Muscat Shopping – Shops, Stores, Best Buys & Inside Tips

Muscat Shopping

Both the capital and largest metropolitan city in Oman, the city of Muscat is a densely populated urban center. As such, there are many stores at which individuals can go shopping.

City Centre Mall

City Centre Mall is the biggest and among the best shopping locations in Oman. Altogether, the mall houses 144 retail outlets and 20 restaurants. They include a huge Carrefour hypermarket, where you can buy just about everything from camping equipment to fresh lobsters. There is also a large bookstore that stocks a good selection of English books, and a Centrepoint. One section of the mall has designer clothing stores, like Giordano, Misako and Bally. The food court includes a variety of fast food outlets, such as McDonald’s, KFC, Hardees, Subway, Cinnabon, and Baskin Robbins.

Local Goods

Mutrah Souq is the largest shopping market in Muscat, and one of the largest traditional markets in the Arab Gulf States. There, visitors can find a wide variety of items ranging from spices to traditional items, local crafts, Omani daggers, saddles, frankincense, baskets, wool carpets, Kelims, wall hangings, a variety of clothes, and perfumes. Another popular item are wedding chests sold in the area.

For clothing lovers, Readymade Garments is one of many shops in Mutrah Souq where you can buy traditional clothes. The merchandise ranges from traditional garments to suits popular in the area.

Perfume

If you’re looking for some of the most expensive perfume in the world, you’ll find it here in Harrods and major up-scale department stores. The bottles are made of fine crystal and coated with silver or gold. Some are even shaped like Omani Daggers (Khanjar).

Dates

Different types of dates have different seasons and when Muslims break their fast in Ramadhan it is usually with a piece of date and some yoghurt drink or bitter Arabic coffee. Omani dates are also used to make various types of dishes, bread, sweets, etc

Dates are expensive and in high demand, and the quality kind cost more depending on the season and quantity.

Mandoos

Antique collectors will love exquisite Mandoos! Mandoos chests are old fashioned safe boxes mainly used by women to keep their dowries, treasured items, or jewels in. A classic mandoos is beautifully carved, and studded with copper, silver or gold, with brass handles. Little drawers are tucked inside, and a hinge on the outside allows you to put a lock through it and keep your valuables safe. You’ll find a genuine old Omani Mandoos can cost up to RO 5,000 (US$13K) but local craftsmen can make you a cheaper version (and good quality) for around US$ 100. Even cheaper/smaller ones, can be found in local hypermarkets and souqs if you’re lucky for RO 4 a piece ($11)- These aren’t made of the finest wood, but are still lovely to look at.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about stores and shopping in Muscat.