Shopping · Muscat · Oman
Shopping in Muscat
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Muscat is the place to buy frankincense, silver and Omani crafts, with Mutrah Souq the main destination and modern malls for everyday shopping. Best souvenirs: Frankincense, Omani silver and Amouage perfume.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 3
- Markets
- 2
- Top souvenir
- Frankincense
Where to shop
Mutrah Souq
Frankincense, silver, khanjars, pashminas, lanterns and halwa in covered lanes.
Opera Galleria
Upscale shops and cafés attached to the Royal Opera House.
Muscat malls
Large air-conditioned malls along the highway for international brands and supermarkets.
Markets
Mutrah Fish Market
Morning fish and produce market at the end of the Corniche.
Nizwa Souq
A day-trip market for silver, pottery and dates, with a weekly livestock auction.
What to buy
Frankincense
Resin graded by colour and purity, with clay burners to use it at home.
Omani silver
Jewellery, boxes and ornamental khanjar daggers; check customs rules before buying blades.
Amouage perfume
Oman's luxury perfume house, sold in malls and duty-free.
Omani halwa
Packed in decorative bowls from halwa shops in the souq.
Dates
Many Omani varieties, sold loose or boxed, some stuffed with nuts.
Streets and markets worth a wander
Market · Mutrah
Mutrah Souq
A centuries-old trading market, Mutrah Souq is a maze of covered lanes behind the Corniche selling frankincense, silver khanjar daggers, pashminas, Omani halwa, lanterns and spices.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Shopping
- After dark
Market · Mutrah
Mutrah Fish Market
At the western end of the Corniche, the fish market occupies a wave-roofed building opened in 2017, where fishermen sell tuna, kingfish, shark and lobster from early morning, alongside a fruit and vegetable section.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Photo spot
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Omani halwa, Kahwa and dates, Karak chai and Chips Oman wrap. Specialist halwa shops and Mutrah Souq, where you can taste before buying. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Mutrah | $$ | Port, souq and seafront Corniche backed by rocky hills |
| Qurum and Shatti Al Qurum | $$$$ | Beach hotels, the Opera House and seafront cafés |
| Al Khuwair | $$ | Business district with mid-range hotels near the Grand Mosque |
| Al Bustan and Qantab | $$$$ | Resort hotels in rocky coves south of the old city |
| Ruwi | $ | Commercial centre with budget hotels and South Asian restaurants |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in OMR. Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory: about 10% in restaurants if no service charge is added, and small tips for drivers, guides and porters.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in June; the busiest months are December–February.
- January: Muscat Nights winter festival (usually January–February)
- February: Muscat Nights winter festival (usually January–February)
Staying near the shops
$$ · Best for first-timers, culture, budget and shopping
Mutrah
Port, souq and seafront Corniche backed by rocky hills
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Muscat?
Frankincense, Omani silver, Amouage perfume and Omani halwa.
+Where is the best shopping in Muscat?
Mutrah Souq: Frankincense, silver, khanjars, pashminas, lanterns and halwa in covered lanes.
+What are the best markets in Muscat?
Mutrah Fish Market and Nizwa Souq.