Location: Muscat
Top Things to do in Muscat
The 7 Best Specialty Museums in Muscat, Muscat Governorate
Muscat (Arabic: مسقط, Masqaṭ pronounced [ˈmasqatˤ]) is the capital and largest metropolitan city of Oman. It is also the seat of government and largest city in the Governorate of Muscat. Muscat is also considered as a Global City. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the total population of Muscat Governorate reached 1.28 million as of September 2015. The metropolitan area spans approximately 3,500 km (1,400 sq mi) and includes six provinces called wilayats. Known since the early 1st century CE as an important trading port between the west and the east, Muscat was ruled by various indigenous tribes as well as foreign powers such as the Persians, the Portuguese Empire and the Ottoman Empire at various points in its history. A regional military power in the 18th century, Muscat's influence extended as far as East Africa and Zanzibar. As an important port-town in the Gulf of Oman, Muscat attracted foreign tradesmen and settlers such as the Persians and the Balochis. Since the ascension of Qaboos bin Said as Sultan of Oman in 1970, Muscat has experienced rapid infrastructural development that has led to the growth of a vibrant economy and a multi-ethnic society.
Restaurants in Muscat
1. Ghalya's Museum of Modern Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 157 reviews
Ghalyas Museum of Modern Art is now known as Place & People Museum. It invites visitors to explore Oman’s past, present and future aura, being welcomed not by one person, or several people, but by a whole culture. The display of modern works, in conjunction with the historic life of the 50s and 70s is intended to create a feeling that the “inner” Omani continues forever unchanging. With a permanent collection of heritage, culture, tradition and art, Place & People Museum serves as a museum and a showcase.
Reviewed By 28katea - Melbourne, Australia
This little unassuming museum of modern daily life in Muscat-Oman is a terrific introduction to how people lived. The country is in the midst of massive change and it is good to be able to consider where it is coming from. Highly recommended.
2. Bait Al Zubair
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 952 reviews
Reviewed By TheOExpress - Hong Kong, China
...as the varying art and artefacts on show there are even better than the main part. I particularly liked the modern art, wonderful photography and architectural recreations in those parts.
3. Oman Oil and Gas Exhibition Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 89 reviews
Reviewed By Onewheelers - Inverness, United Kingdom
The oil and petroleum section was good but not all exhibits functioning - still worthwhile, but best suited adults and older kids/teenagers. The best bit is the energy and sustainability section where we had great fun with very high quality interactive exhibits that younger children - say age 5 upwards would also be able to enjoy. Both very informative and enjoyable. Free entry.
4. PDO Planetarium
5. Bait Al-Baranda
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 152 reviews
Reviewed By Abirjaber - Doha, Qatar
This a small museum but one of the rich cultural & historical places in Muscat. We knowing many pieces of information about the old world and how the map transformed during thousands of decades using interactive technology that displays pictures of tectonic plate movement over the past 750 million years until today, showing the activity that formed the continents in the past. We hear the history of Muscat since its geological formation to the present day. Also, we see a lot of maps from many resources, the museum includes documentation of the Sultanate of Oman’s history since its inception to the present day. we saw the old Omani costumes, the maritime trade, and The skeleton of a dinosaur.
6. Amouage Perfumery
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 263 reviews
Reviewed By L1248RYvanessab
You can just show up at the factory ( more an exquisite bottling building than a 'factory'). The tour is free. The staff are very friendly and will talk and show you the ingredients used for all the different perfumes. You get to 'sniff' all the different scents and are then shown the process for making the perfume. Most of the process is now done in France but the perfumes are bottled on site. There is a factory shop but the prices are not discounted. Although if you purchase something you are often given a free sample. The perfume is very expensive- from 85 OR for 50ml and 95 OR for 100ml. There is no eau de toilette. Thought it well worth an hour detour while in Muscat (only a few mins from airport).
