singing sand dunes
In the desert 40 km southwest of Doha are the so-called Singing Sand Dunes. This is one of the few places on Earth that has "singing" sand. When the humidity is low and the wind blows along the sand an eerie hum sound can be heard. This sound can be amplified by running across the sand, or by sledding down it. Since the dunes are located a bit off road, you may want a GPS to arrive. The coordinates are N25° 02.446' E51° 24.540'.
desert safari
If you want to get out of the city, the desert awaits. Whereas you could take your rental car out to the sand dunes, unless you are familiar with the route or GPS, you run the risk of damaging your rental car and getting lost. The alternative is to go through one of Qatar's many tour companies, which can arrange a trip. This will cost you several hundred Qatari riyals, and may require a minimum of four persons to join in the fun. At international hotels, the receptionists will advise you, and hire a driver for you. Otherwise, there are several tour companies that can arrange a trip by phone or via their website:
Al Mazaya Tourism (http://www.mtc-qatar.com)
Arabian Adventures (http://www.arabianadventu...)
Black Pearl (http://www.qatar-bp.com)
Gulf Adventures (http://www.gulf-adventures.com)
Qatar International Adventures (http://www.qia-qatar.com)
Beyond sand dune trips, several of these will always arrange for overnight desert camping, excursions to historical sites, and city tours.