Doha is Qatar's capital, a Gulf waterfront city where the Museum of Islamic Art, the traditional Souq Waqif, the Katara Cultural Village and the glass towers of West Bay sit within a short drive of each other.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Dates
Qatari and Gulf dates, often sold in gift boxes with chocolate or nuts.
Price: QAR 40–150 per kg (~$11–41)
Where: Souq Waqif
Oud and bukhoor incense
Arabian perfume oils and wood-chip incense.
Price: QAR 30–500 (~$8–137)
Where: Souq Waqif perfume shops
Gold and pearls
Gold jewellery priced by weight and Gulf natural and cultured pearls.
Price: QAR 400–5,000+ (~$110–1,370+)
Where: Gold Souq
Falcon hoods and accessories
Leather hoods, perches and gloves for falconry.
Price: QAR 50–300 (~$14–82)
Where: Falcon Souq
Sadu weaving
Bedouin woven textiles used for bags, cushions and wall hangings.
Price: QAR 50–400 (~$14–110)
Where: Souq Waqif craft shops
Dallah coffee pots
Traditional brass Arabic coffee pots with small cups.
Price: QAR 80–400 (~$22–110)
Where: Souq Waqif
Spices and Arabic coffee
Cardamom, saffron, za'atar and cardamom-spiced coffee blends.
Price: QAR 10–80 (~$2.7–22)
Where: Souq Waqif spice stalls
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Souq Waqif
Restored traditional marketplace with alleyways of spice, textile and craft shops plus restaurants and cafes.
Where: Old Doha, Al Souq Street
Hours: Daily roughly 09:00–22:00; many shops close 12:00–16:00 (verify)
Gold Souq
Covered arcade inside Souq Waqif with dozens of jewellers selling 18k, 21k and 22k gold and pearls.
Where: Souq Waqif, Old Doha
Hours: Daily roughly 09:00–13:00 and 16:00–22:00; Friday opens afternoon (verify)
Falcon Souq
Specialist souq for live falcons and falconry gear next to the Doha Falcon Hospital.
Where: Souq Waqif, Old Doha
Hours: Daily roughly 09:00–12:00 and 16:00–21:00 (verify)
Souq Al Wakra
Restored souq on the Al Wakrah waterfront, with courtyards, craft shops and seafront cafes.
Where: Al Wakrah, south of Doha
Hours: Daily roughly 09:00–22:00 (verify)
Msheireb Downtown Doha
Regenerated downtown district of boutiques, restaurants and heritage houses, linked to the Msheireb Metro station.
Where: Msheireb, central Doha
Hours: Shops roughly 10:00–22:00; museums on varied hours (verify)
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Villaggio Mall
Italian-themed mall with an indoor canal, ice rink and theme park beside Aspire Park.
Hours: Daily roughly 10:00–22:00 (often to 23:00 Thu–Fri; verify)
Mall of Qatar
One of Qatar's largest malls with international fashion, a large food court and family attractions.
Hours: Daily roughly 10:00–22:00 (often to 23:00 Thu–Fri; verify)
Place Vendôme Qatar
Luxury mall in Lusail with an indoor waterway, designer boutiques and a fashion-led layout inspired by Paris.
Hours: Daily roughly 10:00–22:00 (often to 23:00 Thu–Fri; verify)
Doha Festival City
Large mall in Umm Salal Mohammed with IKEA, a snow centre, a cinema and a wide mix of mid-range retail.
Hours: Daily roughly 10:00–22:00 (often to 23:00 Thu–Fri; verify)
City Center Doha
Established mall in the West Bay business district with department stores and a cinema.
Hours: Daily roughly 10:00–22:00 (often to 23:00 Thu–Fri; verify)
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Start at about 60 percent of the asking price in souqs and settle around 70 to 80 percent.
Malls and brand shops are fixed price.
For gold, compare the daily gold rate and negotiate the making charge, not the weight price.
Compare two or three shops before buying perfume or textiles.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, in malls and souqs., Many souq shops close at midday and reopen late afternoon., Ask before photographing shopkeepers; photographing people without consent is an offence.