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A superb, immersive tour of the Omani capital begins with convenient pick-up from your Muscat hotel by a knowledgeable guide. First stop, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the principal place of worship in the sultanate. This peaceful sandstone structure, with its beautiful domes, minarets and courtyards, holds the world’s second-largest handwoven carpet in its main prayer hall, which took four years to create. Next, you’ll drive on to the old quarter of Muttrah, a clustering of old merchants’ houses and markets around the mountain-backed bay. The waterside fish market and the handcarved wooden balconies here make for superb photography opportunities, while in the main souk, you can barter for souvenirs such as perfume and silver.
In Muscat’s old town, you’ll admire the bayside Portuguese forts, Al Jalali and Al-Mirani, and the magnificent Al Alam Palace, official residence of the sultan, before visiting the prestigious Bait Al Zubair Museum. The exhibits and displays inside trace Omani history and culture down the centuries, and provide a fascinating conclusion to a tour that is filled with breathtaking sights and impressive architecture. We recommend this Muscat gift experience for anyone wanting an insightful and intriguing look at the Omani capital, one that brings the colour and heritage of the city to life in a multitude of ways.
