With the summer vacations around the corner, Qatar Tourism, in collaboration with Qatar Airways, has launched a range of packages promoting diverse activities for the entire family.

“Qatar is a fantastic destination for families to come together and make lasting memories. For the last five years, the Numbeo Crime Index has ranked Qatar the safest country in the world, one of the reasons the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 was the most family-friendly iteration of the tournament we have ever seen. Whether out on an adventure in the desert or thrill-seeking at a theme park, relaxing by the beach or absorbing a more authentic cultural experience, there’s something here for travellers of all ages and non-stop family fun to be had,” says Berthold Trenkel, Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism.

In just one hour’s drive, families can leave Doha for incredible adventures among the mesmerising sand dunes, ancient rock carvings, golden beaches, eco farms, and lush green mangrove forests.

Qatar is one of the few destinations where the sand dunes meet the shores of the sea, at the spectacular ‘Inland Sea’, or Khor Al Adaid. Accessible only by 4×4 vehicles, families can spend an afternoon in the desert, dune bashing, taking a stop along the way to ride camels and posing with the country’s famous national bird, the falcon.

The Arabian Gulf has warm flat waters and calm tides for swimming and offers a host of water sport hotspots. For an adventure off the beaten track, families can head to Al Thakhira mangroves and Purple Island, a hidden gem for kayaking.

Another enchanting experience for families is North Sedra Farm. The first agritourism destination in Qatar, North Sedra offers visitors the chance to pick fresh fruit and vegetables, connect with the country’s cultural heritage, interact with exotic animals such as the Arabian Oryx at the mini zoo, and have a whirl of a time on bumper cars and a mini train.

The country also boasts some of many thrilling theme parks. For instace, Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas is located on Qatar’s southwestern tip, with 3.5 kilometres of soft white beaches and landscaped gardens. Nestled within the grounds is one of the largest theme parks in the Middle East, the Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park. The park features 18 attractions, with 56 rides and slides.

In the capital, Quest Doha takes visitors on a journey through three different ‘time-dimensions’. While Oryxville explores the ancient Arabian past, the City of Imagination is a reflection of the present and Gravity is a state-of-the-art futuristic spaceport. Quest Doha has set two Guinness World Records for the ‘Tallest Indoor Rollercoaster’ and the ‘Tallest Indoor Drop Tower Ride’.

For families with younger thrill-seekers, the Doha Festival City mall has the world’s first Angry Birds World, the winter-themed Snow Dunes, and the Middle East’s first dedicated e-gaming hub, Virtuocity. Inside Villaggio mall is Gondolania theme park, centred around a boat ride through Venetian-inspired canals.

B12 Beach Club

B12 Beach Club, Doha, is a new family-friendly beach club with lots of ways to keep everyone entertained, from water sports to lively tunes by the resident DJ, all-day dining, and the B12 Floating Water Park, at 70m the largest floating park in Doha.

Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha

Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha is the first luxury beach resort in Qatar to pioneer the all-inclusive lifestyle concept. Families can discover international cuisine, energetic entertainment, and fun-filled activities.

Waldorf Astoria Lusail

This sprawling resort in the heart of Lusail City boasts a pristine private sand beach. The hotel opened in October 2022, offering a selection of fun activities for both adults and children, from water slides to surfing. The hotel has 461 rooms, a fitness centre and the only ‘Espa Life’ spa in the Middle East.

Qatar Tourism, in partnership with Qatar Airways Holidays, is currently offering 100 USD/EUR/GBP off flights and hotel packages booked through Qatar Airways. Visitors need to book before April 30 for travel before December 31, 2023. To qualify, users need only to enter their name and email address to generate a discount code on the Visit Qatar website.

Families can turn one holiday into two when travelling through Qatar, with the world’s best value stopover packages. On offer from Qatar Airways, these packages start from USD 14 per person per night for a four-star hotel, and USD 20 per person for a five-star hotel.