Shopping in Qatar
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Gold Souq
This pageant of glorious design and spectacular craftsmanship is fun to see even without the intention to buy. The souq comes alive later in the evening, especially before a holiday, when men traditionally express the value of their relationships through buying 22kt gold bangles, or a 'set' comprised of earrings, necklace and bracelet for the women in their family.
Qatari bridal jewellery can cost thousands, but sometimes pieces can be traded back after the wedding for something more readily usable, or even just for cash.
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City Center-Doha
The largest of the Middle East's shopping palaces, City Center-Doha is a veritable pantheon of the shopping world. The food halls in this shopping complex include all the usual Westerin fast-food outlets in opulent surroundings. Also the best cinemas are located in City Center-Doha. They show the latest Hollywood blockbusters and the occasional film from Iran or Europe.
With its 350 shops, from Debenhams to the Family Development Centre (top floor, selling local crafts); tented architecture, marble flooring and glass-fronted lifts; its ice-skating rink, bowling alleys and climbing walls; its congregations of juice-sipping Qataris and huddles of homesick expatriates; and…
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Animal & Bird Market
Located behind the colourful Wholesale Market (selling wholesale fruit, vegetables, meat and fish), this market may be of interest to anyone who hasn't seen pink, yellow and lime green chicks before. Why the birds are dyed is a mystery of the region. Fortunately, they leave the spotted guinea fowl, ring-necked parakeets, African greys and cut-throat zebra finches untinged - possibly because the plumage of the rows and rows of domestic birds is outrageous enough already.
The day before an eid (Islamic feast), the market is heaving with goat-buyers, camel-traders and sheep-shoppers, all looking for a suitable eid supper, but the animals are well shaded and watered, and…
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Falcon Souq
This souq has recently dwindled to a single shop in a corner of the larger Thursday/Friday Market, just off the Salwa Rd roundabout at the junction of Wholesale Market St. It is, nonetheless, worth a visit just to see the kind of paraphernalia involved in falconry. Equipment, such as burkha (hoods) and hubara (feathers), is on sale. And during falcon season (October to March), you might also see a dozen or more peregrines and other assorted falcons.
A truculent falcon costs about around DIN2000, but a well-mannered bird can be many times that figure and usually changes hands privately. The shop owner is quite happy to show off the birds to anyone who shows some interest.
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Omani Market
This small market, near the Thursday/Friday Market, offers a curious mishmash of items, such as Saudi dates and hand-woven baskets, Omani dried fish, tobacco and lemons, Iranian honey and pots, camel sticks and incense, and fronds of pollen-baring date flowers (to fertilise the female date palms). Buying anything here renders the satisfaction of taking part in a trade that has existed between Oman and the Gulf for centuries.
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B
Second-hand Market
If you're looking for something quirky, the best place to visit is this market in Doha's Najma area. It's a great place to find that teapot from the British administration, minus the spout no doubt, or the date palm saw that you always wanted. The souq comes alive on Friday, when sales are conducted briskly from the back of trucks.
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Landmark Shopping Mall
The Landmark Shopping Mall is an enormous shopping centre, with a multiplex cinema, Marks & Spencer's department store and Virgin Megastore, as well as dozens of other international chain stores.
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C
Family Bookshop
A helpful store stocking a variety of books in English, including travel guides and a range of English literature. Other branches are inside the Sheraton Doha Hotel & Resort and at City Center.
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Giant Stores
There are dozens of grocery stores and supermarkets dotted around town. For a cheaper variety of edible goods, try Giant Stores in the Hyatt Plaza.
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D
Jarir Bookshop
A large selection of English-language books, including coffee table books pertaining to the region, and a limited selection of best sellers.
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Hyatt Plaza
Hyatt Plaza is yet another recent addition to the mall phenomenon.
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Carrefour
There are dozens of grocery stores and supermarkets dotted around town. Carrefour in City Center-Doha has a very good fresh fish and vegetable counter.
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