Must see attractions in Muscat

  • Top Choice

    Mutrah Souq

    Many people come to Mutrah Corniche just to visit the souq, which retains the chaotic interest of a traditional Arab market albeit housed under modern…

  • Top Choice

    Grand Mosque

    Quietly imposing from the outside, this glorious piece of modern Islamic architecture was a gift to the nation from Sultan Qaboos to mark his 30th year of…

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    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. On…

  • Top Choice

    Mutrah Corniche

    Mutrah stretches along an attractive corniche of latticed buildings and mosques; it looks spectacular at sunset when the light casts shadows across the…

  • Top Choice

    Bait Al Zubair

    In a beautifully restored house, this much-loved privately owned museum exhibits Omani heritage in thematic displays of traditional handicrafts, furniture…

  • Top Choice

    National Museum

    Housed in an imposing new building in the heart of Old Muscat, the National Museum makes a fitting consort for the Sultan's Palace opposite. The emphasis…

  • Sohar

    Just outside Al Bustan Palace Hotel, opposite the imposing parliament buildings, a small roundabout is home to Sohar, a boat named after the hometown of…

  • Marina Bandar Al Rowdha

    Apart from offering a full range of boating amenities, Marina Bandar Al Rowdha is a popular launching point for a range of water sports, including fishing…

  • Ghalya's Museum of Modern Art

    This delightful little museum, which encompasses both a modern art gallery and an old furnished house, encapsulates something of the excitement of the new…

  • Sultan’s Armed Forces Museum

    Despite the name, this excellent museum is far more than just a display of military hardware. The collection is housed in Bayt Al Falaj, built in 1845 as…

  • 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. The fort is…

  • Qurm Beach

    A road runs along the edge of Qurm Nature Reserve towards the Crowne Plaza Muscat hotel, giving access to a long, sandy beach – a popular place for…

  • Bait Al Baranda

    Housed in a renovated 1930s residence, this museum traces the history – and prehistory – of Muscat through imaginative, interactive displays and exhibits…

  • Mutrah Fort

    Built by the Portuguese in the 1580s, this fort dominates the eastern end of Mutrah harbour. Used for military purposes, it has at long last reopened to…

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    Marsa Plaza

    The open-air heart of Al Mouj residential and tourism complex, this delightful shaded public space is by the marina and catches the sea breeze. The avant…

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    Al Sahwa Park

    This perfectly manicured park offers a peaceful retreat from the city. The carefully trimmed trees offer shade, while fragrant shrubs make for a redolent…

  • Al Mirani Fort

    Sixteenth-century Al Mirani Fort was built by the Portuguese at the same time as nearby Al Jalali Fort. Although closed to the public, its presence looms…

  • Mutrah Gold Souq

    A visit to Mutrah Souq wouldn't be the same without a stroll through the narrow alleys that house the glittering gold shops. The bridal gold, worked into…

  • Bait Al Maqham

    Open on the whim of the gatekeeper, this fortified residence buried in a plantation in Bawshar is worth visiting for the location. Close to the city's…

  • Fish Market

    Despite being the capital's main port, Mutrah feels more like a fishing village. The daily catch is delivered to market, by the Marina Hotel, from sunrise…