Souq Waqif at a glance
Souq Waqif is a historic market area in Doha with shops, stalls and restaurants. It is a place to walk, shop and eat rather than a single sight. The Falcon Souq, where falcons are traded, lies inside it, between Al Asmakh Street and Al Ahmed Street.
Visit Qatar describes activity picking up after 4 p.m. That is a visiting tip, not an opening time that applies to every shop. Hours differ from shop to shop. On Fridays some shops and stalls open only in the afternoon, while restaurants can keep their own hours.
When to go
Hours listed for 2026. Saturdays and public holidays can differ, so ask on the day.
| Time | What is open | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday morning | Falcon Souq, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Other shops keep their own hours |
| Weekday afternoon and evening | Falcon Souq, 4 to 8 p.m.; activity picks up after 4 p.m. | Restaurants run on their own hours |
| Friday | Falcon Souq in the evening only; some shops open in the afternoon | The metro starts at 9 a.m. and the tram at 2 p.m. |
| Ramadan 2026 | Shops 8 a.m. to 12 noon and from iftar to midnight; restaurants from iftar to suhoor | Special hours for 2026, not year-round |
Ramadan 2026 began on 18 February 2026. For 2027, a calendar site gives 8 February as a provisional start. The date is confirmed only after the moon is sighted.
Our picks: city tours with the souq
A guided walk through Souq Waqif, or a city highlights tour with a dhow ticket.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
City highlights tour with a dhow boat ticket
Pickup and return in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide, Wi-Fi on board and a dhow boat ticket.
Check availability →
Guided city tour with airport or hotel pickup
Pickup and return from your hotel or the airport, a guided walk through Souq Waqif, a photo stop on the Corniche and visits to Katara and The Pearl.
Check availability →Souq Waqif and Doha city tours
Guided city tours that include the souq, plus dhow cruises, museum tickets and desert trips, with live prices and availability.
The Falcon Souq
Falcons are sold here, sitting on perches in the shops. Visit Qatar gives weekday hours of 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m., and on Fridays only the evening. A full definition for Saturdays and public holidays is not given, so plan a weekday visit if the Falcon Souq is the reason for your trip.
You may hold a falcon on your arm only under the supervision of the dealer. Treat it as a trade, not a free animal activity, and ask the dealer before you reach out to the birds.
How to spend a visit
Souq Waqif combines trade and dining.
Walk the lanes
Shops, stalls and restaurants fill the market. Plan to arrive late in the afternoon, when activity picks up, and leave time to wander without a list.
Eat in the evening
Restaurants can work independently of shop hours, also on Fridays. If you want a meal after a late afternoon walk, you are not tied to the shop hours.
Dress for public places
Visit Qatar recommends covering shoulders and knees for men and women in public places. This applies in the souq as well as in the museums.
Plan the trip back
The metro runs from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. from Saturday to Thursday, per the Qatar Rail pocket map (printed January 2025). Check the current timetable for late evenings.
Getting around →Msheireb Downtown and the Msheireb Museums
Msheireb is a separate district and the place where the Red, Green and Gold lines of the metro share an interchange. Four historic houses are run as museums by the operator: Bin Jelmood House, Company House, Mohammed Bin Jassim House and Radwani House. Admission is free.
The museums are open from Monday to Thursday and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Friday from 3 to 9 p.m. They are closed on Sunday. The last entry is 30 minutes before closing. Opening hours may change on national holidays, and the museum FAQ says they close on official holidays and special occasions, so check before you go.
The houses are wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available inside. A designated car park is next to the Jumaa Mosque. Group tours can be booked. Check the current tram timetable if you want to use the Msheireb tram.
Souq Waqif: frequently asked questions
What time does Souq Waqif open?
There is no single opening time for every shop. Visit Qatar describes activity picking up after 4 p.m. The Falcon Souq lists 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m. on weekdays. Restaurants run on their own hours.
Is Souq Waqif open on Friday?
Yes, but some shops and stalls open only in the afternoon, and the Falcon Souq opens in the evening only. The metro starts at 9 a.m. on Fridays and the tram at 2 p.m.
Can I hold a falcon?
Only under the supervision of the dealer, who decides. Do not treat it as a free activity, and ask before you approach.
What are the hours during Ramadan?
For 2026, shops were listed from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and from iftar to midnight, and restaurants from iftar to suhoor. These are special hours and do not apply in the rest of the year. Ramadan 2027 is provisionally due to start on 8 February.
Are the Msheireb Museums free?
Yes. The operator lists free admission. They are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and on Saturday, 3 to 9 p.m. on Friday, and closed on Sunday.
How do I get to Souq Waqif by metro?
Take the Gold Line. Msheireb is the interchange for all three lines. See the getting around page for fares and hours.