Best Weekend Getaway from Qatar

Every once in a while, all of us wants to have a change in scenario! We would like to take a break from our city and travel to some place different for a short period of time. Sometimes, you may not want to wait for your annual vacation. In such situations, weekend getaway ideas are really helpful. Be it to another city or a neighbouring country, a weekend getaway is perfect for a regular or an extended weekend too. You get to the location within a few hours, and you do not have to spend too much money too. If you live in Qatar, we have presented some ideas for best weekend getaway from Qatar where you can enjoy with your family, friends, your partner and even alone.

Bahrain

Bahrain or the Kingdom of Bahrain, a small island country in the Middle East, is just 45 minutes away from Qatar, by flight. While it is considered to be a cultural hub, Bahrain is also famous for its vibrant nightlife. It is perfect for a weekend visit as there are several things that you can see and do in Bahrain in 2-3 days.

The Bahrain National Museum is a must visit place for those interested in knowing about Bahrain's history, culture and heritage. The museum contains relics of the past including graves excavated from a village in Bahrain. Also, visit the Bahrain Fort, which was built by the Portuguese in the 16^th century. It is a classic fort with several rooms on various levels and is surrounded by beautiful landscape and of course, the sea, too.

Bahrain National Museum -image:wikimapia.org

Take this opportunity take a look at the traditional houses of Bahrain in the island of Muharraq. While these houses are traditional, they have been renovated to add a modern charm to them. Some of these houses include Shaikh Ebrahim Centre for Culture & Research, Bin Matar House, Abdullah Al Zayed House for Bahraini Press Heritage, Sheikh Isa Bin Ali House, etc.

While the historical side of Bahrain is fascinating, your weekend vacation would not be complete if you do not let your hair down and chill out. There are several restaurants, pubs, spas, shopping malls and nightclubs in Bahrain where you can have a great time of your lives. Do not forget to try the authentic Bahraini dishes when you are there.

Dubai

Dubai is another popular weekend getaway destination for people of Qatar. One can reach this United Arab Emirate city in one hour by flight and hence is ideal place to go for a weekend trip. Dubai has a lot to offer for tourists, starting from old historical buildings, museums, huge skyscrapers, the tallest building, enormous malls and a host of other activities. Whatever may be your interest, one thing that we guarantee is that your weekend in Dubai would be filled with lots of fun.

For those who would love to know about the history and culture of Dubai or UAE, there is the Dubai Museum and the Bastakia Quarter too. You must visit the Dubai Creek which plays an important role in the growth and development of the city. Do not miss the dhow dinner cruise Dubai while on the Creek. It is the best way of enjoying the beauty of the Creek while having a lavish dinner. Some other things that you ought to do while in Dubai include desert safari, recreational water activities or sports, etc. Dubai gives you the opportunity to go sky diving too. Also, take time to visit the magical beaches of Dubai.

image:dhowcruiseindubai.com

Apart from a historical and touristy side, Dubai also has a luxurious side. Be it the splendid five and seven star hotels or the magnificent malls, everything about this side of Dubai would leave you spellbound. There is the Burj Khalifa which is the tallest building in the world and also the Dubai Mall which is the largest mall in the world and has more than 1200 stores. It also has an indoor aquarium and underwater zoo which houses thousands of aquatic animals.

One of the several marvels of Dubai is the artificial island, the Palm Jumeirah which houses Hotel Atlantis the Palm. There is also the Mall of Emirates where you would find an indoor ski park and snow world. Apart from this, Dubai also has several restaurants, bars, theme parks, gardens, etc. that would make your weekend a real special one. If you want to have a quick holiday where you can relax as well as have loads of fun, Dubai is the perfect place to be.

Kuwait

Another place in the Middle East where you can reach within an hour by air from Qatar is Kuwait. This country is located on the Persian Gulf and offers a great opportunity for an Arabian adventure. Just like the above two cities, Kuwait too is an amalgamation of culture, modernity and magnificence. While the country offers ultra-modern accommodations and facilities, it is still deep rooted in its heritage, one which goes back to several thousands of years.

Kuwait Towers- image:en.wikipedia.org

When in Kuwait, you must definitely visit the Kuwait Towers, which is one of the major landmarks of the place, while the Doha Village is the perfect place to go to if you are interested in knowing about Kuwait's trading history. If you are interested in knowing about the traditional Islamic architecture, head to Al-Masjid Al-Kabir, also the Grand Mosque, which is the largest mosque in Kuwait. House of Mirrors, Kuwait Zoo, National Museum, Kubbar Island, etc. are also some of the places that you must visit in Kuwait.

This place also offers several leisure and entertainment options. The beaches of Kuwait are not only clean but also offer marvellous scenic beauty. The Al Kout Beach is one of the most popular beaches of the place and hence should definitely be visited. In case you are looking for places for leisure or entertainment, there are Al-Sha'ab Leisure Park, Entertainment City, the Scientific Centre, Ice Skating Rink, Aqua Park, etc. In short, in Kuwait, you are sure to have a fun time.

If these places do not attract you or you feel that they are too far for a weekend trip, you can check out the holiday resorts in or near Qatar. There are several resorts and hotels in and around Qatar which have been built for small weekend holidays for the people of Qatar. The Banana Island Resort, Al Ghariya Resorts, etc. are some of the popular resorts near Doha.