Shopping in Doha is akin to shopping on steroids. Everything is bigger-better-faster and more convenient in the many malls of Qatar’s capital.

In fact, shopping here is pretty much a visual smorgasbord of the sumptuous first-world life on offer in Doha.

Every nation (there are residents from least 115 different countries living here), every brand (from funky fashion to fast-food chains), and every lifestyle is mirrored in the mighty and magnificent mix of shopping sanctuaries here.

Shopping is a leading attraction for Doha. It has to be because, come Summer, there are few such places to escape the heat.   

Indoor pleasure places

By default, shopping malls become your new indoor neighbourhood escape spaces. (Well, that’s been my short-lived experience). And, hence, shopping malls in Doha are so much more than a Checkers-net-om-die-hoek.

Yes, there are some practical grocery shopping centres, but many are jaw-dropping in their size, diversity and opulence.

Again, I stand in awe of what has been created in Qatar in a very short time.

So, whether you are window shopping virtually or are physically preparing to join the masses for the 2022 FIFA World Cup from mid-November, here’s a glimpse of what you can expect …  

An opulent experience

As a South African, and dare I say, Brit or even European, the shopping malls of the Middle East, including Qatar, are far removed from those experienced back home.

In this modern country of plenty, malls are generally spotlessly clean, sparkling edifices. They are destinations.

Marble is often the building material of choice, and it is genuine gems, as opposed to touristy trinkets, that line the mall’s wide-open walkways. It’s a safe country!

Ceilings are high, corridors are wide and shop windows are a visual masterclass in curated fashion and other displays.

The shoppers are of every hue, age and culture.

I am happy to simply feast my eyes on it all.

This is probably just as well, given the cost of goodies. (Fortunately, there are regular sales. See below).

Bottom line: Because of its wealth from gas and oil, Qatar is an expensive country.

Themed scene

I often think that each of these malls has tried to out-theme, out-build, out-design and simply out-do the other. 

No two malls are alike. While their official names might escape you, there’s something about each that you are likely to remember because of their “USP” or “unique selling point”.

Villaggio, for example, is an Italian-themed mall with the opportunity to sail in a gondola. For me, this is the mall with the canal – the “little Venice”.

Another, we refer to as “the palace”.

Its actual name is Place Vendome. But built in grand traditional French style, four-storeys tall and boasting 600 shops, it’s easy to see why it’s colloquially called “the palace”.

The accompanying photographs should do their own talking.

These centres – Mall of Qatar, Place Vendome, Villaggio, Galeries Lafayette, Gatemall, City Centre, and others, not included here – also come with their own smells and bells. In other words, they’re fragranced, since

There are also traditional markets, with Souq Waqif the favourite.  

Shopping convenience

And all do their darndest to make shopping convenient. In many instances, you don’t even have to step inside a mall, but can have your goodies delivered directly to you. The take-away culture is commonplace here.

You can arrive at certain high-end malls and a valet service will whisk your Bentley or BMW away, while you meander directly into the shopping precinct or mall.

Many of the malls are serviced directly by the Metro, the city’s super-efficient light rail underground network.  

Within most of the high-end malls there is a free golf-cart service to whisk you and your shopping from shop to shop.

And, in addition, there is an army of employees who clean, pack, carry and go out of their way to ensure shopping happiness. Indeed, in many of the individual shops, there are more staff than customers.

This appeals to me.

No bustling or hustling to reach said shopping trolley, clothing rack or grocery shelf. Earlier is better. The Thursday evening, Fridays and Saturdays of the Middle Eastern weekend are also to be avoided for an uncluttered convenient shopping experience.

Something for everyone

As shared, in this apparent bigger-better-faster competition among malls, there is something for everyone when it comes to shopping, eating and entertainment.

The Safari Shopping complex, for example, is most popular among the Indian population living in Qatar. (About 1 million of the 2.8 million people living in Qatar are Indian.) The Safari Mall is also the longest mall in Qatar – over 232 258 square metres. That’s a lot of shopping space!  

Ever-cool entertainment

These malls are as much about entertainment, as they are about shopping (and, of course, for many shopping is entertainment!)

You will find ice rinks, cinemas (including IMAX), children’s play zones, theme parks, massive eating precincts, art exhibitions, performances, concerts and the ever-essential air con.

While in South Africa and elsewhere, entertainment opportunities can be outdoors, it is simply not possible in the Middle East. And so into the malls (and museums) we go!      

Shopping hours

Shopping hours vary from mall to mall and season to season. The holy periods of Ramadan also impact on shopping hours.

But generally, shopping happens later in the day and goes on into the night because of the rhythm of life in the Middle East.

Sale time  

Thankfully, there are regular shopping sales in Doha. I have not yet established when they happen, like the routine annual Woolies sales in South Africa, but I do know there is almost always a sale somewhere within a mall.

Again, thankfully the discounts are substantive – up to 75 percent! So there are bargains to be had if you happen to be in the right mall at the right time.

But sales aside … looking is for free.

Do yourself a favour and be sure to visit a mall or three.

And see if you are able to keep your jaw-dropping mouth closed …