Muttrah Souq, MuscatMuttrah is the old trading heart of Muscat and is one of the largest ports in the region. In addition to a pretty Corniche, the main tourist draw is Muttrah Souq, offering plenty of opportunities for shoppers. Bartering is part of the fun, although you're unlikely to get a huge discount. We have found that scarves cost around 2 OMR (when advertised at 5) but the discount was offered immediately. Otherwise, if you're buying in bulk you may get 20% off, but not much more.
The souq is unassuming from the outside, but once you enter, you leave the bright sun behind and enter a dark world that excites your senses - frankincense scents the air, the beautiful stained glass ceiling of many colours and the frequent offering of "try this perfume" "try this scarf" makes the market oh so memorable. |
Once you leave the main thoroughfare, the vocal selling of products becomes a distant hum and you are able to browse the market in peace. Muttrah Souq is the perfect place to pick up gifts or mementos - we recommend incense (choose sandalwood, rose or frankincense) or perfumes (available to try from the large bottles and decanted into smaller bottles - we like Black Oud). This is also a good place to pick up scarves with a huge variety of colours.
A number of shops offer antiques (some more genuine than others) and Omani silver is also a big draw. For local shoppers, traditional clothing and spices are available, as well as the more mundane household goods. A few food stalls are inside the market on the outer edges and tourist cafes are available outside. We would recommend spending a couple of hours meandering around the souq - part of the fun is getting lost! If it isn't too hot, a stroll along the Corniche is very pleasant, to the giant incense burner offering great views. From a more practical side, there are many money exchangers within the souq and a taxi rank is outside (offering cheaper rates than direct from the hotel). Although touristy, Muttrah Souq is an unmissable highlight of Muscat. |