10 Interesting Souvenirs to Buy in Qatar

Al-Sadu is a handwoven material made from camel and goat hair and is one of the most traditional souvenirs you can buy in Qatar. The weaving technique belongs to the nomadic Bedouin tribe who have practised this type of embroidery for thousands of years to create tents, carpets, blankets and cushions.

The textiles are traditionally black, white, brown, beige and red, with distinctive geometric designs and motifs which symbolise the tribe’s rich cultural heritage and desert environment. Head to the Corniche end of Souq Waqif where you’ll find an entire shop selling different kinds of Al-Sadu textiles.

Nothing represents Arabic hospitality more than a dallah, a traditional Arabic coffee pot made from brass or silver. It’s been used for centuries to brew and serve a strong and spicy Arabic coffee made with cardamom and named qahwa during the Qatari coffee tradition when welcoming guests. The bitter coffee is drunk out of matching mini metal cups called finjaan.

More than functional, dallah are exquisitely decorated with geometric engravings and even gemstones. So, whether you’re a coffee drinker or not, the authentic coffee pot is a striking decorative ornament for your home. You can find them at the Souq Waqif, and in most hotel gift shops and souvenir stores at shopping centres such as City Center and the Royal Plaza.

Woven from fine cashmere wool, these warm yet delicate shawls and scarves are extremely handy when you’re travelling or camping, as a beach cover-up or if you want to spruce up your outfit for a fancy dinner.

Pashminas in Qatar are inexpensive to buy and come in a wide selection of colours, patterns and qualities. Since they are light and fold up small, why not buy several and give them as gifts? The only tricky thing will be deciding which colours to buy. In Doha, the Bombay Silk Center on Al Khaleej Street and the Oriental Carpet Company in Bin Mehmood are local favourites to purchase good quality pashminas. You’ll find less expensive ones at Souq Waqif.

In souqs, shopping centres and cafes, you can sample a variety of traditional desserts and sweets unique to Qatar and the Middle East. Think rose-flavoured sweets made with grape molasses and stuffed with pistachios, sweet dumplings garnished with sesame seeds and the ever-popular baklava.

You’ll also find natural honey, locally grown dates and a variety of nuts. Dates come in different colours, sizes and sweetness and are culturally important in Qatar as they break the fast during Ramadan. You can choose dates smothered in chocolate, filled with nuts or rolled with coconut or Arabic coffee. Try Al Aker Sweets on Salwa Road in Doha, or for unusual dates, head to Fal Elkhair Dried Dates Shop at Souq Waqif.

Oud is the traditional fragrance of Qatar and you’ll smell the beautiful scent wherever you go, from homes and cars to souqs, hotels and shopping centres. Made from the resinous heartwood extracted from the rare agarwood tree, oud is known as the 'Wood of the Gods'.

Though you can buy oud in a variety of forms, mainly as wooden chips for burning and body oil, buying a bottle of oud-based perfume is highly recommended. Allow the scent-filled flasks of luxurious Arabic perfume engulf your senses as you sample each one. Ajmal Perfumes at Souq Waqif sells locally made fragrances, and you’ll also find perfume shops in the country’s shopping centres, like City Center, Hyatt Plaza and the Royal Plaza.

A personalised pendant with your name written in Arabic can be a wonderful keepsake of your visit to Qatar. Many jewellers throughout Doha make these, and you can rest assured that all gold jewellery sold here has a government stamp to prove its purity. Why not treat yourself to jewellery made of amber, white gold, silver or platinum, with or without semi-precious stones?

If you have something very specific in mind, most jewellers are happy to create your design. Try the Gold Souq, next to Souq Waqif. As Qatar is the pearl capital of the world, head to the Pearl Man shop, located in Al Bida Park in Rumailah, across the Corniche.

Apart from buying local perfumes, you can buy a variety of different incense as well as decorated traditional incense burners in Qatar. There are many different scents to choose from, so spend time to find your favourite one.

The rich, calming fragrance of frankincense is a popular option. But shoppers can also pick up bakhoor, an exotic, sweet-smelling fibrous ball of oud mixed with oils like ambergris, sandalwood, powdered flowers, oats and white musk. Even if you aren’t a fan of burning incense, the burner itself is a lovely souvenir to keep in your home. Souq Waqif and Omani Souq behind the Central Market are great places to find them.

Tall, delicate and eye-catching, a decorated shisha pipe adds personality to any hallway or living room. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter. Shisha smoking is an iconic Middle Eastern pastime and is strongly tied to local Qatari culture. The pipes are called hookah and are ubiquitous in homes, restaurants, parties and at dedicated shisha lounges.

You can buy different kinds of shisha pipes all over Qatar, in all sizes, patterns and colours. Smoker or not, an adorned shisha makes for an authentic and colourful Qatari memento. You can even have one personalised for yourself or a loved one. Souq Waqif has a huge selection on display and most stores offering perfumes usually also sell shisha.

An ornamental Arabic box is a fabulous souvenir to buy when visiting Qatar. Not only can you easily pack the boxes into your suitcase, but they are also very handy to have around the house to store jewellery and other small trinkets. They also make the perfect gift.

The beautifully handcrafted boxes are made of wood and available in different shapes and sizes. Traditionally adorned with intricate patterns, you can find them made of brass and even camel bone, inlaid with metal or pearls. You can find them at many souqs and in shopping centres like City-Center Doha and Royal Plaza. Last-minute buys can be done at the Qatar Duty-Free at Hamad International Airport.

There’s no denying that Arabian lamps are incredibly gorgeous and add a dreamy, magical touch to any personal space. There’s an immense range of unique designs to choose from, each one boasting brightly coloured glass, exquisite patterns and elegant shapes.

The smaller hanging lamps are more affordable and easier to carry back home but you may be tempted to buy a pretty swan-neck table lamp with a metal base. Whichever you choose, all the lamps are very delicate so take care when packing, and it’s best to carry them in your hand luggage. You can find these iconic lamps sold extensively at Souq Waqif.