QATAR - Souq Waqif, Doha

Souq Waqif is located in the old part of Doha and is considered the Old City Centre. Souq Waqif’s translation from Arabic word is the standing market. Souq Waqif is a place where people in Doha to gather, have a good meal or just for a walk while enjoying the surroundings. This market dates back a hundred years, where people will bring their sheep, goats and wools to trade. The one you currently see is a rebuilt one, where it was redeveloped to look like a 19th century souq with mud buildings. It is now one of the main tourist destination in Doha.

The distinctive curled minaret of Fanar, Qatar Islamic Cultural Center is hard to miss while in the Souq.



Last few days I visited Souq Waqif. First stop at the Souq is Fanar, located at Souq Faleh.





Also known as Al Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zaid Al-Mahmood Islamic Cultural Center.



Welcome to Fanar.





The centre offers non-Muslims the opportunity to learn about Islam through various activities, including attending Friday prayers. It helps non-Arabs to have a better understanding of Islam and culture of Qatar. Its opening times is 8a.m. to noon or 4p.m. to 8 p.m.



This large Quran is a photo copy of the oldest Quran kept at the Topkapei Palace in Istanbul dating back 1400 years.





Too bad though, we were not allowed to go to the top of the minaret.



The minaret of Fanar, Qatar Islamic Cultural Center is actually designed as a lighthouse as a guide to sailors of Qatar to return to land safely. The building stands out against the other buildings on Grand Hamad Street, just opposite Souq Waqif.



Qasim Mosque.



Just across the road from Souq Faleh is the Gold Souk.



Visited the Gold Souk.



The Gold Souk is 2 storey complex with shops selling gold.








Arumaila Hotel.

 



Al Jasra is one of seven Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels.



The hotel has a Morrocan cuisine restaurant inside and we’re here to try it out.







Great ambience here at the Argan.



The interior of the restaurant. We had the whole restaurant to ourselves when we first arrived.





Gave some Moroccan bread to my son. The bread was really delicious.



 

Food is served.
 
 

A friendly waiter of Argan.  
 
 

My little prince who has turned one year old today! This outing was actually planned to celebrate his 1st birthday.



Elijah enjoying his birthday.



Ordered the seafood tajine and hammour couscous. But instead both the seafood and hammour fish was cooked tajine style, a Moroccan specialty. The food was really sour. I didn’t enjoy it much which is a pity.



But my beau enjoyed the traditional Moroccan soup.



Recommended by Time Out Doha.







Rest for a while at the hotel’s lobby before making a move.





The shops’s at the Souq closes during lunch time, around 12 noon till 2 pm.





Restaurants are open throughout the day.





There are plenty of restaurants in Souq Waqif serving cuisines from all over the world. Most of the restaurants here also serves Shisha. One thing to note though is, restaurants in Souq Waqif does not serve alcoholic drinks.



Sri Kebaya, a Malaysian restaurant is here at Souq Wagif as well!



But most tourist come to Souq Waqif because of the souvenirs they can buy here. From traditional garments, spices, carpet, paintings, handicrafts and even pets are sold here.






If I was not told that the souk is actually newly constructed, It really looked like a old Souk.











 

Souq Waqif Art Center.

 



A model having a photo shoot at the Art Center.




 


 

Lots of painting in the art centre. Mostly the artists paint about the local scene in Qatar including the Qatar Islamic Cultural Center .





There are also some sculptures.



Had an afternoon tea here at the Al Mourjan Restaurant.

 

Heralding itself as the best restaurant Qatar.



This multi award winning restaurant serves Lebanese food. This restaurant has won 3 international award in 2013 alone.



I want this.



I want that!



Took a sip of the lemon tea.



Yummy!





South Sea Water Pearls and Fresh Water Pearls being sold at the Souq.



Credit Cards are widely accepted at Souq Waqif. If not, you can always withdraw some cash from the ATM machine.



















The Old Pearl Diver. Before the discovery of oil, Qatar's economy was primarily focused on fishing and pearl diving.



Entering to a section of Souq Waqif where pets, mostly birds are being sold.
















 


You can basically buy anything here at the Souq.



 

The Falcon Souq is home to everything falcon, from hoods and training materials to the birds themselves. There’s an outdoor area where the birds are exercised several times a day, which is an experience in itself.

 


A bird center where falcon and accessories are on sale. 



Most falcons are hooded as they rest on their perches, as they’re highly trained and highly dangerous. These birds are beautiful but deadly. Look, don’t touch: a falcon can cost more than a high end sports car, and are more than a pet. In fact, on Qatar Airways, falcons must have a seat booked for them in business class, along with their keeper, they are so highly valued and respected!





An un-hooded falcon enjoying his meal.



All these Qatari are waiting outside the Falcon Hospital with their pet falcon.





I’m not kidding. There really is a hospital dedicated for falcons here.



More bird centers in Falcon Souq.







‘Guardians’ of Souq Waqif.



There is an information and tourism center at Souq Waqif.



A hop on hop off bus.



End the day at Souq Waqif here at Cafe Tasse.
 
 
 

This was the only cafe that I could find that sells a variety of cakes.

 

Settled for a strawberry cheese cake. Happy Birthday Elijah.
 
 

 
Took a bite at his birthday cake.

 

There were many Shisha smoker’s enjoying their smoke at the outdoor area of the restaurants in Souq Waqif.  
 
 

 

Really enjoyed myself here in Souq Waqif, Doha.

 

Time to head back.

 

Bought a bigger birthday cake.

 

Happy 1st Birthday Dear Elijah.