Souq Waqif is truly a hub of Qatari culture! From traditional architecture, falcons, and camels to magnificent mosques, local handicrafts, and incredible restaurants, it has it all. You don't need to leave the city or run around to a bunch of different places to see and experience everything traditional Qatar has to offer. If your time in Qatar is short, we highly recommend taking a stroll through Souq Waqif. It's the perfect place to quickly and fully immerse yourself in the local vibe!

Photo from the internet

What's even better is that Souq Waqif is only a 15-minute drive from Hamad International Airport in Doha. Several must-visit attractions are within walking distance, including the famous landmark, the Museum of Islamic Art. Along your walk, you can enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery of the Corniche—and if you're up for it, you can even charter a traditional boat for a cruise for around QAR 100! Next, head over to snap some photos at the iconic Pearl Monument. It's incredibly easy to check off multiple top sights in one go, making it the perfect itinerary for a day trip in Doha. If you're traveling to Doha or just on a layover, don't miss this post! We're sharing our ultimate guide to Souq Waqif and its amazing surrounding attractions!

Doha Travel Info

★ [SIM Card] Middle East eSIM

★ [Tickets] Museum of Islamic Art | National Museum of Qatar

★ [Tours] Inland Sea Day Trip | Doha City Tour | Desert Safari

★ [Accommodation] Ultimate Guide to Doha Hotels by Area

Table of Contents

★ Must-Do, See & Eat at Souq Waqif

★ One-Day Walking Tour Around Souq Waqif

Must-Do, See & Eat at Souq Waqif

1. The Exotic Atmosphere of Souq Waqif

The original architecture of Souq Waqif dates back to at least the 20th century. While it was renovated in 2006, the design remains authentically traditional Qatari. Just immersing ourselves in the ancient architectural vibe of Souq Waqif, wandering through the winding alleys and under the shaded arcades, made the trip entirely worth it!

Photo from the internet

2. Falcon Souq

Located near Souq Waqif, the Falcon Souq is a truly fascinating place. There are over a dozen shops dedicated solely to selling falcons and related accessories, such as leather hoods, gloves, and belts.

The price of a falcon basically depends on its skills, and we heard they can range anywhere from $600 to a staggering $100,000 USD!

Not only do you get to see the actual falcons—which are an incredibly important part of Qatari culture—but there's even a specialized Falcon Hospital right inside the market!

Additionally, the architectural style of the Falcon Souq is a bit different from the rest of Souq Waqif. It features a stunning row of high, sweeping Arabic-style arches that are absolutely worth seeing!

3. Camel Pen

As the essential ancient mode of transport in the desert, camels are an inseparable part of Qatari culture. Just a few minutes' walk from the Falcon Souq is a Camel Pen. It's probably the most densely packed group of camels Cherry and I have ever seen in our lives! If you get the chance to visit Doha, don't miss this rare opportunity to see so many camels right in the heart of the city!

Because the Camel Pen is located right next to the Corniche, the backdrop for the camels is the stunning, high-rise skyline of Doha. It's a striking contrast that leaves a lasting impression!

4. Souq Waqif Mosque

Photo from the internet

Souq Waqif is home to beautiful mosques featuring traditional Arabian architecture. There are two main mosques in the market—one in the east (Souq Waqif Mosque East) and one in the west (Souq Waqif Mosque West). They are among the oldest mosques in Doha! Unlike the extravagant Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, these have a much more traditional, simple, and classic charm. When you visit Souq Waqif, definitely take a moment to admire them!

📌 Read More: Abu Dhabi Must-Visit Attractions ☆ Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque + Emirates Palace + Etihad Towers

5. Qatar Islamic Cultural Center (Fanar)

This building with its spiraling minaret is the Qatar Islamic Cultural Center, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it the most iconic building in the Souq Waqif area. No matter where you are in the market, it's very easy to spot this eye-catching spiral tower.

When illuminated at night, it’s absolutely mesmerizing—it has its own unique beauty both day and night! Aside from the stunning architecture, the Islamic Cultural Center is a fantastic place for non-Muslims to learn about the Islamic faith and culture.

6. Shopping for Souvenirs

Souq Waqif is a fantastic spot to pick up souvenirs. From traditional Arabian clothing and exotic spices to perfumes, local handicrafts, and trinkets, they have everything you could possibly want! If you need to do some souvenir shopping, the market has a wonderful variety to choose from. Just keep in mind that most transactions here are in cash. If you need to exchange money, there are money exchange spots available right inside the souq!

7. The Thumb

This giant golden thumb statue (The Thumb) is right in the center of Souq Waqif. Against the backdrop of earth-toned traditional buildings, it stands out in a spectacular way! Created by the acclaimed French artist César Baldaccini, the sculpture commemorates a major sporting achievement by Qatar in February 2019. This golden thumb has since become one of Qatar's most important pieces of street art! At least when we walked by, tourists were practically lining up to snap a picture with it!

8. Enjoying Exotic Food

The old market of Souq Waqif is packed with restaurants, making it dazzlingly hard to choose! We eventually asked our hotel staff, and they enthusiastically recommended "Damasca One Restaurant" (the building on the left in the photo below).

This is a restaurant serving traditional Syrian cuisine. It’s located close to the Golden Thumb, so the location is excellent.

Photo from Trip Advisor

The grilled dish taking center stage in the photo above seemed to be incredibly popular; we saw so many people ordering it! We really wanted to try it too, but since we had just eaten barbecue the day before, we decided to go for a lamb dish instead—one that would have been quite expensive back in Canada!

We honestly just ordered randomly, but everything turned out to be quite delicious! However, Cherry's absolute favorite thing was the drinks! As soon as we sat down, we noticed almost every table had a light green beverage. We asked the waiter and found out it was "Lemonade with Mint." Maybe it was because the weather was so hot, but it tasted incredible! Sweet and sour with a refreshing hint of mint, it wasn't overly sweet at all. It was the perfect thirst-quencher, and we highly recommend it! Cherry drank two huge glasses all by herself, and if she hadn't been worried about urgently needing a restroom later, she probably could have downed three! Because of our tight schedule, this was the only restaurant we tried in Souq Waqif, but we definitely think it's worth checking out!

One-Day Walking Tour Around Souq Waqif

The Museum of Islamic Art in Doha is only a 15-minute walk from Souq Waqif. Along the way, you can admire the coastal scenery of the Corniche, take a ride on a traditional wooden boat, and snap photos with the Pearl Monument! You can easily combine all of this with Souq Waqif into one seamless itinerary, easily unlocking several of Doha's must-see attractions in a single trip! If you still have time, another highly recommended spot in Doha—the National Museum of Qatar—is just a 5-minute drive from the Museum of Islamic Art.

📌 Read More: The Most Beautiful Desert Rose | National Museum of Qatar

Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) & MIA Park

★ Location: Map Link

★ Opening Hours: Sat-Thu 9am-7pm | Fri 1:30pm-7pm

★ Tickets: Official Website | Klook

Photo from the internet

As one of Doha's most famous attractions, the Museum of Islamic Art isn't just about its impressive exhibits. The stunning Islamic-style architecture of the building itself and the surrounding landscapes are absolutely worth seeing.

This includes the spectacular view of Doha's West Bay skyscrapers directly from the museum! If you have some free time, taking a stroll through the surrounding MIA Park is also highly recommended.

Visiting at night is a whole different experience. The illuminated museum reflecting on the water, dotted with traditional wooden boats, creates an incredibly breathtaking scene!

Corniche

Photo from the internet

Walking along the Corniche towards Souq Waqif, you get to take in the sight of the Museum of Islamic Art sitting gracefully on its man-made peninsula, boats bobbing on the water, and the stunning Doha skyline.

If you want a closer look at Doha's high-rises, you can charter an entire traditional boat for about 30 minutes for around QAR 100. We were 2 adults and 1 child, and we paid a total of QAR 80 for a 30-minute private boat ride (as of Sept 2022).

Heading out on the water at night gives you a spectacular view of the glowing skyscrapers!

The Pearl Monument

Before oil was discovered in Qatar in 1939, pearl diving was a crucial source of national income. Although it was later replaced by the oil industry, pearls remain a proud part of Qatar's historical identity. Not only is the luxurious artificial island named "The Pearl," but there is also a Pearl Monument located just outside Dhow Harbor on the Corniche. This monument features a giant open oyster shell with a massive pearl inside. It's illuminated at night, making it a great, quick photo stop whether you visit during the day or at night!

Those are our top recommended spots after personally exploring Doha's Souq Waqif! A quick tip: if you're visiting Doha during the hotter months, we strongly suggest scheduling outdoor activities for the early morning or evening. Save indoor, air-conditioned spots like the museums for the scorching midday and afternoon hours. We hope this helps you plan the perfect itinerary!

Doha Travel Info

★ [SIM Card] Middle East eSIM

★ [Tickets] Museum of Islamic Art | National Museum of Qatar

★ [Tours] Inland Sea Day Trip | Doha City Tour | Desert Safari

★ [Accommodation] Ultimate Guide to Doha Hotels by Area

For more recommended attractions in Doha, check out 👉🏻 Top 7 Must-Visit Attractions in Doha

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