Shopping is a popular pastime in Doha, where a swanky mall or high-end designer store is always close at hand.
But if you're after something with a more authentic feel, as well as a great night out, Souq Waqif is the place to be.
This labyrinth bazaar, whose name translates to "standing market," is the Qatari capital's oldest souq and a major tourist destination on its own.
Its covered passageways are stuffed with dozens of tiny stores showcasing their wares piled high along the market's mud-coated stone walls.
If you stroll around its narrow lanes when you travel here, you'll find everything from garments to spices, perfumes to diamonds, scented oils to falcons -- and much more.
Not just a thriving marketplace, Souq Waqif is also home to a wide range of traditional-style restaurants and casual cafés which offer a diverse variety of local and regional flavors.
There are also shisha lounges and charming antique stores, as well as art galleries and luxurious boutique hotels.
A melting pot for locals and foreigners, this is the place to browse and explore, barter and shop, relax and mingle.
The trick is to sample it all, according to Amal Al Shammari, chief executive of Embrace Doha, a local platform organizing cultural sessions and events to introduce Qatari culture to expatriates and visitors.
"From the buildings, through the smells of the food and spices, to the beautifully intricate handicrafts, the souq offers an interaction with the Qatari culture," he says.
"It is today one of the most culturally rich places in Doha and a standing piece of Qatar's history."
Sitting in the heart of Doha just off its waterfront, the souq's site dates 100 years back to a time when Bedouin and local traders would gather here to buy and sell livestock, spices, wool, pearls and other staple goods.
But as shopping centers began mushrooming across Doha over the decades, the souq gradually fell into disrepair.
After a major fire destroyed much of it in 2003, the market was given a facelift with the aim of preserving its cultural and architectural heritage.
Out went the modern buildings and in came the whitewashed structures.
Cobbled alleys, old lanterns, big wooden doors and ceilings made of bamboo were also added, all lending to the site an aging look -- and a pleasant change of pace from the lofty skyscrapers and modern construction dominating Doha's cityscape.
Here's our pick of 10 of the best things to see and do at Souq Waqif:
Shop for your wardrobe and home
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Whether it's traditional scarves, embroidered cloaks and tailor-made robes that you're after, or pots, pans and other kitchen hardware, Souq Waqif has you covered.
There's an abundant display of goods on offer, including some you probably didn't know that existed.
As you wander around the souq's many winding alleys, it's inevitable that you'll get lost -- but don't be discouraged, a gem might be waiting for you just around the corner.
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Tag: Qatar , Souq Waqif , Shopping , Doha