Many people come to Mutrah Corniche just to visit the souq, which retains the chaotic interest of a traditional Arab market albeit housed under modern timber roofing. ... an opera house, the Al Alam Sultan’s Palace, parliament buildings, fortresses, and the bustling Mutrah souq which is said to be one of the oldest marketplaces in the Arab world. The Muttrah Souq in Muscat is evidently heaven to shopaholics! © 2020 Lonely Planet. Stretched alongside the Mutrah cornice is the famous Mutrah souq, which still retains the vibe of a traditional Arab market. One of our best sellers in Muscat! A 24-hour front desk is available to serve guests.. All 43 rooms are individually furnished and decorated, and have their own distinctive atmosphere and style. Cards are generally accepted in most shops, but bring cash for better deals. Mutrah Souq Every place has its distinctive flavour and every city has a market that relates its stories, embraces its history and accompanies its evolution. Mutrah in the old Muscat was once the trade center of Oman because of its proximity to the Old port of Muscat. Arabian Shopping Trip and Souq Experience. All rights reserved. This work has been released into the public domain by its author, User: (WT-shared) Shoestring at wts wikivoyage.This applies worldwide. Located close to each other along Muttrah’s scenic corniche, Muttrah Souq and Fish Market are the highlights of this historic waterfront. If you're visiting Mutrah Souq, don't miss a stroll through the narrow alleys that house the glittering gold shops. And as if two names were not enough for this souq, the east and west parts of Mutrah Souq, separated by Khawr Bimbah, are also known as “the small market” and “the large market”. If you enjoy visiting public markets, you must see Mutrah Souq, the most beautiful market your eyes will ever see! That said, getting lost inside the souq is part of the fun. Amazing place full of history and showing the real Omani life. John Kieser January 25, 2014. If you … A right fork at a pedestrian roundabout and a left at Muscat Pharmacy should lead you to an Aladdin's cave of a bead shop, but then again…. Bargaining is expected although discounts tend to be small. Haggle politely - it will get you a … You cannot see Mutrah Souq from the outside, as it stretched deep within the city. The souq has a history which comes from it being the old Muscat town and that’s where locals would get all their merchants. Book your tickets online for Mutrah Souq, Muscat Governorate: See 1,912 reviews, articles, and 1,896 photos of Mutrah Souq, ranked No.23 on Tripadvisor among 71 attractions in Muscat Governorate. Take care not to wander into the historic Shiite district of Al Lawataya by mistake, as the settlement is walled to protect the privacy of the residents here. Delve into the rabbit warren laneways of Mutrah’s old souq. Its antiquity has perhaps increased the extent of its beauty, magic and allure. If you keep turning right at each junction, you will of course come back to the sea. Visitors can enter the market from a gate facing the Sea of Oman and Mutrah Corniche. You cannot see Mutrah Souq from the outside, as it stretched deep within the city. Discover the Sultanate. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Visitors can walk through its high archways, lush gardens and massive marble courtyard. 4) Mutrah Souq & Corniche . This antiquity has perhaps increased its beauty, magic and allure. Mutrah Souq is one of the oldest markets in the Arab world. John Kieser Enero 25, 2014. If you enjoy visiting public markets, you must see Mutrah Souq, the most beautiful market your eyes will ever see! A visit to the Muttrah Souq in Muscat, one of the oldest market places in the Arab world. This is undeniably the most magnificent traditional market in the Sultanate. Mutrah Souq is one of the oldest markets in Oman, dating back about two hundred years. Léon Marzo 21, 2017. Mutrah Souq is known for its handicrafts like silverware, daggers, traditional cloth, new apparel and shoes, in addition to the famous Omani sweets (Halwa), spices and braziers (receptacles in which incense or frankincense is burned). The market starts at a gate facing the Sea of Oman and Mutrah Corniche, and ends with another gate in the city’s old quarters that usually receive the majority of visitors coming from other Omani towns and villages. Souq Muttrah is an intriguing market maze where one can find an eclectic range of products: from rare, one-of-a-kind vintage artifacts to high-quality frankincense, gold and precious jewels to funky, hand-made purses. Old Mutrah Souq – located just off the Corniche Mutrah, its meandering tunnels are filled with vendors selling everything from spices and nuts to embroidered scarves and hats, among other souvenirs. Distinctive items for sale in the souq include antique mandoo (wedding chests) with brand-new thumbtacks brought down from the Hajar Mountains; rope-twined muskets that saw action in the Dhofar wars of the 1970s; an alleyway of sandals that complete the men’s smart Omani costume; and another of aluminium serving dishes for the traditional Omani shuwa (marinated lamb cooked in an underground oven). Mutrah Souk or Al Alam Souk has been named after darkness because the crowded stalls and lanes do not allow the sun rays to infiltrate through during the day and the shoppers need lamplights to see where they were going. In some countries this may not be legally possible; if so: User: (WT-shared) Shoestring at wts wikivoyage grants anyone the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law. If you enjoy visiting public markets, you must see Mutrah Souq, the most beautiful market your eyes will ever see! A sign under the archway requests that visitors keep out. The Market of Darkness is the small market, whereas the large market is the wholesale market. I want emails from Lonely Planet with travel and product information, promotions, advertisements, third-party offers, and surveys. It is at least 200 years old and is made up of a complex maze of narrow walkways leading to hundreds of small shops that sell everything from Omani khanjers, halwa, and frankincense to kummahs and spices. You enter through a two-storey, domed gateway on the Corniche (by the traffic lights) and head slightly uphill away from the sea. Take the opportunity though, to have a gander at the glittering treasures of the Gold Souq while it’s still relatively quiet, before continuing on along the Corniche and past the imposing 16th-century Mutrah Fort (it’s not open to … It was historically known as the Souq of Darkness, due to its closed off ceiling and dimly lit interior, but thanks to the wonder of electricity, it is n… Muscat Gate Museum memoirs of History page 86-87 contains a town plan showing the location of the Bab-al-Saghir gate and its proximity to the Muscat souq. Oman Virtual Museum. To be honest, it’s much like any other old souq in the middle east. Mutrah Souq Every place has its distinctive flavour and every city has a market that relates its stories, embraces its history and accompanies its evolution. This name applies specifically to the section that extends from the Prophet's Mosque to Khawr Bimbah. Mutrah Souq is one of the oldest markets in Oman, dating back about two hundred years. While you are passing through, aromatic smells of incense and Arabian perfumes fill the air. Early each morning, local fishermen sell their fresh catch at the fish market and Muttrah Souq is the perfect place to barter for traditional silver jewellery, Frankincense, fabrics and many more unique souvenirs. You cannot possibly visit Muscat and not go to Souq Muttrah (سوق مطرح). Mutrah Souq is a prototype of old Eastern markets, characterised by narrow winding alleys roofed with wood. Book your tickets online for Mutrah Souq, Muscat Governorate: See 1,912 reviews, articles, and 1,896 photos of Mutrah Souq, ranked No.23 on Tripadvisor among 71 attractions in Muscat Governorate. Werther Veulemans August 22, 2018. Its antiquity has perhaps increased the extent of its beauty, magic and allure. "/wps/wcm/connect/mot/505b570042e7d5bfb62bf721c889a345/MutrahSouk04.jpg?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=505b570042e7d5bfb62bf721c889a345!/wps/wcm/connect/mot/50f3ed8042e7d5bfb62cf721c889a345/MutrahSouk02.jpg?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=50f3ed8042e7d5bfb62cf721c889a345!/wps/wcm/connect/mot/50f3ed8042e7d5bfb62df721c889a345/MutrahSouk14.jpg?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=50f3ed8042e7d5bfb62df721c889a345!/wps/wcm/connect/mot/50f3ed8042e7d5bfb62ef721c889a345/MutrahSouk07.jpg?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=50f3ed8042e7d5bfb62ef721c889a345",5); Every place has its distinctive flavour and every city has a market that relates its stories, embraces its history and accompanies its evolution. In the mid 19th century, Muttrah had a vessel repair industry. Haggle politely - it will get you a better price. Copyright © 2016 Ministry of Tourism,Sultanate of Oman, Best viewed in 1024 X 768 screen resolution. Afghan war hats, compasses from World War 2 … The first built hotel in Sultanate of Oman is in a great position near the Mutrah Corniche, Mutrah Souk (market), Mutrah Fort, and Sultan Qaboos Harbour. Shops selling Omani and Indian artefacts together with a few antiques jostle among more traditional textile, hardware and jewellery stores. RunSlideShow("EmilyPicture","slideshow", Mutrah Souq, Muscat Governorate: Address, Phone Number, Mutrah Souq Reviews: 4/5 ... Amazing place full of history and showing the real Omani life. Mutrah Souq is one of the oldest markets in Oman, dating back about two hundred years. For a photo of the Muscat souq around 1900 see page 25 and 26 top photo. Rich in history, Oman’s ancient watchtowers and fortresses stand guard over bustling souqs (markets) and modern white-washed towns. 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