Muttrah Souq (Mutrah Souk)

Tucked behind an archway on Muttrah Corniche, Muttrah Souk consists of tightly packed open and covered alleyways stuffed with tiny shops. Visitors explore independently: trawling the central thoroughfare for clothes, souvenirs, and utensils before delving deeper for Omani frankincense, spices, oils, jewelry, pots, and leatherware.

The souk features on all Muscat tours—most give guests free time to shop —and combine it with visits to other city sights such as the Royal Opera House and Al Alam Palace. For personalized attention, choose a private tour with an accompanying guide who’ll provide tips as you shop. As it’s open till late, the souk is also included on Muscat nighttime tours, with guests roaming the lanes in the evening cool in-between seeing the city lights. The souk is also a stop on Muscat hop-on hop-off tours, and central to many excursions and multi-day trips that combine Muscat with Oman’s interior.

• Be prepared for some friendly bartering: the vendors expect to haggle.
• The souk’s main lanes are stroller- and wheelchair-friendly.
• Basic restrooms are available near the main corniche entrance.
• Visit on a tour to benefit from a guide’s insight and return transport.

Muttrah Souk lies midway along Muttrah Corniche in eastern Muscat. It’s easily walkable from the nearest bus stop at Hayy AlMina—where buses from Ruwi, Muscat’s main commercial area, pull up. Hop-on hop-off buses stop outside, and getting to the corniche by car is relatively easy—it sits directly on Muscat’s Route 1 highway. Parking is available along the waterfront.

Muttrah Souk is open daily during the morning and late-afternoon and evening up till around 10pm, with a long lunchtime break in-between. It gets crowded during Oman’s peak November-March tourist season, especially when cruise ships are in port. To avoid the worst crowds, arrive early before the tour groups land or late afternoon before the usual evening burst of activity.

If you’re seeking authentic Omani handicrafts, dive into the souk’s smaller lanes where you’re more likely to find them at lower prices than elsewhere in the market. Antique silver rings, inscribed amulets, and ceremonial khanjar daggers—usually worn by Omani men around their waists—are particularly prized.