Holidays to Muscat Oman, City Break and Beach Holidays, Top 10

Feb 4, 2011
Solange Hando

Muscat, Beach Holidays in the Middle East - Solange Hando

Bustling souks to heritage sites, traditional hospitality, sun and sea, Muscat offers some of the best Middle East holidays for leisure and culture.

Set between mountains and sea, Muscat, the capital of Oman, is an attractive blend of old and new, combining an enviable infrastructure with a carefully preserved heritage. Muscat holidays remain a well-kept secret but those who discover it often return to enjoy the beach, the sights and the genuine hospitality of the Sultanate of Oman.

Beach Holidays in Muscat Oman

Sun and sea lovers will find plenty to do in and around Muscat:

Chill out on the private beach of a luxury hotel or on the popular sands of Bandar Al Jissah where water taxis cruise to secluded beaches. Swim, snorkel, relax under a parasol or maybe head for Majan beach where you may see parrot fish, rays and turtles.
Cruise along the coast in a glass bottom boat from Marina Bandar Al Rawdha. Look out for dolphins and whales, see the coral reef from the boat or snorkel if you wish.
Go kayaking in the fjords of Bander al Kheran, sail from the Millennium resort up the coast, seek an adrenaline rush as you encounter sharks on a dive around Fahal or surf six foot waves off Masirah Island.

Middle East Holidays, See Heritage Sites on a Muscat City Break

Cultural attractions are the heart and soul of Muscat and a must for any visitor.

Top of the list is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque with its 10 ton crystal and gold chandelier, its magnificent carpet, woven by 600 women over four years, its dazzling mosaics, archways, domes, minarets and flower gardens.
Three sand-coloured Portuguese forts rise above Muscat, Jalali and Mirani near the Sultan’s Palace and the Muttrah fort. They are closed to visitors but allow superb photography and you can climb the 100 steps to the Muttrah watchtower for panoramic views.
Among the city’s best museums are the Oman Museum, covering 5000 years of history, the National Museum, displaying stunning silver work, and the Natural History Museum for the landscapes and wildlife of Oman. Set in a traditional house, the Bait Al Zubair focuses on Omani lifestyle and traditions.

Top Things to Do on Holidays to Muscat

Beyond beaches and cultural sites, Muscat offers fascinating glimpses of local life and a taste of adventure on the doorstep.

Nothing beats the Muttrah souk for local colour, a maze of winding lanes brimming with frankincense, spices, pashmina, silk, antiques, silver, gold, household goods and much more. Close to the port beyond the gate, the old town is all tightly packed houses and alleyways gathered around the Al Jami mosque.
Enjoy Omani food, tasty, flavoured with herbs and spices but not fiery. Soups, salads, vegetables and rice with curried or grilled meat, fish and king prawns offer a tempting choice. Coffee flavoured with cardamom is offered in tiny cups, often with dates, a sign of traditional hospitality, as is the sticky sweet Halwa.
For a touch of luxury, join a guided tour of the Amouage factory in Rusayl where some of the world’s most expensive exotic perfumes are created. Learn all about the process, test a range of fragrances and purchase if you wish.
Local operators offer some fabulous daytrips from Muscat, including fishing villages along the coast, desert or mountains. Nizwa is a popular choice with its superb scenery and souk but for a real taste of adventure, book a 4WD safari with wadi bashing, driving along dry river beds, often through a gorge, with the occasional splash.