A gathering point of buyers and sellers throughout the Mutrah Corniche, the acclaimed and energetic Mutrah Souq must retain pride of place in your travel itinerary to Oman.
Opening times
The Mutrah Souq is open from 8 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 9 pm from Saturday to Thursday and from 5 pm to 9 pm on Fridays.
How do you enter?
Accessing the Mutrah Souq does warrant some practice and patience and to begin things off, you might be seen entering through a two-storey, domed gateway positioned on the Corniche (opposite the traffic lights). Thereafter, you’ll move uphill and away from the ocean. Make it some extent to never turn right at every junction for this can lead you back towards the ocean. Although, part and parcel of being on the Souq is getting lost within the crowded alleys and narrow pathways that can afford you opportunities to people-watch.
What are you able to get?
Overall, shoppers can get their hands on traditional textiles, jewellery, and hardware along with a large choice of Omani and Indian artefacts. With regards to the nitty-gritties which are sold under the timber roofing of the Souq, stylish wedding chests (mandoo) adorned in recent thumbtacks brought from the Hajar Mountains would surely make you pause and ponder. Aside from this, aluminium dishes used for the aim of serving Omani shuwa (marinated lamb) may be bought for not too steep a price while one complete alleyway dedicated to sandals can be quite the draw indeed. What’s more? If you fancy a rope-twined musket that was used through the Dhofar wars within the Nineteen Seventies, then Mutrah Souq is the place to be at.
Bargains & payment
Though, haggling may be very much accepted, don’t expect excessive bargains. On the topic of payment, carrying money will place you on firmer ground en path to securing a lucrative deal while cards are also welcome. In the event you seek a hotel in Muscat as your base, then consider Avani Muscat Hotel.
