abandoned. Al Jumail and Al Areesh are two such Hadar settlements, now ghost towns that offer a haunting reminder of life before modernisation. These villages, with their stone houses battered by desert winds, illustrate how the Hadar lived up until the 1970s, preserving Qatar’s rich cultural heritage.

4Visit Umm Bab Clay Quarry

Excavated in the early 1960s, the Umm Bab clay quarry stands out in Qatar’s otherwise flat landscape. The area, with its carved ridges and canals, resembles a miniature canyon and creates a stark contrast to the surrounding terrain. Its most significant features are the clay towers capped with a singular tree; it is believed that the workers who excavated the clay  had worked around the existing fauna, creating the clay towers as a result. The site offers a glimpse into Qatar’s industrial past whilst serving as a fascinating attraction for visitors. There is also a beach nearby with clusters of naturally occurring palm trees.

5Slide down 'singing' dunes

A song in the desert by the fire is how traditions and histories were recorded. This is even echoed in the country’s landscape. The 60m tall 'singing’ dunes vibrate as the wind blows over them, creating an almost haunting hum. Locally known as 'singing dunes', the naturally occurring phenomenon is due to grains of sand bumping along each other over pockets of air, creating a hum of vibrations akin to a whistling sound. Walk across the dunes and hear a shift in tone with every step you take. You'll have to hear it in person to believe it.

6See murals on display at a Doha metro station

Art surrounds you in Qatar, even in the most unexpected places, like its metro stations. You can embark on a public art crawl through the underground. Start in Al Mansoura, a predominantly South Asian neighbourhood, where vibrant murals by Indian and Pakistani artists celebrate the hand-painted trucks from their home countries. Next, head to Msheireb and see a mural by a Qatari artist showcasing just how big a family can be in Qatar. Finish off in Al Saad, where POW! WOW! Doha had 12 artists come together to create 12 works of art outside the station, saving the best for last.

7Spy petroglyphs at Al Jassaysiya

Hidden away in an abandoned limestone quarry, the petroglyphs at Al Jassasiya offer an exciting glimpse into Qatar’s mysterious past. Believed to date back to the Neolithic period, or perhaps as recently as 250 years ago, these 874 rock carvings are easy to miss unless you know where to look. Upon closer inspection, you’ll find intricate symbols, including dhow boats with their slender oars, fish, ostriches (yes, really), and circular cup marks thought to represent a traditional game like mancala, a map of constellations, or even tools used to measure pearls. To this day, no one has solved the meanings behind the Al Jassasiya petroglyphs.

8Visit the Arab Postal Stamps Museum

Postage stamps are a glimpse into a country’s biggest achievements, showcasing important events, landmarks, cultural symbols, flora and fauna, and more. An entire museum dedicated to the humble postage stamp is like stepping into an abridged history book of Qatar. Tucked away in Katara Cultural Village, right across from a popular chapati and karak café (the sweet one is a must try), is the Arab Postal Stamps museum, where stamps from 22 countries are on display. This museum not only celebrates the collective Arab identity but also features iconic stamps that reflect other parts of life, like football.

9Spend time at a falcon hospital

The falcon hospital right in the middle of Souq Waqif is a place that fascinates tourists but is just a trip to the vets for the locals. Falconry is part of Qatar’s intangible cultural heritage, the bedouin ways of rearing and training birds of prey are passed down through generations. A child grows up knowing how to properly handle a falcon, much like learning how to ride a bike. In the off-season, the men take their falcons to the falcon hospital to be taken care of. A visit here not only highlights the significance of falconry but also the deep respect Qatari society has for its heritage.

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Wander the Al Wukair Scrapyard

Capping off our list is perhaps the most esoteric landmark in Qatar, Al Wukair Scrapyard. Home to almost 20,000 abandoned cars, buses, construction machines, and the like, Al Wukair Scrapyard is like a scene right out of Mad Max Fury Road. Utterly post-apocalyptic, the scrapyard is an excellent bit of urban exploration and a cracking story to tell everyone back home. The vehicles are in varying stages of decay, from almost pristine to barely a corroded skeleton. The scrapyard is an adventure beyond your typical desert excursions.