Nizwa Souk
Nizwa, Oman
One of Oman’s oldest souks, Nizwa Souk (Nizwa Souq) neighbors Nizwa Fort in the heart of the former capital, and serves as a market and meeting place for locals from across the region. Comprising a main hall and outbuildings crammed with food, sweet, and handicraft stalls, the souk provides a fascinating window into local life and rich pickings for souvenir hunters.
The basics
Fronted by castle-like walls, Nizwa Souk is one of the city’s top attractions. Locals come to buy and sell fresh produce, livestock, and other goods, while tourists shop for traditional crafts and to observe rural Omani life. The free-to-enter souk has a dates market, food hall, old passageways filled with spice and nut emporiums, and tourist outlets hawking goods such as silverware and antiques.
The souk is a popular stop on private day trips from Muscat that showcase Oman’s interior, most of which combine it with Nizwa Fort and local sights like Jabrin Fort, Birkat al Mouz, and the mountains of Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams. The majority of multi-day Oman tours also visit Nizwa Souk, along with the country’s beaches, wadis, and Wahiba Sands.
Things to know before you go
Nizwa Souk is ideal for shoppers, foodies, photographers, and visitors wanting to experience traditional Oman.
Plan to spend 30–90 minutes here.
Some newer and outdoor areas of the souk are wheelchair accessible.
Parking is available outside the souk. Restrooms are located near the fresh produce hall and in Nizwa Fort.
How to get there
The easiest way to Nizwa Souk is by driving or taking a guided tour. If you ‘re driving, it’s a roughly 1-hour 45-minute trip from Muscat; follow Route 15 before taking Route 21 into Nizwa and following the signposts. You can also take a cab or public bus—the daily #53 and #54 Mwasalat buses leave Muscat’s Azaibah stop and Muscat International Airport for Nizwa, with some stopping outside the souk and others a short cab ride away.
When to get there
Nizwa Souk opens daily from early till late, with a break from around 1pm to 4pm. For quiet exploring, visit Monday through Wednesday, as Thursdays and Fridays are busy. Friday sees crowds descend for the early-morning weekly goat market, so unless you’re keen to watch the livestock trading, it’s best to avoid this time. Like anywhere in Oman, it’s sensible to visit between November and April to bypass the scorching summer heat.
What to buy at Nizwa Souk
Delve into Nizwa Souk’s date market, where many vendors offer free tastings before you buy, including samples of prized Sukkari dates. Then head for the souvenir sections for items like handwoven rugs, walking sticks, clay pots, and Oman’s curved, sheathed khanjar daggers—choose from silver antique versions or tiny necklace charms.
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