Itineraries
Where to stay
Muttrah for the souq and corniche on foot; Old Muscat for the National Museum and Bait Al Zubair; Qurum for the opera house and the beach.
The areas: Muttrah, Old Muscat, Qurum.
Where to stay in Muscat: areas and adviceHotels in MuscatPlaces to see
All things to do in OmanViewpointAl Alam PalaceThe ceremonial palace of Sultan Qaboos in Old Muscat, known for its blue and gold facade.Entry: Free to view from outside
MuseumAl Mirani FortA harbor fort rebuilt by the Portuguese in 1588, now with a weapons museum and sea views.Entry: OMR[fee], tickets at reception
FoodBait Al LubanA Muttrah restaurant named by the tourism ministry for authentic Omani dishes such as shuwa and harees.Entry: Pay as you go
MuseumBait Al Zubair MuseumA museum in Old Muscat, founded by the Zubair family in 1998, on Omani crafts and social history.Entry: Pay at the door
TransportMuscat International AirportOman's main airport, served by Oman Air, SalamAir and many international airlines.Entry: Free to visit
MarketMutrah Fish MarketMuttrah's fish market by the harbor, where the catch includes sardines, prawns and king mackerel.Entry: Pay as you go
MarketMutrah SouqA traditional market of narrow alleys and small shops behind the Muttrah seafront.Entry: Pay as you go
NeighborhoodMuttrah CornicheThe seafront promenade of Muttrah, curving between the souq, the fort and the old harbor.Entry: Free to visit
ViewpointMuttrah FortA hilltop fort with three round towers, looking down on Muttrah Corniche and the old harbor.Entry: Pay at the gate
MuseumNational Museum of OmanOman's story in 14 galleries in Old Muscat, from maritime instruments to early Islamic manuscripts.Entry: Pay at the ticket desk
FoodOpera GalleriaThe opera house's arcade of Omani craft shops, cafés and restaurants, which open from 8 AM to midnight.Entry: Pay as you go
BeachQurum BeachA long sandy beach with a promenade, a few minutes' drive from the opera house.Entry: Free to visit
MuseumRoyal Opera House MuscatThe Gulf's first opera house, opened in 2011, with guided tours of its hall and gardens.Entry: Guided tours Saturday to Thursday
MosqueSultan Qaboos Grand MosqueOman's great mosque, opened in 2001, with a 50 m dome and a vast hand-woven Persian carpet.Entry: Non-Muslim visitors Saturday to Thursday mornings