Nested around the coconut trees, Al Husn Souk is the Frankincense souq in Haffa District. It is an old market in Salalah, the largest city of Oman in the south.
The souk is located on Sultan Qaboos Street, which is named after the late king of Oman – Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. He died on 10th January 2020.
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Other Names of Al Husn Souq
This souq got its names from the proximity of the Sultan’s palace, which is Al Hosn Palace. Al Hosn is an Arabic word that means the palace in English.
Al Husn Souq has some other names, as well. Sometimes there is a variation of the spelling in writing the same name. For the ease of readers, I will be putting here all the names and spelling variations. Let’s start with the other names of this souq.
Since this souk is present in Haffa District of Salalah City, it got its name as “Haffa Souq”. As Frankincense is main item that is sold here, it’s called “Frankincense Souk of Oman” as well. Also, other popular names of this market are “Luban Souk” or “Bakhur Souk”.
Now, lets briefly mention the spelling variation. It’s written as Haffa Souk, Haffa Souq or Al Haffa Souq. The variations in Husn are Al Hosn Souk, Al Husn Souq and so on.
When to Visit Haffa Souk?
There are three times of the day, when you can visit the Hosn Souq. The first one is in the morning. During winters (from October to April), the market is full with Europeans, who came to Salalah on cruise ships and charter planes. From the cruise terminal on the western side of Salalah City (Port of Salalah), many travel agents, including Beautiful Salalah Tours, pick up the visitors and take them to the unforgettable city tour.
Beautiful Salalah Tours pick up the visitors from the pier, right on time when the cruise disembarks. Haffa Souk and other remarkable places in the city are on the excursion list in Half Day Salalah City Tour.
The second most popular time for the visitors is in the evening. It is important to note, the souk is closed in the afternoon, from 12 pm to 4 pm everyday. In the evening, tourists and residents visit the souk. Moreover, they visit the beach as well. The afternoon city tour by Beautiful Salalah Tours covers Haffa souq in the evening.
Lastly, the third popular time for visiting the open air market is in night. Since the market is open till 10 pm, few visitors come after dinner or just when they are going for it. This is actually peak time in khareef season, which is in the months of July and August. In addition to the actual souk, many makeshift shops are made for this season to cater the influx of tourists.
What is sold in Al Husn Souk Salalah?
Al Husn Souk is a traditional market for shopping of frankincense, perfumes, local garments, handicrafts and souvenirs. This market is the best place to buy these products in the town.
1. Traditional Omani Dresses
Inside the market, shops are selling local dresses for both men and women, like lady scarves, turban and caps for men.
Just across Sultan Qaboos Street, you will find many tailors, who can stitch the long white gown for men and black long gown for the women. In Islam, both men and women need to cover their body. That’s why you see the head dress for both men and women in this market.
These local clothing have particular terms. The long black gown for ladies is Abaya and ladies scarfs are Sheela. The most common color of Abaya is Black. However, sometimes you will see ladies wearing a different color as well.
In addition to this outer gown, ladies here wear a full gown inside as well. It is Jalabia.
Men full white gown is Disdasha. Although the most popular color is white, you will find it in other colors too.
Masar is the colorful male scarf, mostly made in Kashmir. When men are going to formal events or to the government offices, they wear Masar.
Kumma is a colorful cap that men wears. This is usually worn in casually. It is one of the best souvenir to take back home. Some caps are embroidered by hand while some are machine made. There is a price difference in both.
2. Frankincense and Perfumes
Salalah and Dhofar is famous for Frankincense trees and its stones both in the past and now. Dhofari Frankincenses (also called Omani Frankincense) are the best in the world, and it’s a known fact to the visitors.
Shops at Al Haffa Souk sell Dhofari frankincenses, Bukhoor, Attar and perfumes. The stalls sell various types of local frankincenses, for instance, Shazri, Najdi, Sha’abi and Hawjari. Based on the type of frankincense and the size of the packaging, the starting price is 1 Omani rials. This is equivalent to 2 to 3 Dollars and Euros.
The finest of these all is Hawjari, which is silver in color and costs more. Sometimes it’s called Hasiki, as its from the wadi around Hasik. Hasik is around 2 hours drive from Salalah, on the Eastern side.
On the alley and in shops, the aroma of burning incense gives a magical atmosphere to the market. The Burners of Frankincense are colorful clay pots, locally handmade. These burners are piled and displayed across the market in a visually appealing order. Inside these pots, incense is burned with charcoal.
In addition to the incense, both Burner and Charcoals are sold in Haffa. At some shops, you can find burner, charcoal and frankincense as a combo inside a plastic bag, while most of the shops sell them separately.
Oud is the most popular fragrance in Attar and Perfumes. You will find it inside various sized bottles.
Most of the aromatics shops are run by local women. Who are covered from head to toe in black dress and are veiled.
Important Points on Women Veiling in Islam
Islam allows women to carryout business, and Khadija (the wife of Prophet Mohammed Peach Be Upon Him) was a popular business woman. Islam doesn’t believe in showing skin and using women as an object to make sales, like the current advertisements and marketing that is in place in the world.
As per Quran, in Chapter 24 (Chapter title is Al Noor), Verse 31:
And tell the believing women that they must lower their gazes and guard their private parts, and must not expose their adornment, except that which appears thereof, and must wrap their bosoms with their shawls, and must not expose their adornment, except to their husbands or their fathers or the fathers of their husbands, or to their sons or the sons of their husbands, or to their brothers or the sons of their brothers or the sons of their sisters, or to their women, or to those owned by their right hands, or male attendants having no (sexual) urge, or to the children who are not yet conscious of the shames of women. And let them not stamp their feet in a way that the adornment they conceal is known and repent to Allah O believers, all of you, so that you may achieve success.
Women are respectful and their honor is one of the most important things in the world. Islam encourages family culture and the center of the family is women. She is mother, sister, daughter and wife. To give an honor to women, Islam encourages marriage and forbids adultery and other illicit forms of relations where women can be exploited.
A Souk Next to A Pretty Al Haffa Beach
On one of its side, the souk has the beautiful beach of Haffa. Al Haffa Beach is one of prettiest stretches of sea front in Salalah.
The white-sand beach extends in either direction as far as eyes can see. As a matter of fact, this beach has two important landmarks on its both ends. Firstly, on its western side, it has the Al Husn Palace – one of the palaces of Sultan. You cannot see the palace from outside, as it is protected by high walls. Surely, you cannot enter inside as its not permitted.
On the other side of the beach, on its eastern side to be specific, lies the remains of the ancient city of Zafar. Many famous travelers of the past, including Ibn Battuta, visited that city and mentioned it in their travelogues. Today, these remains are known as Al Baleed Archaeological Park. Moreover, an onsite museum, The Museum of the Frankincense Land, hosts the artifacts excavated from the historic sites in Dhofar.
Haffa Beach is famous for its coconut palms. Therefore, it makes the beach similar to the Caribbean beaches. This is the best place to experience coconut plantation along the beach. In addition to this, Haffa district has lot of farms of coconut palms and banana trees, which makes the place unique in Arabian Peninsula.
Previously, old style Dhofari houses could be seen from the shore. Most of which are demolished now to make way for future development, while some of these are barricaded.
Furthermore, the beach is really popular among locals and you will find them in huge number at dusk. They sit in foldable chairs and colorful mats, just besides the car and experience the cool breeze and the stunning beach. Subhan Allah!
Stay Near Haffa Souq
We highly recommend the below two resorts for staying besides Haffa Souq. Since these resorts are high in demand, we advice you to book them as soon as possible.
1. Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara
Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara offers Villas with Private Pool. This resort at walking distance from the archeological site. Occupying a beachfront location, Al Baleed Resort is is the first luxury villa resort in Salalah.
Check best rates online at Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara
2. Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah
A waterfront resort, Crowne Plaza Resort is one of the best places to stay in Salalah. Lush tropical garden surrounds the hotel building. Crowne Plaza has 153 rooms.
Check best rates online at Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah
