A mini guide: get the most out of a visit to Qatar

HOME to the world's biggest collection of Islamic art, Qatar's wonders are distinctive and varied, including a mystical 'inland sea', colourful souks, and a famous corniche.

The city of Doha glitters at night.

HOME to the world's biggest collection of Islamic art, Qatar's wonders are distinctive and varied, including a mystical 'inland sea', colourful souks, and a famous corniche.

SIGHTS Museum of Islamic Art Rising from its own island, this monumental museum houses the largest collection of Islamic art in the world - its exquisite textiles, ceramics, enamel work and glass are showcased to reveal a sense of the homogeneity of Islamic art. mia.org.qa; just off Al-Corniche; see website for various daily opening times, closed Tues; free. Al-Corniche The highlight of Doha is surely the corniche. Doha Bay was carefully sculpted with landfill to make an attractive crescent, along which run shaded footpaths and cycling tracks. A top place to begin is at Ras Abu Abboud St flyover at the southeastern end. From here, walk or drive to Sheraton Doha, taking in landmarks like Pearl Monument, the spiral-tapered Qatar Islamic Cultural Center and candy-twisted Al-Biddar Tower that defies gravity. Khor Al-Adaid The major natural attraction in Qatar is the beautiful "inland sea" of Khor Al-Adaid, near the border with Saudi Arabia. The khor is in fact a creek surrounded by silvery crescents of sand. The dunes take on an almost mystical quality under a full moon when the sabkha (salt flats) sparkle in the gaps between the sand. Spend a tranquil night camping under the stars and a day sand skiing, quad biking or 4x4 racing - most tour operators run overnight safaris. qia-qatar.com; from $140 The city of Doha glitters at night. RELAXING Beach club If you want to relieve those aeroplane aches and kick back, head for Intercontinental Doha in West Bay. This resort has the longest private beach in Doha, complete with loungers and umbrellas, and a large pool with swim-up bar. The seafood restaurant and boat hire make it ideal to while away a few hours. ihg.com; West Bay Lagoon; beach pass from $20 Dhow ride For a chance to see the corniche from the sea, consider taking a dhow ride around Doha Bay. These wooden boats leave from the jetty near Al-Mourjan restaurant between 8am and 4pm, affording you views of the stellar skyline, of locals fishing and the jetty. Tour companies also offer evening cruises with dinner, traditional music and dancing. arabianadventureqatar.net ; dhow ride $32, evening cruises from $60 Coffee If you get tired wandering around the shops and galleries of Souq Waqif, or you just want to watch the world go by, Coffee Asherg is the place. This traditional rooftop coffeehouse sits on the eastern (sea-facing) edge of the souq. Stretch out on a divan and cushions under the stars, sip mint tea and listen to the muezzin make the call to prayer at dusk as the city lights sparkle into life - an unmissable Doha experience. Souq Waqif; tea from $1 SHOPPING Souq Waqif Recently reincarnated as the social heart of Doha, Souq Waqif has been cleverly redeveloped to look like a 19th-century souq, with mud-rendered shops, exposed timber beams and beautifully restored original buildings. Here you can find the national Qatari dress, spices and perfumes. Bounded by Al-Souq St and Grand Hamad St; 10am-noon & 4pm-10pm Souq Waqif Gold Souq This pageant of glorious design and craftsmanship is fun to see even without the intention to buy. The souq comes alive later in the evening, especially before a holiday, when men traditionally express the value of their love by buying 22-carat gold bangles or a set of earrings, necklace and bracelet for the women in their family. Off Ali bin Abdullah St; 9.30am-12.30pm & 5pm-9.30pm Sat-Thurs, 4pm-8pm Fri. Omani market This small market, on Wholesale Market St to the southwest of central Doha, offers a curious mishmash of items, such as Saudi dates and handwoven baskets, Omani dried fish, tobacco and lemons, Iranian honey and pots, camel sticks and incense. QATAR ESSENTIALS Qatar Airways flies direct from Melbourne and Perth. Most top-end hotels and resorts provide free airport transfers. Turquoise Karwa taxis are regulated and metered: the journey between the airport and central Doha costs about $9. Despite an efficient new bus system, most people still get around by taxi and you can hail a cab from the side of the road. You can walk the 8km corniche around Doha Bay, but in summer temperatures it will feel more like a desert hike. WHERE TO STAY - Al-Khariss Hotel is a delightful spot with heavy wood furniture, brocade curtains and tribal rugs in eight rooms. The sounds and smells of the souq below recall old Arabia (00 974 4431 0786); alkharisshoteldoha.hotelswhiz.info; Souq Waqif; from $170 - One block inland from the corniche, Al-Bustan Hotel is a small boutique-style residence with potted bonsai, primary-coloured seating and Islamic-patterned flooring in the foyer albustanhotel-qa.com; Al-Muthaf St; from $200 - The Sheraton Doha is an institution. It has prime location (near the city and new lagoon area) and wonderful views from attractive, split-level rooms with balconies. There's also a fine restaurant (sheratondoha.com; Al-Corniche; from $312). V It's a premium spot overlooking the West Bay skyline, so the restaurant enforces an $18 minimum spend per person (almourjan.com). Top Tip: For a chance to meet the locals, consider attending one of the weekly horse races that occur throughout the racing season (Oct-May). Events take place at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (qrec.gov.qa; Thurs 4pm-7.30pm; free). Lonely Planet Traveller magazine Doha, Qatar: spiral minaret of the Qatar Islamic Cultural Center -- FUELLING UP Get the best of Qatar's cuisine - Find a copy of Marhaba Dining Guide for tips on where and what to eat. Visit marhaba.com.qa for a full list of shops and venues that stock the guide; $5. - Try thireed - a chicken dish with bread, tomato, pepper and potato in thick gravy - at Al-Tawash Restaurant in the heart of Souq Waqif. - Have typical Middle Eastern mezze with sheesha under a bedouin-style tent at the appropriately named Tent. Al-Bustan Hotel, Al-Muthaf St. - For great Lebanese food, such as pine-nut mezze, tabouli and grilled lamb chops, head to Al-Mourjan by the waterfront. -- "Like" Escape.com.au on Facebook Follow @Escape_team on Twitter