Muscat is a beautiful place to holiday in and here is how you can plan the perfect trip to the place with the top attractions and things to do.
Take a look at the Grand Mosque
Bring an architectural masterpiece in Muscat, the Grand Mosque itself is a gift to Oman from a Sultan to mark the 30th year of his ruling. This Mosque is massive and is surrounded by well-groomed and landscaped gardens, thus giving it a feeling of serenity. Inside of this Mosque, you will be able to see the second-largest carpet in the world and legend has it that it took about 600 women more than 4 years to intricately design and weave this carpet by hand. This carpet used to be the biggest one in the world until the Sheikh Zayed Mosque topped it. The main prayer hall in this Mosque is full of beautiful geometrical designs and is home to a magnificent chandelier. People of all faith are allowed to enter the mosque and explore it between 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. But they must wear clothing that covers their legs and arms. If you are a woman you must also cover your head and wear baggy and loose-fitting clothes. The mosque is a little away from the centre of the city but if you stay at a luxury hotel in Muscat the likes of Al Falaj Hotel Muscat this attraction is not that far away for you.
Go for an Opera
Built by the same group of architects who designed the Grand Mosque, the Royal Opera house is a majestic landmark that you must see at least to admire the stunning combination of wood, Arabic designs and marble. Even if you are not there to see a performance, just walking into this place will give you the vibe of what it will feel like to actually hear someone sing in here. Some of the biggest singers have performed here since the time of its opening and the sound quality is right up there with the best International Opera houses. The opera season in Muscat begins from the month of May and goes on until September and if you want to attend one of these shows you can check for the tickets online.
Shopping in Muscat
Muscat is home to many mosques and buildings that have traditional work done on them. Apart from the landscape and the architecture, one can explore while in Muscat, you must also visit one of the local markets. At these local markets, you will feel like you have gone back in time. This is not surprising because the style of the market and the building is still exactly what it was during the ancient Arabic times. As a traveller, you will be able to shop for many items here including Oman and Indian antiques. Apart from souvenir shopping, you can also get products like jewellery and textiles. You are encouraged to try your hand at bargaining here but unlike countries in South Asia, you will not get much of a discount in the Middle East. Most of these shops do accept credit cards and other cards, but it is better to bring cash.
Explore the Old Town
The Old Town in Muscat is popular for the sixteenth-century forts and the Al Alam Palace. With the scenic landscapes and a fusion of modern and ancient architecture, there are plenty of things to see and experience in this part of Muscat. Take some time and explore the remains of the old city walls, take a walk around the old town roads and also discover Muscat’s rich history at the many museums found here.
