Private Half-Day Muscat City Tour
Description
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
Tour Options
Itinerary
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.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We pick up travelers from any place in Muscat: - Muscat harbor (for shore excursions passengers) - Muscat International Airport) - Residence - Hotels
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- 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
Reviews(45)
Ali is a fantastic guide who speaks excellent English and knows how to explain everything about Muscat, Omani history and culture. It was a very valuable experience. I think I've seen more in half a day than most people have seen in two days. This tour is highly recommended.
Dear Edwin V, Warm greetings from Discover Mazoon Tours Oman. Thank you very much for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the highlights of Muscat in a relaxed atmosphere and that the experience felt truly valuable. We are especially pleased to know that Ali’s knowledge, professionalism, and detailed explanations contributed to making your tour memorable. He is indeed an experienced guide, and we will gladly share your kind words with him. It is great to hear that you felt you saw so much in a short time — this is exactly the experience we aim to deliver. Your recommendation means a great deal to us. We look forward to welcoming you again on your next visit to Oman. Kind regards, Discover Mazoon Tours Oman Reservation Manager info@discovermazoontours.com info@diacoveromantours.com +968 99737110
We made a tour led by guide Haroun! A very friendly man who also taught us a thing or two about the customs of his country!
Dear Bibian, Warm Greetings from Discover Mazoon Tours Oman, We would like to thank you very much for choosing Discover Mazoon Tours Oman service for your holiday in Oman, and thank you once again for posting your excellent review, we are glad that you enjoyed your Private Half-Day Muscat City Tour with our guide Haroun , we wish you all the best and we are looking forward to see you again in Oman:) kind Regards Guest Relationship Manager Discover Mazoon Tours Oman info@discovermazoontours.com info@discoveromantours.com +968 99737110
We had a half-day private visit with Haroun who proved to be a good guide and a kind person. With us there were our children of 4 and not even a year and the latter was not very cooperative for the duration of the tour but Haroun was never impatient and indeed was really cooperative even helping us in the management. All the stops were beautiful and interesting, I recommend the trip absolutely!
Dear Sonia, Warm Greetings from Discover Mazoon Tours Oman, We would like to thank you very much for choosing Discover Mazoon Tours Oman service for your holiday in Oman, and thank you once again for posting your excellent review, we are glad that you enjoyed your Private Half-Day Muscat City Tour with our professional guide Haroun , we wish you all the best and we hope to see you again in Oman. kind Regards Guest Relationship Manager Discover Mazoon Tours Oman info@discoveromantours.com +968 99737110
We had a wonderful tour with our private guide who told us everything we needed to know about Muscat and Oman! We would recommend the tour at any time and book again!
Dear Jorg G Warm Greetings from Discover Mazoon Tours Oman, We would like to thank you very much for choosing Discover Mazoon Tours Oman service for your holiday in Oman, and thank you once again for posting your excellent review, we are glad that you enjoyed your Private Half-Day Muscat City Tour with our professional guide , we wish you all the best and we hope to see you again in Oman. kind Regards Guest Relationship Manager Discover Mazoon Tours Oman info@discoveromantours.com +968 99737110
Our guide Haroun picked us up on time at the ship and led us to the highlights of the city. Informative and cheerful
Dear Valuable Guest Warm Greetings from Discover Mazoon Tours Oman, We would like to thank you very much for choosing Discover Mazoon Tours Oman service for your holiday in Oman, and thank you once again for posting your excellent review, we are glad that you enjoyed your Private Half-Day Muscat City Tour with our professional guide Haroun , we wish you all the best and we hope to see you again in Oman. kind Regards Guest Relationship Manager Discover Mazoon Tours Oman info@discoveromantours.com +968 99737110
Amazing guide - friendly well informed and great to spend the day together. Clean car, good communication. Very helpful
Dear Anton, Warm Greetings from Discover Mazoon Tours Oman, We would like to thank you very much for choosing Discover Mazoon Tours Oman service for your holiday in Oman, and thank you once again for posting your excellent review, we are glad that you enjoyed your Private Half-Day Muscat City Tour with our professional guide Haroun , we wish you all the best and we hope to see you again in Oman. kind Regards Guest Relationship Manager Discover Mazoon Tours Oman info@discoveromantours.com +968 99737110
Excellent tour with a knowledgeable and friendly guide. Haroun was very professional and showed us the best of Muscat. Definitely recommended!
Dear Deki2000, Warm Greetings from Discover Mazoon Tours Oman, We would like to thank you very much for choosing Discover Mazoon Tours Oman service for your holiday in Oman, and thank you once again for posting your excellent review, we are glad that you enjoyed your Private Half-Day Muscat City Tour with our professional guide Haroun , we wish you all the best and we hope to see you again in Oman. kind Regards Guest Relationship Manager Discover Mazoon Tours Oman info@discoveromantours.com +968 99737110
We did a half day city tour with Jafaar (he has a great sense of humor); He treated us to the best sites and is extremely knowledgeable about the city. He shared with us culture, tradition and gave us a greater understanding of Oman. How the country is developing and the beauty built out of a desert is amazing. All the sites we visited are well worth a visit
Dear Keith Stead, Warm Greetings from Discover Mazoon Tours Oman, We would like to thank you very much for choosing Discover Mazoon Tours Oman service for your holiday in Oman, and thank you once again for posting your excellent review, we are glad that you enjoyed your Private Half-Day Muscat City Tour with our professional guide Jaafar , we wish you all the best and we hope to see you again in Oman. kind Regards Guest Relationship Manager Discover Mazoon Tours Oman info@discoveromantours.com +968 99737110
Haroun made a great job. As driver and guide, he showed us in a friendly and competent way the highlights of Mascat. Many thanks
Dear Steiner64, Warm Greetings from Discover Mazoon Tours Oman, We would like to thank you very much for choosing Discover Mazoon Tours Oman service for your holiday in Oman, and thank you once again for posting your excellent review, we are glad that you enjoyed your Private Half-Day Muscat City Tour with our professional guide Haroun , we wish you all the best and we hope to see you again in Oman. kind Regards Guest Relationship Manager Discover Mazoon Tours Oman info@discoveromantours.com +968 99737110
Jaafar was an excellent and knowledgeable guide! We went to the Grand Mosque and observed the wonderful architecture of the buildings. In addition, we went to the fish market and fruit/vegetable market and by the Al Alam Palace for pictures. We adjusted the stops and he was very understanding and accommodating. His love for the city and country are clear. He was very warm and caring and helped us have an excellent t tour!
Dear Penny, Warm Greetings from Discover Mazoon Tours Oman, We would like to thank you very much for choosing Discover Mazoon Tours Oman service for your holiday in Oman, and thank you once again for posting your excellent review, we are glad that you enjoyed your Private Half-Day Muscat City Tour with our professional guide Jaafar , we wish you all the best and we hope to see you again in Oman. kind Regards Guest Relationship Manager Discover Mazoon Tours Oman info@discoveromantours.com +968 99737110
