Things to do in Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif is Doha's restored traditional market: a grid of low, wind-tower-style buildings rebuilt in the 2000s on the footprint of the old riverside souq, so the alleys feel old even though most of the structure is not. Expect narrow lanes of spice stalls, textiles, souvenirs and pashmina shops, plus dozens of restaurants and shisha cafes spilling onto the walkways.

The place is fairly quiet by day and fills up in the late afternoon and evening, when the heat drops and the lanes are lit up; on Fridays it stays subdued until after midday prayers, then opens through the afternoon and evening. The Falcon Souq and a small falcon hospital sit just off the main market.

For a full stall-by-stall breakdown, current opening patterns and price ranges, see our Souq Waqif shopping guide and our separate Falcon Souq page, or book one of the guided evening walks that cover both in a couple of hours.