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Parliament Building
This elegant building, completed in 2013, is home to the two houses of the Majlis ash Shura, Omans parliament. It is not open to the public but it does make for a fine photo opportunity with its traditional low-rise, Omani-style, modern architecture, backed by Muscats distinctive r
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Barka Fort
With its unusual octagonal tower and location fending off incursions from the sea, Barka Fort cuts a dash along Barkas busy coastline, flanked by several adjacent watchtowers. It has been closed for restoration for some time but is still impressive from the outside. To reach the fo
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Sunaysilah Castle
Crowning a rocky eminence, this 300-year-old castle is built on a classic square plan with four round watchtowers. It was the most important part of the defensive system of Sur, a town that was greatly fortified to protect its illustrious overseas trade. A few artefacts help bring
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PDO Oil & Gas Exhibition
Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) is responsible for much of the rapid growth of infrastructure throughout the country, as outlined in the PDO Oil & Gas Exhibition. The interactive displays are of interest for anyone interested in science in general and the oil and gas industry
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Bait al Maqham
Open on the whim of the gate-keeper, this fortified residence buried in a plantation in the suburb of Bawshar is worth a visit just for the location. Close to the citys last remaining sand dunes, Bait al Maqham is a surprise find at the crease of the Hajar mountains. New houses are
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Bait al Baranda
Housed in a renovated 1930s residence, this museum traces the history – and prehistory – of Muscat through imaginative, interactive displays and exhibits. A ‘cut-and-paste’ dinosaur, using bones found in Al Khoud area of Muscat and topped up with borrowed bones from international c
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Qurm Beach
A road runs along the edge of Qurm Nature Reserve towards the Crowne Plaza Hotel, giving access to a long, sandy beach – a popular place for cruising in the latest on four wheels and for family picnics on the sand. Women bathing on their own have been accosted here, so avoid skimpy
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Buraimi Fort
Buraimi has a large and interesting fort with decorations that give it a Saharan flourish in comparison with the austere exteriors of most of Oman’s interior forts. The market opposite sells barasti – plaited palm fronds traditionally used for roofing and fencing – while just along
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Ain Al Thwarah
Beyond the date plantations that surround Nakhal Fort, this hot spring emerges from the wadi walls and is channelled into a falaj for the irrigation of the surrounding plantations. There are usually children and goats splashing in the overspill. Look out for the flash of turquoise-
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Muscat Gate Museum
Straddling the road between the corniche and the old walled city, this museum, with the original gates used until the 1970s to keep land-bound marauders out, marks the position of the old city wall and introduces Muscat proper. Though the museums exhibits are of limited interest, t
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National Museum
Housed in an imposing new building in the heart of Old Muscat, the National Museum makes a fitting consort for the Sultans Palace opposite. The emphasis of this long-awaited contemporary museum is on quality rather than quantity, with space, light and height used to enhance the sel
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Sumhuram Archaeological Park
This fascinating park is part museum and part archaeological site and you can wander around the ruins and watch the archaeologists at work. Visit the gallery within the site to see some of the 1st century BC to 3rd century AD finds from the site including some evocative Kursi inscr
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Jebel Humr
Jebel Humr (274m) is the highest point of Masirah’s hilly backbone and a climb up this flat-topped mountain is recommended for the wonderful view of the island it affords, especially at sunset. The plateau is strewn with fossils. Wear good shoes as the scree can be quite dangerous
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Al
Just outside Al-Bustan Palace Hotel, a small roundabout is home to the Sohar , a boat named after the hometown of the famous Omani seafarer Ahmed bin Majid. The boat is a replica of one sailed by Abdullah bin Gasm in the mid-8th century to Guangzhou in China. It was built in the dh
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Bahla Potteries
All over Oman youll spot terracotta pots with simple ribbed decorations at the entrances to smart villas and hotels. The famous potteries where these beloved vessels are made are humble in comparison, buried in Bahlas backstreets. To reach them, follow the main road through the tow
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Al Hoota Cave
Embellished with stalactites and stalagmites, this is the only cave in Oman developed for tourism. Unfortunately it floods frequently putting it out of action for months at a time. It was closed at the time of writing. If the promise of reopening in 2016 is kept, a visit to the int
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Seeb Corniche
A wonderful 8km corniche, either side of the town, has a landscaped area for walking, enjoying sea views, sniffing drying sardines and watching the fishermen mending nets while footballers compete for a pitch on the sand. Various ad hoc coffeeshops come alive in the evenings. Swimm
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Sohar (Boat)
Just outside Al Bustan Palace Hotel, opposite the imposing parliament buildings, a small roundabout is home to the Sohar, a boat named after the hometown of the famous Omani seafarer Ahmed bin Majid. The boat is a replica of one sailed by Abdullah bin Gasm in the mid-8th century to
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Sohar Fort
Built in the 13th century, Sohar’s distinctive fort allegedly boasts a 10km tunnel intended as an escape route during a siege. Easier to find is the small museum in the fort’s tower, which outlines local history, and the tomb of one of Oman’s 19th-century rulers, Sayyid Thuwaini bi
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Marina Bandar al Rowdha
Apart from offering a full range of boating amenities, Marina Bandar al Rowdha is a popular launching point for a range of watersports including fishing and diving. It is also a pleasant place to enjoy harbour activity and relax at the Blue Marlin restaurant. The marina offers free
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