Muscat

The Omani capital of Muscat is one of the Arabian Peninsula’s most fascinating and attractive cities, noted for its luxury hotels, pleasant winter climate, and beaches. The heart of Muscat is in an exceedingly picturesque location overlooking the Gulf of Oman and ringed by an amphitheatre of jagged bare rocks.

Two imposing 16th-century Portuguese fortresses named Jalali and Merani dominate old Muscat’s harbour, while on the water’s edge, and flanked by the fortresses’ guns, is the Al Alam Palace with its façade of gold and blue, built as the sultan’s residence in 1972. Muscat and Oman’s long and fascinating history and traditions are told in several beautifully presented museums. The state-of-the-art National Museum is a must-see for anyone looking for an overview of Oman’s history. The Bait Zubair, Oman-French Museum, and Bait Baranda have folklore collections within traditional Omani whitewashed houses, while the Bait Al Falaj armed forces museum is located within an impressive fortress.

In the next bay to old Muscat is the former commercial capital of Oman, Muttrah, with its lively morning fish market, attractive harbour-side corniche, and famous atmospheric souq, which is filled with the exotic wares of the Orient. The exquisitely decorated marble-clad Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque was inaugurated in 2001 and is a stunning example of modern Islamic architecture and a Muscat landmark. Another must-see site is the Royal Opera House Muscat – an exquisite example of contemporary Omani architecture. With an afternoon to spare, a dolphin-watching cruise in the beautiful waters of the Gulf of Oman or a snorkelling excursion to the nearby Damaniyat Islands marine reserve is hard to resist. Just thirty minutes north of the Omani capital, visiting Wadi Fanja offers a thrilling off-road adventure driving through the spectacular palm-lined river bed.