What to buy in Nizwa Souq

If you want a souvenir of your time in Oman Nizwa Souq is the place to pick one. In my experience prices are cheaper here than the more touristy Muttrah Souq in Old Muscat and you'll find yourself shopping alongside locals - always a good sign.

But what's on offer and what should you buy? In this post I'm sharing some of the things we have bought in Nizwa.

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About Nizwa Souq

The outside of Nizwa souq. There are high sand coloured walls and dark wood gates. The Omani flag flies above them — The modern wall around the souq complex

Like the city, Nizwa's market is one of the oldest in Oman, sitting on a historic trading route that made this place a hub for commerce, education and religion.

The Souq is right alongside the imposing fort, which is centrally located in Nizwa, but it is not all under one roof. There are separate buildings within a walled complex selling fresh produce, dried fruit and spices, pottery, antiques and silver. Between the main souq and fort you will also find shops on narrow side roads.

Opening times in Nizwa Souq can vary depending on the season but it is generally open from 8am to midday and then 4pm until late Saturday to Thursday. Traders may stay open longer at lunch time if there are lots of tourists around but the fresh produce market always slows down towards midday.

On Fridays some shops open earlier inline with the goat market, where cattle begin arriving as the sun rises, and temporary stalls (sometimes just a blanket thrown on the ground covered in vegetables) can be found between the food hall and fish market.

Most shop owners pack up between 11am and midday in time for Friday prayers. But they come back for the increased footfall in the late afternoon and evening.

Your Nizwa Souq shopping list

I'm going to assume that if you are reading this you are not in the market for a goat - a cool 50 OMR seems to be the going rate. And you might have luggage allowance to consider.

So here's some things you can buy in Nizwa Souq that are worth your spending money.

Silver

Oman is well-known for its silversmithing. Formal outfits for men are accompanied by intricately decorated silver khanjar knives, belt buckles and money pouches and for women heavy, tiered necklaces, bracelets, head dresses, rings and anklets.

Traditionally, silver was an important part of a woman's dowry and you can see many examples of the kind of pieces handed down in the exhibitions within Nizwa Fort and Oman Across the Ages Museum.

My daughter walking between displays of Omani silver and items put into dowry boxes in Nizwa Fort — Displays of silver in Nizwa Fort

If you would like to buy some for yourself, be aware that silver isn't cheap in Oman. It is priced by weight (the exact amount is government regulated and can change daily) and by the level of craftsmanship that has gone into the piece.

Good souvenirs include simple rings and cufflinks. Be sure to check the workmanship is Omani before you make a purchase. Pieces from other Gulf states is also available in Nizwa.

Silver incense burners lined up on a shelf in a souq shop — These ornamental incense burners are pretty but not intricate enough to be Omani made

Don't worry about being sold a fake. Shop owners will be very honest about the origins of each piece when asked.

You'll find silver shops in the same area as the pottery crafts.

Pottery

About that pottery...this is another classic Omani item. Pots have historically been made to store dates, date juice and honey. You can also find pottery incense burners which are one of my favourite Oman trinkets.

Designs are similar wherever you go in Oman - there are pots inspired by palm trees, crescent moons and forts, as well as brightly patterned bowls. But prices can vary.

I've found prices to be cheaper in Nizwa than in Muttrah Souq, but if you have time to stop on your way to or from Nizwa you'll find them even cheaper in Fanja Pottery Souq, a 20 minute drive from the outskirts of Muscat.

The shops selling pottery are easy to spot as all their earthenwares are outside. They also sell silver, magnets, khanjar knives and Arabic lanterns.

Dates, spices and honey

Dozens of boxes and types of date in a shop

If your eyes are caught by the displays of handicrafts at the fort end of the souq it's easy to miss the date souq building at the opposite end of the complex. But I'd highly recommend a visit.

There are dozens of date varieties here and you are encouraged to try before you buy. If the owners aren't too busy they'll also invite you to have a small cup of qahwa (strong Omani coffee) with them.

As well as dates, you can buy spices (expect them to have more kick than in a Western supermarket), sweets and honey from the Hajar Mountains and Salalah.

Halwa

This is an excellent gift to buy Omanis if you are being hosted by them and also a transportable souvenir to share with family and friends after your visit to Nizwa.

But what is Halwa? It is a traditional Omani treat made with ghee, cornstarch, sugar and water, then flavoured spices, rose water and nuts. The best way to describe it for Western pallates is as a kind of thick, spiced jelly.

Traditionally it is shared at the end of a meal as a sweet. Everyone uses a small spoon in their left hand to cut off a piece. You pick that potion off of the spoon with your right hand and place it into your mouth so the spoon can be used again without 'double dipping'.

You'll find lots of counters selling Halwa in Nizwa's Food Souq. Traders provide spoons to customers to test their wares before you buy. Purchase some in a sealed plastic container and it will travel well.

Browse the Antique Souq

Touristy trinkets in the antique souq at Nizwa

Nizwa's Antique Souq, which is on a mezzanine level above the Food Souq, is fun to browse but be aware that very little here originates from Oman.

You don't need to look hard to spot touristy souvenirs with labels mentioning the UAE, Egypt, Turkey and even Morocco that have somehow made their way here.

In the foreground are ropes hanging Turkish evil eye protectors. In the background are two suits of armour which are very out of place in Oman

There's also suits of armour, a model rhino, ivory and African statues.

Arabic lanterns in the antique souq at Nizwa

If you are going to buy anything, make it an Arabic Lantern. You'll see these everywhere in Oman, even if they haven't been made here, so are a lovely keepsake if your luggage allows.

Visiting the famous goat market in Nizwa

A brown and white goat is plated down on a shingle floor in the goat market. It is tied to a railing

For a glimpse into authentic Omani culture, the Friday Goat Market is a must.

Watch normally reserved Omanis transform into passionate traders, parading their livestock around a concrete ring while buyers inspect teeth and bellies before haggling for the best price.

This isn't a tourist attraction - it's a genuine trading post that's operated for centuries, just now under a corrugated iron shed instead of a palm frond roof.

Find out more about this essential Nizwa experience including plenty of tips for seeing it yourself.

More things to do in Nizwa

Click this button for a guide to Nizwa Fort

Click this button for a guide to Oman Across the Ages Museum

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