Earlier this year Muscat fish market moved into a new purpose-built hall. I wondered if ‘health and safety’ and, you know, basic consideration for the comfort and well-being of the men working there might have made it less atmospheric and photogenic, but I still jumped at the chance of an early morning visit.
I don’t know what the old market was like, but this new one still managed to pack in plenty of photo opportunities despite the air-conditioning, refrigeration facilities and modern stainless steel stalls. I spent a good half hour or so wandering around with my camera, taking photos and chatting to the guys selling the fish.
A few had caught the fish themselves, but mostly the sellers seem to be just dealing with the sales end of the business.
Although most other people were there to buy, my friend and I weren’t the only tourists wandering around with cameras. The men didn’t seem to mind and even held up fish for us to photograph when they spotted us looking at their stalls.
The market is located near Port Sultan Qaboos in the Muttrah area of Muscat. The port is used by cruise ships and so is an easy ‘attraction’ for tourists on the ships to visit, so I guess they are well used to visitors.
Want to read more posts on Oman? Try this one about the Royal Opera House in Muscat.
The 1,410 square metre hall which houses the market is long and has its 120 stalls laid out in rows. At the far end was an enclosed area used for cutting and cleaning fish.
Want some ideas of other fascinating markets around the world to visit? How about the market in Chania, Crete? Or the massive Christmas markets in Manchester?
Across from the fish market is a fruit and vegetable market. I had a quick wander through it, but the main attraction was definitely the fish market.
Do you like visiting markets? Are there any you’d recommend? Share your thoughts and recommendations in the comments below.
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Wow, multiple verities of Fish, i like the pink Fish, its name Sultan Ibrahim.
Sofi leen recently posted…Khasab Cruise port Terminal Worlds Most Beautiful Cruise Port
Yes, it was a pretty amazing fish market. I didn’t know the names of most of the fish though.