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Lighthouse
This landmark in Ayjah commands a grand view of Sur.
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Ayjah Watchtowers
These towers once guided dhows to safe harbour in Surs sheltered lagoon.
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Fatah Al Khair
The historic boat, built in Sur, is now permanently high and dry and open to the public.
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Qurm Park
This large and attractive park boasts a lake, shade for picnics and a small fun fair.
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Clock Tower
This modern clock tower, opposite Muscats Chamber of Commerce, has become one of the landmarks of Ruwi.
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Children’s Museum
Well-signposted domed building with lots of hands-on science displays. Free for children under seven.
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Souq Entrance
There are several ways into the souq. The most obvious is the one beneath the dome, on Mutrah Corniche.
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Omani
With galleries detailing relations between the two countries, this museum provides an interesting snapshot of mostly 19th-century colonial life in Muscat.
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Qurm Nature Reserve
Protecting a rare stretch of mangrove, this reserve is closed to visitors. That said, its possible to sit in adjacent coffeeshops and do some birdwatching over a latte.
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Fish Market
The fish market, built in the shape of a dhow, punctuates the northern end of the corniche and is fun to visit early in the morning.
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Al Ayjah Fort
This renovated fort which is open somewhat erratically, if at all, seems to have been built as part and parcel of the surrounding merchant houses with their elaborately carved doors and lotus-pillared porches.
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Mutrah Fort
Built by the Portuguese in the 1580s, this fort dominates the eastern end of the harbour. Used for military purposes, it is generally closed to visitors although you can scale the flank of the fort for a good view of the ocean.
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Al Bustan Palace
Set in lush gardens, this sumptuous hotel was built as a venue for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in 1985. Remarkable for its enormous domed atrium, the hotel is worth a visit just to admire the building’s interior and the location.
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Kalbuh Bay Park
Kalbuh Bay Park juts into a sea thats boiling with sardines. Located at the end of the corniche, it makes a good pausing place on a hike between Mutrah and old Muscat. Swimming on the public beach is possible for those not afraid of attracting an audience.
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Ras al Hadd Fort
Built between 1560 and 1570, this is one of many hundreds of similar picturesque forts dotted around Oman. Although empty inside, its easy to picture the isolation of the forts inhabitants marooned on this flat coastal plain before the small settlement grew up around it.
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Khmazera Castle
Buried in the heart of town (brown signs show the way), this small fortified house sports two cannons at the doorway, a renovated well in the courtyard and giant oyster shells in one of the rooms. Its underwhelming after Khasab Fort but worth a pause during a walk or drive around
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Al Riyam Park
Beyond Mutrah Fort, the corniche leads to the leafy Al Riyam Park, with fine views of the harbour from the giant, ornamental incense burner. There is a small fun fair popular with local residents at weekends. The park is on the path of a popular hike that used to link Mutrah with M
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Womens Souq
Once per week this souq, opposite the main souq, attracts women-only buyers and sellers from all over the region, selling a variety of handicrafts such as baskets, woven cushions and camel bags. Men are not welcome and photographs are prohibited in the only souq in the country dedi
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Natural History Museum
The Ministry of National Heritage houses the small but quaint Natural History Museum. The museum is illuminating about the local flora and fauna, and there are some excellent displays on Oman’s geography and geology, together with information about environmental protection. Entry i
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Al Mintirib Fort
In the days before the housing of Al Mintirib encroached on its space, this solid-walled fort with its sunken door must have been an impressive sight, holding back the dunes in one direction, and repelling marauding tribes from the mountains. Timings are posted outside the fort but
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