Haffa Souq is the oldest and most characterful market in Salalah, and the essential place to buy frankincense — the product that put Dhofar on the ancient world's trade map. The stalls sell everything from raw resin in various grades (the lighter and more translucent, the higher the quality) to blended incense, traditional Omani silver jewellery, kohl containers, perfumes, and hand-woven textiles.
The frankincense shopping experience here is hands-on — vendors will light a burner for you to smell the smoke before buying, and a good-quality piece of hojari frankincense (the premium grade from the Dhofar hills) makes an excellent and genuinely local souvenir. The souq is busiest in the evenings, especially during the khareef season. Bargaining is expected.