Sultanate of Oman Tourist Guide SULTANATE OF Discover the secret of Arabia CONTENTS Sultanate 01 WELCOME // 5 of Oman 02 MUSCAT // 7 03 THE DESERT AND NIZWA // 13 04 ARABIAN RIVIERA ON THE INDIAN OCEAN // 19 05 WADIS AND THE MOUNTAIN OF SUN // 27 06 NATURE, HIKING AND ADVENTURE // 33 07 CULTURE OF OMAN // 39 08 INFORMATION // 45 Welcome 01 AHLAN! Welcome to Oman! As-salaamu alaykum, and welcome to the Head out of the city, and Oman becomes All of this, as well as a colourful annual enchanting Sultanate of Oman. Safe and even more captivating. Explore the small events calendar and a wide range of inviting, Oman will hypnotise you with towns nestled between the mountains. international sports events, ensures its fragrant ancient souks, mesmerise Visit the Bedouin villages. Drive the a travel experience unlike any other. with dramatic landscapes and leave incense route. You’ll do it all under the you spellbound with its stories. Home constant gaze of ancient forts dotted A journey of discovery awaits you in to numerous UNESCO World Heritage throughout the landscape like imposing this welcoming land at the crossroads Sites, Oman is steeped in history and sand castles. between Asia, Africa and Western has inspired some of literature’s most civilisation. Enjoy all of the marvels of famous tales. Stop by the date farms and witness the this unique setting, the ideal gateway harvesting of the roses, that cover the hills to Southern Arabia. Muscat, the vibrant capital, is full of with delicate hues of pink and fill the air memorable sites and experiences. with an enchanting fragrance. Spend the Visitors can take in extraordinary museum night under the stars in a desert camp then exhibits, visit ancient houses and wander swim in the wadis, stunning natural pools the fishing port, home to traditional offering respite from the heat. Marvel at dhows. Evenings offer the chance to eat Oman’s magnificent beaches, pristine diving at one of the city’s cafes and restaurants sites and nature reserves. There aren’t many or even experience the first Opera House places in the world where you can observe on the Arabian Peninsula – the Royal rare species of turtles up close and swim Opera House of Muscat. with dolphins in the wild, but you can here. 5 Khasab MUSANDAMMUSANDAM Dibba AL BURAIMI Suhar Al Ain Barka Muscat UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Nizwa Sur Adam Al Kamil SAUDI ARABIA Hilf MASIRAH ISLAND Haima Dawqah Indian Ocean YEMEN Salalah 02 MUSCAT PRACTICAL INFORMATION // 8 AN EVENING IN MUSCAT // 11 7 Muscat 02 MUSCAT Portuguese, who occupied the city until The capital of the country – where traditional 1650 when it was freed by Sultan bin Saif, architecture sits beside stunning beaches and who founded an empire that stretched bustling souks – reflects Oman’s past and from Pakistan to Zanzibar. In 1832 a second its present. Set between the sea and rugged capital city was settled on the African island mountain ranges, Muscat, with its melting pot of Zanzibar. This marked the beginning of of cultures, is the perfect starting point for a period of decline for Muscat, which only an Omani adventure. regained its former glory after the current sultan, His Majesty Qaboos bin Said, rose Located at the foot of the Hajar Mountains, to power in the 1970s. and craft workshops. Look for the craftsmen from there you can enter the huge main Oman’s major mountain range, Muscat making traditional sculpted silver and ivory prayer hall, entirely decorated in white, faces the Arabian Sea. Architecturally, the Today, there is plenty to captivate the daggers known as khunjars. blue and gold. An opulent Swarovski city is characterised by a typical oriental visitor. Start with a stroll along the Muttrah chandelier hangs from the dome and Arabesque style with its low-standing white corniche (seafront). First thing in the Within walking distance of Muttrah is a the floor is covered with a Persian carpet and sand-coloured houses. The skyline is morning, this busy port is the site of a fish magnificent private home called Bait al handcrafted by 600 weavers and spanning dotted with the minarets and domes of market, while in the early evening locals Baranda, or “House of the Porch”, now a 4,263 square metres. the city’s mosques. flock here to take in the sea air. Looking museum dedicated to the history of Muscat out over the seafront are some of the from prehistory to the present day, with One of the first nations to embrace Islam Archaeological remains suggest this was city’s oldest and most beautiful houses, as a section focusing on the current ruling in a peaceful manner, Oman converted to the site of an early fishing settlement well as the Lawati mosque, with its blue dynasty. The museum is open from Saturday as far back as the fifth millennium BC, minaret and majestic dome decorated with to Thursday, 9am to 1pm and 4pm to 6pm. Set between sea and making Muscat one of the oldest cities in mosaics. The same area is also home to the mountains, the capital of the Middle East. As a trading port, Muscat best-stocked souk in the Arabian Peninsula. The breathtaking Sultan Qaboos Grand the Sultanate seduces with experienced continual growth and attracted Here, in its maze of alleyways, it is possible Mosque, opened in 2001, is a must for sailors and merchants from all over the to find traditional clothes, jewellery, spices, anyone visiting the country. Its elegantly its blend of ancient and world. In 1507 it was conquered by the antiques, hand-woven Bedouin carpets carved arches lead to the courtyard and modern charms. 8 9 Muscat 02 Ibadi Islam in 700 AD. This denomination of an Oman Renaissance building. Its broad – also called Ibãdiyya – is believed to be ROYAL OPERA HOUSE collection of traditional clothes, objects a division of the Khawaji school of Islam. Opened in 2011, the Royal Opera House and jewellery helps paint a picture of daily – the first of its kind in the Arabian Formed some 50 years after the death of life in the Sultanate over the centuries. The Peninsula – is the Sultan’s vision for the Mohammed, Ibadi is the dominant form of future of Oman’s cultural heritage and museum also has a collection of local and Islam in Oman and Zanzibar, although there legacy. It is in the heart of the city and contemporary art and organises temporary are also Ibadis in the Nafus mountains in its calendar features classical music, exhibitions, concerts and events to support Libya, the Mzad valley in Algeria, the island jazz, symphony and ballet, as well as young and up-and-coming artists. It is open international acts. To see the list of of Jerba in Tunisia and in East Africa. from Saturday to Thursday, 9.30am to 6pm. performances and to buy tickets, The Grand Mosque is open from Monday visit www.rohmuscat.org.om to Thursday, 9am to 11am. The old French consulate – Bait Fransa – has also been renovated and converted into a You may not be able to venture inside the exceptional structures make these two delightful museum. Focusing on the building AN EVENING IN MUSCAT Al Alam Royal Palace in the Old Muscat of the most beautiful forts in the country. of ties between Oman and France, it also Throughout the capital of the Sultanate, you’ll find exceptional restaurants, both in four- and five-star hotels, as well as throughout the city. area, but it is still worth a visit. Built by Sultan has a cool, luxuriant inner garden. It is open If you’re inclined to explore, there are restaurants serving local cuisine and international flavours. Qaboos in 1972, its elaborately decorated The fortress-style Old Town gates now house from Sunday to Thursday, 9am to midday. Enjoy generous portions of fish and Turkish dishes at reasonable prices at Turkish House (Al Khuwair façades and the impressive courtyard give a magnificent museum that allows you to district, +968 24 48 80 71). Ubhar is one of the few Omani restaurants in the capital (Bareeq Al visitors a good idea of the opulence within explore how the city appeared – from its Nature lovers will take great pleasure in Shatti, +968 24 69 98 26). Renowned Omani chef Issa recently opened Al Mandoos (Al Ghubra, the palace, which is used for high-profile ancient wells to sprawling souks – in days discovering the flora and fauna of the +968 96 91 11 40). Take a seat either at an outside table or a Bedouin tent at Kargeen, which serves public ceremonies and meetings. past. From its highest windows, there is also Sultanate – including some in fossilised form oriental, Yemeni and continental specialities (Madinat Qaboos, +968 24 69 22 69). Mumtaz Mahal a panoramic view of the city and ocean. – at the fantastic Natural History Museum in is among the most popular Indian restaurants in the capital (Qurum, +968 24 60 59 07). On the floor below it, you can enjoy a drink and some tapas at The Left Bank (Qurum, +968 24 69 36 99). Opposite the Palace, the imposing forms of the Ministry of Heritage and Culture Building Kurkum offers simple and inspiring fusion meals blending Indian and Arabic flavours – don’t miss the Jalali and Mirani Forts stand on the high The beautiful home of Bait al Zubair is a in the Al Khuwair area. The star exhibit, the refreshing lassis (Muttrah, +968 24 71 41 14). ground around the city and are among its complex of private buildings transformed dominating an entire room, is an enormous Before dinner, work up an appetite with a walk on the waterfront.