Souvenir Shops in Qatar: Your Guide to Unique Gifts to Take Home

Good memories are gifts that will forever be folded in our minds. A lot of these memories can take place in foreign places while traveling for a vacation or for other reasons. Therefore, it doesn’t matter how small or big, every traveler needs a little something to take home with them after their vacation to remind them of the good memories or to help them share their experience with their loved ones,

In a country like Qatar, souvenirs could be found anywhere, but the best souvenirs to buy are the ones that represent the culture and traditions, which only can be found in particular souvenir shops in Qatar. Those Qatari souvenir shops collect different kinds of traditional gifts such as coffee, dates, clothing, jewelry, paintings, Qatari flags, and many more to guarantee that the traveler has plenty of souvenirs to choose from. In this article, we will present some of the best Souvenir Shops in Qatar, as well as a list of items that can be purchased as Souvenirs in Qatar.

5 Souvenirs that are Worth Buying in Souvenir Shops in Qatar!

Finding a unique gift in Qatar may seem tricky at first but it is easier than you think. At first, you may need to decide what category of souvenir you are looking for, A lot of the souvenirs you can buy in Qatar are genuine Arabian products. Below is a list of the top souvenirs you can purchase in souvenir shops and stores in Qatar.

 

• Perfumes and Colognes in Qatar’s Souvenir Shops

The Arabian perfume industry is very old and dates back to the 17th century. You can find a wide array of fragrances in Qatar with different shapes and scents in different souvenir shops. If you are looking for something a bit more cultural, then you can get Arabian Oud or Arabian incense. Oud is a special type of wood that has a very unique and distinct smell. It is used in fragrance and incense products in Qatar. To know more about Arabic perfumes in Qatar read our article on Best Arabic Perfumes In Qatar, UAE & Saudi.

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• Handicrafts in Qatar’s Souvenir Shops

One of the most popular souvenirs you can purchase in Qatar souvenir stores is the traditional handmade carpets that come in various shapes and colors. Handmade carpets and rugs are very reasonably priced, and together with a gift box, they make a very beautiful and thoughtful gift. You can also opt for decorative items like Swarovski crystal jewelry, crystal figurines, glassware, woolen items, silverware, pottery, and tablecloths in Qatar’s traditional stores. Qatar is also known for its handcrafted sandalwood that can be put in a gift set containing sandalwood incense, oil, and a bar of sandalwood soap. If you want to go for a more modern take on souvenirs from Qatar, there are also options like mugs and t-shirts. Additionally, you can also get traditionally handmade Qatari clothing like the Abaya or the Ghabra, which will give you the feeling of being a true Qatari person. All these items are available in Souq Wakif and Souq Al Deira which we will present further in this article.

• Food, Snacks and Coffee in Qatar’s Souvenir Shops

As Qatar is an Arabic country, it is known for its Arabic sweets that are made in most souvenir shops such as Baklava, which is a very popular Arabic sweet made with filo dough, almonds, and syrup. You can also get Halawa, a sweet made with nuts and sweetened with Arabic syrup. You can get any of these items in gift boxes and gift bags in souvenir shops.  In addition, available items include sweets like Qatayef syrup and candy, sweets made using dates, bananas, coconut, nuts, dried dates, figs, and raisins. For even far more traditional food, a box of dates would be delicious with the famous Qatari dates syrup and date molasses.

Another popular Qatari food item is the Barq Al Sharki, which is a type of carbonated drink that you can find in different shops in Qatar. If you want to go for snacks, there are plenty to choose from such as the popular Arabian Biscuits, Arabian Cookies, Arabian Saliva, Arabian Pretzels, Arabian Peanuts, and Arabian Nuts. You can get them in gift boxes and gift bags in different shapes. A great souvenir that can be a good gift for someone who likes coffee is Arabian coffee beans that can be put in bags or tins.

 

• Arabian Jewelry, Accessories and Books in Qatar’s Souvenir Shops

Many Qatari huge markets have Qatari stores, in which you can purchase authentic Arabian jewelry. You can get a variety of earrings, necklaces, and rings at reasonable prices and in different colors and designs. You can also get some traditional Arabic accessories like shawls and scarves that has Arabic character. On the other hand, if you are a bookworm, you can also get a few books written in Arabic. There are many beautiful and interesting books written in Arabic that you can take back home that are spread in different souvenir shops in Qatar.

 

• Culture-Related Gifts in Qatar’s Souvenir Shops

If you are looking for something related to the culture of Qatar, there are many options available. Some of the popular ones include the Coffee table book on Qatar, a Qatari flag, a framed map of Qatar, a Qatari wall hanging, or a Qatari coin set. You can also get a traditional Qatari robe or a scarf. To go for a more modern take on Qatari culture-related items, you can get a Qatari pillow. You can also get a framed Arabic calligraphy or painting as a Souvenir from Qatar. If you like photography, you can also get a framed picture of Doha or a picture of the iconic landmarks of Qatar like the Museum of Islamic Art or the Pearl Tower. A more interesting gift would also be a framed picture of the footprint of the tallest building in Qatar or a beautiful artwork made out of silk and cloth in Qatar with your name written in Arabic calligraphy.

 

• Qatari Traditional Clothing in Qatar’s Souvenir Shops

If you are looking for something different, you can go for a traditional Qatari dress or a costume.  These dresses and costumes are very traditional and unique souvenirs that have a very unique fashionable look. You can also get a handcrafted bag, or a belt made using the same fabric as the dress. Some people like the idea of the Qatari traditional dress, therefore, they get a painting of a woman wearing a traditional Qatari dress or of a Qatari flag painted on a traditional Qatari dress.

 

Top 4 Traditional Souvenir Shops in Qatar to Buy from

Once you have decided on the category, you can easily find them in 4 of the best places we collected for you here below:

• Souvenir Shops in Souq Wakif

Souq Waqif is a traditional market that has been established for over 100 years and is located near Meshirab Valley in Doha. The market is a very well-known place for local residents and tourists in Doha and is one of Qatar’s most popular and visited tourist venues. The market boasts many narrow alleyways that inspire a sense of ancient history romances. Waqif Market has many souvenirs and traditional shops that have clothing, spices, and handicrafts as well as dozens of restaurants offering traditional and international meals. It also has many stores that sell the most delicious Arabic sweets that are done by the finest hands and with the finest material. One of the best traditional sweets such as Baklava is famous in this Qatari Market.

 

• Souvenir Shops in Souq Al Haraj

If you are looking for something specific like a special type of handicraft or a Souvenir from Qatar, then you can browse through the Souq Al Haraj which is a Souq specifically designed for tourists. Souq Al Haraj is a Souq where you can find almost anything you want as a souvenir. It is one of the oldest Qatari shops in Qatar. It is known for its low prices and good products. It also has many second-hand stores.

 

• Souvenir Shops in Souq Al Deira

This Qatari market is located next to Souq Waqif. Al Deira Market Qatar is a world-renowned market located in the heart of Doha. It also, as Souq Wakif, has many Souvenir stores. It is even considered one of Qatar’s most popular markets and places to buy souvenirs. The market is known for its wide range of products including clothing, electronics, and food. It is also a great place to find authentic Arabic products and has a number of restaurants and cafes that you can rest in after your shopping in its huge souvenir shops.

• Souvenir Shops in Souq Al Warakeh

The market contains a range of the best souvenirs and heritage gifts. It is the ideal place to shop at prices that suit everyone. It is a sanctuary for many Arab and foreign people. Many embrace beautiful heritage goods. The old Al Wakra market contains many shops, cafes, restaurants, and shops specializing in selling men’s and women’s clothing and supplies as well as shops specializing in selling oud and incense, and other food goods that are very people in Qatar and are considered as the best souvenirs in Qatari shops.

In Conclusion

There is nothing better than taking home a few memories from your vacation. Souvenirs help you relive those beautiful moments even when you are miles away from them. If you are planning a vacation in Qatar, you should keep this article handy to find the abovementioned souvenir shops. It will help you pick the best souvenirs to bring back home from your trip to Qatar. From authentic Arabian products to unique pieces, Qatar has it all. So, why not pick a few items from this list and take home a little bit of Qatar?