Joanna James
As one of the Middle East's retail capitals, it should come as no surprise that some of the biggest and most impressive shopping malls in the region are located in the capital of Qatar. Here are some of the best malls to include on your shopping spree in Doha City.
Situated well away from the hustle and bustle of Downtown Doha, the Lagoona Mall is a far more tranquil retail Mecca for those in search of a more discrete shopper's paradise. Ranked among the city's largest malls, the venue affords shoppers the chance to relax and spend time enjoying the many leisure activities available on-site apart from retail therapy. Famed for its long corridors and open space, the boutique cafes at Lagoona Mall alone make a visit to the shopping complex well worth it. Home decor outlets, as well as fashion accessories, are hot pick items at the mall where canopies and outdoor sitting areas make for a less stressful shopping experience.
Attracting more than seventy thousand visitors during the holiday season, the City Centre Mall occupies one of the best locations in Doha. Spread out over five floors, this mall is perhaps the best-loved family shopping hotspot in the city as there are a large number of shops and boutiques dedicated to baby care essentials and household goods. An ice rink and a bowling alley are also part of the landscape at the City Centre Mall where one can wine and dine at 38 restaurants or go catch a movie at one of the venue's 14 movie theatres.
As one of the largest landmarks in Doha, the Mall of Qatar is no ordinary shopper's paradise in the city. Spread out over a whopping 124 acres, the mall first opened its doors to the public back in 2016 and has been one of the most popular shopping venues in Doha ever since. Home to over five hundred retail outlets, the mall is a one-stop shop for brand-conscious travellers in search of labels such as Aldo, Adidas and Bershka. Apart from the retail possibilities, the other main draw for visitors remains the 19-screen Cineplex at the venue as well as the Xtremeland and Kindsmondoz activity areas.
With nearly 600,000 square metres to its name, Doha Festival City is a mall as well as an entertainment powerhouse in Doha. In addition to its Harvey Nichols signature store and the iconic Dior Beauty Boutique, the mall is perhaps best known as a dining hub thanks to its outlets of the Cheesecake Factory, Nando's, Jamie's Italian and PF Chang.
Those based at Al Najada Doha Hotel Apartments by Oaks or any one of the other serviced apartments in Doha will also be within easy driving distance of the Villaggio Mall. Occupying 360,000 square metres, this mall with Venitian architectural leanings and interiors is where shoppers can step away from the desert and enjoy some retail therapy in a serene setting that resembles Italy's famous vacation hotspot. Drawing 50,000 visitors daily, the most coveted brands available at the mall include Valentino, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Dolce and Gabbana, and Gucci. Don't forget to pop by the Gondola theme park during your tour of the locale.
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