Shopping in Muscat with Tours by Locals

"The combination of traditional and modern items makes shopping in Muscat a special experience." After living in the Middle East for nine years, Christin from ToursByLocals is the ideal guide to this vivacious and vibrant city.

From ancient markets to gleaming new malls, shopaholics in Oman are spoiled for choice. Check out Christin's guide to the city's finest sights, including which malls are her favorites, which restaurants serve the best food, and when the most exciting events take place.

Historic highlights

"Most Omanis go to the large shopping malls, but a traditional gem is still the Muttrah Souk," says Christin. In the colorful alleyways of this labyrinthine covered market, which is one of the oldest in the Arabic world, you'll find "traditional clothing, scarves, perfume, jewelry and frankincense." Come prepared for some good-natured haggling, as vendors will expect you to negotiate with them over price.

After you've collected enough souvenirs to fill a suitcase, Christin recommends taking a “stroll around the old houses and along the corniche,” before walking “to old Muscat to have a look at the Bait al-Zubair museum, His Majesty's Palace, and the Fort al-Jalaili and Fort al-Mirani." The picturesque coastal route from the souk to these historical sites takes over an hour on foot, so if you're setting off in the midday sun, a taxi may be your best option.

If you're planning on taking the two-hour drive to the city of Nizwa, Christin has a top tip: "visit the souk there on Friday morning, when the famous cattle market takes place!"

Culture and cuisine

“A visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is a must," Christin says. With capacity for up to 20,000 worshippers, the spectacular mosque features a 14-meter chandelier in the main prayer hall and an immense prayer rug that is the second-largest carpet in the world. Christin explains that "opening times are from Sunday to Thursday, 8am to 11am. Ladies have to cover their décolleté and hair and should wear long sleeves and long trousers or a skirt. Men should wear long trousers. All visitors have to avoid sheer fabric and transparent clothing."

All the malls

"The best shopping malls in my eyes are the City Center, Muscat Grand Mall and Bareeq al Shatti Mall," says Christin. "I love to shop at Muscat Grand Mall. It's not such a big mall, but it offers great variety and is in close proximity of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Muscat. If you are good on foot you could walk, but by taxi it takes you five or ten minutes, depending on traffic." Resist the temptation to wander into familiar high-street stores and look out for up-and-coming Omani boutiques. Christin explains, "we do not have so many international designer shops over here, but we have wonderful and talented local designers."

Glorious food

Christin believes that "the best way to experience a new town is through its eateries," so factor in plenty of time for meals at these local hotspots. She recommends Ubhar Restaurant in Bareeq al-Shatti and Bait al-Luban, located near Muttrah Souk. If you're hopelessly smitten by the rich flavors of delicacies like shuwa and saloonat, Christin has one last piece of advice: "if you have more than one day of free time on your hands, book an Omani cooking class."