About
Souq Waqif is a traditional marketplace in the heart of Doha, Qatar. Its name refers to the old souq, or market, that has long served as a meeting place for traders and shoppers in the city.
What to expect
The market is a maze of narrow alleys, and wandering through them is the main pleasure of a visit. Stalls sell spices, textiles and handicrafts, and the scents and colours of the goods give the place much of its character. Take your time, look at the displays, and be ready to stop and browse wherever something catches your eye.
- Spice and textile stalls, rich with colour and smell
- Handicrafts and other traditional goods
- Falcon shops, a distinctive part of Qatari culture
Eating and resting
Traditional Qatari cuisine is served in several of the market's restaurants, and some have rooftop seating where you can look out over the lanes below. A meal or a pause on a terrace makes a good break from walking.
The setting
The market blends its trading past with a modern restoration, so the old atmosphere of the place sits alongside newer, carefully rebuilt surroundings. Because it sits in central Doha, it is easy to combine a visit here with time spent exploring the rest of the city.