Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Muscat (Oman). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Al Alam Palace, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, and Shiva Temple. Also, be sure to include The National Museum in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Muscat (Muscat).
Table of Contents
Al Alam Palace
Also known as: قصر العلم
Sultan's palace with a colorful gate. The Al Alam Palace is a palace located in Old Muscat, Oman. It was used as a ceremonial palace by Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said.[1]
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
Also known as: جامع السلطان قابوس الكبير
Large, contemporary 2001 mosque. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in Oman, located in the capital city of Muscat.[2]
Address: Sultan Qaboos St, Muscat
Shiva Temple
The Shiva temple, also known as Motishwar Mandir, is a temple complex located near the Al Alam Palace in the Muttrah area of Old Muscat, Oman. It is one of the oldest Hindu temples in the Middle East region. The temple celebrates numerous Hindu festivals such as Vasant Panchmi, Ramnavmi, Hanuman Jayanti, Shravan and Ganesh Chaturthi. Over 20,000 Hindus visit the temple during Maha Shivaratri.[3]
Address: Way No.: 8019, Bldg.No.:29, Tuwiyan-Muscat, Muscat
The National Museum
Also known as: المتحف الوطني
Museum in Oman. The National Museum of the Sultanate of Oman is a museum located in Oman. It was developed by the Ministry of Culture and opened to the public in 2016.[4]
Address: Al Saidiya St, Muscat
Omani French Museum
Museum in Muscat, Oman. The Omani French Museum is a heritage museum located in the former residence of the French Consul, Bait Faransa on Lane 9310, Qasr Al Alam Street, in Old Muscat, Oman.
The white building, which was essentially a palace, was initially established as a present by the Sultan Assayed / Faisal bin Turki to the French Consul in Muscat in 1896. On January 29, 1992, Sultan Qaboos bin Said and the late French President François Mitterrand established a museum in the palace to preserve the historical Omani-French relations. The museum has a substantial collection of items to this effect including photographs of the early French diplomats, historical documents, Omani - French ships, Omani and French costumes and jewellery and furniture.[5]
Address: Qasr al-Alam St, Muscat
Royal Opera House Muscat
Also known as: دار الأوبرا السلطانية مسقط
Arts complex with a theater and a garden. The Royal Opera House Muscat is Oman's premier venue for musical arts and culture. The opera house is located in Shati Al-Qurm district of Muscat on Sultan Qaboos Street. Built on the royal orders of Sultan Qaboos of Oman, the Royal Opera House reflects unique contemporary Omani architecture, and has a capacity to accommodate maximum of 1,100 people. The opera house complex consists of a concert theatre, auditorium, formal landscaped gardens, cultural market with retail, luxury restaurants and an art centre for musical, theatrical and operatic productions.[6]
Address: Al Kharijiyah Street, 113 Muscat
Al-Mirani Fort
Also known as: قلعة الميراني
Castle in Muscat, Oman. Fort Al-Mirani is a fort, originally built by the Portuguese, in the harbour of the city of Old Muscat, Oman.[7]
Address: Al Mirani St, Muscat
Bait Al Zubair
Also known as: بيت الزبير
Cultural complex with Omani artifacts. Bait Al Zubair is a museum, located on Al Saidiya Street, Old Muscat, Oman.
The museum has an extensive collection of ancient weapons, including khanjar, household equipments, and costumes (most of which derive from the owner's private collection). Outside the museum is a full-scale Omani village and souk.[8]
Address: Al-Saidiya Street, 113 Muscat
Muscat Gate Museum
Museum in Muscat, Oman. The Muscat Gate Museum is a museum located on Al Saidiya Street, Old Muscat, Oman.
Opened in January 2001, the museum contains displays about Oman's history from the Neolithic times to the present. It has a number of special exhibits on Muscat's water springs, the ancient wells, underground channels, the souqs, houses, mosques, harbours and forts.[9]
Address: Al Bahri Rd, Muscat
Bait al-Baranda Museum
Museum
Address: Mutrah-between Al Mina R/A, Muscat
Al Jalali Fort
Also known as: قلعة الجلالي
Castle in Muscat, Oman. Al Jalali Fort, or Ash Sharqiya Fort, is a fort in the harbor of Old Muscat, Oman. The fort was built by the Portuguese under Philip I of Portugal in the 1580s to protect the harbor after Muscat had twice been sacked by Ottoman forces. It fell to Omani forces in 1650. During the civil wars between 1718 and 1747, the fort was twice captured by Persians who had been invited to assist one of the rival Imams. The fort was extensively rebuilt later.
At times, Al Jalali served as a refuge or a jail for a member of the royal family. For much of the 20th century it was used as Oman's main prison, but this function ended in the 1970s. Fort al-Jalali was restored in 1983 and converted into a private museum of Omani cultural history that is accessible only to dignitaries visiting the country. Exhibits include cannons, old muskets and matchlocks, maps, rugs and other artifacts.[10]