12 Best Places to Shop in Muscat, Oman
Shopping is a favorite pastime for people in the Arabian Gulf region, whether in sprawling malls scented with burning incense or the winding alleyways of traditional old souqs. Jewelry and metal-craft in both gold and silver, Arabesque antiques, frankincense, "bakhoor" incense with its square burners, oriental perfumes, dates, local sweets, and even tailored clothing are all well worth brining home. Souqs, the traditional marketplaces, close during the day between noon and 4 pm, but are typically open late. Souqs, small boutiques, and even some of the shops in the malls are closed on Fridays until after 4 pm. Prices are not negotiable in malls and hypermarkets, but in the souqs and some smaller botiques, you can often negotiate a lower price, especially if you buy more than one item. Be gentle but firm when negotiating in Oman. Ask for "last price" or "best price" rather than haggling agressively.
Gold Souq
Mutrah Souq
The main corridor of the Mutrah Souq is filled with hawkers selling inexpensive pashmina scarves, frankincense, incense burners, "I Love Oman" T-shirts, antique khanjars (daggers), and coffeepots. If you enter from the Corniche side and take your first right up a narrow walkway, you will find a fantastic perfume shop on the left-hand side of the row, where the expert owner will patiently pull bottles for you to smell until you find the perfect scent. Behind the souq, you will find women from the Dhofar province in the south selling homemade bakhoor incense and top-quality frankincense for rock-bottom prices. The best time to go is in the evenings, after Maghrib prayers, when the lanes are full of local Omani shoppers. The souk is typically open Saturday through Thursday mornings (9–1) and every late afternoon and evening (4–9 or 10).
Recommended Fodor's Video
Seeb Central Market
Asmaa Collectionz
Local designer Asma Masoud al Kharusi sells intricately designed incense burners, lacquered jewelry boxes, silver napkin rings, and pewter watches at her shop in the Royal Opera House's shopping area.
Jawahir Oman Jewellers
Come here for top-quality, handmade coral necklaces, spiked bangles, shahid rings, and floral pendants of Omani design.
Lulu Hypermarket Al Khuwair
Muscat Grand Mall
Mutrah Tailor Souk
Omani Heritage Gallery
This fabulous nonprofit gallery is dedicated to promoting regional handicrafts of an exceptional quality. Here you'll find everything artisan-made, from handbags, wallets, leathergoods, and baskets, to pottery, indigo-dyed clothing, silver jewelry, rugs, and frankincense incense and burners.
Opera Galleria
Ruwi Street
This street is home to scores of shops selling saris, textiles, electronic goods of all types, and gold. Omani gold jewelry is typical of that found across the Arabian peninsula and in India and Pakistan, with elaborate designs that appear heavy, but the pieces are cleverly crafted so they are hollow inside.