Why choose this tour ?
Visit the Grand Mosque, discover the great carpet 21 tons, 28 colors, discover the chandelier 14 meters length Swarovski Crystal, Visit the inspiring Royal Opera House and discover Omani architecture, Visit Mutrah Fish and Vegetables market where locals paying and selling fresh fish and seafood, visit Mutrah Souq, Visit Bait Al Zubair Museum that tells the civilization and culture of Oman and the history of Royal Family, and more sights you will visit. Places & Sights you'll visit: - Grand Mosque - Ministries & embassies Area - Al Qurum Beach - Muttrah Fish & Vegetables Market - Mutrah Souq - Bait Al Zubair Museum - Al Alam Palace - Twin Fort of Jalai & Mirani - Royal Opera House
What makes Private Half-Day Muscat City Tour a unique experience ?
The Grand Mosque been 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 Grand Mosque was inaugurated by Sultan of Oman on May 4, 2001, five minarets have been built around the premises of the Mosque the main minaret (90 meters, 300 ft.) in height. The prayer hall is square in shape and 74.4 by 74.4 meters (244 by 244 feet) has a central dome rising to a height of 50 meters (160 ft.) above the floor, the dome is embellished spectacularly from the inside and it's a major tourist attraction in itself, the main Musalla (Prayer Room) can hold over 6500 worshippers, the major design of the interior is the prayer carpet which covers the floor of the prayer hall, it contains, 1,700,000,000 knots, weighs 21 tons and took four years to produce, and brings together the classical Persian Tabriz, Kashan and Isfahan design traditions 28 colors in varying shades were used.
From Grand Mosque on the way to the fish market we drive through the ministries and embassies area also we drive through the marvelous beach street, visit the fish and Vegetable Market, local peoples paying and selling fresh fish and seafood.
From the fish market, just a short drive to Mutrah Souq (Market) visit Mutrah Souq, Oman's largest traditional Souq, Mutrah Souq is one of the oldest marketplaces in Oman dating back two hundred years, it's located adjacent to the harbor of Muscat and has seen an immense trade in the age of sail, being strategically located on the way to India and China, it was named after darkness because of the crowded stalls and lanes where the sunrays do not infiltrate during the day and the shoppers need lamps to know their destinations, the name of the market has been drawn specifically from the part that extends from Al Lawatiya Mosque to Khour Bimba where the place is really full of stores and stalls and the narrow area of lanes does not allow the sunlight to enter, this ancient marketplace today features winding alleys of stalls selling antiques, traditional fabrics, aromatic spices frankincense, Perfume, silver, Omani sweet (Halwa), and fresh produce.
From Mutrah souq we visit Bait Al Zubair Museum, for a fine display of Omani culture and history and information about the Royal Family.
Continue your trip to visit old Muscat and see the Al Alam Palace, has a history of over 200 years, and was built under the watch of Imam Sultan bin Ahmed, the 7th direct great-grandfather of Sultan Haitham, the existing palace, which has a facade of gold and blue, was rebuilt as a royal residence in 1972, the inner grounds of the palace remain off-limits, but members of the public are permitted to stop near the gates and take photographs, the Palace is used for official functions and receives distinguished visitors, when you visit the main gates of Al Alam Palace, it's unlike any other capital you will ever visit, the palace itself is elegant but humble in design, unlike the grandiose structures of other capitals, elegantly designed, it features many highly polished marble surfaces, government buildings in the vicinity are white, with crenellated rooftops and wooden balconies in the traditional Omani style, though primarily a ceremonial palace.
Jalali and Mirani Forts, are forts in the harbor of old Muscat, the forts were built by the Portuguese under Philip I of Portugal in 1580 on an earlier Omani fortress to protect the harbor after Muscat had twice been sacked by Ottoman forces, it fell to Omani forces in 1650, during the civil wars between 1718 and 1747, the forts were twice captured by Persians who had been invited to assist one of the rival Imams, the fort was extensively rebuilt later.
From there we visit the Royal Opera House, he is majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said Sultan of Oman has been always a fan of classical music and arts, in 2001, the sultan ordered the building of an opera house, and it was officially opened on October 12, 2011, the Royal Opera House reflects unique contemporary Omani architecture, and has a capacity to accommodate a maximum of 1,100 people, the Royal Opera House complex consists of a concert theater, auditorium, formal landscaped gardens, cultural market with retail, luxury restaurants, and an art center for musical, theatrical, and operatic productions.
Tour Description & Additional Info:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not stroller accessible
- Infant must not sit on laps
Options To Choose for Your Trip:
- Private Half-Day Muscat City Tour
Add
Pickup included
Private Half-Day Muscat City Tour Inclusions:
Included with Your Ticket
- Taxes
- Bait Al Zubair Museum entry fees
- Transportation by Air-Conditioned Vehicle 4WD or Saloon
- Hotels, Port, Airport, Residence pick up & drop off
Not Included
- Royal Opera House entry fees
- Lunch
Special Instructions:
Kindly prove picking up place and time when you make the booking
Please be advised..
- This Tour is Provided by Discover Mazoon Tours Oman.
- Tour Timezone & Starts at Asia/Muscat.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- This Tour is Rated 4.9 Stars based on 44 valid reviews on VIATOR.
- Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
- Maximum 5 Travelers is accepted for booking.
Add to wishlist.
Give this as a gift: Give the ones you love unforgettable travel experiences and make memories to last a lifetime.
Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time).