Muttrah Souk

Discover the rich blend of ancient and modern architecture of Muscat on a half-day city tour. Learn how the city has undergone dramatic development in the past 3 decades, yet managed to preserve its age-old culture and heritage. Your driver will show you how to use the audio guide system to benefit the GPS enabled commentary that follows the tour. Start with a visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, and then continue through the Ministries' area to see a number of modern buildings with a touch of ancient, Islamic architecture. Go to the fish market and explore the narrow alleyways of the Muttrah souk to soak up the scent of exotic spices, coffee beans and ancient remedies. Learn more about the history of Oman at the Bait Al Zubair Museum. Take a souvenir photo at the magnificent Al Alam Palace, flanked by the twin Portuguese forts of Mirani and Jalali. Itinerary: • 45 mins in Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque • 15 mins in the fish market • 30 mins in the Bait Al Zubair Museum  • 10 mins for a photo stop in Al Alam Palace • 10 mins for a photo stop in Mirani & Jalali • 30 mins in Muttrah Souq

Enjoy a tour of Muscat's major sights after sundown. See the city's landmarks bathed in the warm evening glow. Begin your tour with a pickup from your hotel with Muscat. For your first stop, visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and the Royal Opera House (photo stop). Admire these iconic buildings in the glow of the evening lights. Take some time to snap some great photos before moving on. Next, stroll along the picturesque promenade of Mutrah Corniche. Then, delve into the bustling energy of Mutrah Souq. Here, scents of frankincense mix with the vibrant display of crafts and textiles, offering a sensory treat. After your visit to the souq, witness the regal elegance of Al Alam Palace. See this contemporary masterpiece set against an ancient backdrop, as its illuminated façade gleams in the night. Finish your tour with a culinary journey at an authentic Omani restaurant. Get dropped off back at your hotel after dinner. Dear Travelers, Please note that the evening Muscat city tour does not include visits inside the Grand Mosque or Royal Opera House. However, it does offer excellent opportunities for photo stops outside these iconic landmarks, allowing you to capture their grandeur from the outside.

Enjoy a full-day outing in Muscat with a guide as you travel by car. Relax with a transfer from your accommodation and see landmarks like the Grand Mosque, the Royal Opera House, Mutrah Corniche, and much more. Begin your exploration of Muscat, the modern capital city filled with traditional Omani heritage. Experience the beauty of the Sultan Qaboo Grand Mosque, the biggest and most stunning mosque in Oman.  Head to your next stop, the Royal Oman Opera House, which has one of the most beautiful auditoriums in the world. Walk along the breathtaking waterfront Corniche of the Mutrah area, with visits to the fresh fish market and historic Mutrah Souq. Browse and buy souvenirs, peek into the history of Oman at the Old Muscat area, and view the Portuguese forts of Aljalali and Almirani.  Choose to visit the National Museum or Alzubair museum to learn more about Oman's history, culture, and traditions. During this time, you will also pause at the Al Alam Palace, the official palace of His Majesty Sultan of Oman. Now it is time for lunch and to taste traditional Omani food.

The first sight on the tour is Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque which is truly a masterpiece of the world architecture. It took 6 years to erect it and in 2001 it was successfully opened. This mosque is a traditional light Islamic building made from sandstone and marble. It has got 5 minarets – one main and 4 side minarets which create a special distinctive look. The internal design is rich in mosaics, huge handmade Persian carpets and chandeliers decorated with crystals. Our next stop is the Royal Opera House – the pearl of the Oman musical and stage art. The third sight we can’t avoid seeing is Muttrah Souq – the market located right at the banks of the Gulf of Oman. That’s an ideal place if you want to have a look at the ordinary life of Oman. Just go along the rows, look for the items, bargain and have fun as here you can find everything starting from spices finishing traditional rugs, vases or just souvenirs. Having seen the market, we should also look at the Mutrah fort. The fort leads its history at 1580s when the Portuguese had built it. It served as a military defense from the rivals in the past, but today it’s open for tourists. Next thing in Muscat to see is a well-known Al Alam Palace — the residence of Sultan Qaboos. From both sides the forts surround the palace, so you’ll likely enjoy the magnificent scenery. Located in the center of the city, it always attracts a lot of visitors and, although, people are not allowed to go in, they can easily go around and take cool photos.

A sightseeing tour around Muscat, the capital of Oman, is a great chance to soak up the Arabic atmosphere and explore the city where the ancient architecture and monuments are combined with the modern life. The first sight on the tour is Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque which is truly a masterpiece of the world architecture. It took 6 years to erect it and in 2001 it was successfully opened. This mosque is a traditional light Islamic building made from sandstone and marble. It has got 5 minarets – one main and 4 side minarets which create a special distinctive look. The internal design is rich in mosaics, huge handmade Persian carpets and chandeliers decorated with crystals. Our next stop is the Royal Opera House – the pearl of the Oman musical and stage art. The third sight we can’t avoid seeing is Muttrah Souq – the market located right at the banks of the Gulf of Oman. That’s an ideal place if you want to have a look at the ordinary life of Oman. Just go along the rows, look for the items, bargain and have fun as here you can find everything starting from spices finishing traditional rugs, vases or just souvenirs. Having seen the market, we should also look at the Mutrah fort. The fort leads its history at 1580s when the Portuguese had built it. It served as a military defense from the rivals in the past, but today it’s open for tourists. Next thing in Muscat to see is a well-known Al Alam Palace — the residence of Sultan Qaboos. From both sides the forts surround the palace, so you’ll likely enjoy the magnificent scenery. Located in the center of the city, it always attracts a lot of visitors and, although, people are not allowed to go in, they can easily go around and take cool photos.

Get the perfect introduction to Oman's capital city, Muscat, on an open-top, hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour. From the top deck, take in dramatic views of the city’s stunning scenery and mountainous backdrop as well as the gleaming Sea of Oman. Hop off to explore 16th Century forts, museums and the Sultan’s Al Alam Palace. The carefully designed route takes you to all the major landmarks and historic sights, while engaging recorded audio commentary, available in 6 languages, offers entertaining insights about the history and culture of the city. You can hop on and off at any of the stops to explore on your own. Buses run at regular intervals so re-joining the tour is easy and convenient. Your hop-on hop-off ticket is valid for 1 day or 2 days, including unlimited rides per loop during hours of operation. The tour is a fun, safe and relaxed way to explore the city. Above all, it guarantees breathtaking views of Muscat. See top sights including: Muttrah Suq Muttrah Fort Muttrah Corniche National Museum Ruwi Clock Tower Parliament Building/Majlis Oman Sohar Boat Marina Bandar Al Rowdha Al Alem Palace Al Mirani Fort Bait Al Zubair Museum Omani French Museum Al Jalali Fort Mangrove Lagoon

We will take you through the gorgeous city of Muscat where we will first visit the grand mosque is one of the biggest 1-piece handmade Iranian carpet in the world and can comfortably accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers. Then drive you around the ministries and the Royal Opera House area which is leading arts, and culture organization in the Oman. The vision of the Opera House is to serve as a center of excellence in global cultural engagement. Then visit Qurum Beach Photo Stop and we will take you to have a taste the Omani bread with honey and karak tea. Muttrah Souq is next, where you can find various souvenirs and Muttrah Souq one of the oldest marketplaces in Oman, after we will show you the Al Alam palace, the official palace of his majesty. If you want Learn more about the history of Oman at the Bait Al Zubair Museum. Next visit the 2 Portuguese forts of Al Jalali and Al Mirani photo stop are next on the itinerary.

A 4-hour private tour in Muscat, including drinks and transportation in a new car-conditioned car / Grand Mosque / Opera House / Muttrah Souq / Sultan's Palace / Muttrah Fort / National Museum It includes water drinks, juices and lunch I recommend the unique experience if you want to know Muscat Do not hesitate to take this tour that combines history, culture and development Markets, castles, palaces, museums The guide will accompany you from the beginning of the tour to the end We will take you to the top of the mountain to see the city of Muscat from above

This tour is a unique experience because it allows you to explore the city at your own pace. You will be taken on a guided tour of some of Muscat’s most iconic landmarks, including: the grand Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the old Muttrah Souq, the Al Alam Palace, and the Museum. In addition, you will also view some of the stunning landscapes along the coast. With a knowledgeable guide by your side, this private tour truly brings the city of Muscat to life. We will take you through the gorgeous city of Muscat where we will first visit the grand mosque which, among a couple others, is one of the biggest 1-piece handmade Iranian carpet in the world. The carpet weighs a whopping 21 tons and can comfortably accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers. Then we will drive you around the ministries and the Royal Opera House area which is leading arts, and culture organization in the Sultanate of Oman. The vision of the Opera House is to serve as a centre of excellence in global cultural engagement. Muttrah Souk is next, where you can find various souvenirs and Muttrah Souk one of the oldest marketplaces in Oman dating back two hundred years 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 equipment's, and costumes. Outside the museum is a full-scale Omani village and souk The Al Alam Palace "Palace of the Flag" is a palace located in Old Muscat, Oman. It was used as a ceremonial palace by Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said. One of six sultanic residences of the monarch, has a history of over 200 years, and was built under the watch of Imam Sultan bin Ahmed, the 7th direct grandfather of Sultan Qaboos. (Photo stop) Fort Al-Mirani is a fort located in the harbor of the city of Old Muscat, Oman. The fort existed prior to the Portuguese invasion and was later rebuilt by the Portuguese in 1587. The fort became the first to use cannons in Oman. (Photo Stop) Finally, we drive to see the Al Bustan Palace. The Al Bustan Palace (known locally as “The Bustan”) is one of the Middle East's most iconic hotels. It was originally built as an Omani Royal Palace in 1985 to host the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the late Sultan Qaboos' accession to power. (photo stop). Please consider the transportation from each destination to the other. Thanks

Grand Mosque is built on a site occupying 416,000 m2 (4,480,000 sq. ft.) and the complex extends to cover an area of 40,000 m2 (430,000 sq. ft.), the newly built Grand Mosque was inaugurated by Sultan of Oman on May 4, 2001. Five minarets have been built around the premises of the Mosque the main minaret (90 meters, 300 ft.) in height. The prayer hall is square in shape and 74.4 by 74.4 meters (244 by 244 feet) has a central dome rising to a height of 50 meters (160 ft.) above the floor, the dome is embellished spectacularly from the inside and it is a major tourist attraction in itself, the main Musalla (Prayer Room) can hold over 6500 worshippers. From Grand Mosque on the way to the fish market we drive through ministries and embassies area also we drive through the Marvelous Beach Street, Visit Fish, and Vegetable Market, local peoples paying and selling fresh fish and seafood. From the fish market, just a short drive to Mutrah Souq visit Mutrah Souq, Oman's largest Traditional Souq, Muttrah Market (Souq) is one of the oldest marketplaces in Oman dating back two hundred years, it is located adjacent to the harbor of Muscat and has seen an immense trade in the age of sail, being strategically located on the way to India and China, it was named after darkness because of the crowded stalls and lanes where the sunrays do not infiltrate during the day and the shoppers need lamps to know their destinations, the name of the market has been drawn specifically from the part that extends from Al Lawatiya Mosque to Khour Bimba where the place is really full of stores and stalls and the narrow area of lanes does not allow the sunlight to enter. From Muttrah Souq we visit Bait Al Zubair Museum. For a fine display of Omani culture and history and information about the Royal Family. Continue your trip to visit old Muscat and see the Al Alam Palace, has a history of over 200 years, and was built under the watch of Imam Sultan bin Ahmed, the 7th direct great-grandfather of Sultan Haitham, the existing palace, which has a facade of gold and blue, was rebuilt as a royal residence in 1972, the inner grounds of the palace remain off-limits, but members of the public are permitted to stop near the gates and take photographs, the Palace is used for official functions and receives distinguished visitors. From there visit the Royal Opera house, He is majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said Sultan of Oman has been always a fan of classical music and arts, in 2001, the sultan ordered the building of an opera house, and it was officially opened on October 12, 2011, the Royal Opera House reflects unique contemporary Omani architecture, and has a capacity to accommodate a maximum of 1,100 people. The opera house complex consists of a concert theater, auditorium, formal landscaped gardens, cultural market with retail, luxury restaurants, and an art center for musical, theatrical, and operatic productions.