Souq Waqif is a bustling blend of sights, sounds, and scents that captures the heart of Qatar’s rich culture. Wander through its winding alleys, lined with spice stalls, handcrafted goods, and local art.

Souq Waqif (Arabic: سوق واقف, romanized: Sūq Wāqif, lit. 'the standing market') is a marketplace (souq) in Doha, the capital of Qatar. The souq sells traditional garments, spices, handicrafts, and souvenirs. It is also home to restaurants and shisha lounges.

Souq Waqif is an iconic marketplace, and stepping into it feels like entering a different era. The narrow alleyways are lined with charming stalls selling everything from traditional Qatari garments and spices to intricate handicrafts and jewelry.

Feb 26, 2018 · Souq Waqif, which translates to “standing market,” is Doha’s oldest souq and a major attraction in Qatar. Here are 10 things to do when you go.

Jan 10, 2024 · From navigating the bustling lanes to finding the best shops, this guide will help you have an unforgettable experience at Souq Waqif. When you enter Doha’s Souq Waqif, an intricate network of winding alleys awaits you, ready to captivate your senses.

With booming prosperity, the advent of vast air-conditioned shopping malls and Qatar's rush to embrace the new, Souq Waqif fell into serious decline by the 1990s, and much of the market was destroyed in a fire in 2003. An outcry from Qataris prompted the authorities to undertake a massive rehabilitation program, one that continues to this day.

Despite its modern construction, Souq Waqif was built as an ode to Qatari heritage. It was designed to transport traders to the medieval muqarna-crowned bazaar of Tabriz or the tight, wares-laden laneways of Jerusalem’s ancient markets.

Welcome to the heritage market “Souq Waqif”, which is considered the top tourist destination in Qatar. The souq is located in the heart of the capital, Doha, 15 minutes from Hamad International Airport.

Built on the site of Doha’s century old trading market, on the banks of the Wadi Musheireb, Souq Waqif feels like an anachronism, particularly against the backdrop of Doha’s dramatic modernist skyline. With its mud-daubed buildings, the market harkens to a bygone era while remaining a hub of activity, where commerce and gossip collide.

Traditional Qatari garments, intricate handicrafts, and exquisite gold jewelry beckon from colorful stalls, enticing visitors to indulge in a shopping experience like no other. But beyond its market …