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Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
Out of all the things to do in Muscat, this features on the top of my
list. It is the only mosque in Oman that is open to tourists and is an
incredible one in terms of its architecture. Almost as awe-inspiring as
the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi but built way before
that one, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque boats of equally stunning
interiors with an intricate hand-woven carpet and a gorgeous
chandelier made of Swarovski crystals (both of which are former
Guinness World Record holders) adorning its prayer hall. Traces of
Egyptian, Omani and Persian architecture make for an intriguing
sight, with four minarets surrounding the courtyard that encompasses
the prayers halls
Shop In Muttrah Souq
A labyrinth of narrow alleyways with shops selling a colourful
and eclectic collection of Omani souvenirs such as high-quality
frankincense, pashminas, silver jewellery and khanjars, spices, pots
and pans, Arabic lamps and many other accessories, a visit to Muttrah
Souk is a treat for the senses, both visual and olfactory. An ancient
yet vibrant market, you’ll find a lot of unique artefacts here which are
related to Oman’s history and culture as well as exhibits brought to
Oman from the far east countries such as India, Pakistan, Nepal and
China.
Al Mirani & Al Jalali
Just like most other destinations, a visit to the ancient walled city as
one of the top things to do in Muscat. Guarded by 2 ancient forts (Al
Mirani & Al Jalali) perched on the hilltop on either side of the historical
centre, this charming area is also home to several museums such as
the National Museum of Oman. One of the intriguing architectural
sites here is the Al Jalali Fort and although it is closed to the public for
visitation, you can still admire this fortified 16-century monument from
a distance. Built by the Portuguese, the fort was used to keep an eye
on the port of Muscat, an important trading centre at the time.
Bait Al Zubair
One of the most interesting museums to visit here is the Bait Al Zubair.
Home to ethnographic artefacts that reflect the lifestyle of the Omanis
in ancient times, it was actually the residence of Al Zubair family
before it was converted into a museum and the exhibits here were
once privately owned by the family. The museum provides a window
into Oman’s rich heritage and culture and also has a gift shop where
you can buy several souvenirs.
The dolphin and whale watching
Muscat’s pristine waters are home to wild dolphins and several species
of whales, especially the endangered blue whale. Cruises usually
depart early morning and last for 2 hours. Several companies provide
a hotel pick up and drop off along with snorkelling gear on board, for
those willing to jump into the crystal clear waters and observe the sea
life and swim with the turtles. Some popular companies conducting
the dolphin and whale watching tours in Muscat are Coral Ocean
Tours & Sidab Sea Tours. Boarding a cruise to watch the dolphins in the
beautiful blue seas is one of the top things to do in Muscat.
Salalah
For a few months each year, Salalah, in southern Oman, is transformed
by monsoon rains. The hills are verdant, the rivers swell, and deserted
natural pools beg to be swum in
Whether your aim is to shop up a storm or sample local cuisine, there’s
no shortage of fun things to do in Salalah. This city has a range of
thrilling attractions that’ll keep your itinerary full and you on the hop.
No matter your interests, this place has a surprise in store for you.
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