Shopping like a local

Catering to locals and those longing for some cultural immersion along with their shopping, the Qatar’s Souqs grant visitors all that and then some. If a bespoke experience isn’t enough, visitors can leave the Souq with items created just for them, be it a traditional scent from one of the many oudh and perfume shops to an outfit crafted from the most delicate fabrics at Souq Al Dira.

If you’re looking for a culture trip, Souq Waqif, The Gold Souq and Souq Al Wakrah are the destinations for you.

Souq Waqif’s mud-daubed buildings take visitors back in time, and its winding alleyways bustle with life, offering an illustration of traditional street life. The shops lining the cobbled pathways of Souq Waqif contain a wonderful assortment of goods, ranging from shoes, antiques, handicrafts, and artefacts from around the region. Woven fabrics, rugs, wooden furniture and glass ornaments are made in workshops adjacent to the Souq. Aspiring musicians can also find instruments from the region, such as the oud or various drums and flutes.

Indulge your senses at the spice market, where a whole assortment of different aromatic blends, tea leaves, and coffee beans fill jute sacks that line the winding alleyways.

Oudh, musk and traditional perfume oils can also be found. Visitors can have a bespoke experience and create custom traditional perfume at one of the many Oudh and perfume shops.

Adjacent to Souq Waqif, the Gold Souq offers jewellery of all sorts, from traditional designs and simple everyday pieces, to intricate multi-tier masterpiece; the Gold Souq has you covered no matter your budget.   

Just next to Souq Waqif is Souq Al Deira, a traditional fabric and textile market that houses the purest Indian silks, high-grade embroidery and authentic cashmere pashminas. Souq Al-Deira is a delight amongst luxury fabric and fashion lovers. Visitors can choose a fabric and design and create a souvenir made for them. The Souq also has some of the best tailors in the country with tailoring taking anywhere from three days to a week, so if you find yourself in Doha for a more extended visit, you can leave Souq Al-Deira with a beautifully tailored outfit or traditional abaya.

Similar to Souq Waqif, Souq Al Wakra, known as the Souq by the Sea, offers a range of traditional and contemporary shopping options right by the beach.