By Isabel Ovalle
When you visit Doha for the first time, stopping by Souq Waqif is an absolute must. Located in a special spot which was once a trading area for the Bedouin, it’s just off Grand Hamad Street. For non-Arabic speakers, it might come as big news that its name means ‘standing market’.
It was built using materials available at the time, mainly stone, mud, wood, and plaster. These materials give the Souq a special appearance, thanks to the traditional Qatari architectural techniques. The labyrinth-like streets can easily make your head spin if you don’t know your way. A few recommendations might come in handy.
10am Breakfast
If your start your tour early, be sure to stop by one of the recently inaugurated Boutique Hotels for breakfast. At Al Najada Boutique Hotel, The Couryard features an informal hip and funky café serving a relaxed breakfast. Al Mirqab, Al Jasra, Al Bidda, and Arumalia complete the network of boutique hotels.
11am A few strokes of art
Not many steps away from the hotel, the next practical stop is the Art Center, which serves as the Academy of Fine Arts to teach painting, sculpture, ceramics, calligraphy, design and Islamic ornamentation. There is also space for children, where they can draw and develop their talents.
12pm Date aperitif
Across the street from the gallery, visitors will find the date shops, which offer mouth-watering combinations of dates and nuts, among other goodies.
1pm Lunch
Down the street, Al Mirqab Boutique Hotel is an excellent option to have a bite to eat and rest. These are the best and only months the weather allows dining outside. Light meals are available inside or outside at this eatery, mixing Arabic and Western ingredients.
Undoing the way back through Al Souq Street, you will merge into the heart of the Souq which has 1,055 shops and five hotels. By taking the street parallel to the women’s mosque, the visitor will run into the henna and street food stands. Local ladies gather in this plaza and sell typical cuisine cooked in situ.
In this area are the Fabric Souq and gold shops where visitors can exercise their bargaining skills. To come out smelling like a princess or prince, a stop at the perfume alley is mandatory. Turning a few corners and walking towards the sea, the visitor will walk into the bird market. This section is not for everyone, given that the strong smell of the birds, especially in the summer, can make you a bit dizzy.
Opposite the bird market, advancing in the direction of the Museum of Islamic Art is the spice area which your sense of smell will locate with no trouble. Fresh spices at best prices are distributed in several shops, with an eye drawing rainbow of colours. Frequent customers at these stands enjoy browsing and being educated by vendors about products new to their palate.
Exiting the maze of shops, from the spice quarter, the visitor will land in Al Ahmed Street, an area that is especially busy when the sun goes down. Sitting in one of its numerous cafes to drink tea and smoke shisha, gives the sightseer a chance to merge into Doha’s authentic ambience and observe the wide mixture of cultures that passes by.
Another curious spot just off this street is Bismillah Hotel, which was built in the 1960s and is today one of the oldest in the city. Situated in a small building at the corner of the street, it’s a low-budget accommodation with only six rooms.
The final stop to have a tea or an early dinner is Tajine, a popular Moroccan restaurant with a terrace and restored architecture.
