Mutrah Souq & Corniche

سوق مطرح

One of the oldest markets on the Arabian Peninsula, where frankincense, silverware and spices fill the air. Outside its gates lies a crescent-shaped harbor promenade.

Mutrah is the traditional harbor district of Muscat. Mutrah Souq is said to be about 200 years old and is one of the oldest traditional markets on the Arabian Peninsula. Under wooden roofs, the main lane and maze-like side lanes sell frankincense (a famous Omani product, with the highest-quality “silver frankincense” coming from the southern region of Dhofar), incense burners, Omani curved daggers (khanjar), silver jewelry, cashmere shawls, rose water and dates. Bargaining is the norm, and you can usually start at about 70 percent of the asking price. Just outside the market is the Mutrah Corniche, a roughly 3 km seafront promenade. On one side is a harbor with traditional lateen-sailed boats and sultan’s yachts moored. On the other side are white houses and mosques built into the hillside. The soft light in the evening is ideal for photos. Walking east along the promenade leads to Riyam Park with its giant frankincense burner sculpture, and walking west leads to the fish market. You can climb Mutrah Fort, built by the Portuguese, to look over the harbor. Entry is free. Getting there: a taxi from the new city takes about 20 minutes.

Mutrah Souq & Corniche

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