Best things to do in Muscat

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

One of the largest mosques in the world with a capacity of 20,000, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is a recent yet architecturally classic building. The interior is grand and the prayer hall is home to a handwoven Persian carpet weighing over 21 tons on the prayer floor, while an exquisite 46-foot (14m) chandelier hangs from the ceiling. Though English tours are on offer, this remains a religious site rather than a tourist destination, so visitors need to be respectful of the rules. Muslims can visit any time of the day, but tourists of other faiths should only come during visiting hours. Visitors are asked to dress modestly and women are required to cover their hair.

Old Muttrah Souk

Old Muttrah Souk is the most popular traditional bazaar in Muscat. The market is a small maze of narrow alleyways formed by adjoining stalls, where tourists can bargain with stall clerks over the prices of gold and silver jewellery, antiques and other traditional goods. The market has a less forceful air than others, so visitors are free to wander at their leisure without overt pressure from touts. While the Old Muttrah Souk is popular with tourists, locals shop here too, giving authenticity to the market and mixing ornamental souvenirs with household products and delicious food.

Bait al Baranda

Even for those without an interest in Muscat's history, the Bait Al Baranda Museum presents a fascinating story of the region stretching back some 750 million years. The interactive exhibitions take visitors through tectonic plate shifts to recent folk art, with an adherence to detail and historical fact. Instead of simply housing artefacts, the Bait Al Baranda's dynamic exhibits often require audience participation. The museum is situated in a remodelled historic building that also periodically features local contemporary art exhibits.

Al Jalali and Al Mirani Forts

The Al Jalali and Al Mirani Forts were built during the Portuguese colonial rule of Oman during the 16th Century and are now beautiful windows into that era. Situated on either side of a palace, they give a fortified appearance to Muscat's harbour. The forts are examples of traditional architecture, with Al Jalali bedecked with traditional doors, rugs and pottery. Both Al Jalali and Al Mirani have displays of ancient war memorabilia such as armour and weapons. Their strategic position on a mountain overlooking the harbour gives tourists commanding views of the city and Arabian Sea below. Opening times can be fickle but many undeterred tourists enjoy the scenery from outside their walls.

Qasr Al Alam Royal Palace

Surrounded by lush gardens and the beautiful harbour, Qasr Al Alam Royal Palace is a fine example of modern Islamic architecture. Built in 1972, it is the sultan's official palace and is flanked on each side by the ancient Al Jalali and Al Mirani Forts, which offer an impressive and well-fortified greeting to ships entering Muscat's harbour. Tourists are not allowed inside the classically styled building for obvious security reasons, but it remains a popular area to walk around and photograph.

Muttrah Fish Market

Located on the waterfront along the lively Corniche in Muttrah, the fish market is a nod to Oman's past and future, as it safeguards the region's trade and fishing traditions, while also aiding the growing tourism industry. The building stands close to Muttrah's original fish market, which was built in 1960, and its sweeping canopy of angled aluminium fins helps to shade its terraces and concrete-walled halls. The marketplace houses more than 100 fish sellers and cutters, who offer a vast selection of ocean-fresh fish, squid and crab. Visitors can purchase fresh fruit and vegetables nearby.

Bahla

Bahla is an ancient city in the northern part of Oman, where history lovers will find some of the country's oldest forts. It was founded at an oasis for caravans and travellers to stop at and rest on their desert journeys, and was the capital of Oman between the 12th and 17th centuries. The famous Bahla Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dates back to 1,000 BC and remains the city's most popular attraction. Bahla has a rich tradition of pottery and visitors can still see potters working at their kilns and haggling over their wares.

Al Hajar Mountains

The dramatic Al Hajar mountains stretch from Muscat through northern Oman and into the United Arab Emirates, and are among the destination's most popular attractions. Graced with dramatic vistas of canyons, gorges and plateaus where the rich colours of the igneous rock formations make for unforgettable sights, the region has an obvious romance. Highway 15 winds up the mountains to the old city of Nizwa, home to an impressive 17th-century fort and an early-morning goat market. Nizwa makes an excellent base to explore the mountains from, including traditional villages, mudbrick towns and date plantations. There are a number of trekking routes ranging from three hours to multi-day hikes, and travellers can visit the famous rose gardens of the Saiq Plateau.

Nizwa Fort

Oman's most-visited tourist attraction, the Nizwa Fort stands as a monument to architectural ingenuity. The fort's underlying structure dates back to the 12th century, though it was completed by Imam Sultan bin Saif al Yaarubi in 1668. Historical interest in the Nizwa Fort is significant, representing a major advancement in military engineering in the early days of mortar-based warfare. Its drum-like tower reaches 98 feet (30m) into the air with a circumference of 118 feet (36m), with 24 openings for mortar fire. Visitors to the Nizwa Fort are allowed to freely explore the area, which consists of maze-like stairways and corridors leading to high-ceilinged rooms and terraces that afford great views of the city of Nizwa and its surrounding plains.

Sharqiya Sands

The Sharqiya Sands is a surprisingly biodiverse area of 4,800 square miles (12,500 sq km) near the northeastern coastline. In addition to its natural gifts, the area is home to traditional Bedouin tribes, who are increasingly marginalised as the modern world exerts its influence over Oman. Off-road vehicles are required to navigate the dunes and summer heat makes the months between April and October a dangerous time to get lost. A far more popular option is to book a trip with one of the ubiquitous tour organisations based in Muscat. Travellers can also enjoy the Sharqiya Sands on the sealed road from Al-Ashkara to Shana'a, which is still unique and memorable.

Salalah

The capital of the southern-most Omani province of Dhofar, Salalah makes for a wonderful contrast to the hot, dry desert conditions that predominate the country's interior. Its monsoon or Khareef Season arrives between June and September, and causes the land to become lush and green, surprising visitors with the sight of herds of cattle calmly grazing in verdant fields. Its cooler climate makes Salalah a great family holiday destination in Oman. Known for its perfume, frankincense trees line the roads and it is unsurprising that most visitors to the region leave with an assortment of fragrances safely packed away in their luggage. Notable sights in Salalah are the traditional al-Hisn Souq, Al Alam Palace and a gorgeous coastline that offers wonderful bird watching opportunities and occasional swimming and diving.

Beaches in Oman

The rugged edge of the desert meets the Arabian Sea along Oman's coastline, unsurprisingly creating a stunning array of beaches that offer diving, kite-surfing and jet-skiing. There has also been a huge spike in luxury beach resorts providing air-conditioned retreats from the blazing heat. Some of Oman's best beaches include Al Qurum Beach, perfectly set up for families with picnic areas and shady palm trees, and Qantab, with its sheltered coves and sea-caves. Marjan Beach features small coral reefs ideally suited to novice divers and snorkelers while also boasting a great nightlife, with several restaurants and hotels frequented by expats in Oman. Western swimwear is fine but beachgoers should cover up when they're on their way to and from their hotel or beach resort.

Muscat

Things to do in Muscat

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

Old Muttrah Souk

Bait al Baranda

Al Jalali and Al Mirani Forts

Qasr Al Alam Royal Palace

Muttrah Fish Market

Bahla

Al Hajar Mountains

Nizwa Fort

Sharqiya Sands

Salalah

Beaches in Oman

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Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

Old Muttrah Souk

Bait al Baranda

Al Jalali and Al Mirani Forts

Qasr Al Alam Royal Palace

Muttrah Fish Market

Bahla

Al Hajar Mountains

Nizwa Fort

Sharqiya Sands

Salalah

Beaches in Oman