Muscat Cruises
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Muscat, Oman’s port capital, offers plenty of history, an air of tradition, and a distinctly exotic location, all crammed between the mountains, the sea – laden with fauna-rich lagoons – and the desert.
With history dating back to ancient times, Muscat mixes modern architecture and fashionable shopping malls with souks, Royal Palaces and landmarks like its 16th century Portuguese forts, Al Jalali and Mirani that keep watch over the harbour.[ReadMoreMob]
The ornate marble-clad Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, with its 50m dome, can accommodate 20,000 people. This most modern of Islamic buildings is also home to the world’s second largest hand-woven carpet, which took four years to thread and is made from various vibrant vegetable dyes.
The opening of the Royal Opera House in 2011, and the splendid National Museum which opened six years later, offer additional culture highlights that give the city a personality all of its own.
Top Experiences
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
A fine example of modern Islamic architecture, the mosque was a gift to the nation from Sultan Qaboos to mark his 30th year of reign. The imposing prayer hall houses a Persian carpet that measures 70 metres by 60 metres, making it the second largest hand-loomed Iranian carpet in the world; it took 600 women four years to weave. The mosque can accommodate 20,000 worshippers (including 750 women) in a private musalla (prayer hall).
Green Mountain
A part of the towering Al-Hajar Mountains range, Jebel Akhdar (the ‘Green Mountain’) is known for its gardens, farms and plantations. High up in the mountains, several ruined villages – Wadi Bani Habib is a fine example – wait to be explored.
Nakhal Fort
Nakhal Fort offers visitors spectacular views, as well as the chance to step back into Medieval times – it was once the stronghold of the famous Bani Kharous tribe. The tranquil Nakhal Springs nearby is an ideal spot for peaceful contemplation among resplendent scenery.