1 / 5

Muscat - A Hidden Gem of the Middle East

Find out more about this charming capital of Oman

brightsuntravel
Download Presentation

Muscat - A Hidden Gem of the Middle East

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Muscat - A Hidden Gem of the Middle East Find out more about this charming capital of Oman Muscat is one of the most beautiful cities in the entire Middle East, surrounding by alluring landscapes in the form of golden deserts, towering mountains and the Arabian Sea. We believe this incredible city is underrated and overlooked. Muscat is less touristy and more slower paced than its neighbouring mega cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and offers the same if not more Arabian charm, authentic cultures, delicious local cuisines and architectural marvels. It’s a must visit! Captivating Architecture - a Contrast of Old and New Muscat is a distinct city where old meets new; there is a fascinating mixture of both modern buildings and ancient structures here, and there may not be a skyline of towering sky scrapers, but the city’s low rise buildings and minarets are just as appealing, and best of all they allow you to admire backdrops of breath-taking landscapes. The Al Alam Palace is an eye-catching building in Muscat; it has over 200 years of history and was rebuilt in 1972 as a royal residence, featuring a striking blue, gold and white façade. Other alluring ancient buildings in Muscat include Al Jalali Fort, a well preserved heritage site and castle-like structure set by a harbour, and the Bahla Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising of mud brick walls and towers.

  2. Some of the more modern architectural highlights of Muscat include the majestic Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world sculpted with Indian sandstone, contemporary Islamic architecture and mosaic embellishments and the Royal Opera House which has a white stone exterior, grandeur Omani architectural styles and a façade of tall, decorative arches. Charming Arabian Cultures Omani residents offer genuine Arabic hospitality to visitors. They are renowned to be exceptionally warm and friendly, so expect to be greeted with a smile here. Some locals even go as far as to

  3. welcome you into their home and offer local specialities such as dates and coffee. There are so many ways to immerse yourself in Arabian cultures here… You can visit Muscat’s Muttrah Corniche for some people-watching or perhaps head to one of the city’s world-class museums. The National Museum is the flagship venue, showcasing the country’s cultural heritage with a rare collection of artefacts and documents. Another excellent institution is the Bait Al Zubair Museum, a cultural and heritage centre with a collection of Omani art, artefacts and weaponry. The ultimate cultural experience in Muscat is taking a tour of its traditional souks where you can try out your bargaining skills and do lots of people-watching. Muttrah Souq is the most famous market in the city; this vast network of shops and market stalls sell everything from souvenirs and clothing to perfumes, jewellery and antiques, and there are also traditional Arabian coffee houses.

  4. Beautiful Beaches Muscat is blessed with hot and sunny weather pretty much all year round, so spending time at one of the city’s beaches is a must. After all of that sightseeing you can just take time to simply relax and reflect. There are so many beautiful beach spots in Muscat, with gorgeous settings of golden sands, lush palms and turquoise waters. Qurum Beach is a prime stretch of coastline here with miles of fine sands to sunbathe on, and the beach is lined with many cafes and restaurants. It’s very family-friendly and popular with the locals, and you can hire jet skis for a thrill. Another stunning beach spot is Al Sifah Beach, a serene stretch of sand on Muscat’s east coast, with a dramatic backdrop of rocky mountains. Thrilling Adventure Opportunities Those who are after some exhilaration and adventure will fall in love with Muscat. There is a plethora of activities to embark on in and around the city. Muscat is a fantastic water sports and activities hub and there are tour companies offering lots of different excursions. You can enjoy a boat tour, go snorkelling, fishing, dolphin watching and much more here. There is a number of daytrip options from Muscat which make for once-in-a-lifetime experiences. You can hike up Jebel Shams, the highest peak in Oman or visit the Empty Quarter, the largest area of continuous sand in the world where you can opt to camp under the stars and embark on the ultimate dune-bashing experience on a 4x4 vehicle. The options are endless here!

  5. If Muscat seems like a city that you’d be interesting in visiting, contact us about our flight fares and holiday deals and let us help you plan an idyllic getaway. You can fly to Muscat from the UK with several airlines, including Qatar Airways, Oman Air and Emirates.

More Related