| Muscat مسقط • Masqaṭ | ||
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Flag  | ||
| State | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Governorate of Muscat | |
| Altitude | 69 m a.s.l. | |
| Surface | 3,500 km² km² | |
| Inhabitants | 1.720.000 (2017) | |
| Time zone | UTC 4 | |
Position
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| Institutional website | ||
Muscat (مسقط, Masqaṭ) is the capital ofOman
To know
Muscat, a port with a long commercial tradition behind it whose sailors went as far as the distant past Zanzibar, has retained few traces of its past and its appearance is completely modern.
A city rich thanks to the export of oil, Muscat is not affordable for all budgets, being quite expensive in terms of living expenses.
Geographical notes
Enclosed between the Arabian Sea and the Ḥajar Mountains Westerners, today's city of Muscat was born from the union of several small towns that have grown over the years to join.
When to go
| Climate | gen | Feb | mar | apr | mag | down | Jul | needle | set | Oct | nov | dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum (° C) | 24 | 26 | 30 | 35 | 38 | 38 | 37 | 35 | 35 | 34 | 30 | 27 |
| Minimum (° C) | 15 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 27 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 20 | 17 |
| Precipitation (mm) | 26 | 25 | 16 | 17 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 13 |
Muscat is characterized by a hot and arid climate, with long, very hot summers and mild winters. Annual rainfall in Muscat is scarce with an annual total of about 10 cm concentrated mostly from December to April; usually only a few drops of rain fall in the summer months. However, in recent years, heavy rainfall from the tropical systems native to the Arabian Sea has hit the city. In 2007 and 2010, two cyclones hit with strong winds accompanied by precipitation exceeding 100 mm in a single day.
The climate is generally very hot, with temperatures that in summer often reach 40 ° C, with a humidity of 40/60%, which is quite high for such temperatures.
Background
Muscat is one of the oldest cities in Middle East. It has been known since the 2nd century. Approximately 1,400 kg of frankincense were transported annually by ship from Southern Arabia to Greece, to Rome and in the Mediterranean. The center of this trade was a named place Khur Ruri, which the Greeks called "Muscat".
The first foreign presence in Muscat was that of the explorer Portuguese Vasco da Gama, who landed inOman on the way to theIndia. The Portuguese returned in 1507 to loot and capture Masqaṭ. In 1649, Imam Sulṭān bin Sayf defeated the Portuguese and drove them east to Goa (India).
With superior warships captured from the Portuguese, the Imam founded an empire that stretched from Zanzibar to the south, a Gwadar in Pakistan at East. Slaves were brought in from Zanzibar and Balochistan to work in Oman or to be sold elsewhere. This provided a period of relative stability and prosperity for Muscat and Oman.
The nation was torn apart by strife and rebellion upon the death of the Imam in 1679. Muscat was then invaded by the Persians in 1737, albeit briefly, as Aḥmad bin Saʿīd defeated them and was subsequently elected Imam.
In 1803, i Wahhabis ofSaudi Arabia attacked Oman, but were repulsed by Sayyid Sa'id bin Sultan. The sultan then created a colony in the fertile areas of Zanzibar and basically ruled Oman from a foreign island. Subsequently, in 1853, the Sultan transferred the title of "capital" of Oman to Zanzibar. Thus began the decline of the fortunes of Masqat and Oman.
In 1913 the Sultan ruled Masqat while the Imam ruled Oman, but after independence Indiana in 1947, the Sultan, with the help of the British, defeated the Imam and unified much of Oman. In 1964 the Dhofar War began, to expel the British from Oman, but it took another 7 years for independence.
How to orient yourself
Muscat: full screen map.The city presents the old Muscat (nicknamed the walled city), where the royal palace is located, Muttrah (also transliterated as Matrah or Matruh), once a fishing village with the labyrinthine Muttrah Souq, a covered market; is Ruwi, the commercial and diplomatic district of the city. The metropolitan area covers approximately 3,500 km² and this tripartite division can be inconvenient for tourists since many accommodations are located at a considerable distance from the main tourist attractions.
Unlike other cities in the Gulf of Oman, especially in the United Arab Emirates and in Qatar, Muscat does not have an ultra-modern skyline. Following the preferences of the Sultan, modern buildings must follow the tradition of the Arab architectural style.
Neighborhoods
Muscat is a fragmented city, made up of rather distant districts that extend for 40 km on a stretch of coast that becomes higher and more jagged as you move away from the airport.
Below is a brief review of Muscat's neighborhoods from west to east:
- 1 Al Khuwair - The first neighborhood you come across coming from the airport, Al Khuwair is the area of embassies and 5-star hotels lined up on a long sandy coast. In the adjacent neighborhood of Al Azaiba you will find the Great Mosque
- 2 Qurm - The easternmost district renowned for modern shopping centers
- 3 Muttrah - Muttrah extends along the seafront south of the harbor. Its main attraction is the souk which overflows with all kinds of shops. There is the homonymous fort built by the Portuguese in the sixteenth century to guard the port. Muttrah is an area of budget hotels and quite crowded.
- 4 Old Muscat - The old city, surrounded by walls, extends over hills overlooking the sea. There is the palace of the Sultan of Oman. It is also the most beautiful and refined area of the city. In addition to a usual daytime visit, it is also very pleasant to visit the neighborhood at night when the artistic lighting enhances the buildings and the confusion of tourists gives way to tranquility.
- 5 Ruwi - Considered to be the center of Muscat, Ruwi is a commercial district with a sizeable minority of Indians.
How to get
By plane
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- 1 Muscat International Airport (IATA: MCT) (37 km east of Mutrah), ☎ 968 24 519223, 968 24 519456. In the past it was also called Seeb International Airport. It is divided into two terminals, the old (terminal 2) and the new (terminal 1) which opened in 2018. There are ATMs inside the old terminal just before exiting on the left side of the doors. The number of airlines flying to Muscat is increasing every year; below is a list of the main companies:
- Oman Air (in Ruwi, opposite the central bank), ☎ 968 24 707222, 968 24 798096 (reservations), 968 24 750812 (tickets), fax: 968 24 795546. It operates flights to Muscat from numerous airports in the Middle East, Asia and Europe. It also operates domestic flights to and from Salalah is Khasab.
- Air Arabia, ☎ 968 24 700828. It operates two flights a day from Sharjah to Muscat, the flight takes about 55 minutes.
- Air India Express. Flights from Amritsar on Wednesdays and Fridays (the flight takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes); from New Delhi Wednesdays and Fridays (the flight takes about 5 hours and 20 minutes); from Kochi on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays (the flight lasts 3 hours and 35 minutes); from Kozhikode on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (the flight lasts 3 hours and 25 minutes); from Thiruvanantahapuram on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays (the flight lasts 3 hours and 45 minutes if direct, 5 hours and 20 if it stops in Kochi).
- British Airways, ☎ 968 24 565123, 968 24 2456877, fax: 968 24 795721. Daily flights from the airport London Heatrow for Muscat.
- Egypt Air, ☎ 968 24 794113, 968 24 796134, fax: 968 24 70989. It operates flights from The Cario for Muscat on Monday, Wednesday and Friday arriving at their destination the following morning, the flight lasts 4 h.
- Emirates, ☎ 968 24 786600, 968 24 792222, fax: 968 24 750989. 10 flights a day from / to Dubai, flight duration one hour.
- Etihad Airways, ☎ 968 24 823555, 968 24 817861, fax: 968 24 823556. 3 flights a day from / to Abu Dhabi, duration of the flight about 1 h and 5 minutes.
- Flydubai. 3 flights a day from / to Dubai
- Gulf Air, ☎ 968 24 703222, 968 24 703544, fax: 968 24 7003381. It operates flights from Bahrain
- KLM. It operates flights from Amsterdam to Muscat on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, flight duration approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes.
- Kuwait Airways, ☎ 968 24 701262, 968 24 704455, fax: 968 24 700483.
- Lufthansa, ☎ 968 24 796692, 968 24 510400, fax: 968 24 798987. Daily flights from Frankfurt with a technical stopover a Abu Dhabi, flight duration about 8 hours.
- [link not working]Pakistan International Airlines, ☎ 968 24792471, @[email protected]. Flights from Islamabad on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and from Peshawar on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
- Qatar Airways, ☎ 968 24 787070, fax: 968 24 798987.
- Royal Jordanian, ☎ 968 24 796693, 968 24 707930, fax: 968 24 788098. Fly from Amman 4 times a week.
- Swiss, ☎ 968 24 703303, 968 24 787416, fax: 968 24 799502. Daily flights from Zurich with a stopover in Dubai.
- Turkish Airlines. Daily flights from Istanbul with stopover in Bahrain.
- Connections
- THE Taxi to and from the airport should cost between RO 6 (Golden Tulip, near the airport) and RO 12 (Al Bustan Palace Hotel, Al Bustan). Taxis can be booked at the Taxi Counter (☏ 968 24518780, 968 24518781, ✉ [email protected]). Make sure you agree the fare with the driver before starting the journey. Fares must be agreed before travel and can be pre-paid at the taxi desk at Muscat International Airport. The basic fare from / to the airport is 8 OMR, but by bargaining it is possible to go down to 5 OMR.
- The bus public buses, managed by Mwasalat, stop on the ground floor outside the new terminal. Bus 1B runs 24/7 to Ruwi bus station for RO 0.5, where you can switch to buses bound for Mutrah and old Muscat. The frequency during the day is every 20 minutes. At the A4 stop you can take the bus to Dubai.
By bus
- 2 Oman National Transport Company (ONTC), Al-Jaame St (The terminus of the ONTC state-run bus lines is in the Ruwi district), ☎ 968 24 708522 (reservations), 968 24 510438 (information). It operates bus lines between Muscat and Dubai (travel time: 6 hours). FromOman there are daily buses to / from Buraimi (Street Sohar), Nizwa (2 hours and 20 minutes), Salalah (13 hours, reservations required), Sanaw e Sur (4 hours and 15 minutes).
- 3 Azaiba station (محطة حافلات العذيبة). Buses to and from this station in the east of Muscat operate Dubai, a one-way ride is 5.50 R.O. (6 hours and 30 mins). Tickets cannot be booked online but only on site. The bus also stops at the airport at stop A4.
By car
You can reach Muscat by road from United Arab Emirates. The trip takes about 5 hours crossing the border at Hatta/al-'Ayn.
You can also drive from Al Ghaydah in Yemen and reach Muscat in just over 14 hours.
- 4 National Ferry Company, Port Sultan Qaboos, Mutrah (Call Center and passenger boarding office), ☎ 968 2449 5453 (office), ☎ 968 800 72 000 (reservations), fax: 968 2449 3910, @[email protected].
One way: RO 45/23 (business / tourist class), return: RO 85/44 (business / tourist class). 
Sun-Thu 07: 30-15: 30 (office). Ferries arrive weekly from Khasab at the main port of Mutrah, departing every Saturday at 11:30 am and arriving five hours later. Ferries departing from Mutrah depart every Thursday at noon. All ferries have free Wi-Fi, with lunch, snacks and drinks included in the ticket price. You should book your ferry ticket in advance to secure your seat.
One way: RO 45/23 (business / tourist class), return: RO 85/44 (business / tourist class). 
Sun-Thu 07: 30-15: 30 (office). Ferries arrive weekly from Cruise ships stop regularly at 5 Port Sultan Qaboos in Mutrah. Shuttle buses transport visitors from the ship to the harbor entrance, and taxis are also available. A card at the port exit lists the fares for the most common destinations; all other destinations must be negotiated first. However, the Corniche is a short walk away, with the path passing by the fish market. Visitors need to bring only the cruise boarding pass and tourist entry permit.
How to get around
By public transport
The Mwasalat company operates some public bus lines that cover the most important sites and the airport. Buses are infrequent (15 to 20 minutes), but are comfortable and have air conditioning. Enter through the main front door, notify the driver of the destination and pay in cash. Women should sit in the front. As of December 2016, 5 bus lines were in operation, all starting and ending in Ruwi. Fares depend on the distance, which varies from 300 Bz to RO 1.
- Route n. 1: Ruwi-Al Mabelah - Go to the Royal Opera House, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and the airport
- Route n. 2: Ruwi-Al Wadi Al Kabir
- Route n. 3: Ruwi-Wadi Adei
- Route n. 4: Ruwi-Mutrah-Al Alam Palace - Go to Mutrah Souk, Al Alam Palace and National Museum of Oman
By taxi
THE maxi taxi (minibuses, also known among expatriate communities as baisa bus) travel the highway from Seeb to the Corniche area. The price is around 0.100 OMR (100 Bzs) from the Corniche area to the church roundabout and another 100 BZS from the church roundabout to Wadi Adai.
Upon arrival at the airport, located approximately 40km from Muscat's main financial center (or Central Business District, or CBD), it is possible to take a baisa bus along the main road in both directions.
Taxis (mostly orange and white in color) are a bit more expensive, and usually stop near hotels where they can more easily find customers, mostly tourists, to charge a cheaper rate.
THE maxi taxi they follow the main directions of the city and do not have a precise path, so it may happen that you have to look for one that goes in your own direction. Once you get on a bus cabin, somehow you will reach your destination. The place to wait for a maxi taxi they are the access ramps of the main motorway junctions, where there are often many people waiting. A trip within the Muscat area shouldn't cost more than 0.300 OMR, but if you look like a seasoned traveler and know a little bit of haggling, you can go down to 0.200 OMR.
By car
The car is an excellent means of transport and allows you to reach every part of the city in a short time. The roads are quite busy but the main Sultan Qaboos artery and the highway that connects with the east of the country allow for quick travel. The size of the city is considerable but compared to other capitals the car travels smoothly.
Below is a list of the main car rental agencies:
- ABC, ☎ 968 24 582663. Local agency.
- At Maskry Rent-a-Car, ☎ 968 99438661, 968 99381524, @[email protected]. Local agency well established.
- Avis Oman, ☎ 968 24 510342 (airport), 968 24 400888 (city).
- Budget Oman, ☎ 968 24 683999, fax: 968 24 683966, @[email protected].
- Europcar, ☎ 968 24 521369 (airport), 968 24 521369 (city).
- Hertz, ☎ 968 24 521187 (airport), 968 24 625200 (city).
- National, ☎ 968 24 521369 (airport), 968 24 601081 (city).
- Sixt, ☎ 968 24 510224 (airport), 968 24 482793 (city).
- Thrifty, ☎ 968 24 521189 (airport), 968 23 211493 (city).
- Nomad Tours, ☎ 968-95495240 (airport), 968-95495241 (airport), 968-95495242 (city), @[email protected].
Parking lots
- 6 Parking Old Muscat (Behind the museum at the Saidia).
What see
Old Muscat
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- 1 Fort Al Jalali (قلعة الجلالي), Qasr Al Alam St. Entrance with special permit. Built as a prison in the Rocky Mountains during the 1880s (in the period of Portuguese occupation), it has been converted into a museum dedicated to the cultural heritage of Oman. Unfortunately the fort is typically closed to the public, but it is still possible to climb the steep stairs and reach the top of the mountain for a great view.
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- 2 Fort Al Mirani (قلعة الميراني), At Mirani St (Next to the fort, there is a car park on the seafront). Built in the same period and with the same functions as the Al Jalali fort, it is now closed and it is therefore possible to admire it only from the outside.
- 3 Qasr Al Alam Royal Palace (قصر العلم). This is the office of the Qabus of Oman (Sultan and Prime Minister). This marvelous palace stands on a deep water harbor and is protected on two sides by the twin forts Mirani and Jelali. Tourists are not allowed to enter the palace, only to take photographs in front of the main entrance.
- 4 Bait Al Zubair Museum (بيت الزبير), Al Bahri Rd, ☎ 968 24 736688. Adults: R.O 2.000, children 10-15 years: R.O 1.000, children under 10: free (Nov 2019). Sat-Thu 9: 30-18: 00. The museum features exhibits on Oman's social history, while tours are often run from the nearby reconstructed house.
- 5 Franco-Omani Museum (bayt faransā, beit fransa, or Omani-French Museum), Qasr al-Alam St (in Bait Fransa, near the police station), ☎ 968 9334 1903. OMR 0.500. Sat-Wed 8: 00-13: 00, Thu 9: 00-13: 00. This small museum accurately tells the link between France and Oman. The museum contains numerous colonial objects dating back to the 19th century.
- 6 Muscat Gate Museum (Muscat Gate Museum), Al Bahri Rd, ☎ 968 9932 8754. Sat-Thu 8: 00-14: 00. Opened in 2001, the museum contains artifacts and installations that trace the history of Oman from the Neolithic to the present day. The museum also marks the location of the old city walls and used until the 1970s. The location offers a nice view of the city and the palace.
- 7 Bait Muzna Gallery, Saidiya St, Way 8662, House 234 (in front of the Bait al Zubair museum), ☎ 968 24739 204, fax: 968 24739205, @[email protected]. A gallery where works of art mainly by Omani artists or working in Oman are exhibited.
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- 8 National Museum of Oman, Al Saidiya St, ☎ 968 22 081500. 0.500 OMR. Sat-Thu 10: 00-17: 00, Fri 14: 00-18: 00. Founded in 1978, the museum contains silver ornaments, copper handicrafts and scale reconstructions of Omani ships. The museum has a section dedicated to the assets of the Al Busaidi dynasty. In 2015 the new museum was inaugurated and moved from the Ruwi district to this location.
- 9 Ali Musa Mosque (Next to the Royal Palace).
Mutrah
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Once a fishing village, Mutrah is best known for its long waterfront. Mutrah Port is also where the Sultan of Oman's yacht is moored.
- 10 Corniche, Al Bahri Rd. The recently refurbished Corniche area is a popular area for strolling, and there are numerous restaurants (including take-away) at a reasonable price. From the Corniche you can also see the fishing boats, called Elder or dhow (Arabic: ﺩﺍﻭ, dāw) (traditional Arabic sailboats with one or more triangular sails, called Latin sails).
- 11 Fish market (fish souq), Al Bahri Rd (on the Corniche, near the Marina Hotel). 6:00-10:00. Tourists can watch fishermen unload and sell freshly caught fish, and why not… even buy it!
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- 12 Bait al-Baranda Museum (literally: the house with the veranda, متحف بيت البرندة), At Mina St, ☎ 968 24 714262. OMR 1 (adults), OMR 0.500 (children). In a house dating back to the 1930s, an exhibition illustrating the history of Muscat is set up. The first floor is dedicated to prehistory and the Paleolithic, while the upper level is dedicated to human history and ethnography.
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- 13 Mutrah Fortress (قلعة مطرح). Built by the Portuguese in 1580, it controlled the entrance to the port. The interior is not open to visitors but visitors are allowed to climb the hill to the outside for a good view of the area.
- 14 Riyam Park, Al Bahri Rd, ☎ 968 24 753000. Mon-Sun 8: 00-23: 30. In the park there is a small playground with rides. From the large incense incinerator located on the hills of the park you can enjoy an excellent view of the bay and the city.
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- 15 Portuguese watchtower, Al Bahri Rd (in front of Riyam Park). This watchtower, dating back to the Portuguese colonial period, now renovated, is an ideal place from which to enjoy excellent sunset views.
- 16 Ancient Souq Watchtower (near Mutrah Souq and Mutrah St). This watchtower has also been renovated today and, although it is closed to the public, the hill where it is located can be reached on foot in order to enjoy excellent views of Mutrah and the Corniche. However, the path leading to the summit is not well defined in every section and the easiest way is from the north-west.
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- 17 Ghalya Museum of Modern Art, Al Wadi Khabir (on the Corniche, near Mutrah Fort), ☎ 968 24 711640, fax: 968 24 711620, @[email protected]. OMR 1 (adults 12), 500 Bzs (children 6-12). Sat-Thu 9: 30-18: 00. Opened in 2011, this museum consists of a set of several buildings and is divided into three distinct sections. The “Old House” reconstructs the furnishings of an Omani house between 1950 and 1970, that is, before the rise to power of Sultan Qaboos. In the "Museum of clothes" that will open shortly you will be able to admire both traditional Omani costumes and international dresses, modern and not. Finally, in the "Museum of Modern Art" there is a permanent exhibition with works of art by local and international artists, but it too is temporarily closed.
Ruwi and Qantab
Ruwi is Muscat's main commercial district and the gateway to Qantab, a village south of the city.
- 18 Numismatic Museum, Al Bank Al Markazi St (inside the Central Bank of Oman building), ☎ 968 24 796102. 250 Bzs, free for children under 6. Sat-Wed 09: 00-13: 00. The museum houses interesting exhibits on Omani currency with numerous specimens of coins and banknotes.
- 19 Sultan's Armed Forces Museum, Al Mujamma St (Bait al-Falaj), ☎ 968 24 312648. OMR1. This excellent museum is housed in a building built in 1845 as a summer royal residence. The lower floor houses an exhibition on the history of Oman while the upper floor displays Oman's international relations and its military history.
- 20 Aquarium and marine science center (Between Al Bustan Palace Hotel and the Capital Yacht), ☎ 968 24 736449. Sun-Thu 8: 00-14: 00. The museum was founded in 1986 and houses a wide range of marine species, with a particular focus on endangered species.
- 21 Sohar boat, At the Bustan roundabout (close to the Al Bustan Palace Hotel in Qantab). This vessel was built in the yards of the daw, a Sur, south of Muscat. In 1980 Tim Severin with an Omani navy crew sailed with this ship from Oman to Guangzhou, in China with the aim of retracing Sindbad's legendary journey. Severin described the feat in his book 'The Sindbad Voyage'.
Al Ghubrah, Al Khuwair, Al Qurm, and Bawshar
As an alternative to Central Business District, CBD, Mutrah, and Ruwi there are numerous other places located just off the main highway heading northwest from the CBD. This road, called the highway Sultan Qaboos, crosses numerous areas along its route, the airport area, Seeb, Sohar and again the northern limit of Oman. Remaining in Muscat, the districts of Al Qurm (Qurum), Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, Al Khuwair, Bausher, Al-Hail and Seeb.
From Al Qurm to Seeb there is also a long coastal road, about 50 km long. Along the edge of the road there are numerous hotels of the large international chains, but, more importantly, you can admire the beauty of the Omani coast: kilometers of beaches, fishermen with nets and wide spaces in which to walk immersed in nature.
22 Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (جَامِع ٱلسُّلْطَان قَابُوْس ٱلْأَكْبَر, Jāmiʿ As-Sulṭān Qābūs Al-Akbar), Sultan St (Al Khuwair). Sat-Thu 8: 00-11: 00 (for tourists). Commissioned in 1992 by Sultan Qabus ibn Said, the Grand Mosque is a building of records. The prayer room (musalla) is a 74 m square and its floor is covered with a slightly smaller carpet. It is in fact the third largest mosque in the world. Most of the complex is also open to non-Muslim tourists, but women are still required to keep their heads, wrists and ankles covered while visiting the religious building. Inside the mosque, don't miss the Swarovski crystal chandelier, the giant handmade Persian carpet (second in size in the world) and the marble coating. - 23 Natural History Museum (across the highway from the ice skating rink). Sat 8: 00-13: 30; Sun 8: 00-13: 30 and 16: 00-18: 00, Mon-Wed 8: 00-13: 30, Thu 9: 00-13: 00.
- 24 Children's Museum, 2601 Way (Al Qurm). Sat-Wed 8: 00-13: 30, Thu 9: 00-13: 00. Scientific museum divided essentially into three sections: human life, physics and scientific progress.
- 25 Omani Heritage Museum (Medinat Al Alam), ☎ 968 24 600946. 500 Bzs. Sat-Wed 9: 30-13: 30, Thu 9: 00-13: 00. This small museum has a great collection of archaeological finds, but it's worth a visit for the great view alone (the museum is located on a hill).
- 26 Qurum Nature Reserve (Qurum Natural Park) (Al Qurm). It has a large rose garden, an artificial waterfall, a small lake and an amusement park to visit especially during the Muscat Festival.
- 27 Oil & Gas Exhibition Center (Oil and Gas Exhibition Center), Seih Al Maleh St, ☎ 968 24 677834. This private museum illustrates the process of formation and extraction of oil and natural gas.
- 28 Planetary, Seih Al Maleh St (adjacent to the Oil and Gas Exhibition Center), ☎ 968 24 675542, fax: 968 24 675553. Free. Sun-Thu 7: 30-15: 30. The planetarium can hold 60 people, there are only two weekly shows (except for special occasions), also presented in English. Reservations are required.
- 29 Bait Al Makham (Bait Al Magham, Bayt Almaqahm Bousher, بيت المقحم ببوشر) (Bawshar), ☎ 968 24 641300 x142 (call first). 500 Bzs. Sat-Wed 8: 00-14: 00. A fortified house built at the beginning of the 20th century, now renovated and with an excellent view from the top of the building. It is advisable to park at the shopping center as the access road is narrow.
- 30 Fort Al Bayt Al Kabir (Fort Bawshar), Al Safa St (Bawshar). Free. Ruins of a large fortress built with mud bricks. Behind the fortress there are other remains, still not unearthed.
- 31 Mohammed Al Ameen Mosque. Sat-Thu 8: 30-23: 30. This mosque features artistic lighting that makes it spectacular at night and very photogenic.
Events and parties
- Muscat Festival. It occurs every year in January and takes place in the park overlooking the Qurm waterfront where stands are set up displaying local handicrafts. The festival program includes folkloric dances and acrobat performances.
What to do
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Trekking
In theOman In the north there are several paths for trekking lovers, some of which pass near Muscat
- 1 Path C38 (From Riyam park to Mutrah Souq). This short trail transports the tourist away from modern Muscat and offers stunning views of the mountains surrounding the city. The trail starts at Riyam Park, and follows an ancient path that was used already more than 5000 years ago by miners who lived in an abandoned village and finally arrives near Mutrah Souq. Walking the entire trail takes between one and a half to two hours, a map can be found here.
- 2 Paths C52 and C53 (along the coast near Bandar Jissah). These two simple paths offer numerous views of the coast. They both start in Bandar Jissah. Maps: C52 is C53.
Diving
- 3 BlueZone Diving, Bander at the Rhowda Marina, @[email protected]. This center offers diving excursions on the sea and numerous diving courses.
- 4 [link not working]Oman Dive Center (Bandar Jissah, 15km south of Muscat. The center is not connected by public transport, so it is necessary to take a taxi or rent a car.), @[email protected]. This center (run by Germans) organizes trips, dives and courses to obtain the PADI certification (Professional Association of Diving Instructors). The private beach is open to tourists during the day at a cost of OMR 2 during the week and OMR 4 at the weekend. It is also possible to spend the night in one of the beach bungalows (the cost varies according to the period and the type of bungalow, breakfast and dinner are usually included - 49-176 OMR).
- 5 Omanta Scuba, Al Kharjiya St, Shatti (in the boathouse of the InterContinental Hotel), @[email protected]. This center organizes trips and dives, courses to obtain PADI certification and trips to spot dolphins. The main excursion destinations are Damaniyat Islands, Fahal Island and Bhandra Kharan.
Mountain biking
With numerous routes, Muscat has experienced a rapid development of cycle paths, especially for mountain biking in the surrounding mountains. Bike Oman organizes weekly mountain bike excursions every Thursday. During the summer the company also organizes night excursions, usually on Mondays.
- 6 Oman Bicycle Shop (behind the Radisson hotel, Al Khuwair). Mountain bikes can be hired here for a day, a week and even for longer periods.
Beach life
In most of the private beaches (especially in hotels) it is allowed to wear Western swimsuits, in public ones, however, the tourist is required to respect the customs and habits provided for by the Omani rules. Women are required to wear a one-piece swimsuit and men to wear a long-sleeved swimsuit, both are also required to keep shoulders and knees covered until you are exactly on the beach (and not on the road for example).
- 7 Qurum public beach (Qurum). At the bathing site there is no equipment other than open showers. The beach is usually clean and well maintained, with the option to rent jet skis. The beach is very busy on weekends.
- 8 Public beach of Marjan (PDO Public Beach) (near the Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), Qurum Heights). This beach is mostly uncrowded during the day and crowded during the early evening. There are small but beautiful coral reefs just off the coast, also suitable for snorkeling. Clownfish and sea turtles can occasionally be spotted here.
- 9 Al Ghubrah public beach (Between the Chedi Hotel and the desalination plant, Al Ghubrah). This is a family beach with picnic tables. During the evening in the area near the desalination plants there are numerous "food trucks" (food trucks) offering grilled meat and fish and other dishes at a good price.
- 10 Al Bustan public beach (near Al Bustan Palace Hotel). Named after the nearby hotel, it offers great views of the mountains behind the beach.
Bird watching
There are some good areas for bird spotting in and around the city.
- 11 [link not working]At the Ansab Wetlands. About 300 bird species can be spotted here, some during migration periods, others all year round.
Shopping
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- 1 Mutrah Suq (Main entrance along the Corniche (seafront), Mutrah). Often described as one of the best markets in the Gulf region, it has numerous stalls that give it a labyrinthine aspect. The souk has numerous jewelry shops, Omani handicrafts and traditional foods. Some of the most sought-after items are hand-embroidered mussars (shawls intended to be worn as turbans), garments, nuts, spices, incense and earthenware. Solo alcuni negozi accettano carte di credito. All'interno del suq è presente un'area dedicata al commercio dell'oro, con vetrine piene di gioielli.
- 2 Boraka Halwa Factory, Mutrah St (Mutrah).
- 3 Jawahir Oman Jewellers, Al Wilaj St (Al Qurum Complex, Al Qurm), ☎ 968 24 563239. Vende gioielli e piccoli regali realizzati lavorando argento dell'Oman.
- 4 [link not working]Omani Heritage Gallery, Jawharat Al Shatti Shopping Centre (attraverso Al Kharijiyah St dalla Royal Opera House, Al Khuwair), ☎ 968 24 696974, fax: 968 24 696568, @[email protected]. Questa galleria è gestita da un'organizzazione no-profit che promuove imprese artigianali.
- 5 Souq al Jumaa (Friday Market) (Wadi Kabir, Ruwi). Ven 7:00-21:00. Vivace mercato delle pulci in cui è possibile trovare di tutto: dai gioielli a attrezzatura da campeggio, da tappeti a automobili. È inoltre presente una sezione con capi d'abbigliamento. Bancarelle con prodotti alimentari si trovano nelle vicinanze.
Centri commerciali
- 6 Qurum City Centre. Aperto recentemente a Qurum, contiene un supermercato Carrefour.
- 7 Sabco Centre (nei pressi del bivio tra Sultan Qaboos St e Qurm Heights Rd, Qurm). Un insieme di circa una dozzina di centri commerciali di piccole e medie dimensioni molto frequentato e popolare tra gli abitanti di Mascate. Il centro ospita alcuni negozi che vendono prodotti legati all'artigianato locale simili (o uguali) a quelli in vendita al Mutrah Souq. Nel centro si trova inoltre una cioccolateria Godiva (tel. 968 24 562367). Di fronte al Sabco Centre si trova la Omani Craftsman's House che vende esclusivamente prodotti made in Oman a prezzi fissi (e non molto economici).
- 8 Oman Avenues Mall (Sultan Qaboos St), ☎ 968 24 540200. Oman Avenues Mall è il più grande centro commerciale in Oman. Offre negozi, ristoranti, zone per bambini e divertimenti a residenti e turisti internazionali.
- 9 Opera Galleria (الأوبرا جالاريا), Al Kharjiyah St (Accanto al Teatro dell'Opera), ☎ 968 24 403440. Sab-Gio 10:00-22:00, Ven 16:00-22:00. Centro commerciale di lusso.
Ipermercati
- 10 Al Meera (Azaiba), ☎ 968 24 583444. Una catena con base in Qatar.
- 11 Lulu Hypermarket, Al Mina St (Mutrah).
- 12 Lulu Hypermarket Wadi Kabir, 63 St (Ruwi).
- 13 Lulu Hypermarket, As Sultan Qaboos St (Ghubrah), ☎ 968 24 504504. La posizione di questo supermercato è particolarmente favorevole se si vuole comprare qualcosa prima di dirigersi verso le montagne.
- 14 Carrefour Hypermarket, Qurum City Centre.
- 15 Sultan Shopping Center (Al Qurm).
Cambio valuta
- Oman-UAE Exchange Centres (Presso LuLu Hypermarkets, Ghala e Ruwi).
- 16 Global Money Exchange (Ruwi), ☎ 968 24 790177.
- Travelex (Aeroporto internazionale di Seeb).
- 17 [link not working]Purshottam Kanji, Souq Ruwi Street (Ruwi), ☎ 968 24 793468.
- Mustafa Sultan Exchange (Molti outlet sparsi nell'Oman).
Sportelli bancomat
Sportelli bancomat (ATM) sono oggi molti diffusi a Mascate, specialmente nel distretto delle ambasciate e nelle vicinanze dei principali centri commerciali, alberghi, supermercati e benzinai. Quasi tutti i quartieri, anche i più piccoli, hanno inoltre una filiale di qualche banca.
Bank Muscat è la banca più diffusa in Oman e una delle più importanti del Golfo. A Mascate si trovano più di 230 ATM di questo istituto bancario.
How to have fun
Shows
- 1 Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM), Al Kharjiyah ST, ☎ 968 24 403300, @[email protected]. Questo splendido edificio ospita una vasta gamma di spettacoli, tra cui concerti di musica classica, araba e occidentale, jazz e flamenco, e spettacoli di danza classica e moderna. Di sera anche se chiuso è uno spettacolo vedere da vicino l’architettura enfatizzata da un’elegante illuminazione.
- 2 Royal Opera House of Musical Arts (Posto a poca distanza dal Teatro dell'Opera, raggiungibile tramite un ponte pedonale dal centro commerciale Galleria). Teatro dedicato alla musica.
Night clubs
In pressoché ogni strada a Mascate è possibile trovare una caffetteria, spesso molto semplici, ma se si è in visita nella città vale sicuramente la pena entrarci almeno una volta. Succhi di frutta freschi possono inoltre esse acquistati in una delle numerose bancarelle, il prezzo varia a seconda del formato scelto, ma in genere varia da 0,500 a 1,500 OMR.
- 3 Al Ahli Coffeeshop (Mutrah Souq). Caffetteria che vende anche succhi di frutta freschi.
- 4 Fast Food 'N' Juice Centre (Mutrah). Con tavoli sul marciapiede, è possibile sedersi, gustare un ottimo succo di frutta e osservare la "città che si muove".
- 5 Starbucks Coffee (Al Qurm - situato sulla strada costiera che collega il Crown Plaza Hotel e l'Intercontinental Hotel.). È così vicino al mare che basta attraversare la strada per essere in spiaggia, le bevande costano circa 2,2 OMR, ma la vista sulle onde e sul mare di cui si può godere è eccellente.
Where to eat
Moderate prices
Il cibo è relativamente economico a Mascate e per poche Rial Omanite (OMR, moneta ufficiale dell'Oman) si può prendere un piatto per una persona. Nella zona di Al Khuwayr si possono trovare ristoranti indiani a poco prezzo. A Mutrah si può inoltre passeggiare lungo il lungomare, godere della fresca brezza marina e gustare un panino con Halib (tè con latte) o Sulaimani (tè nero) a uno dei ristoranti in riva al mare. Una tazza di tè costa circa 0,50 OMR.
- 1 Automatic. Cucina libanese. Da provare l'Hummus (a base di ceci), l'insalata Fatoosh, la Mutabel, i Falafel e il tè alla menta. Neanche i camerieri conosco il motivo del nome del ristorante, ma c'è una sede di Automatic situata vicino al centro Sabco. Ci sono altre sedi a Ruwi, Al Khuwair e in molte altre zone di Mascate.
- 2 Al Haikal Restaurant, 2996 Way (Vicino alla fermata dell'autobus, Ruwi). Cucina pakistana.
- Al-Hanan (Ruwi). Cucina indiana.
- 3 Al Shaheen Restaurant, Honda Rd (Ruwi). Cucina pakistana.
- 4 Al Tarboush (Al-Tarboosh) (Di fronte al centro Sabco, Qurm). Fast food che serve piatti legati alla cucina araba e libanese; è possibile sia prendere piatti da asporto che sedersi ai tavolini situati al primo piano del locale.
- 5 [link previously not working]Bin Ateeq, Al Khuwair Rd (vicino alla stazione di rifornimento Shell e all'albergo Holiday Inn, Al Khuwair), ☎ 968 24 478225, fax: 968 24 488784, @[email protected]. Lun-Dom 9:00-14:00. Questo ristorante è descritto nella maggior parte delle guide turistiche di Mascate come l'unico luogo dove è possibile assaggiare l'autentica cucina omanita a Mascate; questa fama l'ha portato a essere molto frequentato, soprattutto dai turisti. La qualità del cibo è buona, anche se i prezzi sono un pò elevati.
- 6 [link previously not working]Bin Ateeq, 2730 Way (Ruwi), ☎ 968 24 702727, @[email protected]. Lun-Dom 9:00-14:00. Altra sede del famoso ristorante omanita.
- Gujrat Bhojan Shala, Ruwi High Street (Ruwi). Cucina indiana.
- 7 Muscat Light Restaurant & Coffeeshop, Al Bahri Rd (Old Muscat). Luogo ideale per una pausa durante un giro a piedi nella vecchia Mascate.
- 8 Ofair Traditional Restaurant, Al Marafah St (Al Khuwair), ☎ 968 24 482965. Serve piatti tradizionali omaniti.
- 9 Oman Express, 4359 Way, ☎ 968 24 7731329. 18 rial per un mese incluso i venerdì o 15,6 Rial venerdì esclusi. Pranzo da asporto.
- 10 Saravana Bhavan Restaurant (Ruwi, di fronte al centro OC), ☎ 968 24 704502. Nel ristorante vengono serviti piatti vegetariani legati alla tradizione dell'India meridionale.
- 11 Subway (Way No. 2724, vicino Central Bank of Oman, CBD, Ruwi), ☎ 968 24 798899.
Negozi di alimentari
- 12 Spinney's, Al Khariyah St (Al Qurm, sulla Sultan Qaboos Expressway). Una catena di alimentari libanese, con una sezione per cibi take-away.
- Al Fair Supermarket. Catena di supermercati dove è possibile trovare qualsiasi cosa. La maggior parte delle sedi sono sulla Sultan Qaboos highway.
- Lulu's. Una delle più note catene di supermercati dell'Oman, una sede si trova in Sultan Qaboos Street in Al-Khuwair.
Average prices
- 13 Bella-Pais (Rotonda MAM, subito fuori dall'uscita di Nizwa), ☎ 968 24 521100. Cucina greca più altre specialità.
- 14 Al-exandria (Fanja House, vicino al Sabco Centre, Ruwi), ☎ 968 24 561611. Presso questo locale è possibile gustare uno dei migliori Rotis della città (un tipo di pane tipico dell'Asia meridionale fatto con di farina integrale macinata a pietra). Da provare è il pollo Jalfrezi con Paneer aloo (patate).
- 15 The Chedi Pizza Restaurant, Way No. 3215 (c/o l'hotel Chedi, Ghubrah). Offre piatti meno costosi rispetto a qualsiasi altro punto vendita della catena "Chedi", pur conservando lo stesso ambiente leggermente chic.
- 16 Haffa House Hotel Restaurant, Al Farahidi St (Ruwi), ☎ 968 24 707207.
- 17 Kargeen Caffe, Al Bashair St, ☎ 968 24 699055, fax: 968 24 695522, @[email protected]. Pietanze legate alla tradizione omanita servite in un ambiente che cerca di rispettare il più possibile la tradizione e la cultura dell'Oman. Nel ristorante c'è una zona esterna per i fumatori di narghilè. Il Kargeen Caffe è adatto anche alle persone vegetariane, ma in ogni caso è consigliabile prenotare, soprattutto nel fine settimana.
- 18 Turkish House (Al Khuwair), ☎ 968 24 488071. 11:00-13:00. Il più popolare tra i ristoranti turchi a Mascate, con eccellenti piatti di pesce. Disponibile il servizio da asporto e consegna a domicilio per la zona di Al Khuwair.
- 19 Ubhar Restaurant, Al Sarooj Rd e Al Kharjiyah St (Al Qurm), ☎ 968 24 699826, @[email protected]. Lun-Dom 12:30-15:30, 18:30-23:00. Ottimo ristorante omanita.
High prices
- 20 Al Khiran, Al Bustan Palace Hotel (Qantab). circa 19,5 OMR 17% per il servizio. Famoso per il buffet del brunch del venerdì.
- 21 Bait Al Bahr (Shangri-La Hotel), ☎ 968 24 776565, @[email protected]. 19:00-23:30. Piatti a base di pesce e frutti di mare legati alla tradizione omanita. Prenotazione altamente raccomandata, è consigliabile seguire un dress-code "smart casual".
- 22 The Chedi, North Ghubra 32 (Al Ghubra). Quattro "cucine aperte" che servono piatti della cucina internazionale.
- 23 Mumtaz Mahal (Al Qurm). Cucina indiana.
- 24 Passage to India, Al Wutayyah (near Hatat House), ☎ 968 24 563452 (reservations). Cucina indiana.
- 25 Taj Samarkhand, Oasis by the Sea Residences (Al Qurm), ☎ 968 24 602757. Cucina indiana-peshawari.
Where stay
Moderate prices
Trovare sistemazioni economiche a Muscat non è molto facile. In genere alloggi a prezzi modici sono raggruppati sul lungomare di Muttrah, tra il suq principale e la stazione degli autobus. Fuori stagione i prezzi degli alberghi a 5 stelle calano notevolmente, ma, aria condizionata a parte, dovrete essere un in grado di resistere molto bene alle temperature estive di Muscat, simili a quelle di un forno casalingo. Nell'area della Corniche ci sono cinque alberghi sul lungomare, con un prezzo medio di circa 15 OMR per persona per notte; l'Hotel Al Fanar ha un prezzo di circa 10 OMR. Sparse per la città è possibile trovare anche anche Guest Houses (Isteraha in Arabo), queste hanno in genere dei prezzi accettabili.
- Qurum Beach Hotel, ☎ 968 24564070, fax: 968 24560761. Uno dei rari alberghi economici nella zona di Qurum.
- 1 Marina Hotel, Corniche (Mutrah, di fronte al mercato del pesce), ☎ 968 24 713100. Ha buone viste sulla zona del porto, ma dato che nella zona ci sono due locali notturni, l'albergo può essere un po' rumoroso di notte. Wi-Fi gratuita disponibili solo nell'atrio principale.
- 2 Delmon Hotel Apartments, Al Wada Al Kabir St (Ruwi), ☎ 968 24 818181, fax: 968 24 818844, @[email protected]. 23/75 OMR. Include la colazione e una connessione Wi-Fi a internet.
- 3 Golden Oasis Hotel, Al Wada Al Kabir St (Nel centro di Ruwi e vicino alla principale area commerciale.), ☎ 968 24 811655. 35/55 OMR. Scelta popolare tra i turisti.
Average prices
- 4 Crown Plaza Hotel, Al Qurm St (Zona residenziale di Heights, Al Qurm), ☎ 968 24 660660. Check in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Ha una vista grandiosa verso nord sula spiaggia, verso l'Intercontinental.
- 5 Golden Tulip Seeb, Exhibition St (Seeb), ☎ 968 24 514444, 968 24 510055 (prenotazioni), @[email protected].
- 6 [link not working]Haffa House Hotel, Al Farahidi St, ☎ 968 24 707207.
- 7 [link not working]L'Espace Bed and Breakfast, 77 Al Ezdehar St (Al Ghubrah), ☎ 968 9628 2472, @[email protected]. Un affascinante bed and breakfast proprio di fronte alla strada e alla spiaggia.
- 8 Hilton Garden Inn, Al Khuwair, OM, Dohat Al Adab St, 118, ☎ 968 22 515555. Hotel a quattro stelle con piscina sul tetto e svariati servizi.
High prices
Mascate offre un'ampia scelta di alberghi lussuosi, alcuni dei quali sono elencati qui sotto.
- 9 Al Bustan Palace Hotel (Qantab), ☎ 968 24 799666, fax: 968 24799600. Costruito inizialmente per ospitare una conferenza a metà degli anni '80 in posizione isolata su una baia 8 km a sud di Old Muscat, l'albergo Al-Bustan riaprì i battenti nel 2008 dopo accurati interventi di restauro. Vale la pena di visitarlo anche solo per vedere la lobby e gli interni pubblici dell'hotel. Dispone di una vasta spiaggia privata.
- 10 Al Falaj Hotel, Al Mujamma St, 2031 (Ruwi), ☎ 968 24 702311, fax: 968 24 795853, @[email protected].
- 11 The Chedi, North Ghubra 32 (Al Ghubra, vicino all'aeroporto), ☎ 968 24 524400, fax: 968 24 493485, @[email protected]. Hotel 5 stelle di lusso facente parte della catena GHM, con architettura tradizionale dell'Oman. Probabilmente l'albergo più sofisticato di Mascate.
- 12 [link not working]Crystal Suites, Vegetable & Fruit Market Road, Way 6702, Block 167 Wadi Kabir (Ruwi), ☎ 968 24826100, @[email protected]. da 30 OMR. Offre 78 suite, tutte ben arredate, con una TV LCD da 32 pollici, un lettore DVD, e una cassaforte elettronica. Alcuni dei servizi dell'albergo sono un ristorante dove sono servite una delle migliori Mughlai della città e ricette Afgane tratte dal "Kareem's of Bombay", un atrio con il soffitto aperto sul cielo e con un area gioco per i bambini, sale da ballo con capacità fino a 1000 persone usate solitamente per eventi speciali come matrimoni.
- 13 Grand Hyatt (Sulla spiaggia di al-Qurm), ☎ 968 24 641234, fax: 968 24 605282, @[email protected]. Opulento albergo improntato al lusso sfarzoso disegnato da un principe yemenita. Tonnellate di marmo sono state profuse nella decorazione degli interni come parodia dello stile di un palazzo arabo.
- 14 InterContinental Muscat, Al Kharjiya St, ☎ 968 24 680000, ☎800 971 234, @[email protected]. Check in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00.
- 15 Ruwi Hotel (Ruwi), ☎ 968 24 704244, fax: 968 24 704248, @[email protected]. Un hotel sciatto e malandato che è più un edificio da terzo mondo con standard da viaggiatori con zaino in spalla. Tuttavia ha un bar interessante.
- 16 Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa (a sud-est di Mascate, a circa 30 min dal centro. L'hotel può essere difficoltoso da raggiungere, quindi se si è deciso di raggiungerlo in macchina è consigliabile avere una buona mappa o un navigatore satellitare.), ☎ 968 24 776666, fax: 968 24 776677. Appartenente alla famosa e lussuosa catena internazionale, l'albergo si trova su una stupenda porzione della costa di Mascate.
Safety
Il numero unico di emergenza da chiamare per ambulanze, pompieri e polizia è il 9999.
A Mascate è consigliabile bere acqua in bottiglia, poiché quella del rubinetto è ritenuta poco sicura. Oman Oasis, Tanuf, Arwa, Salsabeel is Aquafina sono le marche di acqua minerale più diffuse e con un buon prezzo. A un prezzo ragionevole è possibile acquistare anche le bottiglie di acqua minerale "Masafi" e "Darbat" - 1 OMR per 12 bottiglie da un litro e mezzo.
Ospedali
- 7 KIMS Oman Hospital (مستشفى كيمز عمان) (Darsait), ☎ 968 24 760100.
- 8 Muscat Private Hospital (مستشفى مسقط الخاص) (Ghubrah), ☎ 968 24 583600.
- 9 Al Nahda Hospital (مستشفى النهضة) (Ghubrah), ☎ 968 22 503333.
- 10 Al Shatti Hospital (advENTclic), Villa 1057, Way 3015، Al Kharjiyah St, Shatti Al Qurum (Shatti al Qurum), ☎ 968 24 699793. Sab-Gio 9:00-20:00.
- Atlas Star Medical Centre (Bausher).
- 11 Al Amal Medical Centre-Al Wadi Al Kabir (Al-Khuwair), ☎ 968 24 811519.
- 12 Royal Hospital (المستشفى السلطاني), Al Ghubrah St, ☎ 968 24 599000.
- 13 Badr Al Sama Hospital-Ruwi (مستشفى بدر السماء), An Noor St (Ruwi), ☎ 968 24 799760.
- 14 Babylon Medical Centre (مركز بابل الطبي) (Amerat), ☎ 968 24 878911.
- 15 Ospedale (مركز صحي مسقط) (Vecchia Mascate, vicino al museo Al Zubair), ☎ 968 24 738036. Dom-Gio 8:00-20:45, 9:30-15:45.
Ambasciate
Austria. Ambasciata chiusa nel 2011 per questione economiche; la più vicina missione diplomatica è a Riad in Arabia Saudita.
Bahrain, 115, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, ☎ 968 24 605074, 968 24 605075, 968 24 605133, fax: 968 24605072.
China, Villa 1368, way 3017, Shatti Al-Qurum, ☎ 968 24 949204.
Egypt, Jamai'at al Dowal al Arabyia St (Nell'area diplomatica), ☎ 968 24 600411, 968 24 600982, fax: 968 24603626, @[email protected].
France, P.O. Box 208 Madinat Qabous PC 115, ☎ 968 24 681800, 968 24 681804 (emergenze), fax: 968 24 681843.
Germany, Hillat Al-Jazeera, Way No. 4911, Villa 953 (Vicino all'ospedale Al Nahda a Ruwi), ☎ 968 24 832482, 968 24 837374, 968 24 835000, fax: 968 24 835690. Dom-Mer 9:00-12:00.
Greece, PO Βox 175, ☎ 968 24 793072, fax: 968 787714.
Iran, Jamai'at al Dowal al Arabyia St (Nell'area diplomatica), ☎ 968 24 696944, 968 24 696947, fax: 968 24 696888.
16 Italy, Al Qurum House 842 Way 2411, ☎ 968 24 560968, 968 24 564832, 968 24 564838, fax: 968 24 564846, @[email protected]. Dom-Gio 9:00-12:30.
Jordan, Jamai'at al Dowal al Arabyia St (Nell'area diplomatica), ☎ 968 24 692760, 968 24 692761, fax: 968 24 692762.
Switzerland (Consulate), Al Asfoor Plaza Bldg 1F 104 (Qurum), ☎ 968 24 568205, fax: 968 24 568206, @[email protected].
UK, 116 Mina Al Fahal (Nell'area diplomatica), ☎ 968 24 693077, 968 24 609000, fax: 968 24 609010, @[email protected]. Dom-Gio 7:30-14:30.
[link not working]Stati Uniti, PO Box 202, PC 115, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, ☎ 968 24 643400, 968 24 643400 (emergenze), fax: 968 24 643740, @[email protected].
How to keep in touch
Telefonia
Omantel offre sim prepagate e tessere per i telefoni pubblici. Queste possono essere acquistate in molti ipermercati e nei negozi che vendono telefoni cellulari. Sono disponibili anche tessere prepagata Jibreen Cards, funzionate sia su telefoni mobili sia su telefoni fissi. Sono disponibili tagli da 1, 3 e 5 OMR.
Skype è bloccato in Oman e vi si può accedere solo con una rete VPN. Altri servizi simili sono stati bloccati, ma al momento (2015) risultano accessibili Google Talk, Viber e FaceTime.
Internet
Una connessione gratuita Wi-Fi a internet è disponibile in molti parchi pubblici, incluso il Parco nazionale di Qurm, i Giardini Naseem, i Parchi Al Amerat e Wadi Kabir. Per accedere i turisti vengono reindirizzati su una pagina della Omantel dove viene richiesto un numero di cellulare, a cui verrà inviata una password, la navigazione è limitata a 1 ora e mezza al giorno. La catena internazionale di bar Costa Coffee offre ai propri clienti una connessione in 5 bar: Qurm City Centre, Muscat City Centre, MQ, Bareeq al Shatti, e Oasis Mall.
Omantel Ibhar hotspots sono sparsi per Mascate, principalmente in bar, ristoranti e centri commerciali. Carte Ibhar prepagate sono disponibili presso molti sportelli Omantel o nel negozio che ospita l'hotspot.
Around
- Dirigersi a Nizwa, a ovest di Mascate, per poi intraprendere escursioni, o campeggiare, sui magnifici Ḥajar Mountains. Di notevole interesse sono le fortezze sparse nell'area dei monti e i siti UNESCO di Bat, Al-Khutm e Al-Ayn.
- Dirigersi verso sud per esplorare la spettacolare Wadi Shab, un canyon in cui scorre un torrente. Lungo il percorso fermarsi al Bimmah Sinkhole, e poi proseguite verso Sur.
- Dirigersi verso nord per Sohar per immergersi nel mare e ammirare la costa omanita da un'altra prospettiva. Visitare Ibri per poi continuare verso la Penisola del Musandam.
Informazioni utili
Giornali
- Oman Daily Observer. Uno dei giornali in lingua inglese più popolari in Oman, disponibile anche su carta stampata.
- Oman Tribune.
- Times of Oman. Il più antico giornale in lingua inglese dell'Oman, stampato dal sabato al giovedì.
- Muscat Daily. Giornale in lingua inglese più diffuso in Oman.
- TheWeek. Settimanale gratuito pubblicato di mercoledì.
- H!. Settimanale gratuito pubblicato nel weekend dal Times of Oman.
- Oman Today. Piccola rivista con consigli turistici, su gite fuori porta e su i luoghi dove è possibile gustare le specialità del paese (e non solo). Pubblicata mensilmente.
- Khaleej Times. Pubblicata a Dubai e disponibile in tutto il golfo.
Palestre
Nei principali alberghi a 4 e 5 stelle si possono trovare ottime palestre, altre sono strutture indipendenti, come la Millennium Gym e l'Horizon Gym.
Lavanderie
Il prezzo del servizio di lavaggio biancheria negli alberghi a 4 e 5 stelle è spesso molto caro. I prezzi sono notevolmente inferiori nelle numerose lavanderie gestite da popolazione di origine indiana, dove però i vestiti lasciati il lunedì non saranno probabilmente pronti fino al mercoledì.
