Skip to Content

5 Tips for visiting Souq Waqif with a Baby during the Summer

5 Tips for visiting Souq Waqif with a Baby during the Summer

Whenever we get visitors to Doha the first place they want to go is the Souq Waqif. Why wouldn’t they – the Souq is awesome and gives people a flavour of something uniquely Middle Eastern. Souq Waqif – meaning Standing Market, is located just off the Doha Cornice. A beautiful spot when you can get a real taste for the local culture. It was therefore  no surprise when family came to visit Baby E that they wanted to go to the Souq. Baby E was born as we were heading into summer so was this going to be possible?

It absolutely was! But there are certainly ways to do it that make it more enjoyable for all so here are my top tips for visiting Souq Waqif with a baby in the Summer!

Souq Waqif at night
Important Note: This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click through and make a purchase I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you!

Souq Waqif at night

Do as the locals do! 

Embrace the night-time. The souq doesn’t really come alive until the evening anyway so do as the locals do and head down to the Souq after sundown. This will be a more authentic experience, have a better atmosphere and cooler for everyone!

Baby carrier or pram? 

This was a big debate we had. The Baby Carrier would make manoeuvrability a lot easier – The main street of Souq Waqif is cobbled, off which are a series of small narrow alleyways lined with shops and traders which aren’t to be missed for a true Souq experience – but carrying a baby that close to you was likely to make us both hot and sweaty. Given the time of year and the heat we opted for the pram. Yes this was a bit more cumbersome but a decision I am glad we took. When we return in the Winter we would definitely use the carrier but for summer months the pram is a must!

Make sure you dress for summer even at night

Make sure you dress for summer even at night

Dress appropriately

This goes without saying for adults, but follow all the rules and customs about keeping shoulders and knees covered as to not cause offence but remember these rules don’t apply to little ones. Dress your little one in vests only to keep them cool but be sure to have blankets with you as many of the Souq restaurants have fierce air-conditioning.

Ask for Lifts

Some of the restaurants have upstairs with lovely terraces or seating areas. Be sure if you are travelling with a pram to ask if there is a lift. The restaurant we were in had one but it was tucked out of sight!

Avoid Shisha

I personally don’t like taking Baby E to places that are smoky, even with shish smoke (which some people wrongly say isn’t as harmful!), so we tend to visit restaurants where they either don’t serve shisha or where smokers are separated from diners.

These are our top five tips for visiting the Souq Waqif at night with a baby! What advice would you give?

Worried about the Middle East Summer heat? We’ve got you covered with our survival guide

 

Mummy and the Mexicans

Sunday 23rd of October 2016

It sounds really interesting, I'd love to visit a souq some day. Markets are such fascinating places. #MyExpatFamily

Wandermust Mummy

Sunday 23rd of October 2016

The souqs are a must see in the Middle East. Would love to visit a traditional Mexican market one day

Ersatz Expat

Thursday 20th of October 2016

Yes great tips. The AC is not too bad here in KSA and here in the West coast we don't get quite as hot as you do over there. Lifts are a pain though! Most of the smaller restaurants have the family areas upstairs but no lift meaning that we have to carry the pram upstairs.

Wandermust Mummy

Thursday 20th of October 2016

I hadn't realised that the west of ksa was much cooler. At least we are nearing winter. It is such a pain when you can't find a lift with a pram

Eline @ Emmy + LIEN

Friday 14th of October 2016

Great tips! I've never been anywhere quite as hot as Doha, but we lived in Milan when my son was a baby and I used to employ many of the same strategies in summer. It's amazing what you can manage with kids if you go prepared :-)

Wandermust Mummy

Friday 14th of October 2016

Exactly - hot becomes normal and you can manage it fine if you use common sense and prepare for it ?

JerseyGirl

Friday 14th of October 2016

Great tips. I agree with you a souq at night time is a totally different experience from daylight hours. I love that they are a whole family affair and so atmospheric and so much of the Middle eastern culture. Great to hear from a fellow desert girl #myexpatfamily

Wandermust Mummy

Friday 14th of October 2016

Thank you - am enjoying seeing a different middle eastern expt diary too

seychellesmama

Thursday 13th of October 2016

Great tips! I always think reading things like this is SO invaluable. Things like knowing where you can and can't take a pushchair you really just can't know unless you can talk to someone that lives there!!

We can definitely relate to the hot evenings here too!! My boys don't even wear vests to bed just nappies! Always sensible to take warmer things for places with air con though, I think thats something a lot of people forget when they travel to warmer countries!!!

I would absolutely love to go to the Souq it sounds like such an amazing experience!!!

Thank you for sharing this post with #myexpatfamily hope to see you again next month!

Wandermust Mummy

Thursday 13th of October 2016

Thank you. Exactly, we have made the mistake of taking the pushchair somewhere inappropriate so I think these tips can be really useful to people. You are right about the air con thing too!

Souqs are a great place to visit and kids are also welcomed. I hope you get to one soon!

See you next month