Doha Shopping Tips by bpwillet Top 5 Page for this destination

New "Old" Souqs: Local flavors

Just wandering around the old souq area in Doha you will come across different sections of vendors. Just the smells alone will clue you into the area where you can buy fresh spices, organic honey, fresh dates, cashews, and specially prepared sweets.

What to buy: You may be able to try some of the cashews or pistachios for sale or even try some tea with dates. There are also places where you can sample the various types of honey. You will definitely know where you are just follow your nose.

What to pay: For some spices they are charged by the kilo. However some spices like saffron are considerably cheaper than what you would find in other areas.

Directions: Old Souq area

Theme: Local Craft

Any: Gold digging...

Some of the things that Qataris have been known for is their pearls. The industry really took off for Qatar and put them on the map. They are sold in some very upscale mall stores at the Hyatt Plaza mall or City Center (Carrefour) malls but the souqs may have a better price selection. Haggling is accepted but within reason. Every shop owner appreciates good business. There are a number of shops to choose from in the area so if jewlery and finer objects are on your list this is the place to go.

What to buy: You can go shopping for all kinds of qualities of pearls and colors (black, white, pink, yellow) for quite affordable prices. There is also a great selection of gold, silver, precious stones and some near-real high end watches. Some of the stores are specific as well. In other words you can go to a shop where all they sell is gold items, or all they sell is pearls.

Directions: This area of the souqs is not hard to find, its the parking that is hard to find. The area is between the Grand Hamdan and Jabr Ibn Mohammed St. Park where you can.

Theme: Jewelry

Any: Retro Souqs

One of the things you always hear about when you think of the Middle East are the souqs or bazaars. Qatar has a great merchant history and a still thriving merchant culture but has turned more towards western influenced commodities that come with higher standards of living and commerce. What the city planners of Doha have done is take their older souq area and transform it into its previous form. The area behind the al-Koot Fort has been under construction for a better part of a year now and the front facade of all the buildings takes you back to the bustling market life of turn of the century Qatar. These are mainly shops behind glass windows and doors. There are very few bazaar areas that are in caravan or "tent" style as you may think.

What to buy: The shops range from textiles to hand made garments by local tailors who definitely know their trade. You can also find exotic spices, and bins of dried fruits, nuts, and coffee or tea. There are also some great shops where you can see men weaving traditional baskets, selling antique housewares or toys.

What to pay: The souqs will allow you to haggle a little bit but be prepared to be given a marked price-especially if you are non-Arab. But there is always some fun in finding a deal!

Directions: Between al-Asmakh St. and Grand Hamdan St.

Theme: Other

City Center Mall: Rugs, local handicrafts, MAC, Tommy Hilfiger?

There have been few occasions where I have ever spent so much time in a mall. This trip to Qatar was different. City Center Mall has many shops to choose from and many that will be recognizable to you from any country you may be travelling from. I was more interested in local handicrafts and had a difficult time navigating the souks. If you are looking for these types of items try the Afghani Bazaar or the two rug stores near it. If you need a pick me up after your shopping, you can choose something from the many Starbucks dotted throughout the mall.

What to buy: You can buy many items from brass coffee pots, antique Arabian daggers, Palestinian pottery, and inlay wood work boxes and incense burners. You can also find some berber jewlery as well as more modern styles. The Iranian rugs at Bradaran and the Antique City behind it offer a wide array of styles to choose from from all different time periods and prices.

What to pay: Rugs can be expensive especially for pure silk, but the other items are reasonably priced and can very depending upon age and type of item.

Directions: City Center Mall

Theme: Other