By Ashwini Kolar
● 07 Jul 19
Itinerary Specific
Middle East
Muscat, the capital city of Oman, is a beautiful sepia-toned image. Muscat has always been a famous city owing to its unique geographical location. The port-city of Muscat served as a bridge between the eastern and western worlds. Owing to this fact, one always finds the subtle influences of both worlds in Muscat.
With a beautiful mix of traditional culture yet urban lifestyle, Muscat offers a plethora of options to explore. Here is a 48 hours Muscat itinerary to spend a lovely weekend in Muscat.
The Gulf of Oman is like no other gulf in the world and has a unique tinge of blue not found elsewhere. It is also home to magnificent bottle-nosed dolphins. Head to Duqm Beach to watch these beauties jump up to 9 feet, twirl and dive back into the pristine waters.
Visit the Stal Gallery, which houses world-class contemporary art by international artists as well as local and young artists.
After the Stal Gallery, head to The National Museum, that narrates the rich history of Oman through rare artifacts.
The Royal Opera House of Muscat has a unique contemporary and flamboyant Omani architecture. This 80,000 square meters structure made in marble hosts many internationally and locally renowned performances. If you are unable to view any opera show, do make sure and join the daily tours that happen at regular intervals. Spend some time in the Opera Galleria which has lovely cafés and shops.
Spread across 4,16,000 square meters, this is an iconic landmark in Muscat. The mosque, built using Indian sandstone, exhibits Islamic architecture fused with influences from around the world. The mosque holds the world’s largest handwoven Iranian carpets.
Head over to Bait Al Zubair Museum which is at a short distance from Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. This museum showcases beautiful artifacts and pieces of art, and its detailed exhibits express the vibrant history and culture of Oman to perfection.
Make a quick stop at Al Alam Palace, a blue and gold facade standing out against the monochromatic backdrop of Muscat. 16th-century Portuguese forts namely Mirani and Jalali, flank the palace on either side.
A trip to Muscat is incomplete without a visit to Souk Mutrah. It is the oldest market in Muscat and a melting pot of products like perfumes, frankincense, handmade clay incense burners, handmade Omani hats, cashmere scarves and gold, gems and stones and more!
Ashwini Kolar
An effervescent and talkative soul, Ashwini dreams about visiting every nook and corner of the world. When she is not writing, she is all things food and is busy either hunting for a restaurant or a recipe to cook!
Pakistan in One Week: A Journey Through Culture and History
05 Jun 24
Sun, Sea, and Serenity: A Weeklong Escape in the Philippines
05 Jun 24
Incredible India: A 7-Day Holiday Plan of Ultimate Discovery
02 Jun 24
USA in a Week: Making the Most of Your Limited Time
02 Jun 24
Discover the Wonders of South Africa: A Thrilling One-Week Travel Plan for Adventure Seekers
02 Jun 24
What’s Your Adventure Quotient? Get a Reality Check in Lebanon
22 Feb 22
Indulge your wanderlust in these weekend destinations from Amman
05 Sep 19
‘Bahrain Brunch’ Calls All The Late Morning Yawners & The Bed Crawlers
26 Jul 18
A Road Trip to Remember – Doha to Saudi Arabia
19 Dec 22
Best of Salalah in Two Days
18 Jan 19
Beware! Aliens in the House!
17 Oct 19
Oman Approves Covaxin – Travel Without Quarantine!
29 Oct 21
5 Scenic Road Trips in GCC
01 May 20
This Father’s Day Check Off A Destination from Your Dad’s Bucket List
13 Jun 19
A Journey Back in Time – Exploring the Lanes of Old Souqs of the Middle East
02 Jul 18