Souq Al Wakrah: All you need to know

Oct 22, 2022

The tranquil atmosphere of Souq Al Wakrah makes it a wonderful destination to spend the day with loved ones and friends. Due to the old architecture and layout of the squares, you'll have a more genuine souq experience. Just a short drive away are the family-friendly beaches along the coast. The market's rural setting and the locals and guests purchasing locally made goods make you feel as though you've traveled back in time.

Following are some of the things you can do at the souq:

Al Wakrah Port

Al Wakrah Port is just one of many lovely locations in Qatar that exemplifies tranquility at its finest. It feels absolutely peaceful while strolling around the port, admiring the azure ocean. Al Wakrah has a long history of being a fishing community. Here, you can see the fishing boats that are moored at the harbor and the ones that are scouring the seas for fish. For many residents, casting a net in Port Al-Wakrah is a time-honored pastime. You may always relax by the sea and enjoy a decent catch.

Restaurants

The promenade section of Souq Al Wakrah facing the sea features a lot of restaurants from diverse cuisines. The place is lined with multiple restaurants catering to various tastebuds so it is ideal for foodies to grab a quick bite or an elaborate meal post a walk around the Souq or a dip in the ocean. Restaurants such as Pearl of Asian, Royal Tandoor, Barahat Al Wakrah, 83 cafe, Habat Raih, and others serves cuisines ranging from Egyptian, India, Pakistani, Yemeni, Qatari, Levantine, and Southeast Asian. There are other restaurants and cafes too that serve Continental and fastfood too.

Ice Cream Shop

Gharissa

Gharissa offers the freshest ice cream creations, combining the best Italian ingredients with those from the neighborhood market. They avoid using any preservatives or additives, which is the key to its freshness. They provide a selection of tastes, including dates, pistachio, hazelnut, ginger, orange, and standard varieties such as mixed nut flavors. They have distinctive treats including Rafello, KitKat, Oreo, Red Velvet, and Chocolate Lava. Cotton candy and dates cheesecake are their two greatest serving flavors. Additionally, they offer catering services. Enjoy flavorful ice cream while you stroll around Souq Al Wakrah.

Timing: Sunday – Wednesday: 9 am – 11 pm, Thursday – Saturday: 9 am – 12 am

Contact: +974 6662 8660

Email: info@gharissaicecream.com

Website: Gharissa

Abu Manaratain Mosque

There are a few mosques in Al Wakrah Old Souq, but one of them is worth seeing. One of the city's oldest mosques, Abu Manaratain Mosque, is situated inside the Old Souq. Despite the fact that the word "Manaratain" implies "two minarets," the mosque only has one.

Souq Al Wakrah beach

The white sandy beach at Souq Al Wakrah is one of the most popular beaches in the country with its palm trees, kids area, and also all types of shoreline activities, all covered over three separate areas along the coastal town. The beach is also one of the best spots to catch a sunrise in Qatar.

The public beach is laden with umbrellas and gazebos, allowing visitors to take shade under them as they explore the beach or prepare for a BBQ at their pits. The north side of the beach is right in front of the restaurants and cafes of the Souq and you’ll also discover shops with your everyday beach essentials. The beach gives one the ideal space for volleyball matches as well whereas families can also rest assured as kids explore the shallow waters.

The best part about Wakrah beach has to be its accessibility family beach. Located smack in the center of Wakrah, you have an easy parking facility with a short walk towards the beach and gazebos. You can keep an eye on the kids nearby as you enjoy some barbecues on the beach as well. The Souq also has well-maintained restrooms where one can clean up and change into dry clothes after a dip in the ocean.

Kids area

Souq Al Wakrah’s play area is an ideal family spot. Set on the sandy beach, the park is decorated with different, updated, equipment that will keep the kids busy and the parents will have ample space to lounge nearby as well. From equipment to jump over and crawl under to climbing activities and interactive play spaces, kids will find themselves immersed in play for countless hours.

You’ll find different little swings and exploration spots like the dragon’s castle, a pirate ship, a castle, and even a spaceship that features various climbing frames and surfaces, and swings. Little imaginative spots with cannons, steering wheels, bongos, drums, and fiddling knobs and buttons will add to their play. Then there are the traditional merry-go-rounds, springing animals, blocks, and colored trains available for your regular everyday play.

Cafes

One of the best parts about the souq Wakrah beach is the scrumptious line up of cafes along the promenade. What can be better than a gorgeous view of the Arabian gulf while sipping on your favourite hot coffee. Cafes here offer a variety of snacks, hot and cool beverages and almost all of them have outdoor seating to enjoy the view. Easair Cafe has a chic Bohemian interior to make you feel at home while inside but the outdoor seats are where you’ll have to wait in queues for. Al Baranda Cafe has a gorgeous outdoor seating arrangement too with some delectable potato spirals to munch on. Other cafe options include Al Luwan Cafe, Al Shahouf, Ghasaq Cafe, Ennabi 92 Cafe, Chapati Coffee Karak Cafe, Msian Cafe, Cafe Khanfroush, Baba Potato, Coffee beanery, Ajeeb burger and fries, Al Koufa Cafe, and Reqaq Al Wakra Cafe. Cafe 83, is situated at a unique spot closer to the beach and has stunning interiors to sit in. It is one of the top rated cafes of Souq because of it’s delicious coffee options.