Best Sightings Travel Destination in Oman

A local described Mutrah's attractions saying "you must visit the souk or the market". Assuming he said "grocery store" it was a surprise to find a maze of alleys with no tills, but there are some similarities. For starters, just when you thought you'd looked for where to find incense, you discover that the alleyway now offers Thai clothing. Second, even if you were planning on looking for a gift for a favorite aunt, you came out with a toy helicopter, two melamine trays, and a handful of Christmas lights. Third, even if you absolutely didn't want to buy a dishdasha (men's shirt dress), there was a special offer for three. And finally, although all the alleys seem to go in the direction of the exit, in reality, you can't get out.

Mind you, getting lost a bit is part of the fun of the souk as it's the most likely time you'll come across 'special offers. And Mutrah Souq has an abundance of them, like the old window frames, complete with woodworms, from the woodworking town of Ibra; old mandoo (wedding box) with brand new thumbtacks retrieved from the Hajar Mountains; stringed muskets that saw action in the Dhofar Wars of the 1970s; a ramp of sandals that complement the elegant Omani men's costume; and another made of aluminum serving plates for the traditional Omani shuwa (marinated lamb cooked in an underground oven). In summary, from a camel with an illuminated hump to a mosque alarm clock, Mutrah Souq sells all the things you never wanted but can afford to buy (plus what you can and cannot do) and it's an experience not to be missed.

Old Muscat

The small city of Muscat, with its open gates, home to the sultan's palace and diwan (royal court), is cradled in a natural harbor surrounded by a jagged spine of hills. Located at the end of the Mutrah Corniche, it is a fascinating place to spend half a day taking in several sights, including the new National Museum.

Palace of the Sultan

If you are near the harbor wall via Mirani, the building on the right with the beautiful mushroom pillars in blue and gold is the sultan's palace. On the inside, an avenue of palm trees leads to a roundabout surrounded by grand palaces of the royal court and the new national museum. Although the palace is closed to the public, you can stop in front of the gates, at the end of the colonnaded entrance, for a photo op.

The palace is built on the site of the former British embassy where a flagpole stump once stood in the park: it is said that a slave (Oman was famous for the East African slave trade) who touched the flagpole was granted freedom. Today the palace is largely used for ceremonial purposes, as Sultan Qaboos prefers a quieter seaside retreat near Seeb.

National Museum

Housed in an impressive new building in the heart of old Muscat, the National Museum is a fitting partner to the sultan's palace opposite. The emphasis of this highly anticipated contemporary museum is on quality rather than quantity, with space, light, and height used to enhance selective exhibits showcasing Oman's heritage. Giant screens, Arabic brails, and high-tech devices bring the artifacts to life. The museum was officially opened in December 2015.

Fort Al Jalali

Guarding the harbor entrance to the east, the Al Jalali Fort was built during the Portuguese occupation in the 1880s on Arab foundations. The fortress is only accessible by a steep staircase. As such it was the perfect prison for a number of years but is now an Omani heritage museum. Admission is strictly subject to the permission requested from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities, through the contact page on the Ministry's website.

On military palace occasions, bagpipers perform from the battlements of the fort and the royal dhow and yacht sail into the harbor in full regalia. With the fireworks reflected in the water, it is a spectacular sight.

 

Fort Al Mirani

The Al Mirani Fort was built at the same time as the nearby Al Jalali Fort. Though closed to the public, its presence looms over the harbor and contributes to the iconic image of Muscat captured in 19th-century lithographs.

Fort Al Mirani has a special place in history as it contributed to the fall of the Portuguese. This happened because of a curious story of the heart: according to legend, the Portuguese commander fell in love with the daughter of a Hindu supplier, who refused the contest for religious reasons. 

Talk to our travel advisors at +968-92333677  or info@mountainvalleyholidays.com to find out the best time to visit the Stunning Salalah Vacation is best explored by road during the khareef. As tour operators in Oman, Mountain Valley Holidays is a young and dynamic travel company based in Muscat, Oman.