Muttrah Souk

If you like to shop at local markets, head to the Muttrah Souk, which is the oldest souk in Muscat. Housed in a heritage building, I was quite amazed to see the ornate wooden ceilings, stained glass details and a coloured chandelier on the roof. As soon as you enter the souk, you will be greeted by the heady scent of frankincense and this is the best place to pick up all your souvenirs and gifts. Navigating through the narrow passages, you will discover a charming world of frankincense, bukhoor, old silver khanjars, Bedu jewellery and myrrh. You will need to have your bargaining skills handy when you shop here and since there are a large number of stores that sell similar stuff, it is a wise idea to do a quick recce and then decide on what you want to buy. Apart from the usual souvenirs like magnets, this is also the place to buy real silver jewellery. The jewellery however is sold by weight and there is little scope for bargaining there. However, there are some shops that sell local spices. A shop selling Omani Halwa is another good place to stop by. The souk is closed between 1 PM and 4 PM.