Shopping is a favourite pastime in Doha, where a stylish mall or a high-end designer store is never far away.
But if you are after something with a more authentic feel, plus a wonderful evening out, Souq Waqif is exactly the place to spend it.
This labyrinth of a bazaar, whose name translates as "standing market", is the oldest souq in Qatar's capital and a major tourist attraction in its own right.
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Its covered walkways are packed with dozens of tiny shops showing off their wares, stacked high along the market's clay-covered stone walls.
Wander its narrow alleys on your trip and you will find everything from clothing to spices, perfumes to diamonds, fragrant oils to falcons, and plenty more besides.
Souq Waqif is not just a thriving marketplace, but also home to a wide range of traditional-style restaurants and casual cafes serving up a variety of local and regional flavours.
There are also shisha lounges and charming antique shops, along with art galleries and luxurious boutique hotels.
It is a meeting point for locals and expats alike, a place to browse and explore, haggle and shop, relax and socialise.
The key is to try a bit of everything, according to Amal Al Shammari, chief executive of Embrace Doha, a local platform that runs cultural sessions and events to introduce expats and visitors to Qatari culture.
"From the buildings, to the smells of food and spices, to the beautifully crafted handmade goods, the souq offers a real interaction with Qatari culture," he says.
"Today it is one of the most culturally rich spots in Doha and a living part of Qatar's history."
Set in the heart of Doha, right by the waterfront, the souq's grounds have been around for 100 years, dating back to when Bedouin and local traders gathered here to buy and sell livestock, spices, wool, pearls and other essentials.
But as malls began popping up across Doha over the decades, the souq gradually fell into decline.
After a major fire destroyed much of it in 2003, the market was restored with the aim of preserving its cultural and architectural heritage.
Modern buildings disappeared, and whitewashed structures took their place.
Cobbled lanes, old lanterns, large wooden doors and bamboo ceilings were also added, all of which give the place an aged look, and a welcome change of pace from the towering skyscrapers and modern buildings that dominate Doha's skyline.
Here is our pick of the 10 best things to see and do in Souq Waqif:
Shop for your wardrobe and your home
Whether you are hunting for traditional scarves, embroidered shawls and made-to-measure robes, or pots, pans and other kitchenware, Souq Waqif has you covered.
There is a huge range of goods on offer here, including plenty you probably never even knew existed.
As you roam the souq's many winding alleys, you are bound to get lost, but do not despair, a gem could be waiting for you just around the corner.
Haggling is strongly encouraged and part of the appeal, but remember to carry cash, as most vendors do not accept cards.
If you end up buying more than you can carry, a small army of men pushing carts is always on hand to help ferry your purchases back to your car for a few Qatari riyals.
Discover new flavours
If you love to cook and are on the lookout for tempting flavours, you will not want to miss the part of the souq just a few steps from its main entrance on the Doha waterfront side.
Overflowing sacks of colourful spices lean against packed storefronts, while crates brim with nuts and tea leaves.
Saffron, sumac, sweets, honey, dried flowers and preserved lemons, you can pick up all of it here.
Take your time exploring the enticing flavours, and chat with the vendors, who will happily walk you through the many tempting options.
You can even bring along your own empty glass jar and ask the vendors to fill it with layers of fragrant spices, the perfect gift!
Head to the Gold Souq for jewellery
Just off the main grounds of Souq Waqif sits the Gold Souq, a separate building with more than 40 shops specialising in high-end jewellery made from 18 and 22 carat gold.
Whether you are after dazzling necklaces and earrings or sparkling gemstones and high-quality pre-owned watches, you will find it all here.
The refined offerings also include traditional "wedding jewellery", such as gold belts and hair ornaments.
While its glittering displays are filled with ready-made luxuries, most vendors will be glad to create a custom piece to your own design.
You can also resize your jewellery or have it repaired, or even create a personalised pendant with your name written in Arabic calligraphy.
Dine in style
No visit to the Gold Souq is complete without a stop at one of its many dining spots.
Some of the best options include the popular Damasca One, a two-storey culinary haven serving Arabic delicacies from across Syria and the Levant; the glittering, palace-like Parisa, where you can sample Iranian dishes beneath elegant chandeliers hanging from a mirrored ceiling; and a no-frills Qatari restaurant with wooden street benches.
In the winter months, head up to one of the many available rooftop terraces, with the open-air Tajine, serving Moroccan cuisine, being an especially popular choice. Be sure to try the camel meat stew.
People-watch over shisha
Souq Waqif is a year-round destination, best enjoyed between November and March, when the scorching Gulf sun is not quite so merciless.
During these months, the ideal time to visit the market is late afternoon or in the early evening, when it truly comes alive.
Smoking shisha is a popular pastime for some Qataris, and if you grab an outdoor table at one of the many cafes, you can soak up the lively atmosphere as locals enjoy their shisha time.
If you would rather keep moving but still fancy a tasty snack, make a quick stop at one of the many market stalls offering sweet tea, fresh juices and ice cream.
Learn about falconry
On the edge of Souq Waqif sits the striking Falcon Souq, dedicated to the birds of prey that Qataris hold in deep esteem and respect.
"Falconry is a sport rooted deep in Qatar's history and is still widely practised today," explains Al Shammari of Embrace Doha.
Inside the showroom of the arcade building, the majestic birds stand still on wooden perches, their heads usually covered with plain or ornate hoods.
Under a vendor's watchful eye, you can ask to have a falcon perched on your arm.
Falcons here are typically bought and sold for thousands of dollars at public auctions. There is also a falcon hospital nearby, where owners can bring their prized companions for treatment.
Visit the stables
A few minutes' walk from the Falcon Souq, the Stables are designed to give visitors a sense of a bygone era, when prized Arabian horses played an important role in the daily life of locals.
Entry is free, so feel free to step in and wander the grounds, which lead to an open sandy arena.
This is also where the heritage police set off on their daily ride through the market's main thoroughfare on horseback, another one of Souq Waqif's attractions.
Stay at a boutique hotel
While Doha is known for hosting some of the world's most famous hotel brands, the exclusive hotels dotted around the souq's perimeter can more than hold their own.
Blending elegance and comfort, the boutique properties of Arumaila, Al Jasra, Musheireb, Najd, Al Mirqab, Al Bidda, Bismillah, Al Najada and Al Jomrok are small and cosy, yet still uphold the standards of luxury that have come to define a Doha stay.
Be sure to enjoy a meal on one of their balconies or rooftop terraces, taking in the breathtaking views of Doha's skyline.
Another perk of booking a room here? The hotels are just minutes' walk from the beautiful palm-lined waterfront and the unrivalled Museum of Islamic Art, designed by Chinese-American star architect I.M. Pei.
Snap up bargain souvenirs
Looking for a treat for your loved ones? You can choose from little treasures such as leather goods, pretty lamps and whimsical handmade crafts, or more unusual keepsakes such as salt and pepper shakers shaped like a couple in traditional dress, and old photographs of Qatar printed on foam canvases.
Other classic souvenirs on offer here include Arabic dallahs (coffee pots), Bedouin weavings, embroidered pashminas, baskets and kilims.
Explore the local art scene
Souq Waqif is not just a place to shop and eat, it is also home to a number of art galleries and exhibition spaces.
At the centre of it all is the aptly named Souq Waqif Art Center, located near the end of the market's central road.
Inside, the corridors of the large hall are lined with rows of workstations regularly used by talented local and international artists.
Just beyond them, a row of temporary exhibition spaces showcases creations that often depict aspects of Qatari life and interpretations of current events. If you like what you see, the centre is also a place to have a portrait made of you and your companions.
