Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif, in the heart of Doha, is the most atmospheric and beloved corner of the Qatari capital, a bustling traditional market that offers a nostalgic taste of old Arabia amid a city of gleaming skyscrapers. Beautifully restored to its early-twentieth-century character with mud-rendered walls and exposed timber beams, its winding, lantern-lit lanes are packed with shops selling spices, textiles, perfumes, handicrafts and souvenirs, alongside a lively spread of cafes, restaurants and shisha lounges. A traditional falcon souq, a gold market and evening crowds of locals and visitors make it a vibrant, sensory delight, especially after dark.

The main sights

• The market lanes - the winding, restored traditional souq streets.
• The spice and craft shops - the spices, textiles and handicrafts.
• The falcon souq - the market of prized hunting falcons.
• The cafes and shisha - the restaurants and lounges, liveliest at night.

When to go

November to March, the cooler winter season, is by far the most pleasant time to visit Qatar, as the summers are ferociously hot; the souq is at its liveliest and most atmospheric in the cool of the evening, when locals and visitors throng its lanes, cafes and restaurants.

Things to know

The souq is a restoration rather than an ancient original, and it is polished and geared partly to visitors, so it lacks the raw authenticity of some older Middle Eastern markets; the falcon souq, while fascinating, may give some pause. As a lively, atmospheric and beautifully done evocation of traditional Qatari and Arabian market life, though, full of food, colour and character amid the ultra-modern city, Souq Waqif is genuinely delightful and the social heart of Doha.

Nearby

The Museum of Islamic Art, the Corniche and the modern skyline are close by.