What are some recommended places to visit and activities to do while in Muscat, Oman?
Muscat is the capital of the country – where traditional architecture sits beside stunning beaches and bustling souks – reflects Oman’s past and its present. Set between the sea and rugged mountain ranges, Muscat, with its melting pot of cultures, is the perfect starting point for an Omani adventure.
Located at the foot of the Hajar Mountains, Oman’s major mountain range, Muscat faces the Arabian Sea. Architecturally, the city is characterised by a typical oriental Arabesque style with its white and sand-coloured low-standing houses. The skyline is dotted with the minarets and domes of the city’s mosques.
Archaeological remains suggest this was the site of an early fishing settlement as far back as the fifth millennium BC, making Muscat one of the oldest cities in Arabia. As a trading port, Muscat experienced continual growth and attracted sailors and merchants from all over the world.
In 1507 it was conquered by the Portuguese, who occupied the city until 1650 when it was freed by Sultan bin Saif, who founded an empire that stretched from Pakistan to Zanzibar. In 1832 a second capital city was settled on the African island of Zanzibar. This marked the beginning of a period of decline for Muscat, which only regained its former glory after the current sultan, His Majesty Qaboos bin Said, rose to power in the 1970s.
Today, there is plenty to captivate the visitor. Start with a stroll along the Mutrah corniche. First thing in the morning, this busy port is the site of a fish market, while in the early evening locals flock there to take in the sea air. Looking out over the seafront are some of the city’s oldest and most beautiful houses, as well as the Lawati mosque, with its blue minaret and majestic dome decorated with mosaics. The same area is also home to the best-stocked souk in the Arabian Peninsula.
Here, in its maze of alleyways, it is possible to find traditional clothes, jewellery, spices, antiques, hand-woven Bedouin carpets and craft workshops. Look for the craftsmen making traditional sculpted silver and ivory daggers known as khunjars.
Within walking distance of Mutrah is a magnificent private home called Bait al Baranda, or “House of the Porch”, now a museum dedicated to the history of Muscat from prehistory to the present day, with a section dedicated to the current ruling dynasty. The museum is open from Saturday to Thursday, 9am to 1pm and 4pm to 6pm. The breathtaking Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, opened in 2001, is a must for anyone visiting the country. It's elegantly carved arches lead to the courtyard and from there you can enter the huge main prayer hall, entirely decorated in white, blue and gold. An opulent Swarovski chandelier hangs from the dome and the floor is covered with a Persian carpet handcrafted by 600 weavers and spanning 4,263 square metres.
Set between sea and mountain, the capital of the Sultanate seduces with its blend of ancient and modern charms.
One of the first nations to embrace Islam in a peaceful manner, Oman converted Ibadi Islam in 700 AD. This denomination – also called Ibãdiyya – is believed to be a division of the Khawaji school of Islam. Formed some 50 years after the death of Mohammed, Ibadi is the dominant form of Islam in Oman and Zanzibar, although there are also Ibadis in the Nafus mountains in Libya, the Mzad valley in Algeria, the island of Jerba in Tunisia and in East Africa. The Grand Mosque is open from Monday to Thursday, 9am to 11am.
You may not be able to venture inside the Al Alam Royal Palace in the Old Muscat area, but it still worth a visit. Built by Sultan Qaboos in 1972, its elaborately decorated façades and the impressive courtyard give visitors a good idea of the opulence within the palace, which is used for high-profile public ceremonies and meetings. Opposite the Palace, the imposing forms of the Jalali and Mirani Forts stand on the high ground around the city and are among its most distinguishing features. Built during the Portuguese occupation in about 1580, their exceptional structures make these two of the most beautiful forts in the country.
ROYAL OPERA HOUSEOpened in 2011, the Royal Opera House – the first of its kind in the Arabian Peninsula – is the Sultan’s vision for the future of Oman’s cultural heritage and legacy. It is in the heart of the city and its calendar features classical music, jazz, symphony and ballet, as well as international acts. To see the list of performances and to buy tickets, visit www.rohmuscat.org.om
The fortress-style Old Town gates now house a magnificent museum that allows you to explore how the city appeared – from its ancient wells to sprawling souks – in days past. From its highest windows, there is also a panoramic view of the city and ocean.
The beautiful home of Bait al Zubair is a complex of private buildings transformed into an ethnographic museum. It has recently been extended, with the addition of an Oman Renaissance building. Its broad collection of traditional clothes, objects and jewellery helps paint a picture of daily life in the Sultanate over the centuries.
The museum also has a collection of local and contemporary art and organises temporary
exhibitions, concerts and events to support young and up-and-coming artists. It is open
from Saturday to Thursday, 9.30am to 6pm.
The old French consulate – Bait Fransa – has also been renovated and converted into a delightful museum. Focusing on the building of ties between Oman and France, it also has a cool, luxuriant inner garden. It is open from Sunday to Thursday, 9am to midday.
Nature lovers will take great pleasure in discovering the flora and fauna of the Sultanate – including some in fossilised form – at the fantastic Natural History Museum in the Ministry of Heritage and Culture Building in the Al Khuwair area. The star exhibit, dominating an entire room, is an enormous skeleton of a whale. The museum is open from Sunday to Thursday, 9am to midday.
Need more inspiration? Check this Note: An Evening in Muscat
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