[2023 GUIDE] The Best Places to Go Shopping in Doha

Shopping in Doha is the perfect place to find unique and interesting items for every budget.

Doha is the perfect destination for anyone who loves to shop. It offers a unique combination of modern shopping centers, traditional markets, and a plethora of entertainment options. Exploring these souqs can be like traveling back in time – just like the Bedouin nomads did centuries ago.

If you’re looking for ideas on where to shop and what to buy in Doha, our guide has got you covered! From gold jewelry shops filled from floor to ceiling to snow-filled indoor play parks and even falcons for sale – the endless possibilities are sure to surprise and delight you.

The Best Places to Go Shopping in Doha

1. Souq Waqif

Visiting Souq Waqif is an absolute must when exploring Doha. The centuries-old market houses a myriad of stalls selling textiles, jewelry, spices, and traditional handicrafts. It was originally a popular trading post for the Bedouin, who exchanged camels and other necessities for their nomadic lifestyle.

It’s best to visit the Souq in the morning or evening to avoid the scorching midday heat. After hours of wandering through its winding alleys, it’s a good idea to pause for a cup of tea before taking on another round of exploration.

2. Galeries Lafayette Doha

Lafayette Galleries is a Parisian-style department store in Doha‘s Katara Cultural Village. Spanning 15,000 square meters of retail space, it offers 400 international brands and plenty of dining options for local and international shoppers. Brands such as Chanel, Berluti, Karl Lagerfeld, and Marc Jacobs can be found at Lafayette Galleries.

If you are looking for a place to rest after all the shopping, you can choose between Musk’s shaded terrace for afternoon tea or Café Pouchkine’s extensive menu of Russian and French dishes. The department store is between West Bay and The Pearl Qatar in Doha.

3. Gold Souq

The Gold Souq is a great destination for anyone looking to purchase some exquisite jewelry. It offers a variety of impressive gold pieces, as well as precious gems. In addition, those on a budget can find more affordable accessories like white gold and silver jewelry. 

It’s especially crowded in the Gold Souq before local holidays, as men often visit the market to buy 22-carat gold bangles for their female relatives as gifts. This has become part of the holiday tradition in many families.

4. Alhazm Mall

Alhazm Mall is a shopping complex that features around 125 high-end designer shops. The mall has a Renaissance-style look, with Tuscan marble flooring, archways, open-air piazzas, and walkways lined with olive trees. In addition, an impressive glass pyramid outside the mall resembles the Louvre Museum in Paris.

The dining venues at Alhazm Mall are also very popular. Magnolia Bakery, Café Pierre Herme, and Guylian Café are just some trendy restaurants visitors can enjoy after a day of shopping. To relax and unwind, visitors can visit the Alhazm Cultural Center (Alhazm Library). It houses an extensive collection of rare books and magazines in English and Arabic.

5. Landmark Shopping Mall

Landmark Mall is located in the Al Gharaffa area, north of Doha City. It opened in 2000 and has been expanded to its current total floor area of over half a million square feet. The mall provides a relaxed shopping atmosphere with open spaces filled with natural lighting and one single non-threatening floor carrying a wide variety of high-end, prestige brands, general consumer brands, and smaller new brands. Its architecture also resembles that of typical Qatari castles. 

The Mall is well known for hosting some top luxury brands, including Karen Millen, Salsa, Prada, Mango, and Dolce & Gabbana. In addition to these global fashion labels, shoppers can enjoy various eateries from local and international cuisines. Circus Land – an indoor amusement park – provides entertainment for children, while the multi-screen Cineplex allows moviegoers to watch their favorite films in style. 

Landmark opens from Saturday to Wednesday 09:00 AM – 10:00 PM and on Thursday to Friday 09:00 AM – 11:00 PM.

6. Doha Festival City

Doha Festival City is a must-see place for families. It has hundreds of retail outlets, but the entertainment options set it apart. There is an Angry Birds park with many attractions like bumper cars, a trampoline park, a go-kart track, zip lines, and thrilling rides such as the Angry Coaster and Raft Battle. 

Additionally, guests can experience snow in the desert inside Snow Dune, including an indoor snow slide and snow-covered hills. Gear rental is included in the entry fee. Finally, for those who work up an appetite from all this fun, there are over 100 restaurants.

7. Wholesale Market

The Wholesale Market in Doha is a great place to explore, even if you don’t intend to buy fresh produce. It’s a bustling souq, and cooks love it, as they can purchase items in bulk at lower prices and have them transported away in wheelbarrows.

However, vegetarians should stay away from the animal section of the market, where freshly butchered meats are on display alongside live goats, sheep, and cows for sale. For more local shopping experiences, there’s always Omani Souq, just a five-minute walk from the Wholesale Market.

8. Souq Al Dira

Souq Al Deira is a vibrant and bustling market that offers high-quality fabrics such as lace, cashmere pashmina, and silk. Visitors can take their time to explore this large market and find great deals on the items they desire. Prices are not fixed, so shoppers are expected to haggle to get the best deal possible.

The souq is also well-known for its skilled tailors, who can turn fabric into a perfectly tailored dress, jacket, or outfit. It is a popular spot for locals to get custom-made Abaya dresses and traditional Arabic clothing. With its array of quality fabrics, talented tailors, and friendly atmosphere, Souq Al Deira is an ideal destination for anyone looking for an authentic shopping experience.

9. Corniche Fish Market

The Corniche Fish Market in Doha is the source of the delicious seafood dishes you might have been enjoying. Located on the scenic Corniche promenade, it’s especially busy in the early morning when fishermen bring in their day’s catch. Here, visitors can find rows of seafood on display on tent-covered metal tables. This includes safi (white-spotted rabbitfish), sea urchins, and humor (orange-spotted grouper).

Walking down the jetty, visitors can watch local fishermen busily repair their nets and prepare their boats for the next day’s outing. The atmosphere is truly an all-sensory seaside delight as visitors breathe in the salty air and soak up the lively atmosphere.

10. City Center Doha Mall

City Center Doha is located in the bustling West Bay business district and is connected to three major hotels, including the Shangri-La Doha. It is one of Doha’s older malls but still attracts many customers due to its variety of shops and restaurants. It also boasts several entertainment options, such as ice skating, bowling, a kids’ play area, and cinemas. Thus, it provides plenty for people to do throughout their stay.

11. MIA Park Bazaar

The MIA Park Bazaar takes place every weekend on the grounds of the Museum of Islamic Art. This modern take on a traditional souq offers visitors the opportunity to explore a wide range of arts, crafts, and culinary creations from local and international artisans. In addition, shoppers can find clothing, books, and souvenirs to buy. The bazaar runs from September through April, with up to 150 stalls operating during peak season.

Visitors looking for a full-day experience can combine their bazaar browsing with an exploration of the museum’s impressive collection of art and artifacts from the Muslim world. With something for everyone in the family, MIA Park Bazaar is an enjoyable way to spend a day out!

12. Liwan Furniture at Al Watan Centre

Liwan Furniture is a favorite among those who appreciate Indian art. Located on the second floor of Al Watan Center, on Grand Hamad Street, this shop offers an extensive collection of artifacts from India. From elaborate antique chests and doors to small signature pieces such as candle holders, jewelry boxes, mirrors, and home accessories, shoppers can find a variety of finely handcrafted items. Prices at Liwan Furniture are moderate, making it a great place to purchase authentic Indian objects without having to travel to India. 

An additional benefit for shoppers is that the owner of the store also serves as the shop attendant, which is rare in Qatar. This provides customers with a unique shopping experience and access to additional product knowledge from the expert himself.

13. Omani Souq

Omani Souq is a small market located in Doha, Qatar. It is a vibrant and colorful marketplace filled with spices, clay pots, perfumes, and baskets. Despite its size, the Souq is worth visiting for those who want to experience traditional shopping in the Middle East.

The shoppers at Omani Souq are mostly locals who come to buy household items and fresh produce, such as fruits and vegetables. The stalls of the market are full of delicious Saudi dates and local honey, which visitors should try out. Those looking for refreshment can sample a cup of Karak – a traditional Qatari tea.

14. Lagoona Mall

Lagoona Mall is between the iconic Zig-Zag towers, close to the Grand Hyatt and Ritz Carlton Doha Hotels. Although smaller than Villaggio, Landmark, and City Centre Mall, Lagoona Mall offers a unique shopping experience. Visitors will find exclusive boutiques as well as a large Fifty-One East department store. The store has a wide assortment of couture, watches, jewelry, fragrances, beauty products, and even musical instruments. 

Fifty-One East goes above and beyond when it comes to customer service by providing VIP rooms for private shopping experiences. Furthermore, shoppers can relax with the audio of live piano music from Yamaha shop while seated on luxurious benches all over the mall.

15. Villaggio Shopping Mall

Villagio Mall is a unique shopping experience with its Venetian-style design. Water canals and gondolas provide rides to shoppers, while the mall is divided into two sections. The first section offers an elegant shopping experience like in the USA, while the second caters to high-end customers. 

Luxurious boutiques such as Cavalli, Roles, Versace, and Louis Vuitton are found here, along with French restaurants and designer jewelry. All of this is housed under a lavish glass dome that evokes an old Italian town, complete with balconies.

16. Ezdan Mall

Ezdan Mall is the country’s largest and most centrally located mall, situated in the Gharafa area. Despite being next to a newer mall, across the street from Landmark Mall, and close to a hypermarket, Ezdan has set itself apart by introducing 70 new stores to Qatar out of 140 total stores. These include Old Navy, Hallmark, Nautica, Garage, Aftershock, Aeropostale, US Polo, and more, as well as popular snack places like Tim Horton’s and Papa John’s.

Shoppers appreciate that Ezdan Mall offers mid-high-level brands at reasonable prices. Additionally, it has plenty of parking spaces (over 2,000), mostly in the basement, to relieve the heat.