While it may not be very large, Muscat—the compact
capital of the Sultanate of Oman has something for everyone. From shopping
sprees and culture lessons to an abundance of sea-centric activities, this city
has it all, and then some more...
By Raul Dias
If you look up the etymology of the word ‘Muscat’ you
will find that it literally translates from Arabic to mean “place of
anchorage”. And there couldn’t be a more apt way to describe this tiny, yet
bustling capital city of the Sultanate of Oman that exudes a relaxed, small-town
vibe despite having everything a dynamic modern-day city should have.
Established in 1793, today Muscat is the main metropolitan area of Oman and the most densely populated region that one third of the country’s two million people call home. A great place to set anchor and explore the rest of Oman at leisure, Muscat too has a lot to offer the traveller, however brief your stopover here is.
We bring you a few ways to get the most of your jaunt in this Middle Eastern coastal city:
Established in 1793, today Muscat is the main metropolitan area of Oman and the most densely populated region that one third of the country’s two million people call home. A great place to set anchor and explore the rest of Oman at leisure, Muscat too has a lot to offer the traveller, however brief your stopover here is.
We bring you a few ways to get the most of your jaunt in this Middle Eastern coastal city:
Soak
in the Souk
There’s no doubting the fact that one of the best ways to acquaint yourself to any Middle Eastern city is by sauntering down to the local marketplace called a souk. And Muscat is no different. The bustling Muttrah Souk, just off the meandering Corniche in Old Muscat is the perfect Ground Zero for a slice of local life. From the intricately decorated curved dagger called the khanjar that is the symbol of Oman and fragrant frankincense (see box)-selling stalls, to others peddling soft Pashmina shawls and colourful belushi dresses for women, this souk has it all. With its labyrinthine lanes and alleys, the souk is a treasure trove for souvenir hunters with its hundreds of shops selling multi-hued glass lamps, sheeshas and other metallic curios and trinkets like typically Omani pendants and lockets.
There’s no doubting the fact that one of the best ways to acquaint yourself to any Middle Eastern city is by sauntering down to the local marketplace called a souk. And Muscat is no different. The bustling Muttrah Souk, just off the meandering Corniche in Old Muscat is the perfect Ground Zero for a slice of local life. From the intricately decorated curved dagger called the khanjar that is the symbol of Oman and fragrant frankincense (see box)-selling stalls, to others peddling soft Pashmina shawls and colourful belushi dresses for women, this souk has it all. With its labyrinthine lanes and alleys, the souk is a treasure trove for souvenir hunters with its hundreds of shops selling multi-hued glass lamps, sheeshas and other metallic curios and trinkets like typically Omani pendants and lockets.
A
dose of serenity at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
20,000 is the number of worshippers it can accommodate at one time. 1,122 is how many bulbs its eight tonne Swarovski crystal chandelier holds. And 1,700 million knots make up the Persian carpet that covers the floor of its main hall. As one of the largest mosques in the world, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is THE place to immerse yourself in serenity and peace. Opened in 2001, this edifice is hemmed in by four minarets which together with a fight—and larger—central minaret represent the five pillars of Islam. Truly a must-visit place in the city!
20,000 is the number of worshippers it can accommodate at one time. 1,122 is how many bulbs its eight tonne Swarovski crystal chandelier holds. And 1,700 million knots make up the Persian carpet that covers the floor of its main hall. As one of the largest mosques in the world, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is THE place to immerse yourself in serenity and peace. Opened in 2001, this edifice is hemmed in by four minarets which together with a fight—and larger—central minaret represent the five pillars of Islam. Truly a must-visit place in the city!
Scent’s
Appeal
Let your olfactory senses lead you to the very well-appointed Amouage Perfume Factory in Rusayl for a heady dose of aromatherapy. Established over 25 years ago by the Omani Royal Family to revive and maintain the art of ancient Arabian Perfumery, the factory is ‘Ground Zero’ for lovers of fine fragrance. Here you can see how essential oils and traditional ingredients like silver, ambergris and myrrh and others like tonka beans and lavender amalgamate to create magic. You can even get a customised perfumed made here just for yourself with the formula kept aside for future orders!
Let your olfactory senses lead you to the very well-appointed Amouage Perfume Factory in Rusayl for a heady dose of aromatherapy. Established over 25 years ago by the Omani Royal Family to revive and maintain the art of ancient Arabian Perfumery, the factory is ‘Ground Zero’ for lovers of fine fragrance. Here you can see how essential oils and traditional ingredients like silver, ambergris and myrrh and others like tonka beans and lavender amalgamate to create magic. You can even get a customised perfumed made here just for yourself with the formula kept aside for future orders!
Omani
Heritage Gallery
Shop with a conscience at the wonderful Omani Heritage Gallery that’s located in the Shatti Al Qurm. Part of an NGO that supports local Omani artisans working in traditional crafts, the gallery is where you can pick up some high-quality products including jewellery, tribal weaving, woven baskets and copper articles. But remember, unlike the Muttrah Souk where bargaining is the norm, this is a fixed price place with all profits going directly to the artisans.
Shop with a conscience at the wonderful Omani Heritage Gallery that’s located in the Shatti Al Qurm. Part of an NGO that supports local Omani artisans working in traditional crafts, the gallery is where you can pick up some high-quality products including jewellery, tribal weaving, woven baskets and copper articles. But remember, unlike the Muttrah Souk where bargaining is the norm, this is a fixed price place with all profits going directly to the artisans.
Do
the Museum Circuit
For a city as small as Muscat, it sure packs in a mighty punch with its world-class museums. Start off with a visit to the National Museum—located bang opposite the ornate Al Alam Royal Palace in Old Muscat—for its well-curated exhibits of everything from displays of jewellery and traditional costumes to the mighty Omani dhow sailboat that occupies prime position. Don’t miss checking out the 8th century letter believed to have been written by the Prophet Mohammed to the rulers of Oman, spreading the Islamic faith to the country. For a better understanding of Franco-Omani relations, pop into the Bait Al Faransi museum that is housed in the former residence of the French Consul in Muscat. Other superb museums include the Sultan’s Armed Forces Museum in the Ruwi neighbourhood and the wonderful Natural History Museum where you can uncover the Sultanate’s history in fossils with the ‘Oman Through Time’ exhibit.
For a city as small as Muscat, it sure packs in a mighty punch with its world-class museums. Start off with a visit to the National Museum—located bang opposite the ornate Al Alam Royal Palace in Old Muscat—for its well-curated exhibits of everything from displays of jewellery and traditional costumes to the mighty Omani dhow sailboat that occupies prime position. Don’t miss checking out the 8th century letter believed to have been written by the Prophet Mohammed to the rulers of Oman, spreading the Islamic faith to the country. For a better understanding of Franco-Omani relations, pop into the Bait Al Faransi museum that is housed in the former residence of the French Consul in Muscat. Other superb museums include the Sultan’s Armed Forces Museum in the Ruwi neighbourhood and the wonderful Natural History Museum where you can uncover the Sultanate’s history in fossils with the ‘Oman Through Time’ exhibit.
Encounters
of the Sea Kind!
With an enviable coastline, Muscat offers a plethora of aquatic activities for you to enjoy. The Arabian Sea around Muscat has no strong currents, making both diving and snorkelling both fun an easy for divers of all levels. Fancy the more armchair kind of sea encounters? Sign up for a half day glass bottom boat tour leaving from the marina at Sidab in Old Muscat every morning at 8 am. The 22-seater boat cruises along the Muscat coastline, affording you sights of not just beautiful corals and other marine life, but also of the rather playful humpback dolphins and mighty whales that glide through the azure waters.
With an enviable coastline, Muscat offers a plethora of aquatic activities for you to enjoy. The Arabian Sea around Muscat has no strong currents, making both diving and snorkelling both fun an easy for divers of all levels. Fancy the more armchair kind of sea encounters? Sign up for a half day glass bottom boat tour leaving from the marina at Sidab in Old Muscat every morning at 8 am. The 22-seater boat cruises along the Muscat coastline, affording you sights of not just beautiful corals and other marine life, but also of the rather playful humpback dolphins and mighty whales that glide through the azure waters.
A
Sun Worshipper’s Paradise
With its soft, golden sand, the city’s Qurm Beach is one of the Sultanate’s best public beaches and a great place to unwind after a hectic day’s sight-seeing. Located a stone’s throw away from the business district of Qurm Junction, this beach along Al Shati Street is particularly popular with locals at sunset. The promenade that runs alongside it makes for a pleasant evening stroll with stops made for some cooling iced mint lemonade called limonana bought at one of the many fruit juice stalls.
With its soft, golden sand, the city’s Qurm Beach is one of the Sultanate’s best public beaches and a great place to unwind after a hectic day’s sight-seeing. Located a stone’s throw away from the business district of Qurm Junction, this beach along Al Shati Street is particularly popular with locals at sunset. The promenade that runs alongside it makes for a pleasant evening stroll with stops made for some cooling iced mint lemonade called limonana bought at one of the many fruit juice stalls.
Night
Out at the Opera
Boasting of one of the best opera houses in the world, Muscat’s magnum opus of an opera house stands proud near the seaside dunes of Al Qurm. Spanning across 80,000 sq.m, the building reflects typically Omani Arabesque architecture with flourishes of European grandeur peeking through every now and then. The Grand Auditorium is where you will see the Sultan of Oman’s gilded private box. In the past, the Royal Opera House has hosted world greats like Diana Krall, Youssou N’Dour and the celebrated Mariinsky Ballet who have all performed to a sold-out house.
Boasting of one of the best opera houses in the world, Muscat’s magnum opus of an opera house stands proud near the seaside dunes of Al Qurm. Spanning across 80,000 sq.m, the building reflects typically Omani Arabesque architecture with flourishes of European grandeur peeking through every now and then. The Grand Auditorium is where you will see the Sultan of Oman’s gilded private box. In the past, the Royal Opera House has hosted world greats like Diana Krall, Youssou N’Dour and the celebrated Mariinsky Ballet who have all performed to a sold-out house.
The khanjar and frankincense: Two Pillars of Omani Culture
* Tucked into ornate belts, the traditional curved dagger called the khanjar has been worn for centuries by Oman men as a defensive weapon and represents bravery and valour. Today considered the national symbol of the Sultanate, you will see its iconic shape on the country’s flag and printed on currency notes.
* The treasured resin harvested from the Boswelia Sacra tree found in Oman’s southern Dhofar region, frankincense is an inalienable part of the Omani identity which you will encounter all over the Sultanate. Omanis particularly like to use it as a perfume and you will surely recognise its distinct fragrance on the many hands that you shake or on entering shops and restaurants.
(An edited version of this article first appeared in the July 2018 issue of Jetwings Domestic in-flight magazine of Jet Airways http://www.jetairways.com/EN/IN/jetexperience/magazines.aspx)
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