Located in the Aspire Zone of Doha, the Villaggio Mall is an Italianate-themed shopping destination traversed by a 150-metre indoor canal. It’s home to more than 200 different shops, including many big name European and North American brands, and is situated conveniently between the Hyatt Plaza and Sports City.
The Villaggio is one of the largest shopping malls in Doha and an enviable destination for its elaborate architecture and designer luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci and Christian Dior. It is designed as a typical Italian hill town, but also draws on Venetian influences with its canal, and gondolas slowly propel shoppers along the water and throughout the mall. Quaint bridges cross the canals, while romantic lamps illuminate the streets beneath an artificial sky. There is a range of local and global restaurant chains in its food court, as well as an Olympic-sized ice skating rink, a 13 screen cinema complex, including the only IMAX screen in Qatar, and the Gondolania children’s wonderland. This features bumper cars, a bowling alley, 4D theatre, roller coaster and numerous rides, making it the largest family-friendly theme park and entertainment complex in Doha.
The Villaggio Mall is situated on Al Waab Street where public buses and taxis stop just outside the entrance. Alternatively, there is a large public car park available on-site and plenty of walking trails to explore in adjacent Aspire Park.
The Villaggio Mall was officially opened in 2006 and was originally conceived by His Highness Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad as a sports complex. But it eventually evolved into a state-of-the-art shopping destination and is today one of Qatar’s most desirable.