BEAT THE HEAT

It’s that time of year again when we’re all looking for things to do over the summer that don’t involve leaving the comfort of our beloved air conditioning. Don’t worry we’ve got you covered with our top 10 ways to beat the heat in Qatar that’ll see you right through to winter.

SNOW IN THE DESERT?

Yes really! Snow Dunes theme park provides just that, with temperatures as low as minus four degrees. From slides that reach 50km/hr, snow guns and a snowy merry-go-round to an ice-skating rink, it really doesn’t get much cooler than this and they’ve got special offers on until August 19. Prices start from QR165 for two hours and they’ll even provide jackets, pants, gloves and socks to keep your warm. GO: Visit snowdunes.qa for more information.

Jump To It

There can be few better ways to burn off some of that summer stuck-indoors energy than bouncing till your heart’s content on a trampoline – trust us, it might look like fun but it’s seriously hard work and you’ll be getting a great workout. An activity that’s suitable for both adults and kids, give this a try and you might just find yourself hooked. Check out what’s on offer at Trampo Extreme, at Aspire Zone, where you’ll find not just a whole lot of individual trampolines but also trampoline basketball hoops, a foam pit, battle beam a climbing wall and an amazing sky trail – a rope course with a zipline at the end. Prices start at QR90 for adults (and kids aged six and above) and QR80 for three to fives for one hour of jumping. Opening hours are Sunday to Wednesday 1pm to 10pm, Thursday and Friday 1pm to 11pm and 10am to 10pm on Saturdays. GO: Visit trampo-qatar.com for more information.

Museums Are A Must

When we’re looking for indoor things to do, Qatar’s many and varied museums are an obvious choice. Visitors flock from all over the world to the Museum of Islamic Art, which we’re lucky enough to have on our doorstep. It not only has amazing collections but it’s worth a trip for the architecture alone. 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum is a fabulous place that will enthral sports enthusiasts with its interactive displays covering everything from motor racing to football. And, our current favourite is the Museum of Illusions. A must visit, specially if you’re going with kids. It’s full of weird and wonderful things to see and try and will certainly while away several hours. Go: Visit mia.org.qa / 321qosm,org.qa / museumofillusions. qa for further information.

Let Battle Commence

And since we’re in the mood for a bit of combat, we’d seriously suggest you try paintballing but, be warned, getting splatted can hurt and it’s definitely not for the faint hearted. Paintballing at Battle Zone involves loading up your ‘gun’ and aiming to paint as many of the opposing team as possible – groups can be anything from two to 12 players for adults and 14 for kids. You’ll be provided with all the protective gear you need and there are staff, medics and instructors on hand to make sure everyone follows the rules and plays safely. Fancy giving it a shot (pun totally intended)? Zone times are 4pm to 10pm Sunday to Wednesday, 4pm to 12am on Thursdays, 2pm to 12am on Fridays and 2pm to 10am on Sundays. Packages start at QR100 per person for 20 minutes.

GO: Visit battlezoneqa.com for more information.

This Means War

Get your mates together and call on your inner warrior for a battle royal. We love laser tag and have to say it really brings out a competitive streak. Dashing around in the dark and trying to take out your opponents guarantees a real adrenaline rush and is huge fun and, believe it or not, it’s also a great workout – if you’re a bit out of shape, this will find you out! There are numerous laser tag venues around Qatar and we particularly like the one at Angry Birds World which is open Saturday to Wednesday 10am to 10pm, Thursday 10am to 12am and Friday 1pm to 12am. Tickets to the park start at QR50 for adults and QR150 for kids.

GO: Visit angrybirdsworld.qa/pf/epic-battle/ for more information.

Thrills And Spills

Hold onto your lunch when you visit Quest where you’ll discover the world’s tallest drop tower ride and the world’s tallest indoor roller coaster. Qatar’s premier indoor theme park has a whole host of brilliant rides and time realms where you can explore the past, present and future and there are even mini versions of some of the most popular rides for kids aged four to 10, so they won’t be left out. It’s described as a ‘World of Wonder’ and it really is, ‘specially when it’s far too hot to be outside. Tickets cost QR235 for adults and QR160 for those aged four to 12 years, who must be accompanied by a fare paying adult.

GO: Visit dohaquest.com for more information.

Best Foot Forward

Yes, we know running in summer sounds crazy in terms of keeping cool. But, come on, this is Qatar, where it is, of course, possible to run outside on air-conditioned jogging tracks. Head down to Al Gharrafa Park, the first of its kind to open back in December 2021, or Umm Al Seneem Park, which took the Guinness World Record for the longest air-conditioned outdoor path, at 1,143 metres, when it was inaugurated in October last year. Kept at a constant temperature of around 26 degrees, the tracks are the perfect place to make sure the summer heat doesn’t derail your fitness goals.

I Believe I Can Fly

Well, not literally of course, or, at least not without a little help. And that’s where Skydive Qatar, at Al Duhail Camp, comes in. With the country’s largest indoor wind tunnel, they can give you wings! There are expert instructors on hand to make sure your experience is both fun and safe and kids as young as four can take part. Prices start at QR199 for a two-minute flight for a first-time flyer and you’ll get training, flight equipment and a certificate. GO: Call 5505 5765 or 3099 6669 for more information.

Need For Speed

From two feet to four wheels, if you feel the need for speed, the country’s newest indoor go-karting track at Trocadero Mini Le Mans at Place Vendome Mall is described by the experts of @qatar_karting as ‘the track layout is very tight and technical’ and they have a fleet of new Biz Electric go karts so it could just be the place to go for some amazing thrills. Opening hours are 2pm to 10pm daily and sessions are booked on a first come, first served basis, priced at QR75. Gondolania at Villagio Mall is also very popular and is an ideal track for beginners. It’s open from 10am to 10pm Saturday to Wednesday, 10am to 11pm on Thursdays and 1pm to 11pm on Fridays. Sessions cost QR70. GO: Call 4144 0000 (Trocadero) or 4403 9800 (Gondolania) for more information.

Brought To Book

In these days of tech rule, where we have computers at our fingertips from work to home and even play, many have forgotten the allure of a good book. But, as Carl Sagan said: “One glance at a book and you hear the voice of another person, perhaps someone dead for 1,000 years. To read is to voyage through time.” And, with that in mind, who wouldn’t want to visit Qatar National Library. Not only is the Rem Koolhaas-designed building stunning, the exterior resembling two pieces of paper that are pulled apart and folded diagonally at the corners to create a shell-like structure, enclosing the open-plan interior, but the library itself is an amazing resource housing more than a million books in numerous languages. There are dedicated areas for children and young adults as well as a 200-seat special events area and a 120-seat auditorium. The library hosts regular events and programmes and there’s even a restaurant and café to visit, in case your reading whets your appetite. Qatar National Library is free to enter and it’s open daily from 8am to 8pm except Fridays, when the hours are 4pm to 8pm. GO: Visit qnl.qa for more information