Muscat

Muscat is the capital of Oman and the country's largest city.

[edit] Understand

The city referred to as "Muscat" is in fact three smaller towns which have grown together over time. They are:

• Muscat - often referred to as the "walled city", Muscat proper is the site of the royal palaces.
• Matrah (Matruh) - originally a fishing village, and home to the maze-like Matrah Souq.
• Ruwi - generally considered the commercial and diplomatic centre of the city.

This tripartite division will sometimes cause the visitor an inconvenience, as distances between sites (and accommodation) can be very long.
As an alternative to the main CBD area that is considered as these three areas there is plently of places to go and things to see along the main highway that heads North East out of these areas. This main road, The Sultan Qaboos Highway, goes past many areas on its way out to the Airport and further still to Seeb, Sohar and eventually the northern most tip of Oman.
Heading along this road you pass the districts of Qurum, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, Al Khuwair, Bausher, Al-Hail and Seeb. Each one has a range of sights to see and places to stay.
There is also a very long beach road from Qurum to Seeb, some 50km. Situated along this are some of the large international hotel chains but more importantly you discover the true beauty of the Oman coast-line. Km's of beaches, fisherman with drag nets and open space to walk for hours.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

• "flydubai" [1] operates 3 flights per day from Dubai to Muscat.
• Oman Air [2] operates flights to Muscat from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Amman, Bahrain, Bangalore, Bangkok, Beirut, Cairo, Chennai, Chittagong, Dar Es Salaam, Delhi, Doha, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Jaipur, Jeddah, Karachi, Kathmandu, Khasab, Kochi, Kozhikode, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait, Lahore, London Heathrow, Lucknow, Male, Mumbai, Munich, Paris, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh, Salalah and Thiruvananthapuram.
• Gulf Air [3] offers flights from Bahrain to Muscat (BHD 75.900 return, Sept 2010).
• Emirates [4] has 10 flights per day from Dubai to Muscat, flying time 1 hr. (from AED 1405 return, Sept 2010).
• Air Arabia [5] offers 2 flights per day from Sharjah to Muscat, duration of flight 55 min (from AED 295,000 return, Sept 2010).
• Etihad Airways [6] operates 3 flights per day from Abu Dhabi to Muscat, duration of flight 1:05 hrs (from AED 1.355 return, Sept 2010)
• Britsh Airways [7] offers daily flights from London Heathrow to Muscat (from GBP 340,- return, Sept 2010)
• KLM [8] operates flights from Amsterdam to Muscat on Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri and Sun, duration of flight 8hrs 30min.
• Lufthansa [9] has flights from Frankfurt to Muscat from Sun to Fri, duration of flight 8 hrs (from EUR 796,- return, Sept 2010).
• Swiss [10] operates daily flights from Zurich to Muscat via Dubai (from CHF 774,- return, Sept 2010).
• Royal Jordanian [11] flies from Amman to Muscat on Tue, Thu, Fri and Sun, arriving in Muscat next morning (from JOD 535.570 return, Sept 2010)
• Egyptair [12] offers flights from Cairo to Muscat on Mon Wed, Thu and Fri, arriving in Muscat next morning, duration of flight 4 hrs,
• Air India Express [13] has flights to Muscat from Amritsar on Wed and Fri (duration of flight 3 hrs 15min, from Delhi on Wed and Fri (duration of flight 5 hrs 20min), from Kochi on Tue, Thu and Sun (duration of flight 3hrs 35min), from Kozhikode on Fri, Sat, Sun (duration of flight 3hrs 25min), from Thiruvanantahapuram on Tue, Thu to Sun (duration of flight 3hrs 45 min, or 5hrs 20min if flight goes via Cochin).
• Pakistan International Airlines [14] operates flights to Muscat from Islamabad on Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat and Sun and from Peshawar on Wed, Thu and Sat.

The number of airlines flying to Muscat increases each year, although the Omani sale of their part of Gulf Air has meant a temporary decrease in passengers.
Domestically, Oman Air also flies from Salalah to Muscat at least twice weekly.

[edit] By bus

Oman National Transport Company [15] runs busses to Muscat from Dubai (duration of journey: 6 hrs) and Abu Dhabi (via Buraimi). Within Oman there are daily busses to Muscat from Buraimi (via Sohar), Nizwa (2hrs 20min), Salalah (13 hrs, reservation required), Sanaw and Sur (4hrs 15 min). Long distance busses arrive at the Oman National Transport Company at Ruwi, Al-Jaame Street (near Sultan Qaboos Mosque).

[edit] By bus

There are daily bus services from Dubai and several Oman cities to Muscat, operated by the Oman National Transport Company [16].

[edit] By car

You can reach Muscat by road from the United Arab Emirates. The journey takes about 5h by crossing the border in Hatta/Al Ain.
You can drive from Al Ghaydah in Yemen. The journey is about 6 hours via the border crossing at Sarfeit to Salalah and then another 10 to Muscat.

[edit] Get around

[edit] By taxi

Maxi taxis (vans, known throughout the expat community as baisa busses) ply the highway from Seeb to the corniche area. The charge is 100 baisa from corniche area to the church round about and another 100 baisa from the church round about to Wadi Adai.
On arrival at the airport, situated approximately 40km from the main Muscat CBD, you can get a baisa bus down the main highway in either direction.
The (mostly orange and white) taxis are a bit pricier, and they hang around the hotels where they get juicy fares from unwary travellers. They will charge 8 Rials for an airport trip if you don't haggle, but you should be able to barter for 5 Rials. They always say they will give you "good price" but its best to figure out what you want to spend then agree before you get in.
The Maxi Taxis ply the main routes through town, and they go where they want so you might have to find one going your direction, once you are on one, they will make sure you get there. THe place to wait for them is on the on-ramps of most of the main highway junctions, you'll usually see a few people waiting around for one. A journey within the Muscat area should not cost more than 300 Baisa each, but if you look like an experienced traveller and hand them 200 baisa then you can usually get away with that.

[edit] By car

There are many rent-a-car services available in the city. An international driving licence is required for renting out a car. Most of the Car Rentals have offices at the airport arrivals terminal.

• ABC
• Al Maskry Rent-a-Car [17]
• Avis [18]
• Budget,
• 'National
• Europcar
• Hertz
• Sixt
• Thrifty

The cheapest car hire is about 11 OMR (14 GBP) for a day which will get you an economy car with manual transmission and sometimes no air-conditioning. To get yourself properly equipped, you should hire a 4WD which will be around 30 OMR (38 GBP). Make sure that you will get a proper induction on driving in Oman.
Road signs in Muscat can be quite confusing, particularly when having to decide which exit to take to reach your destination. Best to ask a local to provide you with directions if you haven't been to your destination previously.

[edit][add listing] See

Al Jalali Fort, Muscat

• Al Jalali Fort and Al Mirani fort They are located in Qasr Al Alam Street. The forts were built as prisons in the rocky mountains in 1580 during the Portugese occupation, and have now been converted into museums.

• Corniche Area The recently renovated corniche area is a popular place for a walk and also for its many not-so-expensive eating places.

• Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. This is the third largest mosque in the world and mostly the entire complex is open to non-Muslim visitors. Non-Muslims may visit from 8AM to 11AM every day except Friday. Ladies are however expected to keep their heads, ankles and wrists covered while visiting the mosque. Must sees in the mosque include the Swarovski crystal chandelier, the second largest hand made persian carpet in the world and the marble panelling.

• Qasr Al Alam Royal Palace This is the office of Sultan Qaboos, ruler of Oman. This beautiful palace stands on the head of a natural deep water harbour and is guarded on either side by the twin forts of Mirani and Jelali. Visitors are not allowed to visit the palace, but they are allowed to take photographs at the entrance of the palace.

• Bait az-Zubair Museum The museum itself features displays on Omani social history, while tours are frequently run of the neighbouring reconstructed townhouse

Nakhal Fort

• Muscat also has a large number of small and large parks, the largest being the Qurum National Park or rose gardens which include a large manmade waterfall, a lake and an amusement park which is a must to visit during the Muscat festival. Other popular parks include:

• Riyam park - also with rides and an Arabian watch tower. Visited in The Amazing Race 9

• A number of factories are open for visitors such as the Omani halwah factory and the Amouage perfume factory. Amouage perfume is the most valuable perfume in the world.

Wadi Shab

• Nakhal Fort. This splendid fort is about 40 minutes drive east of the city, located at the base of the Jebel Akhdar section of the Hajar Mountains.

• Wadi Shab. This is perhaps the most spectacular of all the easily accessible wadis in Oman. It is located about 100 km southeast of Muscat, accessed from the main coastal road to Sur at the village of Tiwi. The pools here are a vivid Emerald Green colour, and the caves and sheer sides of the wadi really dramatic.

[edit] Museums

• Bait Al Zubair

• Bait Muzna Gallery [19]

• Children's Museum, Shatti al qurum

• Marine Science & Fisheries Centre, between the Al Bustan Palace Hotel and the Capital Yacht Club.

• National Museum, near Abdulridha Mosque-Ruwi.

• Natural History Museum, in the Minstry of National Heritage and Culture. Al Khuwair

• Omani French Museum, Near muscat police stn, Located at old Muscat in Bait Fransa.

• Omani Museum, Medinat Al Alam (Information City) near Ministry of Information.

• The Sultan's Armed Forces Museum, Bait al falaj.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Walk down the waterfront in the Corniche area to catch a cool sea breeze, and treat yourself to some sandwiches and Halib (tea with milk) or Sulaimani (black tea) at one of the wayside restaurants. A cup of tea costs about 50 baisa.

• From the waterfront enter the Mutrah Souk and bargain for Arab hand-embroidered mussar (shawls intended to be worn as turbans, which cost 10 rials and above), garments, nuts, spices, incense, earthen ware, etc.

• Before getting back to your hotel have dinner at one of the wayside restaurants on the waterfront.

• Night Safari

• Scuba Diving. Visit the Oman Dive Centre at Bandar Jissah.

• Rock Climbing

• Trekking

• Camel Racing

• Turtle Watching

• Dolphin Watching

• Horseback Riding

[edit][add listing] Buy

Mutrah Souk

• Mutrah Souk The maze-like souq (marketplace), which also includes a fish market, is often described as the best in the Gulf region. The souq has several shops for jewellery, traditional Omani handicrafts and Omani food at reasonable prices. Several shops accept credit cards.

• Sabco Centre, Qurm. Located near the turnoff between Sultan Qaboos St and Qurm Heights Road, the "Sabco Centre" is actually a collection of about half a dozen medium sized shopping centres which is very popular with locals. The actual Sabco Centre has a small souq-like collection of shops that contains many of the handicrafts that are available in the Mutrah Souq. Opposite the Sabco Centre is the Omani Craftsman's House that only sells guaranteed Made in Oman crafts at fixed (but relatively high) prices.

• Muscat City Centre, Seeb, [20]. Currently the biggest mall, containing a lot of shops including a large Carrefour [21].

• Qurum City Centre.Recently opened up at Qurum and contains Carrefour too [22].

• Godiva Chocolates, Sabco Centre, Ruwi, Tel - 562367.

• Lulu Hypermarket, Darsait, Bausher and Seeb tel - 7711449.

• Markaz al Bahja, Seeb

• Safeer Hyper Market, Athaiba (Azaiba), Tel - 502461.

• Select, All Shell Petrol Bunks.

• Sultan Centre, , Tel - 567666.

• The Al Fair chain of supermarkets sells just about everything you want. Many of them are on the main Sultan Qaboos highway making them an easy place to spot.

[edit] Tailors

There are numerous Indian run tailors. You may pay RO 5 to have 2 Italian suits tailored for sleeve length, trouser length and waist. There is a Raymond store in Ruwi that will make custom suits in the RO 50-60 range. In fact they have excellent fabrics from pure wool to wool blended with exotic fibers like Cashmere, Mohair or Angora and linen. Even Super 230s crafted out of 11.8 micron wool are found there. Ask them for their catalogue - you will find the latest Italian designs and styles in there and a really good suit can be really light on the pocket.

[edit] Money Changers

Oman-UAE Exchange Centres- LuLu Hypermarkets, Ghala and Ruwi Global Money Exchange - Ruwi travelex - Seeb International Airport Purshottam Kanji - Ruwi Mustafa Sultan Exchange - Many outlets throughout Oman

[edit][add listing] Eat

Food is cheap in Muscat and for about a Rial you'll get a meal per person.

[edit] Budget

• Al-exandria, Fanja House, Near Sabco Centre, Ruwi, Tel - 561611. The best Rotis (Indian Bread). Try the chicken Jalfrezi and Paneer aloo (potato).

• Bin Atique, Al Khuwair, Ruwi, ☎ 24478225. This place is in all the guidebooks as the only 'authentic' Omani restaurant in town - and its fame means that this is now firmly a tourist joint. Food is acceptable if a bit pricey for what you get.  edit

• Automatic, (Cuisine - Lebanese). Try the Hummus (Chickpea paste), Fatoosh (Salad), Mutabel (Egg Plant paste), Falafel and mint tea. Even the waiters are not sure why the restaurant is named automatic. There is a branch of Automatic located on the side of the Sabco Centre facing away from the central car park. There are also branches in Ruwi, Al Khuwair and elsewhere in Muscat.

• Al-Haikal, Near Bus Stand, Ruwi (Cuisine - Pakistani).

• Al-Hanan, Ruwi (Cuisine - Indian).

• Al-Shaheen, Honda Road, Ruwi (Cuisine - Pakistani).

• Al-Tarboosh, opposite the Sabco Centre, Qurm. Fast Arabian/Lebanese-style food available for takeaway or eat-in on the first floor.

• Saravana Bhavan, Opp. O.C Centre, Ruwi (Cuisine - Indian).

• Bella-Pais, MAM roundabout, just off the Nizwa turn off (Cuisine - Greek + Other).

• Gujrat Bhojan Shala, Ruwi High Street, Ruwi (Cuisine - Indian).

• Oman Express, Tel - 7731329. Delivers Lunch - 18 rials for a month including Fridays or 15.6 Rials excluding Fridays.

• Subway, City Centre, Seeb, Tel - 542225.

• Many restaurants targeting Indian guest workers in Al Khuwayr; also, Ofair and Ibn Ateeq Omani restaurants.

[edit] Mid-range

• Haffa House Hotel, Ruwi.

• Chedi Hotel pizza restaurant offers less expensive food than the other Chedi outlets, with the same understated chic ambience.

[edit] Splurge

• Al Khiran, Al Bustan Palace Hotel, (Cuisine - Buffet). Famous for their Friday brunch buffets which cost RO 19.500 per person + 17% service charge/tax.

• Chedi Hotel, On the coast road (Cuisine - 4 open kitchens from across the world).

• Mumtaz Mahal, (Cuisine - Indian).

• Passage to India, PO Box 385, Jibroo, Wadi Adai, Hatat House Compound, Tel - 568480 (Cuisine - Indian).

• Samarkhand, Oasis by the Sea, (Cuisine - Indian Peshwari).

[edit][add listing] Drink

Every road, street corner or little collection houses, huts or businesses has a 'Coffee-Shop' Basic but worth a go.
Fresh fruit juices are delicious and available from a number of stalls and cafes in Muscat. Some well-known ones are Fast Food 'n' Juice Centre on the Corniche at Mutrah (where you can watch the world go by from the outside tables) and Al Ahli Coffeeshop inside the Mutrah Souq. Expect to pay between RO 0.500 and 1.500 for these juices depending on type and size.
There is a Starbucks located on the beach road that goes between the Crown Plaza Hotel and the Intercontinental Hotel. It is so close that if you cross the road, you are on the beach. The larger drinks are about RO 2-2.2, but the view through the glass wall of the waves coming into the beach is excellent.

• Motif Coffee Shop. Next to the Intercontinental Hotel directly on the beach where you can sit under palms and watch the sunset. Despite the location prices are moderate. Fresh juices are RO 1.1, a tea or coffee RO 0.8, a sandwhich about RO 1 and grilled fish or squid RO 3. It is a great place.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Corniche Area There are five hotels on the Corniche waterfront that all charge 15 Rial ($39US) There is one hotel which is very rundown at the end of the waterfront that is 10 Rial ($25us)

• Golden Oasis Hotel [23]. In the centre of Muscat and close to the main commercial area. A popular choice for tourists.

• Guest Houses. There are a number of Guest Houses (Isteraha in Arabic) spread around Muscat which are quite affordable and acceptable in general.

[edit] Mid-range

• Haffa House Hotel
• The Crown Plaza [24]. Located in Qurum with a grand view north up the beach towards the Intercontinental.

[edit] Splurge

Muscat offers a considerable range of luxury hotels, among them are:

• Crystal Suites, Vegetable & Fruit Market Road, Way 6702, Block 167 Wadi Kabir, ☎ +968 24826100, [25]. It offers 78 well appointed suites, all of which have a 32” LCD TV, DVD player, electronic safe box, and direct dialling facility. Some of its amenities are a restaurant serving finest Mughlai and Afghani recipes from ‘Kareem’s of Bombay, an open to sky Atrium with children’s play area and dining facilities, and ballrooms with 1000 persons capacity for marriage receptions, and corporate and private functions. They also undertake out-door catering facilities wherein Crystal Suites will offer unique experience to the local public and tourists. Best rates on official website start at OMR 30.00.  edit

• Al Bustan Palace Hotel, ☎ 799666, [26].  edit Built originally to house a regional conference in the mid-80s, the hotel is famous for its brunches. Worth visiting just to check out the lobby and hotel grounds.

• The Chedi Muscat. Five star luxury with traditional Omani architecture.

• Grand Hyatt. An opulent building built in what is almost a parody of Arabian palace styles.

• Hotel Al Falaj, [27].

• Ruwi Hotel, [28]. A tired and run down hotel that is more the standard of a third world back packer establishment. Interesting bar tho.

• Shangri-La Hotel, [29]. Part of the international luxury chain. In Bar al Jissah, which is about 30 minutes past downtown Muscat. The hotel can be challenging to find, so make sure you have a good map if you are driving. The Shangri-La is on a beautiful section of the coastline.

[edit] Stay healthy

It is advisable to drink bottled water while in Muscat. Tanuf, Arwa, Salsabeel, and Aquafina are the most recognisable brands of mineral water and is available in most convenience shops. "Masafi" and "Darbat" are also brands at reasonable rates - RO 1 for 12*1.5 lts. Tap water is generally not safe, and so use bottled water.

[edit] Contact

Global calling card 'Global One' does not work in Muscat. Though the global one website lists the rates for calls from Oman there are no numbers listed along side. The nearest 'Global One' help line is in Dubai.
Pre-paid telephone cards called Jibreen Cards are available at most stores. It's available in denominations of 5 Rials and 1.5 Rials. A 5 Rial card gets you 11 minutes of talk time.
The Hayak card is the pre-paid card for cellular phones.

[edit] Cope

[edit] Airlines

• Oman Air, (in Ruwi, opposite Central Bank), ☎ 24707222,24798096 (reservations). 24750812 (tickets) (fax: 24795546).  edit
• Air Arabia, ☎ 24700828.  edit
• British Airways, ☎ 24565123, 2456877 (fax: 24795721).  edit
• Egypt Air, ☎ 24794113, 24796134 (fax: 2470989).  edit
• Emirates, ☎ 24786600, 24792222 (fax: 24750989).  edit
• Etihad Airways, ☎ 24823555, 24817861 (fax: 24823556).  edit
• Gulf Air, ☎ 24703222, 24703544 (fax: 247003381).  edit
• Kuwait Airways, ☎ 24701262, 24704455 (fax: 24700483).  edit
• Lufthansaa, ☎ 24796692, 24510400 (fax: 24798987).  edit
• Qatar Airways, ☎ 24787070 (fax: 24798987).  edit
• Royal Jordanian, ☎ 24796693, 24707930 (fax: 24788098).  edit
• Swiss, ☎ 24703303, 24787416 (fax: 24799502).  edit

[edit] ATMs

ATMs are very common now, especially in the Embassy district and near most shopping malls, larger hotels, petrol stations and supermarkets. Also, every little neighbourhood has a several bank branches.
Bank Muscat is by far the largest bank in Oman and one of the largest in Gulf. It has over 230 ATMs all around Muscat.

[edit] Gyms

There are some very good gymnasiums in the 4 to 5 star hotels and some privately run gyms in other places like Millennium Gym, Horizon Gym etc. You may pay money for that extra with the number of days you stay in Muscat.

[edit] Hospitals

• KIMS Oman Hospital ,Darsait
• Muscat Private Hospital, Ghubrah
• Al Nahda Hospital, Ghubrah
• Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Al Hamriya
• Al Shatti Hospital, Shatti al Qurum
• Atlas Star Medical Centre, Bausher
• Al Amal Medical Centre-Al Wadi Al Kabir, Al-Khuwair
• Royal Hospital
• Badr Al Sama Hospital-Ruwi,Al Khuwair, Al Khoud,Barka,Sohar,Salalah
• Babylon Medical Centre, Amerat

[edit] Laundry

If you are in a 4 star hotel, they will charge a lot for laundry. If you take a short walk to any of the numerous Indian run laundry stores, your money will go a lot farther. Keep in mind that if you drop off your clothes on a Monday, they typically won't be ready until Wednesday.

[edit] Newspapers

• Times of Oman [30]
• Khaleej Times [31]
• Oman Daily Observer
• Oman Tribune
• The Week
• H!
• Oman Today - a small glossy magazine with tips on tourism, local trips and eating-out. It is published monthly.

A number of many Indian and Gulf newspapers are also available.

[edit] Embassies

• Austria, Al Baladiya St, Way no.3109, Moosa Abdul Rahman Hassan Complex, Bldg 477, Rms 203-204 (Ruwi), ☎ +968 24793135 (fax: +968 24783548).  edit

• Bahrain, 115, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, ☎ +968 24605074 (+968 24605075, 24605133, fax: +968 24605072).  edit

• Egypt, Jamai'at al Dowal al Arabyia St (in the Diplomatic Area), ☎ +968 24600411 (+968 24600982, fax: +968 24603626).  edit

• France, Jamai'at al Dowal al Arabyia St, ☎ +968 24681800 (fax: +968 24681843), [32].  edit

• Germany, (Ruwi, near Al Nahda Hospital), ☎ +968 24832482 (fax: +968 24835690), [33]. Su-W 7:30AM-3PM.  edit

• Greece, P.O. Βox 175, ☎ +968 24793072 (fax: +968 787714).  edit

• Iran, Jamai'at al Dowal al Arabyia St (in the Diplomatic Area), ☎ +968 24696944 (+968 24696947, fax: +968 24696888).  edit

• Italy, Al Qurum House 842 Way 2411, ☎ +968 24560968 (+968 24564832, 24564838, ambamasc@omantel.net.com, fax: +968 24564846).  edit

• Jordan, Jamai'at al Dowal al Arabyia St (in the Diplomatic Area), ☎ +968 24692760 (+968 24692761, fax: +968 24692762).  edit

• Switzerland (Consulate), Al Asfoor Plaza Bldg 1F 104 (Qurum), ☎ +968 24568205 (consulch@omantel.net.om, fax: +968 24568206).  edit

• United Kingdom, Jami'at al Dowal al Arabya St (in the Diplomatic Area), ☎ +968 24693077 (+968 24609000), [34].  edit

• United States, ☎ +968 24-643-400 (consularmuscat@state.gov, fax: +968 24-699-771), [35].  edit

[edit] Get out

• Salalah - the jewel of southern Oman
• Dubai - you can drive to "disneyland" in Arabia