In a country where temperatures in the summer can reach into the mid 40oC, indoor, air conditioned malls become a staple in most residents lives. Malls not only provide a wide range of international shopping brands but also house an assortment of family friendly entertainment aside from retail. Both Viliaggio Mall and City Centre have ice skating rinks, bowling, children’s theme parks and cinema complexes.

The Gate Mall, The Pearl and Via Domo, within Villaggio Mall offer high end luxury designer brands, whereas neighbourhood malls like Safari Mall, Parco Mall and Al Khor Mall have a wide range of inexpensive items.

Most malls have an assortment of restaurants and cafes with the bigger malls also having food courts providing both local and international food chains. Many malls also contain banks, which tend to be open outside normal banking hours.

The supermarkets found in a number of malls in Qatar sell electronics, stationary, furniture, household items, gardening supplies, camping equipment, toys, watches and jewellery, cosmetics and perfumes, clothes as well as food items.

For many families in Qatar malls offer a one stop solution to a variety of needs from shopping, dining to various forms of family entertainment and therefore they tend to be a regular fixture in most Qatari residents lives.

Although souqs are generally referred to as markets ,the variety of souqs scattered throughout Qatar comprise of various different forms, from the more traditional bazaar type market found in Souq Waqif or Souq Omani to the air conditioned complexes like Souq Al Dira or Souq Jabor.

There are also the Wholesale Food Markets that include live livestock as well as meat, fish, fruit and vegetables, and farmer’s markets that occur in the cooler winter months. But when people refer to ‘the souq’ they are generally referring to the oldest market area just off Al Corniche.

Most of the souqs deal primarily in cash so it is always advisable to come prepared and be ready to bargain, that’s part of the whole experience and culture of the souq.

The timings of the souqs vary, but 9am-1pm and 4pm-9, is the general rule with Souq Waqif having extended hours.

Souq Waqif is the oldest souq in Qatar and although still situated on its original 19th century site in the heart of Doha’s waterfront, it has undergone a total restoration and is no longer just a trading centre for market goods, but is now a unique destination for tourists and locals alike.

Souq Waqif which means ‘standing market’ is a myriad of scented and colourful alleyways that take the visitor from perfume vendors and spice shops to the Falcon Souq, stables and pet stores, to fabric suppliers and traditional musical instruments, to souvenirs and the Gold Souq, and traditional food vendors and restaurants. Souq Waqif is a one stop destination for all things Qatari and beyond.

There are photo opportunities abound, especially in the morning and late afternoon when the heritage police ride through the main thoroughfare on horses or camels, although it is always better to ask permission first, but Souq Waqif is a very photo friendly spot.

On entering the souq it does feel like stepping into a maze but is easily negotiated when you realise the alleyways are arranged according to commodities.

You will smell the perfume alleyways before you see them with many vendors burning the traditional oud, or bukhoor , the aromatic agarwood outside their shops. Inside you will find blends of essential oils as well as international brands.

There is an assortment of colourful fabric shops as well as those selling ready made jalabiyah’s the long dresses worn by many locals ladies. Abaya’s and shaylas the black overcoats and headscarves worn by women, can also be found. Men’s thobes , the long white robes ,as well as the more casual house version are also available here.

There are an assortment of souvenir shops scattered throughout the souq from silver jewellery and prayer beads, to the traditional coffee pots, dallah, and brass studded wooden chests of all sizes, to traditional bedouin weaved items like rugs and cushions.

Falcons, like camels have a special cultural and historical importance within Qatar. Here you will find mostly hooded falcons on their perches in the middle of the majlis (meeting rooms). Most of the store owners are happy to let visitors have a falcon perch on their arms for fun or a photo op. There is also the Falcon Hospital in this area.

Extending from the Falcon Souq are the stables which house the prized Arabian horses and visitors can wander around freely interacting with the horses and stable hands alike.

There is a wide assortment of animals on sale here and visitors are encouraged to hold and pet them and weekly auctions are held every Friday.