Doha is a dream destination for those who love to shop thanks to its mix of sleek malls, traditional markets, and diverse range of entertainment choices. Some of the best shopping experiences in Doha are often unexpected gems you find as you wander the warrenlike souqs like the Bedouin nomads of centuries past.

Check out our guide on where to shop and what to buy in Doha. Shops stuffed with gold jewelry from floor to ceiling, fierce falcons for sale, a snow-coated indoor play park… these are just a few of the eye-catching discoveries to stumble upon while shopping in Qatar's capital.

What are the best shopping experiences in Doha?

  • 1

    Souq Waqif

    An old Bedouin maze of a market

    Souq Waqif
    • Food
    • History
    • Photo
    • Shoppers

    A stop at the Souq Waqif is a must when visiting Doha, with its labyrinth of market stalls brimming with textiles, jewelry, spices and local handicrafts. One of Qatar’s oldest markets, Souq Waqif was once a busy trading center for the Bedouin who came here to trade camels and essential goods for their nomadic way of life.

    It’s best to go to Souq Waqif early in the morning or in the evening to avoid the daytime heat. Make time to stop for a refreshing tea break before going for another round of discovery.

    Location: Al Souq Street, Doha, Qatar

    Open: Saturday–Thursday from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm to 10 pm, Friday from 12.30 pm to 10 pm

    Map
  • 2

    Gold Souq

    A glittery gold market

    Gold Souq
    • Couples
    • Luxury
    • Shoppers

    The Gold Souq is a great place to explore if you’re wanting to treat yourself to something shiny or find the perfect souvenir for a loved one. Finely crafted gold jewelry and precious gems are the main draws in this market, but there are also affordable accessories to buy, including white gold, silver, and platinum.


    If visiting before a local holiday, you might find the souq to be busier than usual, as it’s a tradition for men to buy 22-karat gold bangles for the women in their family as a holiday gift.

    Location: Al Ahmed Street, Doha, Qatar

    Open: Saturday–Thursday 9 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 10 pm, Friday from 4 pm to 10 pm

    Map
  • 3

    Doha Festival City

    Where stellar shopping and incredible entertainment combine

    Doha Festival City
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Luxury
    • Shoppers

    Doha Festival City is a large mall with hundreds of retail outlets, but its entertainment options are what really make it a must-see place. Families are sure to flock to the Angry Birds park with bumper cars, trampoline park, a go-kart track, ziplines, and heart-racing rides like the Angry Coaster and Raft Battle to enjoy.

    Escape the desert heat on the indoor snow slide and snow-covered hills of Snow Dune. Entry fees include cold-weather gear rental. And if all that shopping and snow scrambling stirs up an appetite, Doha Festival City has over 100 restaurants to choose from.

    Location: Al Shamal Road, Umm Salal Muhammed, Doha, Qatar

    Open: Monday–Friday from 10 am to 11 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to midnight

    Phone: +974 4035 4444

    Map
  • 4

    Central Vegetable Market

    Mountains of fresh produce

    Central Vegetable Market
    • Budget
    • Food
    • Photo
    • Shoppers

    The Central Vegetable Market is fun to look around even if you're not planning to buy fresh produce in Doha. Relocated from the old open-air Doha site a few years ago, this busy souq is a haven for cooks in search of bargain-priced fish, meats, and produce, which they can buy in bulk and have them wheelbarrowed out to their waiting vehicles.

    Be sure to chat with the friendly vendors for recommendations and bargains, and don’t be afraid to ask for samples of juicy watermelon or other fruits to try before you buy. If you’re in need of smaller quantities, head to the market’s retail section for stalls of colorful produce.

    Location: Unnamed Road, Ar-Rayyan, Qatar

    Open: Saturday–Thursday from 5 am to 8 pm, Fridays from 8 am to 8 pm

    Phone: +974 4440 1111

    Map

    photo by Jnn (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

  • 5

    Souq Al Dira

    Textiles and tailor shops

    Souq Al Dira
    • Shoppers

    The colorful Souq Al Deira offers high-quality fabrics, including lace, cashmere pashminas, and silk. Take some time to look around this large market. Prices aren’t fixed and haggling is expected here, so don’t jump in to buy something in haste.

    The souq is known for having skilled tailors who can turn your fabric selections into a perfectly fitted dress, jacket, or outfit. It’s a popular place for locals to get custom-made Abaya dresses and traditional Arabic clothing. It’s an amazing and unique souvenir to immortalize your trip to Doha.

    Location: Al Ahmed Street, Doha, Qatar

    Open: Saturday–Thursday from 8.30 am to 10 pm, Friday from 4 pm to 10 pm

    Phone: +974 4441 3436

    Map

    photo by Preacher lad (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

  • 6

    Corniche Fish Market

    The catch of the day is waiting

    Corniche Fish Market
    • Budget
    • Food
    • Photo
    • Shoppers

    Come to the Corniche Fish Market to see the source of delicious seafood dishes you might’ve been enjoying in Doha. Occupying the scenic Corniche promenade, the market is especially busy in the early morning when fishermen bring in their day’s catch.

    Wander down the jetty to see rows of seafood on display, including safi, which is a white-spotted rabbitfish, sea urchins, and hamour, which is an orange-spotted grouper. Enjoy the sea breeze while watching local fishermen busily repairing their nets and preparing their boats for the next day’s outing. It’s an all-sensory seaside delight at Corniche Fish Market.

    Location: Corniche, Doha, Qatar

    Open: Daily from 6 am to 12 pm and 6 pm to midnight

    Map

    photo by Salim Virji (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 7

    City Center Doha

    Shopaholic haven spread over 5 floors

    City Center Doha
    • Shoppers

    City Center Doha mall is a handy shopping spot connected to 3 major hotels in Doha, including the Shangri-La Doha. Located in the busy West Bay business district, it has dozens of shops and restaurants to keep most people busy for hours on end. Ice skating, bowling, a kids’ play area, and movie theaters are also available at City Center Doha so it’s easy to spend the whole day here.

    As one of Doha’s older malls, it still draws a good crowd of eager shoppers, both residents and tourists. You’ll find both international high-street favorites as well as luxurious and exclusive boutiques.

    Location: West Bay Area, Doha, Qatar

    Open: Saturday–Wednesday from 10 am to 10 pm, Thursday from 10 am to 11 pm, Friday from 10 am to 11.30 am and 1 pm to 11 pm

    Phone: +974 4493 3355

    Map
  • 8

    MIA Park Bazaar

    Held weekends from September through April

    MIA Park Bazaar
    • Shoppers

    MIA Park Bazaar occupies the grounds of the Museum of Islamic Art every weekend during September through April. It offers a more updated version of the traditional souq with the arts, crafts, and culinary creations of local and international artisans on display. There’s also a good variety of clothing, books, and souvenirs to buy.

    As many as 150 market stalls are buzzing with activity every winter. Make a day of it by combining your bazaar browsing with a peek into the art museum, which has an impressive collection of art and artifacts from the Muslim world.

    Location: South of Doha Corniche, Doha, Qatar

    Open: Friday from 2 pm to 10 pm, Saturday from 12 pm to 8 pm (closed Sunday–Thursday)

    Phone: +974 4422 4444

    Map
  • 9

    Omani Souq

    A low-key local market in Doha

    Omani Souq
    • Budget
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    Omani Souq is a small market in Doha, but it’s worth a visit just to soak up its colorful tableau of spices, clay pots, perfumes, and baskets. Unlike some of Doha’s tourist-orientated markets, Omani Souq is mostly visited by locals in need of a household item or some fresh fruits and vegetables.

    From the jumble of stalls, look for tasty Saudi dates and local honey, while those in need of refreshment could stop for a cup of Karak, a traditional Qatari tea.

    Location: Salwa Road, Al Maamoura, Doha, Qatar

    Open: Daily from 7 am to 8 pm

    Phone: +974 5599 2600

    Map
  • 10

    Lafayette Galleries Doha

    A Parisian-inspired department store in Katara Cultural Village

    Lafayette Galleries Doha
    • Luxury
    • Shoppers

    Lafayette Galleries covers around 15,000 square meters of retail space in Doha’s Katara Cultural Village. Also called Galeries Lafayette, the department store brings Parisian-style shopping to local and international shoppers, with 400 international brands and plenty of dining options. You can find the likes of Chanel, Berluti, Karl Lagerfeld, and Marc Jacobs at this Doha department store.

    If you’re feeling peckish after all that shopping, head over to Cioccolatitaliani to sample their delectable chocolates or enjoy Café Pouchkine’s extensive menu of Russian and French dishes. Lafayette Galleries in Katara Cultural Village is located between West Bay and The Pearl Qatar in Doha.

    Location: 21 High Street, Katara PB No 75, Doha, Qatar

    Open: Thursday from 10 am to midnight, Friday from 1.30 pm to midnight, Saturday–Wednesday from 10 am to 10 pm

    Phone: +974 4447 3404

    Map
  • 11

    Alhazm Mall

    A renaissance-style shopping mall in Doha

    Alhazm Mall
    • Shoppers

    Alhazm Mall is a mall with around 125 shops, most of which carry high-end designer brands. The renaissance-style complex has Tuscan marble flooring, archways, open-air piazzas, and walkways lined with olive trees. Outside the mall, you can also see a glass pyramid that resembles the Louvre Museum in Paris.

    Magnolia Bakery, Café Pierre Herme, and Guylian Café are some of the many trendy dining venues in Alhazm Mall. After a day of shopping, you can unwind at the Alhazm Cultural Center, or Alhazm Library as it’s also known. It has an extensive collection of rare books and magazines in English and Arabic.

    Location: Al Markhiya St, Doha, Qatar

    Open: Saturday–Wednesday from 9 am to midnight, Thursday and Friday from 9 am to 1 am

    Phone: +974 4411 1444

    Map
Lana Willocks | Contributing Writer