Muscat, Oman
November 25, 2016
Docked 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
This Arabian capital is an oasis of green lawns, shade trees, and colorful flowers in a desert country. White buildings and soaring minarets sparkle in the sun. Traditional architecture, elegant mosques, and eye-opening museums weave in Old World character. Explore forts, castles, and the Souk Muttrah, a traditional bazaar that invites you to shop for mementos.
Photo Gallery 25. November 2016
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
Non-Muslims are allowed to visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque every day, except Friday, from 9-11 AM, and just happened that we’ll be there on a Friday, so watch-out for these hours. But looks like “NO VISIT is allowed on Friday” now. It can hold 20,000 worshippers and was a ‘gift’ of the Omani people to sultan Qaboos, the current ruler who dragged Oman into a new modern era after ousting his father 40 years ago. When it was completed 15 years ago, it had the biggest chandelier (14 meters) and the biggest hand-woven carpet (4,300 m2 in size and weighing 21 tons) in the world.
Remember to bring ID, scarf and long skirt or loose pants.
Muscat on a Friday morning will be tricky as everything will be closed until after the main Friday prayers. The port provides shuttle buses to take you to the port gate where there will be taxis and a taxi captain. Tell him you want an English speaking driver and ask for a general tour. They are reasonably priced and you can pay in Euros. The big mosque and museums will be closed but still worth seeing the outside. The souk on the corniche will start to open after prayers. There is a cafe for drinks and snacks at the start of the souk. Gold is sold by weight on the days gold price so you won’t be ripped off. You can walk back from the souk along the corniche to the port gates. For a coffee stop the Crowne Plaza at Qurum gives a great view of beaches and diplomatic area. The Al Bustan Hotel is another must see.
Helpful Links
