Premium Muscat half day excursion-Italian guide
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Premium Muscat half day excursion-Italian guide

Active
(25 reviews)
3h - 4h
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Mobile or paper ticket accepted

About this experience

An excursion to the most characteristic and traditional corners of Muscat, from souks to museums, to discover the true heart of the city
• The Grand Mosque (visiting time between 8 am to 11 am)
• Opera House exterior photo stop (photo stop at 10:30 am)
• The Muttrah suk (visiting time afternoon between 9:30 am to 1:00 pm
• Al-Alam Palace (Sultan palace-photo stop)
• Exterior of the fort of Al-Jalali (Photo stop near Al Alam palace)

Available options

Muscat city tour panoramic

Pickup included

Winter 2024 & 2025

An excursion to the most characteristic and traditional corners of Muscat, visit Mosque and city from souks to forts, to discover the true heart of the city.<br/>Pickup included

What's included

Bottled water
Professional guide
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Port pickup and drop-off

Detailed itinerary

1
Stop 1

he mosque is built from 300,000 tonnes of Indian sandstone. The main musalla or prayer hall is square and 74.4 by 74.4 metres (244 by 244 feet) with a central dome rising to a height of 50 metres (160 ft) above the floor.[4] The dome and the main minaret (90 metres (300 ft)) and four flanking minarets (45.5 metres (149 ft)) are the mosque’s chief visual features. The main musalla can hold over 6500 worshippers, while the women's musalla can accommodate 750 worshipers. The outer paved ground can hold 8000 worshipers and there is additional space available in the interior courtyard and the passageways, making a total capacity of up to 20,000 worshipers.[5]

The mosque is built on a site occupying 416,000 m2 (4,480,000 sq ft)and the complex extends to cover an area of 40,000 m2 (430,000 sq ft). The newly built Grand Mosque was inaugurated by Sultan of Oman on May 4, 2001 to celebrate 30 years of his reign.
This hand-woven carpet was produced by Iran Carpet Company (ICC) at the order of the Diwan of the Royal Court of Sultanate. The carpet measures over 70 by 60 metres (230 by 200 feet), and covers the 4,343 m2 (46,750 sq ft) area of the praying hall.
The chandelier above the praying hall is 14 metres (46 feet) tall and was manufactured by the Italian company Faustig. Since the mosque is 90 metres (300 feet) high, the chandler looks proportional, but it used to be the world's largest chandelier

2
Stop 2

Many people come to Mutrah Corniche just to visit the souq, which preserves the chaotic interest of a traditional Arab market even if it is housed under modern wooden roofs. The shops that sell Indian and Indian artifacts and some antique dealers are crowded among the most traditional fabric, hardware and jewelery stores. Bargaining is provided even if the discounts tend to be small. The cards are generally accepted in most shops, but they bring money in exchange for better offers in euros and dollars. The main entrance is through the Corniche, opposite the pedestrian traffic light.

The main attraction of Muttrah is the famous Souk Muttrah, probably the most popular tourist attraction in the country. This is Muscat in its most magical form: a deafening labyrinth of narrow and fragrant alleys full of colorful little shops stacked with incense and bukhoor trays, old silver khanjars, Bedu jewels and other exotic paraphernalia - one of the few markets in the world where you can buy gold, frankincense and myrrh under one roof. You could spend many pleasant hours here, bargaining for crafts and trying to make sense of the maze, especially if you venture far from the heavily toured main road to the perched streets.

The souk can be somewhat misleading at first sight: it is much larger and much more confusing than one might initially suspect. Heading from the main entrance onto the corniche, it is possible to cross the souk in less than five minutes, following the main artery that bisects the area from north to south. This stretch - more lively after dark - is where you'll find the most touristic (and expensive) shops in the souk, flanked by well-restored old buildings under a wooden roof and crowded with an eclectic mix of Omanis clothes and coaches left.

In reality, this is only a small part of the overall complex, which continues for a considerable distance on both sides, especially to the west. Turn right from the main street and, if you know where you are going, you can go back to the Muttrah Gold Souk, the building that faces the corniche a couple of hundred meters west of the main entrance of the souk, passing through a charming series of alleys full of gold and silver jewels along the way. Other alleys branch out in every direction, flanked by more and more rough shops and in the end they shoot you from the souk or return to the corniche or in the tangle of secondary streets and alleys that wind in the area behind Sur al Lewatia

3
Stop 3

The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) is Oman's headquarters for arts and musical culture. The opera house is located in the Shati Al-Qurm district of Muscat on Sultan Qaboos Street. Built on the royal orders of Sultan Qaboos of Oman, the Royal Opera House reflects the exclusive contemporary architecture of Oman and has a capacity to accommodate up to 1,100 people. The complex of the work consists of a concert theater, an auditorium, formal landscape gardens, a cultural market with retail stores, luxury restaurants and an art center for musical, theatrical and opera productions.

The ruler of Oman, Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said has always been a fan of classical music

and the arts. In 2001, the sultan ordered the construction of an opera house.
Initially called "House of Musical Arts", the name "Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM)"
was finally chosen. This opera house, built by Carillion Alawi,
became the first in the world equipped with interactive multimedia technology
of Radio Marconi display seatback system, was officially inaugurated on 12 October 2011,
with a production of the opera Turandot, directed by the Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo

4
Stop 4

Al Alam Palace is the ceremonial palace of His Majesty the Sultan. The palace is located in the heart of Old Muscat, surrounded by the forts of Al Jalali and Al Mirani and will soon be facing the National Museum of Oman. The former Sultan lived in a house called Bait Al Alam which was demolished in the early 1970s to build this new palace in its place to be the official residence of the Sultan of Oman.

Sultan Qaboos rarely remains in Al Alam Palace since he seems to prefer his other residences in Al Seeb or Manah. However, this palace is the one most used to receive high-ranking official guests and has in the past hosted characters such as the Queen of England and the Queen of the Netherlands. The palace is not open to the public, but tourists can walk around the courtyard and the guards in front of the building at any time.

The Palace is surrounded by a number of other interesting government buildings such as the Ministry of Finance which has a beautiful gate that should not be missed by visitors to the building. You can see the gate of the Ministry of Finance walking along the right side arches of the building and crossing one of the two exists there.

Al Alam Palace is surrounded by fortresses of Al Jalali and Mirani, which unfortunately are not open to the public. Both fortresses were built in the 16th century around the time of the Portuguese invasion of Muscat. You can take a close look at both forts and get a breathtaking view of the back of the building by driving through the Al Alam street near the French museum of Oman where you can almost literally park your car behind the building.

What's not included

Excess luggage charges (where applicable)
Food and drinks

Available languages

Guide guide
EN IT

Reviews breakdown

Viator 5.0
1 reviews
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Tripadvisor 4.9
24 reviews
5★
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Important information

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
Wheelchair accessible
Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Infant meals not included
Minimum age is 18 years
At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
Refunds will not be issued if tour/activity is missed due to late or non-arrival of cruise ship
Dress code is formal
Dress code is smart casual
A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required

Meeting point

We start tour from Muscat port near Muthra souq.

Important notes

• Dress code is formal
• Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
• If you have not already specified, you MUST advise supplier as soon as possible your Ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and departure time so that appropriate arrangements can be made

All flight times are approximate and subject to change due to weather conditions and weight restrictions.

Hotel pickups commence approximately 30 - 60 minutes prior to this time, exact pickup time will be advised on reconfirmation.

Hotel pickups commence approximately 30 - 60 minutes prior to this time

Times are subject to change due to local traffic conditions.

Tour departs within walking distance of the cruise port

Valid from the time of first use, for the consecutive days selected.

Valid from the time you exchange your voucher, for the consecutive days selected.

About Muscat

Muscat, the capital of Oman, is a beautiful coastal city known for its stunning architecture, rich history, and strategic location along the Gulf of Oman. With a unique blend of traditional Omani culture and modern development, Muscat offers visitors a mix of historic forts, luxurious resorts, and vibrant souks.

Top Attractions

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

One of the most stunning landmarks in Muscat, this mosque is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture and a symbol of Omani heritage.

Religious/Architecture 1-2 hours Free (guided tours may have a fee)

Mutrah Souq

A traditional market offering a variety of goods, including spices, textiles, and souvenirs. The souq is a great place to experience Omani culture and haggle for bargains.

Market/Cultural 1-2 hours Free to enter, prices vary for goods

Royal Opera House Muscat

A world-class venue for opera, ballet, and other performing arts, offering a glimpse into the cultural richness of Oman.

Cultural/Entertainment 2-3 hours (depending on the performance) Varies by event (moderate to expensive)

Must-Try Local Dishes

Shuwa

Slow-cooked lamb or goat marinated in spices and wrapped in banana leaves.

Dinner Not vegetarian

Harees

A porridge-like dish made from wheat and meat, often served during Ramadan.

Dinner Not vegetarian

Halwa

A sweet dessert made from sugar, ghee, and spices, often served with tea.

Dessert Vegetarian

Popular Activities

Hiking in Wadi Shab Dune bashing in the desert Beach relaxation at Qurum Beach Spa treatments at luxury resorts Exploring Mutrah Souq Visiting the Royal Opera House Muscat Swimming in Bimmah Sinkhole Boat tours in the Gulf of Oman

Best Time to Visit

November to March

The best time to visit Muscat is during the cooler months from November to March when the weather is pleasant and ideal for outdoor activities. This period also sees the highest number of tourists.

18°C to 30°C 64°F to 86°F

Practical Information

Language

  • Official: Arabic
  • Widely spoken: English, Urdu, Balochi
  • English: Widely spoken in tourist areas

Currency

Omani Rial (OMR)

Time Zone

GMT+4

Electricity

240VV, 50HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe

Muscat is generally safe for travelers, with low crime rates. However, it's always important to stay vigilant and follow local customs and laws.

Important Precautions:
  • • Use licensed taxis or ride-hailing apps
  • • Be cautious of strangers offering unsolicited help
  • • Keep valuables secure

Getting there

By air
  • Muscat International Airport • 30 km from city center
By bus

Muscat Central Bus Station

Getting around

Public transport

The bus service is affordable and connects key points in Muscat. However, it may not be as extensive as in other major cities.

Taxis

Available • Apps: Uber, Careem

Rentals

Car

Neighborhoods

Mutrah Al Khuwair Shati Al Qurum

Day trips

Nizwa
160 km from Muscat • Full day

Nizwa is a historic city known for its fort, souq, and traditional Omani architecture.

Wadi Shab
90 km from Muscat • Full day

Wadi Shab is a stunning natural area with waterfalls, pools, and hiking trails.

Bimmah Sinkhole
120 km from Muscat • Half day

A natural sinkhole with crystal-clear waters, perfect for swimming and photography.

Festivals

Muscat Festival • January to February Eid al-Fitr • Varies (depends on the Islamic lunar calendar)

Pro tips

  • Visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque early in the morning to avoid the heat and crowds
  • Explore Mutrah Souq in the evening when it's cooler and more lively
  • Try traditional Omani coffee and dates at a local café
  • Book a guided tour for day trips to learn more about the history and culture
  • Carry a reusable water bottle and stay hydrated, especially in the summer
From $25 per person

Price varies by option

Adults
Age 25-45
1
Childs
Age 6-10
0
Infants
Age 0-2
0
Booking requirements:
  • Min travelers: 1
  • Max travelers: 15
  • Adult required for booking
Secure booking
Free cancellation available

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