• Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque - The Grand Mosque occupies a site of 416,000 m2 (4,480,000 sq. ft.) with the complex itself covering 40,000 m2 (430,000 sq. ft.). It was inaugurated by the Sultan of Oman on May 4, 2001.

Five minarets surround the Mosque, with the main minaret standing 90 meters (300 ft.) tall. The square-shaped prayer hall measures 74.4 by 74.4 meters (244 by 244 feet) and features a central dome rising 50 meters (160 ft.) above the floor. The dome is intricately decorated inside and is a major tourist attraction. The main Musalla (Prayer Room) can accommodate over 6500 worshippers.

A highlight of the interior design is the prayer carpet, which covers the floor of the prayer hall. This carpet contains 1,700,000,000 knots, weighs 21 tons, and took four years to complete. It combines classical Persian Tabriz, Kashan, and Isfahan design traditions, using 28 colors in various shades.

• Mutrah Fish Market - On the way to the fish market from the Grand Mosque, we pass through the ministries and embassies area and drive along the beautiful Beach Street. At the market, locals buy and sell fresh fish and seafood.

• Mutrah Souq - A short drive from the fish market brings us to Mutrah Souq, Oman’s largest traditional market. Dating back 200 years, it is located next to Muscat’s harbor and was a significant trade hub during the age of sail. The market’s name, meaning ‘darkness,’ comes from its crowded stalls and lanes where sunlight doesn’t penetrate, requiring lamps for navigation. The market stretches from Al Lawatiya Mosque to Khour Bimba, filled with stores and stalls in narrow lanes.

Today, Mutrah Souq features winding alleys of stalls selling antiques, traditional fabrics, aromatic spices, frankincense, perfume, silver, Omani sweets (Halwa), and fresh produce.

• Bait Al Zubair - From Muttrah Fort, visit Bait Al Zubair Museum for an excellent display of Omani culture, history, and information about the Royal Family.

• Al Alam Palace - Continue to old Muscat to see Al Alam Palace, which has a history of over 200 years. Built under Imam Sultan bin Ahmed, the 7th great-grandfather of Sultan Haitham, the current palace with its gold and blue facade was rebuilt as a royal residence in 1972. While the inner grounds are off-limits, the public can stop near the gates to take photographs. The palace is used for official functions and to receive distinguished visitors.

Visiting the main gates of Al Alam Palace offers a unique experience, unlike any other capital. The palace is elegant yet humble in design, featuring polished marble surfaces. Nearby government buildings are white with traditional Omani-style crenellated rooftops and wooden balconies. The palace is primarily ceremonial.

• Al Jalali Fort - Jalali and Mirani Forts are located in the harbor of Old Muscat. Built by the Portuguese under Philip I of Portugal in 1580 on an earlier Omani fortress, they were meant to protect the harbor after Muscat was twice sacked by Ottoman forces. The forts fell to Omani forces in 1650 and were twice captured by Persians during civil wars between 1718 and 1747. They were extensively rebuilt later.

• Royal Opera House - Visit the Royal Opera House, commissioned by Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, a fan of classical music and arts. Ordered in 2001 and officially opened on October 12, 2011, the Royal Opera House showcases unique contemporary Omani architecture and can seat up to 1,100 people. The complex includes a concert theater, auditorium, formal landscaped gardens, a cultural market with retail shops, luxury restaurants, and an art center for musical, theatrical, and operatic productions.

• Hotels, Port, Airport, Residence pick up and drop off
• Taxes
• Private tour
• English speaking guide
• Bait Al Zubair Museum entry fees
• Transportation by Air-Conditioned Vehicle 4WD or Saloon

• Royal Opera House entry fees
• Lunch