Nature and culture combine in Muscat, where the mountains meet the sea, and history and heritage create a destination like no other. From the extraordinary architecture of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque to the clear waters of the Gulf of Oman, dive into an adventure with us.
Situated on the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula, the Sultanate of Oman is bordered by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the west, Yemen to the southwest and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the northwest. Muscat, the capital of Oman, is host to beautiful beaches and a fascinating culture and heritage that dates back thousands of years.
Whether it’s the adventure of discovering iconic landmarks or the thrill of a world-class theme park Shangri-La’s curated experiences of attractions get you out of your comfort zone and into the realm of unforgettable travel memories.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
Completed in May, 2001, the impressive Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is made from 300,000 tons of Indian sandstone. The main musalla (or prayer hall), which can hold 6,500 worshippers, is square with a central dome rising to a height of fifty metres.
One of the largest mosques in the world, its impressive interior features include a handmade prayer carpet comprising 1,700 million knots and weighing 21 tons, which took four years to produce, and a 14-metre-tall Italian-made chandelier.
Muttrah Souq
Many tourists come to Muttrah Corniche just to visit the souq, a traditional Arab market. Shops selling Omani and Indian artefacts and few antiques share space with more traditional textile, hardware and jewellery stores. Credit cards are accepted in majority of the shops, but bargain with cash. It’s easy to get lost here, but that’s part of the fun. Just keep heading downhill, towards the sea.
Royal Opera House
Oman's premier venue for musical arts and culture, the Royal Opera House can hold up to 1,100 people. The complex comprises a concert theatre, auditorium, landscaped gardens, cultural market, luxury restaurants and an arts centre.
For upcoming performances and other information, visit www.rohmuscat.org.om
From a simple walk in the park to exploring dramatic natural scenery, we’ve got nature-lovers covered. Escape to a private island, ride a horse at golden hour, kayak beneath towering cliffs, or simply soak it all up on one of our sandy beaches. Nature never felt so good.
Jebel Akhdar
The spectacular Jebel Akhdar, or “Green Mountain”, is an area that extends around 300km from southeast to northwest across the Al Hajar mountain range. Jebel Shams, is about 3,000 metres.
A designated nature reserve, Jebel Akhdar contains many points of great scenic and natural beauty, as well as rock art dating back several thousand years.
Qurum Park
Qurum Park is a spacious public garden and nature reserve with attractive landscaping and a large, peaceful lake. Since it opened in 1993, the park has become a popular place for locals and tourists take a break. Among the park’s winding pathways can be found carefully manicured lawns adorned with fountains and an artificial waterfall, and a pretty rose garden. The surrounding natural reserve is filled with mangroves that are a temporary home for migratory birds.
Corniche
Not to be missed when visiting Muscat, the Corniche is great for an evening stroll or jog along the waterfront. Climb to the base of Muttrah Fort (at the eastern end) for fine views of the city.
Wahiba Sands
Wahiba Sands is a large desert area located around four hours’ drive from Muscat. Many animals and flowers can be found here, and some 3,000 Bedouins call the area home. Tourists can stay overnight in organized camps.
Whether it’s wandering some of the world’s greatest museums, exploring cutting-edge galleries and traditional artisan houses, or watching the latest blockbuster at a film festival, we have our finger on the pulse of all the hottest cultural happenings.
Bait Al-Zubair Museum
Spanning a number of centuries and regions, the Bait Al-Zubair Museum collection includes traditional Omani weaponry, jewellery, costumes, household utensils and furniture, early European maps and prints of the Arabian Peninsula and East Africa, early photographs, satellite images, coins, stamps, musical instruments, documents, manuscripts and books.
Gallery Sarah
Gallery Sarah is part of the Bait Al-Zubair Museum and contains paintings and photographs by new and established artists, from home and abroad.
Omani French Museum
This heritage museum, established in 1992, has a substantial collection of exhibits including photographs of early French diplomats, historical documents, Omani/French ships, Omani and French costumes and jewellery and furniture.
Nizwa Fort
One of the well-known of Oman’s many fine forts, Nizwa Fort dates back to the 17th century. Said to be Oman’s frequent visited national monument, it lies about 140km southwest of Muscat.
If your holiday isn’t complete without a little retail therapy, Shangri-La has you covered. We’ve scoured Muscat to find the best shopping experiences, from high-end boutiques to the high street, hidden gems at one-of-one shoppes, private ateliers and bustling markets.
Oman Avenues Mall
Oman Avenues Mall is a one-stop shopping, dining, kid zone and entertainment spot popular with locals and tourists
City Centre, Muscat
An enormous retail and entertainment complex with foreign brands including Carrefour, Marks & Spencer, GAP and H&M.
Muttrah Souk
One of the oldest souks in the Arabian peninsula, this traditional market consists of alleyways packed with colourful shops full of Frankincense and exotic spices.
