6 Best Shopping in Oman

Gold Souq

Mutrah Fodor's choice
This shimmering corridor of the ancient Mutrah souq offers shop after shop of fabulous gold jewelry, each piece a different, unique design. However, everything is sold by weight, not by style, so when local women bring in their jewelry to trade for new items, shopkeepers are happy to give full market value for the weight of whatever they bring. In the evenings you will find groups of Omani women and couples perusing the selections. The rings are a particularly good value as they are light weight and feature intricate designs. There is a lone silver shop in the sparkling stretch that offers the same traditional designs in the more traditional, but currently less popular, silver for a fraction of the price. Though the price of gold is fixed and regulated, the shopkeepers will often offer a slight discount, rounding down your price, especially if you buy more than one item.

Al Husn Souq

Enjoy a good bargaining session at the older of Salalah's traditional markets while picking up some treasures to carry home. You'll find stalls selling tribal rugs, frankincense and holders, exotic spices, antiques, khanjars (daggers), dallah (traditional coffeepots), and silver and gold ware. The souq is busiest and best for a visit late at night; during the day it is relatively quiet and lacks the atmosphere of the evening, but you’ll have greater success bargaining at this time. Tucked away in a corner is the gold souq. If you have the time, goldsmiths will make jewelry to order, and if the order is a simple piece, you might be able to pick it up the same day. Gold Salalah beads are very popular and make attractive accessories.

Asmaa Collectionz

Shatti Qurm

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.

Recommended Fodor's Video

Bahla Souq

About 30 minutes from Nizwa, Bahla is famous for its pottery and its silversmiths. You can find great deals at the small shops in the souq. The friendly potters are happy to demonstrate their craft, as they work clay into coil and throw pots. You can also watch silversmiths crafting intricate pieces of jewelry and cutlery as they have been for decades. All prices are very negotiable, so be sure to bargain.
Jewelry & Watches
Rte. 21, Ad Dakhiliyah, Oman
Shopping Details
Rate Includes: Closed noon–4

Jawahir Oman Jewellers

Qurm

Come here for top-quality, handmade coral necklaces, spiked bangles, shahid rings, and floral pendants of Omani design.

Nizwa Souq

The renovated Nizwa souq looks almost new, despite being one of the most ancient marketplaces in Oman. Here, along with typical souvenirs, you can find some distinctive local specialties, which include bottles of smoked rose water made in the nearby Jabal Akhdar Mountains, khanjar daggers, dates, and silver jewelry (for which the area is famous). Be sure to ask if the jewelry is a local design, as there are many imported pieces from India in the mix. Also, be sure to negotiate to get the best price.