Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

28 December 2024

4 minute read

A state on its own, Qatar shares its sole land border with Saudi Arabia to the South and is bordered by the Persian Gulf on all other sides, making it a country that can be toured as a stand-alone holiday destination. Visas are issued upon arrival for South Africans. According to Aarefah, a South African who relocated to Qatar 16 years ago and is now a tour operator in the country, the best time of the year to visit Qatar is in the cooler winter months when the weather is much more bearable than during the hot desert summers.

The main attractions in Qatar and particularly in the capital Doha include Souk Waqif; a standing market that offers a rich cultural heritage and traditional wares, the Corniche; “a 7-kilometre-long waterfront promenade on the Arabian peninsula”, the Museum of Islamic Arts; educating individuals on Islamic history from 3 different regions of the world, and the National Museum of Qatar which showcases the development of the region from the past to the future. Katara, the cultural hub, offers a variety of restaurants, galleries and theatres.

Before oil and gas, pearl diving was the original source of income for Qatar. Viewed from the sky, Pearl Island is a manmade feature in the shape of an oyster with a pearl in the middle. Pearl Island boasts luxurious residential and retail dining experiences. Adventure seekers can visit Fordal Ubaid, the inland sea where the ocean extends into the desert, offering activities like dune bashing, sand-surfing and camel rides.

B12, Westbay Beach and 974 Beach are all public beaches in the East. To the West and North of Qatar, there are other beaches with beautiful ocean colours. Qatar is also an excellent choice for families. The Banana Island resort is a “taste of Maldives” in the Middle East and can be accessed by a short ride across from the mainland in a catamaran. Other resorts are also highly recommended.

As a Muslim country, all types of cuisine can be sampled and enjoyed in Qatar, without the fear of contamination. Aarefah stated that “a range of delicacies from all over the world can be sampled”. Famed in Qatar is the majboos rice and kunefe, as well as karak teas.

Modes of transport are efficient and safe within every city. Public buses and metro links are easily accessible, with Uber being reasonably priced and because of minimal traffic, getting from one place to the other is simple and convenient.  Qatar may just be the new trending destination when visiting the Middle East.

Listen to the full interview on the Weekend Breakfast Show with Ml Muhammad Kara.