Oman is one of the rare places which you hear about from people who share their traveling stories because not so many people have discovered how incredible this part of the world can be and how much it has to offer for its visitors such as a charming mixture between impressive architecture and natural beauty. It is one of the most interesting places which will continuously feed your curiosity about learning about new cultures and experiencing the most complex traditions. Muscat is the largest city and the capital of Oman, a unique, attractive a uniform city with age-old mud-brick houses and impressive Islamic forts which make you notice the reflected tradition right from the first moment you arrive there. Each day spent there will be like a real adventure which will keep your interest high for going deeper and deeper in searching new interesting stories and unique customs which are represented by an incredible complexity which you could not experience in any part of the world.
Despite the big highways and modern shopping malls, Muscat is a city spread out between the jagged mountains and the sea which makes it maintain its authenticity which represents the modern Arab culture at its best by exposing amazing heritage, elegant mosques, conservative tastes, and smart cafes which serve the most delicious coffee in the world.
If you are a fan of exploring new breathtaking places, learning about and experiencing amazing traditions, customs, cultures, and religion, Muscat is a complex city which is the best context for you to fully experience the best of all that it has to offer.
Must-see tourist attractions
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
It is the main mosque of the Sultanate of Oman which’s grand stature and mystified history has made it a place which stands out from the rest. The mosque has been opened to the public in 2001 to celebrate 30 years of the Sultan’s reign and it is one of the only ones which allows the non-Muslim visitors to come inside and see the magnificent architecture of it and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere which helps you find your inner peace. One of the most impressive facts of the Mosque is the colorful delight which it offers to its visitors with the colorful mosaic patterns.
Bimmah Sinkhole and Wadi Shab
Whether you are a fan of swimming or hiking, in the south of Muscat, you will get the opportunity to do both of them because you can find breathtaking mountain pools with crystalline blue waters and impressive rocky landscapes. The sinkhole has been formed by the collapse of the layer due to the dissolution of the underlying limestone but the locals have created an interesting story behind it believing that it has been created by a meteorite. It is definitely a place which makes you feel like you have reached heaven.
Bait Al Zubair Museum
The museum is must-see tourist attraction while visiting Muscat because it is an amazing place where you can learn numerous interesting stories and facts about the history and heritage of the ancient times. The museum is the host of an extensive collection of ancient weapons, households’ equipment, stamps, coins, and costumes.
Mutrah Corniche
A long walk along the Mutrah Corniche is surely another experience you should have while visiting Muscat. The capital is surely a place about the sea, having a strong fishing industry, the busy port with numerous naval vessels, cruise ships, and fishing boats. The breathtaking view of the sparkling sunrays reflecting in the crystalline water will surely be a once in a lifetime experience.
Where to stay?
When it comes to finding the best accommodation in Muscat, you need to know that there is no other place in the world where you can find such luxury hotels which are going to offer you the most sophisticated and unique services and facilities which will make you feel spoiled and during your travel. Spas, indoor and outdoor pools, high-quality services offered by well-trained personnel, and amazing window views right from your rooms will make you feel like you are a royal and you will never want to live back home.
What to eat?
The traditional delicious cuisine which you can experience while traveling to Muscat consists mostly of traditional bread, rice, chicken, beef, fish, and various types of salads. Moreover, there are numerous food options for vegans and vegetarians at the local and international restaurants spread around the city. So, no matter what your food preferences are, you are surely going to find something delicious to eat while experiencing the traditional cuisine because it offers to its visitors from jelly-like halwa and street food to delicious crafted desserts and English breakfasts.
When to travel to Muscat?
Oman is known as a country with incredibly hot weather which might be a little disturbing if you do not cope well with hot temperatures. During the humid summers, even the locals try to spend as much time as possible indoors in order to avoid the almost unbearable temperatures. So, the best time to visit Muscat when the weather is the most pleasant in order for you to be able to experience and see all its beauty without staying indoor, you should choose traveling there from October to April.
Muscat is definitely a must-see destination during one’s lifetime because it is an amazing place which has various things to offer to it visitors which will make you have the most unique and amazing experiences. However, before traveling there, you must make sure that you have informed yourself about all the regulations and rules which might be different than the ones in your country. First of all, because you surely do not want to have any bad experience during your trip because you were not aware that you were doing something against the rules. Secondly, you should be aware of the importance of respecting other cultures, religions, and traditions while traveling to a new place because we all value our unique customs which make us different from the people from other parts of the world.
