Things to do in Qatar

Doha, the capital, curves around its bay along the Corniche, with the Museum of Islamic Art, the desert-rose form of the National Museum of Qatar and the crowded evening lanes of Souq Waqif. Katara Cultural Village and the marinas of the Pearl add to the waterfront.

Beyond the city, the dunes of the south roll down to Khor Al Adaid, the Inland Sea, a protected area where desert meets water. The mangroves of Al Thakhira and Purple Island are peaceful for kayaking, the old walled town of Al Zubarah is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Richard Serra's monumental steel plates stand in the empty desert of the west.

Machboos, spiced rice with meat or fish, and harees, a slow-cooked wheat dish, are Qatari classics, alongside fresh fish and Levantine and Indian cooking. The cooler months from November to March are the most comfortable, while summer is extremely hot and humid. The country is small, so most sights are within a day trip of Doha, and desert camps make a memorable night under the stars.