After arriving in Qatar from Kigali early in the morning, I spent my first evening exploring Souq Waqif Doha, one of the city’s most vibrant cultural and shopping hubs. Even though I was tired, I couldn’t resist heading out in the evening to explore Souq Waqif, one of the most popular cultural and shopping spots in Qatar.
And yes, before stepping out, I made sure to apply my sunscreen (the weather in Doha was no joke, even after 4 pm!). Don’t forget your neck, chest and other exposed parts of the body when applying sunscreen, by the way.
I paired my outfit with earrings I picked up from my visit to the Nyamirambo Women’s Center back in Kigali.
*If you prefer watching instead of reading, check out my vlog from Souq Waqif Doha below!
Getting to Souq Waqif Doha By Metro
From my hotel (Centro Capital Doha By Rotana), the Metro was only a short 5–7 minute walk. I bought a day pass for 6 QAR (valid until midnight or 1am, depending on the day), which allows unlimited rides across the city. The metro was clean, modern, and super easy to navigate. Signs were written in English and Arabic, so if you’re a first-time visitor, you’ll have no trouble finding your way around.
I noticed the metro wasn’t crowded; I saw mostly migrant workers and just a handful of passengers. It seems most people in Doha rely on personal cars.
After just two stops, I arrived right at Souq Waqif. The escalator leads you directly into the souq, which was perfect because I didn’t have to stress about directions.
First Impressions of Souq Waqif Doha
I got there around 5pm, and the souq wasn’t too busy yet. Some shops were still opening, while tourists were slowly trickling in. It was the perfect time to wander around, take photos, and really soak in the atmosphere before the evening rush.
There were lots of restaurants and cafes, everything from local street food to fancier dining options. I held off on eating right away because I wanted to explore first, while there was still natural light so that I could take nice photos and videos for my YouTube.
One thing I had on my Qatar list was custom perfumes, and Souq Waqif is the best place for that. I found a small shop and got a 50ml fragrance inspired by Amouage for 55 QAR. I should’ve bought more because by the time I returned to Nigeria, I regretted not stocking up!
What I Ate at Souq Waqif Doha
When I was finally ready for food, I chose a simple, local-looking restaurant instead of something fancy. I wanted that authentic experience. The menu had lots of traditional dishes like:
- Mathrobah – chicken curry with rice
- Majboos – similar to chicken biryani
- Makroona – Arabic pasta with chicken
- Nakhi – chickpeas
- And lots of desserts like Balaleet, Sago, Bajala
I ordered Mathroobah and paired it with a fresh juice (mango and strawberry mix). Honestly, the rice wasn’t my favourite (it tasted like plain rice cooked in curry water), but the juice? A solid 10/10.
Souvenirs and Shopping At Souq Waqif Doha
Of course, I had to get fridge magnets (what’s travel without them?). The souvenir shops were filled with magnets, keychains, and decorative items that reminded me of my visit to the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. After much debate, I finally picked one magnet and kept browsing through the colorful stalls.
I also couldn’t resist buying roasted corn for 15 QAR. Corn is my weakness, and even though it tasted more like sweet corn (similar to the ones I had in Taksim, Istanbul), it was still worth it.
Exploring More of the Souq Waqif Doha
As I kept walking, I stumbled upon areas with family activities and even camel rides for children. Later, I went looking for the famous falcon shows, but I only found falcon shops and even a falcon hospital – a massive one at that! I was amazed to see an entire hospital dedicated to just falcons.
Unfortunately, I learned from a passerby that the falcon shows in Qatar usually run from September to November, so I missed out this time. Still, wandering around in the evening, watching the souq come alive with lights and people, was an experience in itself.
Wrapping Up The Day
By the time I decided to head back, the souq was buzzing with energy. On my way to the metro, I noticed there weren’t many shops inside the station (unlike metros in other big cities). I also picked up some small essentials, like nail clippers designed with falcons for 4 QAR from a local store near my hotel.
I ended my evening back at the hotel, carefully storing my newly made perfume in the fridge (as instructed by the seller).
That’s how my first evening in Doha went – from Kigali to Qatar in the morning, and straight into the heart of Souq Waqif by evening.
If you would rather explore Souq Waqif guided, you can find affordable tours of Doha here.
*See Souq Waqif Doha in action on my channel below!