The fish market at the western end of Muttrah corniche is a working fish market rather than a tourist attraction, which is exactly what makes it worth visiting. The trade happens early — the main business is done by 7am, when fishing boats that went out the previous night bring in their catch and the buyers sort through yellowfin tuna, kingfish, hammour grouper, cuttlefish, and the dozens of smaller reef species that characterise Omani waters. Retailers, restaurant buyers, and householders pick through the catch at long concrete tables while cats work the margins.
The market has been on this site, or very close to it, for as long as Muttrah has been a trading port. The current building is modern and hygienic enough that the smell is sharp rather than overwhelming. The best time to visit is between 5am and 7am; by mid-morning it's largely cleared out and cleaned down. Even if you have no intention of buying, the variety and quantity of fish on display gives a clear picture of why the sea has mattered so much to Omani life and economy. The corniche walk from the market toward Old Muscat takes about thirty minutes and passes the souk entrance.