For those interested in cultural experiences, a visit to the Muscat Fish Market is a must do.
Although it attracts tourists, it is still traditional and geared towards the locals.
You need to have you stomach settled, but you get to glimpse at a real moment in the Omanis’ lives!
Below is my guide to help you plan your visit.
Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Oman:
![](http://www.zigzagonearth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/%F0%9F%9A%97.png)
My favorite platform to rent a car in Oman: DiscoverCars
![](http://www.zigzagonearth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/%F0%9F%9B%A5%EF%B8%8F%EF%B8%8F.png)
My favorite adventure from Muscat: Dolphin and Snorkeling
![](http://www.zigzagonearth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/%F0%9F%9A%8C.png)
My favorite excursion from Muscat: Wadi Shab and Bimmah Sinkhole
![](http://www.zigzagonearth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/%F0%9F%8F%A0.png)
My favorite places to stay:
- Muscat, the capital – see the best rated hotels or my favorite hotel: The Chedi
- Sur, for the turtles – see the best rated hotels
- Khasab, Musandam peninsula – see the best rated hotels
- Wahiba Sands, in the desert – see the best rated hotels or my favorite camp: Desert Nights Resort
![Muscat Fish Market Oman](http://www.zigzagonearth.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Muscat-Fish-Market-Oman-683x1024.jpg)
Why visit the Muttrah Fish Market in Muscat?
In the Muttrah area of Muscat takes place a traditional fish market, not far from the Corniche and the Souq. At the moment it is still small and full of charm. I hope it can keep its atmosphere.
This area is where you come to observe everyday life. I was surprised at how little impact tourism has on this tradition. They just keep going as if we were not here. I loved it!
![Muttrah Fish market, Muscat](https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Oman-2-Muscat-fish-market-Souq/i-CN8QQhh/0/L/Fish_Market_IMG_6249-L.jpg)
However, beware, this is really not a place for the faint hearted – it is right under your eyes and under your nose. All your senses are stimulated:
- You see so many different varieties of fish: tunas, squid, king fish, prawns…
- You smell the fresh product from the sea
- You hear the buzzing noise of the price haggling and laugh between friends
- You feel the salt in the air
- And if you buy one, you will be able to taste it!
If you have a few days, check out my list of things to do in Muscat, Oman.
PLANNING TIPS – Muscat Fish Market
How to get to the Fish market in Muscat
- The Muscat Fish Market is near the northern section of the Muttrah corniche, near the fruit and vegetable market
- Try parking in the area, wherever you can and walk. With all the construction work do not try to get as close as possible with the car
- On the Map below, you can locate the Mutrah area to the North East of Muscat:
![Map touristic areas Muscat Oman things to do - Travel Guide Map touristic areas Muscat Oman things to do](http://www.zigzagonearth.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Map-touristic-areas-Muscat-Oman-things-to-do-Travel-Guide.jpg)
This location is included (with GPS coordinates, map of region and planning info) in my travel guide eBook that helps you easily plan your Oman road trip:
Visiting the Muscat Fish market
- Fishes start arriving at sunrise and the activity is mainly during the first half of the morning
- Wear closed shoes as it is muddy and bloody
- Not recommended for vegetarian… and not for the faint hearted – again it is smelly and bloody
Accommodations in Muscat
You can stay near: Al Qurum beach to enjoy evening walks on the sands, or in Muttrah for more traditional restaurant and experience, o in Ruwi for the cheaper options.
Check out the best rated accommodations in Muscat
Need to rent a car in Oman?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Choose a car with enough power for the mountain roads
- Consider their full coverage option – for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
![](https://www.zigzagonearth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/003world-travel-car-01-1024x1024.webp)
Arrival of fishermen
Before going inside the fish market itself, I stopped by the pier. It was quite late but I still saw 2 boats coming it. And here we are not talking about the big fishing boats I see in France. Just small boats with 2 or 3 fishermen on it. They go out in the middle of the night or before dawn and come back to sell their catch of the day.
![Pier at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat Pier at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat](https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Oman-2-Muscat-fish-market-Souq/i-JgZTPkR/0/L/Oman_Muscat_IMG_7119-L.jpg)
![Fish cover at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat Fish cover at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat](https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Oman-2-Muscat-fish-market-Souq/i-s9PtP7z/0/L/Fish_Market_Oman_Muscat_IMG_7121-L.jpg)
![Fisherman on boat at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat Fisherman on boat at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat](https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Oman-2-Muscat-fish-market-Souq/i-JnBW7vk/0/L/Fish_Market_Oman_Muscat_IMG_7123-L.jpg)
![Fishermen showing what was captured at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat Fishermen showing what was captured at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat](https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Oman-2-Muscat-fish-market-Souq/i-4bddTS5/0/L/Fish_Market_Oman_Muscat_IMG_7126-L.jpg)
![catch of the day at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat catch of the day at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat](https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Oman-2-Muscat-fish-market-Souq/i-gKbGdrh/0/L/Fish_Market_Oman_Muscat_IMG_7131-L.jpg)
I don’t drink coffee ![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%2024%2024%22%3E%3C/svg%3E)
But I also like other drinks and sweets!
Do you like the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising…
![](https://www.zigzagonearth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/claire.png)
Sardines out of the net
I spotted also a team of 4 men clearing a net from all the fishes it had caught. Mackerel I believe.
They were welcoming and happy to chat a little bit with us while still working.
![net at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat net at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat](https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Oman-2-Muscat-fish-market-Souq/i-WGC8STV/0/L/Fish_Market_Oman_Muscat_IMG_7132-L.jpg)
![removing fish from net at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat removing fish from net at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat](https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Oman-2-Muscat-fish-market-Souq/i-ZZ42LMf/0/L/Fish_Market_Oman_Muscat_IMG_7136-L.jpg)
![removing fish from net at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 2 removing fish from net at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 2](https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Oman-2-Muscat-fish-market-Souq/i-BbSFjrh/0/L/Fish_Market_Oman_Muscat_IMG_7148-L.jpg)
And eel was spotted in the middle of it. It was soon removed and thrown away. I wish he had put it back in the water but he did not understand.
![removing fish from net at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 3 removing fish from net at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 3](https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Oman-2-Muscat-fish-market-Souq/i-6NRmMwP/0/L/Fish_Market_Oman_Muscat_IMG_7155-L.jpg)
![removing fish from net at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 4 removing fish from net at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 4](https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Oman-2-Muscat-fish-market-Souq/i-Zh6DX7Q/0/L/Fish_Market_Oman_Muscat_IMG_7160-L.jpg)
![removing fish from net at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 5 removing fish from net at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 5](https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Oman-2-Muscat-fish-market-Souq/i-6hCdPVw/0/L/Fish_Market_Oman_Muscat_IMG_7161-L.jpg)
Selling area of the Muscat Fish Market
After that it was time for me to get ito the arena. As I said I was there late so it was not as lively as early morning, but still bargainings were happening.
I toured the are to discover the different types of fish they were offering.
![Muttrah Fish market, Muscat Muttrah Fish market, Muscat](https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Oman-2-Muscat-fish-market-Souq/i-CN8QQhh/0/L/Fish_Market_IMG_6249-L.jpg)
![Fishes at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat Fishes at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat](https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Oman-2-Muscat-fish-market-Souq/i-N3Vghh5/0/L/Fish_Market_Oman_Muscat_IMG_7165-L.jpg)
![Fishes at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 2 Fishes at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 2](https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Oman-2-Muscat-fish-market-Souq/i-hZPr5NS/0/L/Fish_Market_Oman_Muscat_IMG_7166-L.jpg)
![Fishes at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 3 Fishes at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 3](https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Oman-2-Muscat-fish-market-Souq/i-vsZRP8h/0/M/Fish_Market_Oman_Muscat_IMG_7167-M.jpg)
![Fishes at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 4 Fishes at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 4](https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Oman-2-Muscat-fish-market-Souq/i-VjQP8qw/0/M/Fish_Market_Oman_Muscat_IMG_7173-M.jpg)
![Fishes at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 5 Fishes at Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 5](https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Oman-2-Muscat-fish-market-Souq/i-VG7ZttT/0/L/Fish_Market_Oman_Muscat_IMG_7174-L.jpg)
Fish Preparation
Once you buy a fish you can pay one of the prepare to clear and gut it. It goes very fast! There were many 5 of them. But I forgot to ask the price.
The men I photographed below accepted that I capture his work removing the scales and cutting it with expert hands. I have often seen my fish seller in France prepare a fish. But somehow this was way more interesting.
![preparing the fish at the Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 6 preparing the fish at the Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 6](https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Oman-2-Muscat-fish-market-Souq/i-xvL8r6p/0/M/Fish_Market_Oman_Muscat_IMG_7199-M.jpg)
![preparing the fish at the Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 5 preparing the fish at the Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 5](https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Oman-2-Muscat-fish-market-Souq/i-zNGZWTp/0/M/Fish_Market_Oman_Muscat_IMG_7176-M.jpg)
![preparing the fish at the Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 3 preparing the fish at the Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 3](https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Oman-2-Muscat-fish-market-Souq/i-HjwL52z/0/M/Fish_Market_Oman_Muscat_IMG_7179-M.jpg)
![preparing the fish at the Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 4 preparing the fish at the Muttrah Fish market, Muscat 4](https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Oman-2-Muscat-fish-market-Souq/i-DF9MFbR/0/L/Fish_Market_Oman_Muscat_IMG_7196-L.jpg)
Traditional fishing in Oman
As I spend a night wild camping on a beach in Oman, I was lucky to be able to see fishermen through their net early morning. It was fascinating!
![Traditional fishing in Oman](https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Best-of-Oman/i-Z44rWCF/1/L/Oman_IMG_8219-L.jpg)
Rest of the Muttrah market
If you keep exploring around you can find the vegetable markets and sweets and more…
![Muttrah market](https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/Oman/Oman-2-Muscat-fish-market-Souq/i-sVdT2XR/1/64f86539/L/Oman_Muscat_IMG_7118-L.jpg)
Want to see more of Oman?
- Best Things to do in Oman – read article
- Best of photos from Oman – Landscapes – read article
- Where to stay in Oman – read article
- Best days trips from Muscat – read article
- Planning a road trip in Oman – read article
- Renting a car and Driving in Oman – read article
- The impressive Wadi Shab – read article
- The Bimmah Sinkhole – read article
- The desert of Wahiba Sands – read article
- The Ras Al Jinz turtle reserves – read article
Planning a trip to Oman?
Check out my travel guide to help you plan:
And keep track of your own trip!
![Oman road trip journal Oman road trip journal](http://www.zigzagonearth.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Oman-road-trip-journal.jpg)
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