Showing 1-25 of 25 results
-
Al-Bustan Palace Hotel
Set in lush gardens, the sumptuous Al-Bustan Palace Hotel was built as a venue for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in 1985. Remarkable for its enormous domed atrium, the hotel has won numerous awards as the best hotel in the Middle East. It's worth coming just to look at the building's interior and the location. It was being refurbished at the time of research and scheduled to re-open in 2008.
-
Al-Jalali Fort
Guarding the entrance to the harbour to the east, Al-Jalali Fort was built during the Portuguese occupation in the 1580s on Arab foundations.
-
Al-Mirani Fort
To the west, Al-Mirani Fort was built at the same time as Al-Jalali Fort. It contributed to the fall of the Portuguese through a curious affair of the heart: legend has it that the Portuguese commander fell for the daughter of a Hindu supplier, who refused the match on religious grounds. On being threatened with ruin, he spent a year apparently preparing for the wedding, but in fact convincing the commander that the fort's supplies needed a complete overhaul.
-
Al-Riyam Park
Beyond the Mutrah Fort, the corniche leads to the leafy Al-Riyam Park , with fine views of the harbour from the giant, ornamental incense burner and small fun fair.
-
Bait al-Baranda
The new museum, Bait al-Baranda in a renovated 1930s house, traces the history - and prehistory - of Muscat through imaginative, interactive displays and exhibits. A 'cut-and-paste' dinosaur, using bones found in the Al-Khoud area of Muscat and topped up with borrowed bones from international collections, is one of many striking exhibits in this excellent museum. The ethnographical displays help set not just Muscat but the whole of Oman in a regional, commercial and cultural context.
-
-
Bayt Az-Zubair
In a beautifully restored house, the museum Bayt Az-Zubair exhibits Omani heritage in photographs and displays of traditional handicrafts and furniture.
-
Children's Museum
Well-signposted, domed building with lots of hands-on science displays.
-
Fish Market
Despite being the capital's main port area, Mutrah feels like a fishing village. The daily catch is delivered to the Fish Market, by the Marina Hotel, from sunrise.
-
Ghala & Al-Ghubrah
Also known as the Grand mosque, Ghala & Al-Ghubrah is a glorious piece of modern Islamic architecture. It was a gift to the nation from Sultan Qaboos to mark the 30th year of his reign. Quietly imposing from the outside, the main prayer hall is breathtakingly rich. The Persian carpet alone is 70m x 60m wide, making it the largest carpet in the world; it took 600 women four years to weave.
-
Grand Mosque
This glorious piece of modern Islamic architecture was a gift to the nation from Sultan Qaboos to mark the 30th year of his reign. Quietly imposing from the outside, the main prayer hall is breathtakingly rich. The Persian carpet alone is 70m x 60m wide, making it the largest carpet in the world; it took 600 women four years to weave.
-
Advertisement
-
Kalbuh Bay Park
Kalbuh Bay Park, juts into a sea that's boiling with sardines - a good place for an evening stroll from Mutrah.
-
Muscat Gate Museum
Straddling the road between the corniche and the old walled city, the Muscat Gate Museum, with the original gates used until the 1970s to keep land-bound marauders out, marks the position of the old city wall and introduces Muscat proper. It is also a vantage point for the Sultan's Palace. A quick climb up to the aerial mast on the neighbouring hill gives an even better view of Mutrah and Muscat.
-
Mutrah Fort
Built by the Portuguese in the 1580s, the Mutrah Fort dominates the eastern end of the harbour. Used for military purposes, it is generally closed to visitors although you can scale the flank of the fort for a good view of the ocean.
-
Mutrah Souq
Many people come to Mutrah Corniche just to visit the Mutrah Souq, which retains the chaotic interest of a traditional Arab market albeit housed under modern timber roofing. There are some good antique shops selling a mixture of Indian and Omani artefacts among the usual textile, hardware and gold shops. Bargaining is expected but the rewards are not great, any discount will be small. Entrance to the souq is via the corniche, opposite the pedestrian traffic lights.
-
National Museum
With displays of jewellery, costumes and dowry chests, the National Museum has its moments. A mural and collection of boats celebrating Oman's seafaring heritage are probably the best part of a tired collection.
-
-
Natural History Museum
The Ministry of National Heritage houses the small but lovely Natural History Museum. The museum is a must for anyone interested in the local flora and fauna, and there are also some excellent displays on Oman's geography and geology.
-
Oman Museum
In addition to the small displays of artefacts and interesting rooms on Omani architecture, the Oman Museum is worth trying to find for its view over dazzlingly white suburbs and sea, though it's not always open as stated. A taxi from Qurm up the steep 1.3km climb costs about around OR1 .
-
Omani-French Museum
With galleries detailing relations between the two countries, the Omani-French Museum provides an interesting snapshot of mostly 19th-century colonial life in Muscat. From October until March, the museum is also open from to .
-
PDO Oil & Gas Exhibition
Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) is responsible for much of the rapid growth of infrastructure throughout the country, as outlined in the PDO Oil & Gas Exhibition. To reach it from Qurm, follow the signs for the Crowne Plaza Hotel and turn at the first right along Sayh al-Malih St.
-
Planetarium
The Planetarium is open for two shows per week in English (at Wednesday and Thursday) but book one day ahead. To reach it from Qurm, follow the signs for the Crowne Plaza Hotel and turn at the first right along Sayh al-Malih St.
-
Advertisement
-
Qurm Park
Attractively landscaped park, with ponds, shade for picnics, a model village (active during Muscat Festival) and a small funfair with a Ferris wheel.
-
Sohar
Just outside the Al-Bustan Palace Hotel, a small roundabout is home to the Sohar , a boat named after the hometown of the famou Omani seafarer, Ahmed bin Majid. The boat is a replica of one sailed by Abdullah bin Gasm in the mid-8th century to Guangzhou in China. It was built in the dhow yards of Sur from the bark of over 75,000 palm trees and four tonnes of rope. Not a single nail was used in the construction.
-
Sultan's Armed Forces Museum
Despite the less than appealing name, this excellent Sultan's Armed Forces Museum is far more than just a display of military hardware. The museum is housed in Bayt al-Falaj, built in 1845 as a royal summer home but used mostly as the headquarters of the sultan's armed forces. The lower rooms give a comprehensive outline of Oman's history, and the upper rooms explore Oman's international relations and military prowess.
-
Sultan's Palace
If you stand by the harbour wall on Mirani St, the building to the right with the delightful mushroom pillars in blue and gold is the Sultan's Palace. It was recently extended over the site of the former British embassy. In the grounds, there used to be the stump of a flagpole: the story goes that any slave (Oman was infamous for its slave trade from East Africa) who touched the flagpole was granted freedom.
-
Watchtower
The restored Portuguese Watchtower on a promontory out to sea, half way along the corniche, affords a lovely view out to sea. Access to the staircase is from behind the Al-Inshirah Restaurant. The area is a popular place to catch the evening breeze and is decorated with colourful fountains at night.
-
Showing 1-25 of 25 results
