Souq Muttrah Corniche Muscat Oman
Photograph ©2015 by Brian Cohen.

3 Reasons Why I Did Not Like the Souq at Muttrah Corniche in Muscat in Oman

ot far from the Old Watch Tower which I visited earlier in the day, I decided to explore the souq located across the street from the Muttrah Corniche in Muscat — and I must say that there are 3 reasons why I did not like the souq.

Photograph ©2015 by Brian Cohen.
Photograph ©2015 by Brian Cohen.

The first reason is because I dislike crowds; and many parts of the sprawling souq — I must have spent at least an hour wandering around there — were packed filled with people.

Photograph ©2015 by Brian Cohen.
Photograph ©2015 by Brian Cohen.

With absolutely no interest in purchasing housewares such as pots, pans and laundry detergent or cheap tchotchkes from such faraway lands as China or India, that is the second reason why I did not like the souq — which felt more like a nondescript run-of-the-mill flea market found anywhere else in the world than a traditional souq.

Photograph ©2015 by Brian Cohen.
Photograph ©2015 by Brian Cohen.

Fortunately, I had the foresight to visit the souq and purchase an item there when I was in Nizwa. It was much more pleasant, with merchants selling wares authentic to the sultanate of Oman; and with significantly fewer people in the souq itself despite it being crowded outside of the souq due to people attending the nearby mosque. I supposed I was already spoiled from that experience, which lent to the third reason why I did not like this souq in Muscat.

Photograph ©2015 by Brian Cohen.
Photograph ©2015 by Brian Cohen.

After I was finally finished — I did not purchase anything — I strolled up and down Muttrah Corniche along Al Bahri Road before I returned to the rental car I parked on the street earlier that evening. Although there were meters, I did not have to pay for parking due to the time when I parked the car.

Photograph ©2015 by Brian Cohen.
Photograph ©2015 by Brian Cohen.

Perhaps I missed a good part of the souq. Perhaps there might be a better souq to patronize in Muscat. I do not know; but it did not matter to me, as I already purchased what I wanted at the souq in Nizwa — which is the one I would recommend if you have the time and means to travel almost 180 kilometers to get there.

All photographs ©2015 by Brian Cohen.

    1. I have never been to Qatar except while remaining on the airplane during a stop, levy flight — but I will keep that in mind. Thank you.

    1. I have been keeping you and others in mind who are visiting Oman soon, P T.

      I typically like to vary my trip reports so that readers are not overdosed on one particular location; but I am making an exception in this case to ensure that you and others get the most out of your visit to Oman.

      I am posting as many as possible; so please keep on the lookout for more…

  1. I agree, the souk was very disappointing, I get that it’s crowded and the merchants are pushy, that’s the nature of a souk but it had no soul with no architecture to speak of, most of the roof was corrugated plastic . Maybe I was spoiled by visiting souks in Rabat, Casablanca and especially Damascus back in the day.

  2. The souq has a history which comes from it being the old Muscat town and that’s where locals would get all their merchants. Locals still go there now to get traditional items such as Gold, herbs, traditional spices, soaps and traditional local clothes, etc.. other things being sold is not exactly Omani I agree but for us the locals we see it as a place to remember when we were children we went with our grandmothers, and enjoy strolling through the little corridors. We still go for certain items that modern shops might not have, even if it’s once a year.

    1. To me, Nabila Al Amri, your memories are important and should be preserved — and so should the souq.

      Would it not be nice if that souq would revert to the way it was when you were a child?

      1. Coming across your reply after 4 years! Thank you for replying. I understand what you mean. It would be more interesting if it carried real traditional items that it once used to, be it spices or traditional clothing, fabrics or jewelry. Glad you found what you liked in Nizwa.

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