Bir Zekreet

There's not much in the way of altitude in Qatar, which only serves to exaggerate the little limestone escarpment of Bir Zekreet, on the northwestern coast of the peninsula, near Dukhan. Here, the wind has whittled away softer sedimentary rock, exposing pillars and a large mushroom of limestone, like a geography lesson in desert formations come to life. The surrounding beaches are full of empty oyster shells, with rich mother-of-pearl interiors, and other assorted bivalves. The shallow waters are quiet and peaceful and see relatively few visitors, making the area a pleasant destination for a day trip.