Doha Skyline
That view from the Corniche overlooking West Bay is really beautiful. I’ve been a Qatar resident for some time now and I can say that I never get bored of it. Every time I am taking a walk on the Corniche or driving past it, especially in the evenings, I get a good feeling. And thanks to Doha Metro the Corniche is even more accessible for everyone. Just connect to Red Line and get off at Souq Waqif or Corniche Metro Station and you have easy access. But was it always like this?
A Different City
In the past decade or so, Doha has been on an upward trend of development. A few years pre-Asian Games, the West Bay area never even existed. That area is actually called “Dafna” in Arabic, which means “man-made land”. When people wanted to go to a mall, City Center was not there yet – The Center (in Musheireb) was THE place to go to and get as close as possible to a shopping mall experience.
Going to the souq was (and still is for some) the actual practice. You’d go to get a thobe tailored, an Abaya or suit or dress made. Those big brands you see on the signboards of the many malls now around Doha were miles and miles away. Instead, you would go to a small shop in Souq Waqif and ask for a specific person and you tell him My aunt “Latifa” sent me to make the same dress you did for her daughter! There is a certain allure to that experience which is quite unique and authentic.
In 2020 and despite the Covid-19 situation, souqs are accessible and you can get to the ones in town via Doha Metro, Whether to Souq Waqif, Souq Al Asiri, Souq Haraj or Souq Al Sadd and many more… All stations are in very close proximity and no more than 2 mins walk.
Get Things Done
Today I went to Al Sadd one to get my glasses fixed. I stopped at Al Sadd Metro Station and walked to the shop that I am used to going to. What’s special about Al Sadd is that you can find really everything you need. Clothing, tailors, eye-wear, barbershops, ladies’ beauty shops, restaurants of different cuisines, electronics, mobile and accessories (and many of them repair them too), car accessories, currency exchange, house-hold items, and many more.
Thrifty shopping experiences
There is a different type of exposure you get in the Souq. You notice some stuff that you might not notice while walking in a shopping mall. I guess in a mall you would be almost on a mission, while in the Souq it’s more of an exploration.
Needless to say, in the Souq the prices are relatively lower than malls, and here I am comparing apple to apple. Take my glasses, for instance, the frame and the glasses are significantly cheaper! That’s for the same brand and the same quality and glass finish.
Souq Waqif station isn’t the only Doha Metro Station that gives you access to this Doha must-visit. Once I’d finished my shopping in the souq, I grabbed a cup of Karak, and continued walking to Joan Metro Station to head back home.
