Muscat

Muscat, Oman

Nestled between the imposing Al Hajar Mountains and the salty waters of the Arabian Sea is Muscat, the cosmopolitan Omani capital. Now home to almost half the country's population, the city is an expat's darling and has a lot to offer in the way of historical sights, culture, and entertainment. Muscat has managed to remain relatively concealed from the touristic eye and retains a sense of inwardness and an unspoiled quality long lost by some of its Emirati neighbours.

Population:

1.56 million

Currency:

Omani Rial (1 Omani Rial = 2.29 Euro)

Emergency Numbers:

Police/Fire/Ambulance: 9999

Opening Hours:

Most governmental offices and government-run facilities (including post offices and museums) open and close early (7.30am - 2.30pm). Commercial establishments and local businesses have longer working hours and often operate late into the night, but often close for mid-day break between 3pm and 6pm.

Newspapers:

Oman Daily Observer
Oman Tribune
Muscat Daily
TheWeek (published Wednesdays)
Times of Oman

The City

What once was three small villages of Muscat, Muttrah and Ruwi today constitutes the modern, ever-growing and very cosmopolitan Omani capital, with each of the three areas still preserving some of their individual flair.
Old Muscat, the historic heart of the city, contains some of the finest Arabian architecture and cultural heritage sites. Old Portuguese forts and historic buildings breathe the charm of foregone ages. The opulent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, a rather new addition to the local architectural landscape, has grown to become the country's major religious centre and is open to visitors of all convictions.
The scenic, vibrant port area of Muttrah is the place to be right before sundown. A promenade along its seaside Corniche lined with stylish hotels and eateries makes for a perfect kick-start to the evening, to be continued exploring the Muttrah Souq and Muscat's somewhat hushed, but very present nightlife.
Neighboring Ruwi is, perhaps, best explored during daylight hours, when this newly emerged business districts' eclectic make up becomes most apparent.
Some distances might prove too long for walking, but commuting between Muscat's historically detached areas is made easy by omnipresent minibuses and taxis, easily hailed down from any point in the city.

Do & See

Muscat's geographical positioning in close proximity to the sea, desert and mountains provides visitors with an endless list of possible activities. With natural beauty, beach resorts, an emerging cultural scene (facilitated much by the recently constructed Royal Opera House) and historical relics, the nation's capital is guaranteed to keep travelers busy both on land (mosques, forts and souqs) and at sea (dolphin-watching tours and snorkeling, to name a few).

Dining

Omani cuisine is halal meat-dominated, with Arabian and Indian influences easily traceable. Some of the typical local dishes include grilled meats, shwarma, and biryani. Muscat's seaside location makes for a heavy emphasis on seafood in local cuisine as well. Restaurants in Muscat are often located on hotel premises and cater primarily to expats and tourists (most locals favour cafes over fine dining). The variety of cuisine choices, however, is certainly impressive and ranges from traditional Omani to Indian, Pakistani, European, and Asian.

Cafes

Western-style restaurants are a foreign import to Oman, while cafes enjoy a much higher popularity among locals and often make for dining experiences no less tantalizing. "Shwarma" is, perhaps, the most popular local eat, and is made with roasted beef or chicken wrapped in bread with salad and vegetables. Grilled meats (or "kebabs") are another local speciality, often served with flatbread and hummus. Another dish typical of the area is "biryani", which often simply means chicken leg with rice and spices. Cafes normally offer a variety of fresh juices to go with a meal, along with coffee ("gahwa") spiced with cardamom and cloves.