The Barka souq is a working market rather than a heritage attraction — the kind of place where local farmers, fishermen, and traders buy and sell, and visitors are a secondary consideration. Produce from the surrounding Batinah plain fills the stalls: mangoes, limes, bananas, dates, and fresh fish from the Gulf coast.
The fish market section is particularly lively in the early morning when the catch arrives. The livestock market, held at certain times of the week, is also worth looking for — goats and cattle are traded alongside the usual produce. Come early, bring cash in small denominations, and be prepared for a genuinely local experience rather than a curated one.