Muscat
Discover the Unknown
With stunning natural beauty and fascinating historical sites, the Sultanate of Oman is a great place to get off the beaten track and discover the unknown. Omanis are a friendly people, and having long since been overlooked as a holiday destination, they are welcoming and very helpful to the new wave of cultural tourists, keen on seeking out the beauty and history of the Arabian Peninsula.
Spend some time wandering the charming cobbled streets of Old Muscat for a chance to see the many forts, castles, mosques and towers that populate the landscape. Old Mutrah Souk in Muscat is the ideal place to pick up some traditional souvenirs, with leather, jewellery, clothing and spices on offer. A good buy is the locally grown frankincense, which is widely considered to be among the best in the world.
When you’ve finished soaking up the culture, head to the deserted beaches to soak up some sunshine, or if you’re into adventure, Oman is a well known destination for action sports such as kite-surfing, caving, rock climbing, desert trekking and even sand-skiing.
Insiders' Tips
- Visit the Grand Mosque. Be wowed by gold, crystals, Italian white marble, a 10,000kg crystal chandelier and a 21,000kg carpet woven in one piece by 600 Iranian women.
- Haggle at Mutrah Souk. This small, labyrinthine souk is the place to haggle for gold, silver and other trinkets you thought you could never afford.
- Forts and Castles: Scale the battlements of one of Oman’s many forts and castles.
