11 Crafts That Will Make You Want To Visit The Sultanate

Are you looking for craft things? Do you know which are the most popular in the Sultanate? 

Oman is among the leading countries that support craft industries. The government has attached great importance to this industry because it reflects a social culture and one of the most important legacies inspired by the Omani environment. In this article, you will discover

Harvesting Frankincense

Daggers and Swords

Textiles

The Omani Dress

Incense Making

Distillation of Rose Water

The Pottery

The Leather Industry

The Ship Building Industry

The Palm Leaves Products

Silver Wares

If you want to discover more about Oman, visit the official website here: www.omantourism.gov.om

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Written by: Oman Tourism UK. Official Account for the Oman Ministry of Tourism MBR in The UK & Ireland. Want to be part of our community? Connect with us!

Follow @Oman_Tourism_UK

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18 Stunning Legendary Forts In Oman That You Need To See

Do you want to know what's it like to visit a Fort, in Oman? Wondering what are the most impressive ones?

Each fort in Oman has distinctive engineering and architectural features that make it a physical challenge and an education to visit today. Be prepared for plenty of climbing up and down steps in your exploration of these enormous structures. In this article, we will show you 18 Stunning Legendary Forts In Oman That You Need To See

Al Mirani Fort

Al Mirani Fort lies in old Muscat and overlooks the Sea of Oman. It is also known as Al Gharbiya Fort as it commands a view of a high rocky hill at the end of the west wall. It can be reached by climbing a flight of stairs carved into the rock.

Some say that the fort’s name was originally "mirante", a Portuguese word meaning "Admiral", while others say that the fort was named after a Persian leader by the name of “Miran Shah".

At the base of the hill a large dock was built, and visitors can only view the castle from the outside.

Al Jalali Fort

Al Jalali Fort lies in old Muscat and overlooks the Sea of Oman. It is also known as the Ash Sharqiya Fort. Some say that the fort’s name origin is "Al Jalal", meaning "great beauty", while others say the name is that of the Persian leader “Jalal Shah".


The fort consists of two towers connected by a wall punctuated by holes for cannons. The building is completely isolated and cannot be accessed from its rocky façade; instead there is a small bridge and stairway ending at one of the holdouts for safe exit. Visitors can only view the castle from the outside.

Mutrah Fort

Located on top of a rocky, narrow hill, Mutrah Fort stands tall facing the sea and inhaling the winds that waft the fragrant memory of ships gone by, ships that once sailed these azure waters.


The fort seems as if it were the only passage connecting Mutrah and Muscat. Currently, it consists of three circular towers: a huge one sitting on the summit and the remaining smaller two are located one at the first point in the West, and the other, which still houses one of the old cannons, to the north of the fort near the large tower. Visitors can only view the castle from the outside as it is currently undergoing renovation.

Nakhal Fort

Nakhal Fort is one of the most prominent historical monuments in the Sultanate. It derives its name from the Wilaya itself. The fort lies amidst palm orchards in Wilayt Nakhal in Al Batinah South Governorate. It is an entrenched building that rises above a rocky hill at the base of Mount Nakhal in the northeast of Al Jabal Al Akhdar (Green Mountain).

The fort, also called Husn Al Heem, lies 120 kilometres from the capital Muscat and is located at the entrance of Wilayt Nakhal in Wadi Ar Raqeem.

This fort’s architecture does not follow a particular pattern, as it was designed around an irregularly shaped rock. You'll find that some rock parts become part of the building. This can be observed in some towers, particularly on the fort’s western side.


The construction of the castle dates back to the pre-Islamic era.

ArRustaq Fort

ArRustaq Fort lies in Wilayt ArRustaq in Al Batinah South Governorate  . It was originally built in 1250, but was reconstructed to its present state during the reign of the Al Y`aribah in the sixteenth century. It consist of two floors, in addition to a ground floor, and houses residences, weapon stores, reception rooms, gates, a mosque, a prison and water wells. ArRustaq Fort has four towers: The Red Tower, The Wind Tower, The Devils Tower and the Modern Tower.

Sohar Fort

Sohar Fort is considered one of the most important castles and forts in Al Batinah North Governorate due to its outstanding location and the significant role it played over past centuries. This fort dates back to the end of the thirteenth century and beginning of the fourteenth century. Archaeological excavations carried out fort confirmed that it was completed in the fourteenth century.


Sohar Castle is an eminent historical landmark. The building’s current features were built during the rule of the Portuguese. Currently, the fort includes a museum, opened in 1993, that showcases many archaeological and historical aspects of Sohar City as well as other places in the Sultanate of Oman. The museum also highlights the important role played by the copper trade in this city and its relationship with the city of Canton in China, in addition to various artefacts found during archaeological excavations inside the fort and other locations in Oman.

Nizwa Fort

Nizwa Fort is one of the oldest forts in Oman and lies in A'Dakhiliyah Governorate. It has a unique large round shape. Its height reaches 24 metres, with an outer diameter of 43 metres and an inner diameter of 36 metres. This fort has seven wells and multiple openings for stationing the fighters defending the fort. Nizwa Fort was built by Imam Sultan Bin Saif Al Y`aribi in the middle of the seventeenth century. It was this imam who expelled the Portuguese from Oman. The fort, which took 12 years to build, is linked with a castle by means of intricate corridors. Near the fort and castle is the traditional Nizwa market famous for its artefacts.

Bahla Fort

Bahla Fort lies in Wilayt Bahla in A'Dakhiliyah Governorate. Since 1987, its name has been included in the World Heritage Sites List. Bahla Fort includes: Bahla Oasis with its traditional souks, old alleys, ancient mosques, and its wall that extends over a distance of approximately 13 kilometres and whose construction dates back to the pre-Islamic era.

Originally, Bahla Fort was built in the third millennium BC. The length of its South façade is about 112 kilometres, while its eastern façade is about 114 metres. 

It is evident that the Bahla Wall, which extends over a distance of 12 kilometres, with its terraces, apertures for opening fire and guardhouses, was designed for defence purposes.

Al Fiqayn Fort

Al Fiqayn Fort lies in Wilayt Manah in A'Dakhiliyah Governorate. It consists of four storeys through which the visitor can see the old quarters and surrounding farms. Al Fiqayn Fort is located in the centre of Al Fayqayn Village, characterised by its unique architectural design.


Prevalent in Wilayt Manah is the Al Matek bush which is used in manufacturing indigo colour, used in old times to dye clothes and to extract some traditional anti-toxin medicines. Wilayt Manah has made the Al Matek its logo.

If you want to discover more about Oman, visit the official website here: www.omantourism.gov.om

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Written by: Oman Tourism UK. Official Account for the Oman Ministry of Tourism MBR in The UK & Ireland. Want to be part of our community? Connect with us!

Follow @Oman_Tourism_UK

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WTM 2015 Omani Dolls Campaign

Crossing the Empty Quarter: Be Part of the Adventure.

In 1930, one Omani and one British explorer made the first ever recorded crossing of the Rub Al Khali desert. Now that 1,000 kilometre journey across the largest sand desert in the world is about to be repeated for the first time.

Crossing the Empty Quarter from Connecting Cultures on Vimeo.

About the Expedition

In 1930, a small team of men, guided by Omani Sheikh Salih bin Kalut Al Rashidi al Kathiri, led British explorer Bertram Thomas on the first recorded crossing of this magnificent but dangerous landscape.

Challenged by the unknown, they walked for nearly 1,000 kilometres from the coast of  Oman, through the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to the coast of Qatar.

Now, 85 years later, another team of Omanis is taking on the challenge – leading British explorer Mark Evans across the same stretch of desert.

About the Empty Quarter

The Empty Quarter, or Rub Al Khali, is one of the hottest, driest, most inhospitable and loneliest places on earth. Covering some 650,000 square kilometres of the Arabian Peninsula in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen and UAE – an area of sand bigger than France, Belgium and the Netherland combined, it is the biggest sand desert on earth.

Temperatures can climb above 50 degrees Celsius in the summer, and it is not unusual to drop below zero degrees in the depths of winter. Annual rainfall is less than 30mm, and enormous star dunes, some of them almost 1,000 feet high slowly drift across an enormous bed of gypsum and gravel plains, steered and shaped by the winds associated with the high-pressure weather systems that dominate the region.

Team

Mark Evans

Mark Evans, 54, has lived in the region for twenty years. A fellow of the Explorers Club of New York, and The Royal Geographical Society in London, in 2009 Mark set up Outward Bound Oman. Over a period of 55 days in 2001 he kayaked the entire 1,700 km coastline of Oman, from Musandam to Yemen, and in 2004 he set up the University of the Desert, which is Oman’s gift to UNESCO, using the power of the desert environment to foster intercultural dialogue between young people from western and Arab cultures, for which he was awarded the MBE in 2011.

Mohammed Al-Zadjali

Mohammed Al-Zadjali is 32 years old, and comes from Al Musanah, near Muscat in Oman. He is training manager at Outward Bound Oman/Tahaddi, the only Outward Bound school in the Arabic-speaking world. Mohammed spends much of his time instructing and leading groups of young people, and corporates, on challenging outdoor journeys to help develop the key skills of leadership and communication, to enhance their employability and improve their performance. To commemorate the Empty Quarter journey, Mohammed’s first son, born earlier this year, was named after Sultan Taimur.

Amour Al-Wahaibi

Amour Al-Wahaibi, 38, is both part of and at one with the desert. Born in a small Bedouin community in the northern end of the Sharqiya Sands in Oman, he still lives in the same area where he has raised his seven children, many of whom now help him with his work as a desert guide. Whilst wanting the best of what modern education can provide, Amour is still hopeful that his children will remain living in the sands, where he wants them to enjoy the freedom and lifestyle that is difficult to find in the town and city. Amour bakes the most amazing bread under the fire in the sand, and seems to be able to walk and ride from dawn til dusk without stopping.

For more information, please visit the expedition’s website at   crossingtheemptyquarter.com
Further details: Facebook page at facebook.com/CrossingEQ,
Twitter at twitter.com/CrossingEQ
Instagram competition at instagram.com/CrossingEQ.

Download the official mobile phone application ‘Tahaddi Arabia’ on Android and iOS devices
#CrossingEQ will be used by the official accounts to share details about this historic crossing. 

If you want to discover more about Oman, visit the official website here: www.omantourism.gov.om

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Written by: Oman Tourism UK. Official Account for the Oman Ministry of Tourism MBR in The UK & Ireland. Want to be part of our community? Connect with us!

Follow @Oman_Tourism_UK

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45th Renaissance Anniversary at WTM 2015

THE SULTANATE OF OMAN MINISTRY OF TOURISM MARKS ITS 45th RENAISSANCE ANNIVERSARY AT WTM 2015

   
The Sultanate of Oman is celebrating the 45th Anniversary of its Renaissance and the evolution of the tourism industry from desert expeditions to adventure travel, luxury and cruise experiences. 

Her Excellency Maitha Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Tourism is joined at +World Travel Market London by a delegation from the ministry and 24 companies from the Oman private sector including the cupcake celebration taking place on Monday, the first day of the exhibition. The 45th anniversary of the glorious Renaissance marks an era of progress and prosperity under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. 

Both Salalah and Muscat International Airports are under development with a planned capacity of 1 million passengers and 12 million passengers per annum respectively, they are expected to be the new gateways to the Sultanate of Oman. 


The Sultanate of Oman began to flourish since the dawn of modern renaissance on July 23, 1970. Since then it has brought about radical changes in the life of Omani citizens to evolve into a modern, forward-looking country with a wide range of award-winning five-star and boutique hotels. However, Oman remains authentic and wherever you go in Oman you will still find traditional Arabian hospitality, arts and crafts. 

The Star Middle East Tourist Office Award for the UK office will be presented for the second consecutive year to Her Excellency, Maitha Al Mahrouqi at this year’s exhibition.

Celebrating the 45th Anniversary: The Crossing the Empty Quarter Project (CEQ) From Salalah on the Indian Ocean coast of Oman, through the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to Doha the capital of Qatar.  A team of Omanis is taking on the challenge – leading British explorer Mark Evans across the desert. Mark Evans will be following in the footsteps of Bertram Thomas, the intrepid British explorer, who set out to travel Arabia's vast Rub Al Khali desert, one of the world’s most extreme and inhospitable environments 85 years earlier. 

Private sector representatives are attending WTM 2015 as an opportunity to promote Oman’s hotels, attractions and tourism services including recent openings such as the Six Senses Spa opens at The Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz Carlton Hotel. Nizwa Fort will re-open on 06 November 2015.

Further properties in the pipeline to be opened in 2016 include: The Anantara Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, a rare jewel in the rocky contours of the vast Saiq Plateau on Oman’s fabled Green Mountain, magnificently perched almost 3,000 metres above sea level on the curving rim of a great canyon; The Anantara Salalah Resort, situated between a beach and natural lagoon on the south coast of Dhofar in Salalah, Oman, The Kempinski Hotel and Residences at Muscat’s Al Mouj Muscat. Muscat has seen recent growth in the MICE market and this is anticipated to grow even faster with the opening of the new Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Salalah International is expected to have a capacity of 1 million passengers per annum whilst Muscat International will have a more substantial capacity of 12 million passengers per annum. Both airports will be able to accommodate the world’s largest aircraft, the Airbus A380 and will be designed with the latest state-of-the-art technology. There are further plans to subsequently expand Muscat International in three phases, ultimately boosting the airport’s capacity to 24, 36 and 48 million passengers per annum.
The Sultanate of Oman stand is the ideal spot for WTM visitors to take a short well deserved break during the show where they will find Omani coffee and dates served in traditional Omani style. 

Travel agents will have the chance to see traditional Omani weaving and get a Henna tattoo. 

Travel Agents can also receive a keying or banner pen if they send their selfie with the Omani dolls hidden on the stand to Tourism UK @Oman_Tourism_UK on twitter.

Notes to Editors:
New figures from Oman’s National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) reveal that 79,365 Brits visited the Sultanate between January and June 2015 an increase of 1%. In total, more than 629,911 tourists visited Oman during the six-month period.

Nizwa Fort will be officially re- opened to the public on the 6th November 2015

For more information & high-res images please contact:
Oman Ministry of Tourism Representative Office in the UK and Ireland
Tel: + 44 (0) 208 877 4505 / 4504

Email: oman@representationplus.co.uk 
Visit: www.omantourism.gov.om 

Win an Ipad Mini at WTM 2015 with the Oman Ministry of Tourism

(Stand ME500)

In celebration of the 45th Renaissance Anniversary of His Majesty the Sultan's reign - leave a business card on the stand and share a selfie with our dolls mentioning @Oman_Tourism_UK and #OmaniDolls to be in with a chance of winning!

The winner will be announced on Twitter on Monday 9th November.

The first 10 entries each day will receive an Omani gift (ask at the Oman desk):
- Frankincense
- USB charger
- Keyring

The main prize winner will be announced the following week after +World Travel Market London on +Twitter 
This winner will be randomly chosen through a business card draw of eligible entries.
We will contact the business card owner to verify their identity and eligible Tweet.

Terms and Conditions:

Prize: Ipad Mini

- One prize per person.
- Only for UK and Ireland residents
- Prize cannot be exchanged for cash
- Contest starts 2/11/15 and finishes 05/11/15 at 23:59 pm. After closing date, no further entries to the competition will be permitted.
- The winner will be announced on the morning of 09/11/2015

There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.

No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received or ineligible for whatever reason.

The winner agrees to the use of his/her name and image in any publicity material. Any personal data relating to the winner or any other entrants will be used solely in accordance with current [UK] data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent.

The promoter is not responsible for inaccurate prize details supplied to any entrant by any third party connected with this competition.


Entry into the competition will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.

WIN AN IPOD NANO, what shall we call our dolls?

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

Entry here: http://bit.ly/OmaniDolls

To enter, simply answer the question on the post and tag two friends.

Prize: Ipod Nano

- The winner must provide us with their email address in a private message or email.

- The Winner will be chosen randomly from the eligible entries of the most popular name choice. If the winner cannot be contacted or does not claim the prize within 7 days of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner.

- One prize per person.

- Only for UK and Ireland residents

- Prize cannot be exchanged for cash

- Contest starts 22/10/15 and finishes 01/11/15 at 23:59 pm. After closing date, no further entries to the competition will be permitted.

- The winner will be announced on the morning of 03/11/2015

There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.

No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for whatever reason.

The winner agrees to the use of his/her name and image in any publicity material. Any personal data relating to the winner or any other entrants will be used solely in accordance with current [UK] data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent.

The promoter is not responsible for inaccurate prize details supplied to any entrant by any third party connected with this competition.

Entry into the competition will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.

Family Traveller Awards 2015 winners announced

Taking place at London's highest viewing platform at the top of the tallest building in Western Europe, The View from The Shard, The Family Traveller Awards 2015 revealed the results of the public and panel votes on Tuesday night. An incredible 26,000 readers voted and a shortlist of 200 nominations across 18 categories was created. 

The Oman Ministry of Tourism is delighted to have been included in such a list - The Best Long Haul Destination category and would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the winner, Mauritius.

The full winners list including the highly commended and shortlisted companies is available to view here: 
http://www.familytravellerawards.com/

Oman attracts many visitors, every year, from the UK and Ireland with its variety of accommodation. The wealth of experiences on offer varies from the opulent to the adventurous, glorious golden sands and water sports. Observe whales, dolphins, birds… the variety of attractions and activities are endless. 

Wherever you choose to stay in Oman you are assured that all senses will be sated. The holiday of a lifetime awaits!

Want to learn more about Oman? Watch this video: 

If you want to discover more about the Sultanate, visit the official website here: www.omantourism.gov.om

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Written by: Oman Tourism UK. Official Account for the Oman Ministry of Tourism MBR in The UK & Ireland. Want to be part of our community? Connect with us!

Follow @Oman_Tourism_UK

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12 Most Colorful And Vibrant Souqs In The Sultanate Of Oman

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Wondering where the best places to shop in Oman are? Want to know about some of the most interesting tourist attractions in the Sultanate?

Souqs in Oman hum with an energy that has been handed down the centuries. 

In this article, you'll discover the 12 most colourful and vibrant souqs in the Sultanate of Oman:

#1: Mutrah Souq
One of the oldest markets in Oman, dating back about two hundred years. Its antiquity has perhaps increased the extent of its beauty, magic and allure. If you enjoy visiting public markets, you must see Mutrah Souq, the most beautiful market your eyes will ever see!

#2:  Al Hafah Souq
Al Hafah Souq lies 3 kilometres from the city of Salalah in Dhofar Governorate. It is surrounded by lofty coconut trees and is the perfect place to buy the best kinds of gum and incense, not only in Dhofar, but also in the Sultanate.

#3: Al Husn Souq
Characterised by its location in the middle of Salalah’s old neighbourhoods in Dhofar Governorate. This souq retains a traditional style with its handicrafts, conventional in their design, shape and function, such as braziers and other traditional handicrafts. Al Husn Souq retains its ancient architectural personality, having preserved the original features of its surroundings, apparent in every corner.

#4: Ar Rustaq Souq
Built in Wilayt Ar Rustaq in Al Batinah South Governorate, Ar Rustaq Souq is one of the most popular markets in the Sultanate. From the small hours of the morning this market becomes a hub of activity where various goods are traded such as traditional industries and crafts like silver, blacksmithing, palm leaves, folk remedies, various agricultural crops, in addition to a famous courtyard for selling sheep and livestock frequented by citizens from Al Batinah region’s various states.

#5: Sohar Handicrafts Souq
Located in Al Hajra region near Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Wilayt Sohar in Al Batinah North Governorate. Built in the style of Arab-Islamic architecture, Sohar Handicrafts Souq was inaugurated in 1999 with a view to encouraging artisans and to preserve Oman's traditional handicrafts. Craft shops sprawl over an area of 7,000 square metres and the souq houses under one roof various Omani traditional industries and handicrafts, such as leather, ceramics, palm leaves, cotton textiles, wool, gold, silver, as well as perfumes, herbs, natural medicines, honey, Omani sweets (Halwa) and traditional weapons.

#6: Ibri Souq 
An important landmark and an active economic and tourism centre. It is the most prestigious and largest souq in A'Dhahirah Governorate, built adjacent to Ibri Castle in the Eastern Province. Characterised by its specialised sections such as gold and silver shops, popular Arab supply shops and a dedicated area for the sale of animals. 

#8: Nizwa Souq
This souq lies in the vicinity of the walls of the famous Nizwa Fort. Its building embraces both traditional and modern architectural lines. Through its many alleys and divisions, Nizwa Souq has remained for hundreds of years home to a number of local industries, such as daggers, copper, spinning, livestock sale, fish, vegetables and handicrafts.

#9: Bahla Souq

Bahla Souq is a short distance from Bahla Fort. It has many traditional industries like making daggers and copper artefacts, in addition to Omani sweets (Halwa). This Souq is famous for its active commercial activity.

#10: Al Mintarib Tuesday Market

Every Tuesday of the week in Wilayt Badiya in A'Sharqiyah North Governorate (Eastern Region). This souq overflows with handicrafts made by Badiya villagers and adjacent areas, where the visitor will find small treasures made of gold and silver, as well as daggers, swords, textiles, objects made of palm leaves, leather goods, in addition to agricultural, meat and fish products. The souq is open only from six to ten in the morning.


#11: Ibra Wednesday Market
Every Wednesday of the week in Wilayt Ibra in A'Sharqiyah North Governorate - dedicated to women only. Every week, women head to this market to buy all they need. It is open from six in the morning until one in the afternoon.

#12: Sinaw Thursday Market
Is held every Thursday in A'Sharqiyah North Governorate. It is a very busy market due to its proximity to the Bedouin communities who head there to buy staples and sell their livestock and handicrafts. This market runs from six in the morning until one in the afternoon.

A journey of discovery awaits you in this welcoming land at crossroads between Asia, Africa and Western civilisation. Enjoy all of the marvels of this unique setting, the ideal gateway to Arabia.

If you want to discover more about Oman, visit the official website here: www.omantourism.gov.om

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Written by: Oman Tourism UK. Official Account for the Oman Ministry of Tourism MBR in The UK & Ireland. Want to be part of our community? Connect with us!

Follow @Oman_Tourism_UK

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15 Museums Around Oman You Haven't Heard About Before

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Do you want to get the most out of a museum visit? Wondering what are the best museum alternatives in the Sultanate? 

Museums in Oman tell about its long history. They take visitors on a journey through the various stages of development and growth of the Sultanate. In this article, we'll show you 15 museums around Oman you haven't heard of before:

#1: Muscat Gate Museum
Located above Muscat Modern Gate this museum has an amazing view which you see through the broad stairs leading to the museum’s gate.

Timings
Sunday - Thursday :8:00 am to 2:00 pm
Friday and Saturday: closed

Fees
Adults : Free

Children : Free

#2: Natural History Museum
Located in the Ministry of Heritage and Culture building in Al Khuwayr in Muscat Governorate. It is considered one of the major Omani museums and houses exhibits depicting aspects of life since it first appeared in various forms on the Sultanate territory.

Timings
9:30-13:30 Morning, 17:00-19:00 Evening 17:00-19:00

Fees
500 Baiza

200 Baiza, 100 Baiza for under 6

#3: Children's Museum
This museum simplifies science and technology and presents them in an animated version, allowing visitors to see the vital role played by science in various aspects of life. The museum is headquartered in two large domes in Al Qurum area in Muscat Governorate and is visible from afar. Although this museum is called the Children's Museum, its exhibits are suitable for all ages and are presented in a simplified fashion to facilitate access to information for future generations.

Timings
9:00-13:00

Fees
500 Baiza
100 Baiza

#4: Omani Museum
Located in the Media City in the Muscat Governorate. It includes the Department of Ancient History which displays many relics of ancient civilizations such as stone tombs, rock carvings and remains of tools used by ancient civilisations, including agricultural tools, old types of steatite and some stone necklaces.

Timings
9:30-13:30 Morning, 17:00-19:00 Evening

Fees
200 Baiza, 100 Baiza for under 6

#5: Omani-French Museum
This museum is located in the city of Muscat near Al Alam Palace in Muttrah State. An old house built about 170 years ago accommodates the museum.

Sultan Faisal bin Turki donated the house to the first Consul of France in Muscat to be the French Consulate in 1896.

In addition to the Hall of Maritime Navigation, the museum rooms include models of Omani and French ships, a traditional costume hall and many other artefacts and pictures that reflect the cultural connection between the two countries.

Timings
9:00-13:00 Morning, 
16:00-18:00 Evening

Fees
500 Baiza

200 Baiza
National Museum


#6: The National Museum 
Opened in 1978 and was formerly known as the Museum of the House of Mr. Nadir Bin Faisal Bin Turki. In 1988, it was moved to Ruwi in Muscat Governorate and named the National Museum. This museum includes a number of sections, like the main hall where tourists can see many varieties of bracelets, necklaces, rings, copper tools, and aspects of Omani traditional life.

Timings
9:30-1:30 Morning, 
17:00-19:00 Evening

Fees
500 Baiza

200 Baiza, 100 Baiza for under 6

#7: Currency Museum
Located within the Central Bank of Oman building. It displays the succession of currency circulated in the Sultanate of Oman, both paper and metal. The museum includes numerous old and new coins that have been circulated since the early days of the Islamic State.

Timings
Sat-Wed:09:00-13:00
Thur-Fri: Closed

Fees
more than 6 years : 0.250 RO

less than 6 years : free

#8: Armed Forces Museum

Located at Fort Al Falaj House in Ruwi region in the Governorate of Muscat.

The museum accommodates weapons, clothing, instruments, and other defence systems that display both visually and audibly the development of the Omani armed forces throughout history.

Timings

8:00-13:00 Morning, 

15:00-18:00 Evening

Fees

500 Baiza 

free for Children 

#9: Bait Az-Zubair Museum

Opened in 1998, Bait Al Zubair Museum is located in the old city of Muscat. It displays Omani artefacts and collectables, including a group of conventional weapons, jewellery, clothing, household items and some old models representing Omani rural and urban environments

Timings

Saturday - Thursday: 9:30AM - 6:00PM

Friday: Holiday

Fees

Adults : 2 Riyal

10-15 years old : 1 Riyal

#10: Bait Al Barandah Museum

One of the historical and cultural sites in Muscat, known also as the House of Naseeb. He was the merchant Naseeb Bin Mohammed who built the house in the late nineteenth century. “Al Barandah” is the local pronunciation of the foreign word “veranda”, which means “balcony”. The House was named after the balcony that extends along the length of the façade on the first floor.

Timings

09:00 - 13:00 and 16:00-18:00

Fees

1 OMR

0.500 OMR

#11: Oil & Gas Exhibition Centre (OGEC)

First opened in November 1979, after extensive remodelling, it was re-opened in November 1995 as a "Gift to Nation" to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the reign of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. The centre was designed to explain how crude oil and natural gas are formed underground as well as how they are then found, brought to the surface, delivered to processing facilities and how the end products are ultimately used.

Timings

Sunday - Thursday: 8:00AM - 3:00PM

Friday - Saturday: Closed

Fees

Adults : Free

Children : Free

#12: Land of Frankincense Museum

Considered one of the most prominent historical museums in Oman because it includes historical and cultural features from different eras.

The museum is located in Dhofar Governorate in the heart of a historic site that was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000 as an archaeological and tourism park after consultation with the international organisation.

Timings

08:00 - 14:00

16:00 - 20:00

#13: Sohar Fort Museum

Opened in 1993. It relates the history of the ancient city of Sohar and its cultural ties with many other civilisations.

The museum includes three galleries, each divided into several rooms.

Timings

8:00-13:30

Fees

500 Baiza

#14: Turtles Museum

Ras(Cape) Al Hadd is an internationally renowned nesting site sanctuary for the Green Sea Turtles, Chelonia Mydas, harboring one of the largest nesting populations in the world. Around 13,000 Sea turtles come ashore along this sanctuary every year. Ras Al Hadd  sanctuary is the largest nesting site in the Indian Ocean and the only site in the world where Sea Green Turtles come every night all year round.

Timings

09:00-20:00

09:00-20:00

Fees

1.000 OMR : 1.000 OMR

0.500 OMR : 0.500 OMR

#15: Maritime Museum

The city of Sur is abundant with examples of the Omani marine heritage that highlights the leading role the Omanis played in the maritime industry for a long period of time. In order to preserve this tradition for future generations, the Maritime Museum was built in Sur in the Al-Aruba Club headquarters to reflect the various aspects of Oman’s maritime heritage.

Timings

16:00-20:00

Fees

Free

If you want to discover more about Oman, visit the official website here: www.omantourism.gov.om

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Written by: Oman Tourism UK. Official Account for the Oman Ministry of Tourism MBR in The UK & Ireland. Want to be part of our community? Connect with us!

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