Henri
As Oman's cultural and commercial epicentre Muscat is home to some of the country's top attractions. From historic sites to museums here are the city's must-visit highlights for first time visitors.
Occupying pride of place in Muscat's western fringes the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is no ordinary religious institution in the Omani capital. Situated in the suburb known as Ghubrah this iconic spiritual epicentre first opened its doors to the public back in 2001. As the only Islamic mosque in the country that is also open to those of other faiths the venue holds the distinction of being one of the most expansive mosques in all of the Gulf region. Stunning from a far the mosque's grand architecture and interiors showcase Egyptian and Persian influences while other elaborate features include tile work and ceilings with wooden carvings. With the capacity to host a whopping 20,000 devotees within its courtyard and prayer halls the white and reddish brown marble facade of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is one of the most photographed sites in Muscat.
As one of the city's most illustrious museum space no visit to Muscat would be complete without a tour of its Natural History Museum. Contained within the Ministry of Heritage and Culture in an area of the capital known as Al Khuwayr the museum serves as the nation's foremost institution in the exploration of natural history. Documenting the first signs of life in the Sultanate landscape the locale displays a large collection of artefacts including tree fossils that date back over 260 million years. The remains of prehistoric mammals such as monkeys are also on show in addition to lift cycle showcases of reptiles and butterfly species found in the region. The Whale Hall is a must visit area of the museum as visitors will find bones and skeletal remains of whales that occupies the waters off the coast of Oman.
Tipped to be Muscat's most popular local marketplace the Muttrah Souq is a bustling thoroughfare stacked with a myriad of products with varying aromas filling the air. Often regarded as the best place to pick up keepsakes, gifts and souvenirs the maze of stalls occupying this ancient market is nothing short of staggering. Offering shoppers a wide variety of locally produced goods at reasonable prices one can also test one's haggling skills in this thriving local commercial hub. Top buys include specialty items such as silver wares, charms, saffron and other spices while frankincense and cosmetics are also popular among frequent shoppers.
Located in the centre of Old Muscat the Al Alam Palace is a royal residence that is among the top 6 royal homes in the country. Having serves as the resplendent dwelling of the monarch and his consorts the Al Alam Palace was constructed in 1972 and is one of the most impressive regal edifices built in the country. Visitors based at the Ruwi Hotel or other centrally located Oman accommodation hubs will be within close reach of the palace and other city highlights.
Beach lovers exploring Muscat must not miss out on the chance to spend an afternoon at this popular recreational attraction in the city. Tranquil and breathtaking the white, sandy beach is a hotbed of activity comes evening time as locals head out to the area to enjoy a game of cricket, enjoy family picnics or go for a swim.
