Oman (Muscat, Nizwa, Salalah, Sohar and Muttrah (Muttruh)) has it all, when it comes to shopping. You will find all the major European and international brands (Mexx, Versace, Chanel, Jaeger, Nina Ricci, Ungaro, Cartier, Rayban, Rolex or Ralph Lauren), some have their own shop, some can be bought in departementstores (JC Penny, The Capital Stores). The very luxurious shopping malls, fully air-conditioned, are mixed with different kind of shops (music, electronics, perfumes, art, crystalware, footwear, sports gear, gifts, greeting cards or furniture), and are also used as meeting places for locals and their children (there are a lot of play areas). The largest mall in the country is the Muscat City Centre which includes a French Carrefour hypermarket.
Another way of shopping is to visit the souqs (suqs) where you'll find handcrafted gold and silver jewellery, numerous wooden carvings, ornaments, fish, fruit, spices and traditional tools. One of the oldest souqs in Oman is Muttrah, on the Corniche, consisting of a maze of paths. Here you can haggle the right price, it's fun to do, and meet the friendly and hospitable Omanian people.
Oman also has a lot of art galleries, where you can buy renovated and customised antique and Middle Eastern and Indian furniture. |
