Tour

Zahara Tours

These tour operators are famed for the wonderful tours and excursions that they arrange for tourists in Muscat. As with other tour operators, Zahara offers a wide range of trips and packages that tourists can choose from. The Mystical Muscat tour lasts about 4 hours and includes visits to the Grand Mosque, the fish market and Mutrah Souk, the Bait al Zubayr Museum and the Al Jalali and Mirani forts. Other half day tours entail visiting the coast of Muscat to partake in whale and dolphin watching. Tourists can also opt for the dhow cruise which allows them to view the beautiful sunset on board the dhow.

City guide

Overview & visitor information

Address: Dohat al Adab Street, P.O. Box 833, P.C 112, Ruwi Tel: 24 400844 Website: www.zaharatours.com

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Mark Tours

Activity

Mark Tours provides all-inclusive services with visa assistance, hotel reservations, transportation between airport and hotel, guided tours, chauffeur service and car rentals. Day excursions include a half day or full day in Muscat, a day in either Jebel Akhdar, Wahiba Sands or Wadi Shaab or Nizwa, Bahla and Jabrin and some of the other ancient cities. The unforgettable Dazzling Dolphins tour takes you on a three hour boat ride along the coast of Oman, where you can see Omani dolphins up close in their natural habitat.

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Arabian Sea Safaris

Activity

With Arabian Sea Safaris, tourists can partake in a boat tour of Muscat. View Muscat Harbor, Mutrah and the Corniche from the water with the historic tour or take pictures of the forts, the Sultan’s palace, the beaches and the fishing villages like Qantab and Sidab with a photography tour. For geology enthusiasts, there is a geology tour where tourists are taken to the beautiful black mountains surrounding Muscat. These tours, which usually last around 4 hours and are led by an English speaking guide, cost 20- 25 Omani Riyals and above per person. The company also offers dhow and dinner cruises, wildlife safaris and fishing trips.

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Oman World Tourism

Activity

Oman World Tourism These operators have a variety of guided tours that visitors can choose from, ranging from a day long to up to six days long with prices varying accordingly. Many areas of Muscat are covered by the tours and some excursions are planned to surrounding areas like Nizwa and Jabrin. Other activities are more adventurous and involve camping, fishing, boating, sand surfing, snorkeling and trekking, while others are focused on sightseeing. The Muscat city tour, which is a day long and costs 25 Omani Riyal per person, will take you to the Grand Mosque, the fish market in Mutrah, Mutrah Souk and the Oman Museum.

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United Tours

Activity

United Tours offers a variety of packages both in Muscat and surrounding cities in Oman. In the half day tour of the city, tourists are taken to the Grand Mosque, Bait-ul-Zubayr Museum, the fish market in Mutrah, Mutrah Corniche, the Mutrah Souk and the Al Jalali and Mirani forts. In the full day tour visitors are taken to Seeb and to areas outside of Muscat such as Rustaq and Al Hazm as well as the Al-Hajjar mountain range. There are also packages for those who want to experience Oman’s breathtaking natural beauty in the form of the wadis, beaches and mountains.

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Sohar

Building

Though a bit removed from the city, this destination is worth a visit for tourists interested in naval history. It is located just around the corner from the Al-Bustan Palace Hotel. Sohar is a replica of a boat that sailed from Oman to Guangzhou, China under the command of 8th century sailor Abdullah bin Gasm. The boat is an incredible feat of architectural design, as not a single nail was used in its construction. A crew of Omani sailors successfully duplicated Bin Gasm’s voyage in 1980 in a journey that took eight months.

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Al-Bustan Palace Hotel

Historical

Surrounded by lush gardens and overlooking the sea, the Al-Bustan Palace Hotel is a sight to behold. The hotel has won numerous awards, many of them labeling it the best hotel in the Middle East. The hotel is famous for its enormous domed atrium, and the interior design begs a visit.

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Qurum Park

Park

This lively and beautiful park is a great haven for those looking to relax on their visit to Oman. The park is carefully planned and features beautiful landscaping, with ponds, plenty of shade, and a modern village exhibit to entertain those walking throughout the premises. Kids will enjoy this destination, especially the Ferris wheel within the park’s grounds. At night, the park is filled with Omani families, who view this location as a central gathering point for spending time with the family at night.

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Sultan’s Palace

Palace

The Sultan’s Palace is one of the more prominent features in the city, specifically within the Old Muscat region. The blue and gold mushroom pillars are among the more distinctive features of the palace. There are several locations in the nearby area where you can get a good view of the palace, most notably the roundabout on the inland side. The palace is undergoing some rennovations to increase its grandeur, but is definitely worth glimpsing while in Muscat. The palace is located down the street from Bait al Zubayr and Sohar.

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Fish Market

Market

This attraction will certainly heighten your senses-particularly the sense of smell. Mutrah is the central port area of Muscat, and as a result is a prime location for the sale of the daily catch. Early risers (or fish lovers) might enjoy this market, which will throw you head first into Omani culture and tradition.

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Al-Riyam Park

Park

This park is a haven of greenery within the city limits of Muscat. The park is just pass the Mutrah Fort, along the Corniche. Its most recognizable featured is the gigantic, ornamental incense burner that stands near its center. The views of the city from the park are truly stunning-tourists should take a moment to appreciate the scene from here while in Muscat.

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What to do with Children in Tow in Muscat

Activity

Children’s Museum

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Omani French Museum

Museum

Nostalgia about an era gone by (the 19th century in particular) is evoked in this rather interesting museum. Tourists are able to learn from the exhibits and galleries showcasing Oman’s unique relationship with France, a former colonial power. The pictures of early French diplomats are also on display along with an interesting collection of postage stamps. This museum was opened in 1992 in a house almost 200 years old, which once served as the French Consul.

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Muscat Gate Museum

Museum

The original gates to the city of Muscat are located here. Tourists are able to visualize the old city of Muscat, where these gates served to protect the city from external aggression and invaders. Tourists are transported back in time and are exposed to the history of the city. Visitors also get a good view of the palace of the Sultan from this point. Remnants of old mosques, houses, wells and springs are also preserved here.

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Bait al Zubayr

Museum

This museum was opened in 1998 in the house of Az-Zubair, which dates back to 1914. The museum showcases the heritage of Muscat and of Oman. Beautiful photographs are on display that highlight the traditional Omani lifestyle, and the museum also features handicrafts and furniture, jewelry, costumes and weaponry exhibits. A traditional Omani House is also located here along with a gift and book shop. Outside, you will also find a reconstructed, full-scale Omani village and souk.

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بيتزا إكسبرس

Fast food

For travellers on a limited budget, this is a great place for excellent-quality pizza. The ingredients used are fresh, and the end result is delightful! Cuisine: Fast food Address: Madinat Sultan Qaboos Phone: 24603400

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Tche Cafe

This modern venue has one of the best seaside views in Muscat. Tche Cafe can be a bit on the expensive side, especially if you order the locally caught fish on the menu. It is still a great place to unwind and relax, or to enjoy an iced latte.

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Khargeen Cafe

This cafe is always alive with activity, and is a favorite among the locals. The food served is traditionally Arabian cuisine, and the cafe style provides for a relaxing and enjoyable experience. The courtyard outside adds to the ambiance of this destination, and wherever you sit, be prepared to become immersed in an Arab setting (you’ll at least be sitting on Arab-style divans).

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Al-Boom Restaurant

This restaurant serves tasty food, but the atmosphere and location should be what draws you here. While eating, you will be able to look out of Al-Boom’s large windows overlooking Muscat’s harbor, providing a truly majestic view. This is also a good place to become more acquainted with Muscat’s close relationship to the sea, especially if you visit for breakfast following a visit to the Fish Market.

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Tuscany

Though expensive, the food served at Tuscany certainly lives up to the bill. The restaurant has won numerous awards and is considered to be the best Italian restaurant in Muscat. The menu changes with the season, but all dishes are prepared fresh and in classic Italian style. You will not regret dinner here!

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Capri Court

Capri Court is another excellent destination for those seeking Italian food during their stay in Muscat. Fresh ingredients are used to churn out these high quality dishes, and you will always find a range of choices on the menu. Starters include poached lobster and other salads, main courses include a variety of risottos, lamb, chicken and beef dishes and dessert includes tiramisu, whipped mascarpone cream and blackberry cream caramel.

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Al Tanoor

This lovely, sophisticated restaurant serves delicious Middle Eastern cuisine. The food is pricey but worth it. Customers can choose to be seated inside or outside, but either way, you should make reservations in advance. The décor is wonderful with Arabian tents and pottery, and you can see the chefs as they prepare your meal. A wide range of Arabian, Turkish, Mediterranean and Persian dishes are offered at this scenic restaurant, which is located twenty minutes outside of the city by car. Dessert includes traditional baklawa and the fresh juices are particularly delightful.

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Bait al Bahr

Bait al-Bahr is known for their seafood dishes. The restaurant looks out onto the beach providing a breath-taking view of the sea; the seafood also has a distinctly Omani taste, which adds to the unique experience of dining here. Starters include poached crab and tamarind dumplings,while main courses include dishes such as sautéed kingfish and prawns in tomato stew and fried squid. Desserts include date pudding and bitter chocolate cake with bruleed Omani honeycomb.

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Sultanah

For the ultimate fine dining experience, tourists should stop at this extravagant restaurant. The interior is beautifully decorated in a contemporary style, and the service is fit to match. The dishes served here include grilled shari and seafood risotto starters and beef tenderloin, lime glazed duck breast and seared kingfish as main courses. Dessert is not to be missed- the triple chocolate truffle is fantastic.

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Restaurant

This simply named eating establishment is one of Muscat’s better known restaurants. It is no wonder, as mouth-watering dishes are served here- both international as well as local. The sampling of local seafood is particularly excellent-ask for the “hamour” dish. Also, don’t miss out on dessert; the French chef makes some wonderful pastries and other delights.