Doha Corniche

The Corniche is Doha’s front porch: a promenade of about seven kilometres that curves in a crescent around Doha Bay, with the Museum of Islamic Art at the southern end and the pyramid-shaped Sheraton marking the north, in front of the glittering towers of West Bay. It is free, open at all hours and the best place to feel the rhythm of the city. In the cooler months, joggers, cyclists and families fill the paths in the evening, and wooden dhows moored along the water offer short boat rides, lit up after dark. Along the way you pass Al Bidda Park, public art including the Pearl Monument, and views across to the National Museum of Qatar. Walking even a stretch of it gives you the classic Doha picture, old dhows in front of new towers. National Day celebrations on 18 December centre on the Corniche.

How it works: the Corniche is free and always open. The nearest metro stations are Corniche, Al Bidda and West Bay QIC, which makes it easy to walk one section and ride back. Dhow rides are arranged with the boatmen along the water, so agree on the length and price first.

What to expect: there is little shade, so midday walks are hard work for much of the year. Evenings are lively and safe, and there are toilets and cafés at intervals.

Making the most of it: walk from MIA Park towards West Bay in the late afternoon, take a short dhow ride at sunset, then head back to Souq Waqif for dinner.