Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort | The Adventure Travel Site

Exploring Oman’s Lively Souks: Your Guide to Traditional Market Treasures

While Oman is most known for its historical ruins and structures, one of the more unique experiences to treasure in the country is visiting its traditional souks. Whether you are based in the capital city Muscat or any of the other cultural hubs like Nizwa or Salalah, shopping at these traditional markets is one way of experiencing the local culture in person. Here are some of Oman’s top souqs to visit during your stay.

Muttrah Souq

This is one of the most famous souqs in the country as it is located in the heart of Muscat where many travellers look to explore local delights. Visitors to the souq are immediately transported to a different world, one filled with vibrant colours, aromatic scents and local sounds. The souq is abundant in textiles, spices and traditional Omani crafts which are a delight for tourists.

Omani Souq

If you’re interested in exploring the country’s traditional clothing culture, then visiting the Omani Souq is one of the top things to do in Oman. This quaint market is known solely for its high-quality Omani clothing including the dishdasha, a long robe for men, and the Kuma, a traditional cap with intricate embroidery.

Nizwa Souq

Even if you’re staying a little away from the city in properties like Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, you can still explore the Nizwa Souq. This shop is known for selling the best silver jewellery and antiques, including intricate khanjars which are Omani knives. You’ll also find textiles, pottery and spices like any traditional souq.

Al Haffa Souq

Those looking to decorate their homes with the best Omani crafts will find this souq in Salalah ideal. In addition to selling various items like incense burners and coffee shops, Al Haffa Souq also offers frankincense resin, which is unsurprising, given that Salalah is known for its abundance of frankincense.

Nizwa

Known for its forts, majestic mountains, and ancient ruins, Nizwa offers travellers something intangibly different to take in. Read on to find out about the 4 must-visit destinations while here.

Image by Andries Oudshoorn via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Jebel Akhdar
Considered to be the main attraction in Nizwa, the Jebel Akhdar Mountain offers some truly spectacular views from the top. Booking a full day tour is recommended as it will enable you to visit quaint villages in the Hajar Mountains and take in picturesque mountain valleys lush with fruit groves.

Nizwa Fort
One of the main landmarks in the ancient city, visitors can take in the many courtyards, secret passages, and towers that are found in this 17th-century fort. The views from the top of the ramparts too will prove particularly wonderful!

Nizwa Grand Mall
After exploring and enjoying adventurous activities, a spot of shopping would definitely round things off. The Nizwa Grand Mall houses a variety of retail outlets along with a plethora of entertainment options. All within easy reach of surrounding Nizwa hotels including the likes of Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort

Oman Trekking
If you happen to be the adventurous type, choosing a trekking tour in Nizwa would be ideal. Many activities such as rock climbing, canyoning and swimming can be enjoyed under the careful guidance of professionals. However, booking your tour in advance is well recommended.

Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Kanya Mae writes on the beautiful, exciting, and enchanting wonders of the world. She is a writer who not only has a passion for travel, but also has a background in fashion, art and media. Google+

Hiking in Al Hajar Mountains

Trekking to North-eastern Oman will bring you to the wonderful Al Hajar mountain range which provides a wealth of tales to learn of. Having served as a barrier which prevented foreign invasions from overpowering Oman, this mountain range is by far the most stunning of its kind in order for adventure enthusiasts to set about for some hiking. Easily reachable from most Oman resort properties such as Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, some of the more frequented hiking trails can be found in regions such as Jabal Shams and Jabal Akhdar where warm, searing temperatures would greet hikers by day before more freezing climes would tend to take over the minute the sun begins to go into hiding.

While hiking in this region would be better with the aid of a guide, journeying to these parts from wherever you maybe based would have to be done in a robust 4×4 which could easily navigate this terrain with no fuss at all. First up is the Balcony Hike which can be enjoyed in Jabal Shams and takes approximately 4 hours to complete though the views of Oman that will be at your disposal would quite simply leave you breathless. Though moderate in nature, this hiking experience will lead you past abandoned villages while guiding you across a well-marked out trail along the rim of a canyon. If you do keep your eyes peeled for sudden surprises then you will be treated to the odd sight of hidden waterfalls that only add to the charm of the journey. Next up would be the region demarcated as the Western portion of the Al Hajar Mountains that hold its own secrets and fascinations. Walking on top of cliffs and savouring the cool mountain air may seem like the best feeling in the world right now but do make it a point to venture deeper, into parts that have been lost to the modern world. Moving into the wadis in this part will lead you into a collection of old villages where no trace of life can be found but the stillness and eerie silence of these once thriving communities will welcome you to a side of Oman which has now been forgotten though in terms of a hiking experience, is “just up one’s street,” so to speak. However though carrying your camera would be a pre-requisite, so too would be your trusty canister of water as you must not be placed in a position where you would be caught out by the weather in these regions.

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+