Home to the ancient Berber people and one of the most important seats of power in the Western Sahara region since the 12^th Century, Dakhla may be a little off the usual tourist trail but it’s well worth discovering. A distinctive and ancient culture makes this quiet city one of those ‘must visit’ additions to any adventure tourist’s bucket list. The city has a vibrant café culture and plenty of independent shops and galleries to discover, selling crafts and bold, dynamic pieces from local artists.

Sitting alongside this rich and historic culture is a more modern-day side to the city where tourism is one of the biggest industries in the region. Dakhla lagoon is particularly popular with kite surfers and windsurfers. Book a flight to Dakhla with Qatar Airways and uncover a secret destination that will surprise and delight you in equal measure.

Tourist attractions

Named by the Spanish Rio de Oro or ‘River of Gold’, the Gold River Peninsula is a magnet for windsurfers and kite surfers. 40km of pristine shoreline and the fact that this is still a bit of a secret spot means you won’t find any crowds or have to fight for a good spot. If you’re not into water sports then it’s still an amazing location to visit to simply relax and enjoy the sunshine.

The biggest attraction in this part of Africa is the magnificent Sahara Desert. This region, known as Hagunía, is filled with dramatic and beautiful landscapes. If you’re very lucky, you may hear the haunting sound of ‘singing dunes’ – an eerie sound produced by the sand grains rubbing together as the wind blows them. The local Tuareg people are incredibly friendly, and welcome visitors who come and learn about their nomadic way of life. Join a camel tour to see this remote part of the world at a leisurely pace, or hire a 4x4 for a more exciting and high-octane way of exploring the desert.

The World Heritage Site of Banc d'Arguin National Park is a short journey down the west coast but is well worth the journey. This nature reserve, established in 1976, is home to thousands of migratory birds including bright pink flamingos, huge flocks of terns, and pelicans. Its importance as one of the most pristine stretches of seagrass means that human impact has been kept to an absolute minimum, and the park is lush, green, and an incredible contrast to the emptiness of the desert that surrounds it.

Travel Considerations

Flights to Dakhla with Qatar Airways land at Dakhla Airport. Visa restrictions for entry into the country will depend on your country of origin, length of stay and whether your trip is for business or pleasure. Before you fly to Dakhla please check the visa and passport requirements

Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport is the larger of two key airports serving Rome and the surrounding region. Its location close to the Italian capital makes this an important international air hub, yet it manages to maintain a friendly and relaxed atmosphere that focuses on creating a pleasant environment for inbound and outbound travellers. 

Passengers flying from Fiumicino with Qatar Airways will find the airport to be well organised, efficient and spacious, with excellent facilities, particularly its very good coffee vendors and luxury leather good outlets. 

Transportation and parking

The Leonardo Express train service runs every 30 minutes to and from Rome's Termini railway station, and takes approximately 35 minutes, making it the quickest and most direct route from the centre of Rome to the airport.

FL1 local trains also run to the airport regularly. If you are planning to travel by taxi then do allow extra time for your journey, due to Rome’s legendary traffic congestion, and only take a white, licensed and metred taxi and not the unofficial taxis that throng the major tourist spots and hotels. 

Arriving at Fiumicino

Passengers flying from Fiumicino with Qatar Airways depart from Terminal 3. Be aware that due to a serious fire in May 2015, some parts of the terminal are currently being repaired. However, all check-in desks are currently operational. Allow approximately two hours from the scheduled departure time of your flight to check in and clear security.

Facilities and amenities

There are several lounges for the use of passengers, including VIP lounges for First Class and Business Class travellers. Business users also have access to meeting rooms, office space and business services in Terminal 1.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport, and there is full accessibility for disabled passengers, including a specially adapted lounge that can accommodate wheelchair users. 

A good choice of retail outlets provide a selection of high quality goods (look out in particular for some excellent leather goods and accessories), and a food hall provides everything from light snacks and refreshments to exceptionally good Italian and international cuisine.