Anastasia Smith
Qatar and the nation’s association with shopping is one that hardly needs any introduction as the peninsular Arab country is home to a whole host of ritzy shopping malls and megacentres. Come, treat yourself to a slice of much-awaited retail therapy in the exotic Gulf nation like never before.
Longing shoppers to Qatar certainly have a plethora of options to choose from as the lively metropolis has absolutely no shortage of world-class shopping destinations, but the largest shopping mall in Qatar — that has got to stand out and it sure does. Mall of Qatar, set next to landmark Al Rayyan Stadium, offers over 500 retail, dining, and cafe options, making the ultra-modern mall more than just a shopping destination. Its distinctive futuristic facade is certainly a crowd-puller, but heading inside, the opulent interiors along with the shopping and leisure options galore won’t disappoint either.
Villaggio in the west end of Doha surely has more than a few things appealing about the sprawling mall, but its Venetian-inspired design is the one draw that puts the mall on the map for longing shoppers to the Gulf nation. Shopping experiences can only get as unique as it is here in Villaggio, where an indoor canal complete with gondolas takes shoppers through the mall along emerald waters — if that isn’t a shopping experience that is out of this world, what is?
While may not be among the largest and most luxurious of shopping malls in Qatar, Landmark Mall is undoubtedly a shopping destination that won’t leave you disappointed. Extending over a massive 58,000 square metres in north Doha, the one-story mall is considered to offer a more calm and relaxed shopping experience, contrary to the vibrance evocative of the big-name destinations in the capital city. After a day of revelling in fun-filled retail therapy, retreat to one of the finest five star hotels in Doha, including the likes of Banana Island Resort Doha, further complementing your city getaway in the exotic Gulf nation.
Over 400 brands call Doha Festival City home — one of the largest shopping malls in the capital city. No different to the host of other shopping destinations of the metropolis, DFC is also a one-stop spot for everything from shopping to dining and entertainment. Unlike the likes of Mall of Qatar and Villaggio Mall immediately evocative of opulence and extravagance, DFC is also known to house “wallet-friendly” options, making itself appealing to a much wider base.
In the vicinity of Doha’s crown jewel, The Pearl-Qatar, Lagoona Mall is another luxury retail, dining and entertainment destination, giving other contenders in Doha’s upscale shopping scene a run for their money. Visitors to the swanky mall can certainly expect to be spoiled for choice, where nearly 200 stores house flagship brands, international fashion labels and eclectic boutiques — retail therapy as good as it gets. Besides excellent shopping, a plethora of dining and entertainment options also await.
