Oman’s souks are an explosion of colours and flavours, but above all of smells, as it’s the country with the best incense in the world. You’ll appreciate the nuances of this incredible product in every shop you enter. You should also take home with you a piece of gold or silver jewellery and the typical dagger used by the Omanis themselves in their traditional dress, which appears on the country’s flag.
- Incense
- Ceramics
- Handicrafts
- Jewellery
- Objects from Omani culture
- Perfumes and fragrances
- Where to shop in Oman
- Where to stay in Oman
Incense
Oman is the land of incense and one of the most visited ports and a popular one for bringing this luxurious commodity to Europe for centuries. Incense is the resin of a tree indigenous to the country which, when burned, gives off an incredible smell that has made it famous around the world. So you can’t leave Oman without buying some incense.
In the souks, you’ll find entire stalls with a variety of formats and styles where you can choose the scent that best suits you or your home. It also makes the perfect gift because it doesn’t take up much space in your suitcase.
Ceramics
Ceramics in Oman is an art form that has been able to seamlessly adapt the styles of the past to the latest trends. For this reason, we can find everything from plates, cups, bowls and incense burners with the most ancient motifs to new, modern decorative elements.
One of the best places to find a wide variety of ceramics is Bahla, where the clay is of the highest quality and, traditionally, a major handicraft market has developed over the years.
Handicrafts
Wood is one of the most common materials used in Omani handicrafts. Wood carvings can be found on beautiful doors, shutters, furniture and one of the country’s most typical souvenirs, finely engraved and decorated boxes or chests for storing jewellery.
These mandoos, as they are called, can vary in size and are a perfect souvenir to take home with you.
Jewellery
In all of Oman’s major souks, there’s a jewellers’ area where gold and silver filigree jewellery is created. You can buy necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings and other jewellery typically worn by Omani women, such as anklets and bracelets.
Perfume bottles and incense burners, usually decorated with beautifully carved inscriptions, can also be found in these jewellery workshops.
Objects from Omani culture
One of the most typical souvenirs of Oman is the khanjar, the dagger used by the locals in their traditional costumes, which even appears on the country’s flag as it is a symbol of the tribes that made up this sultanate.
Its manufacture is an art form in itself because the hilt can even be made of ivory or inlaid with gold and silver.
Perfumes and fragrances
Fragrances in Oman, along with incense, have been a major industry since ancient times, when they were traded along the routes linking Europe and Asia. In addition, Sultan Qaboos, in 1983, ordered the establishment of the Amouage fragrance company, which is increasingly exported abroad and can be found throughout the country.
The Amouage factory is located in Muscat and you can even visit to see how they work, as well as buy a bottle from the shop there.
Where to shop in Oman
The best place to buy souvenirs from Oman is in the souks in the various cities you visit, but especially in the Muttrah souk in Muscat, where you’ll find everything with all sorts of colours and smells.
There are also specialist shops, especially in the capital, where you can buy more impressive jewellery or more elegant and expensive perfumes.
Throughout the country there are souks and towns that traditionally specialise in more traditional crafts such as Bahla, for example, and ceramics.
Where to stay in Oman
The best place to stay in Oman is the Barceló Mussanah Resort, Sultanate of Oman, a four-star beachfront resort in Al Batinah, in the middle of the Gulf.
The hotel has 234 rooms and 74 luxury apartments, with sea views and plenty of flexibility to meet the needs of all its guests.
Along with a private beach, surrounded by palm trees and sunbathing huts, the hotel has four swimming pools overlooking the Gulf, and a children’s pool for the little ones to enjoy.
On the dining front, the Barceló Mussanah Resort has three excellent restaurants, the Mydan (international cuisine), the Azure (Mediterranean cuisine) and La Dolce Vita (Italian).
There are also three more spots for cocktails such as the Compass Bar, the Pool Bar and The Deck Bar&Lounge.
Guests have access to the Zayna Spa and Health Fitness Club, which has ten treatment rooms including a spa, a sauna, steam baths, a jacuzzi and a gym.
