Muscat

Destinations

Must see and do

Explore the alleys of Souk Al Dhalam, the ‘Market of Shades’ and find yourself a bargain

Visit the frankincense trees of Wadi Dawkah and the caravan oasis at Shish or Wubar, both exquisite remnants of times past

Take a long meandering walk through the city’s low-rise streets and admire the domes and arabesque windows

Watch fishermen cast their nets on the beaches of Shatti Al Qurm and Athaiba

Drop by the new Bait Al Baranda Museum

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Magical Muscat Tour (Half Day) The first stop on your Muscat city tour is the beautiful Grand Mosque. The main chandelier is made of Swarovski crystals and the carpet in the large prayer hall is woven from pure Persian silk. The Grand Mosque is surrounded by five minarets, each of which symbolizes the five holy vows taken by Muslims. From the Mosque, you will travel to the older part of Muscat to visit Muttrah souk, a traditional Omani market. Here you can haggle over a wide range of typical Omani souvenirs like Frankincense, the Omani daggers, beautiful silver handicrafts and pashmina shawls. Next stop is the Bait Al Zubair Museum, a small townhouse that displays the city’s archeological discoveries along with a collection of old pictures of Muscat. Your final stop is the Sultan’s Palace, which is surrounded by Mirani and Jalali forts.

Dolphin Watching and Snorkelling (Half Day) Dolphins in Oman are a familiar sight and dolphin watching is one of the most popular activities. Oman is home to a variety of dolphin and whale species, which can be found close to the coast almost all year round. Another option is to combine dolphin watching with a snorkelling trip and explore coral beds that are home to an exotic variety of fish.

Nizwa and Jabal Akhdar Cultural Tour Depart from Muscat and drive for approximately one and a half hours to visit Nizwa Souk which is famous for its Omani handicrafts. You will also spend time exploring Nizwa Fort with its colourful domes and strategic position on a hill overlooking villages and bustling markets below. The fort is a reminder of the town’s significance through turbulent periods in Oman’s long history. Then drive to visit the Jabal Akhdar (Green Mountain) at 2,800m above sea level. Enjoy a picnic lunch at Wadi Bani Habib, a beautiful dried-up riverbed. The 25 kilometres wadi is on the outskirts of a number of beautiful Omani villages with their terrace farming fields. After lunch, 4x4 drive to the peak of Green Mountain, to enjoy the breathtaking views. Your next stop will be the Jabal Akhdar Hotel for tea or Omani coffee and some light refreshments (optional). Return to Muscat in the late afternoon.