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Historic places in Muscat

11 historic buildings, sites and memorials in Muscat.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Historic places in Muscat

  1. See

    Al Jalali Fort

    Built as a prison in the rocky mountains in the 1580s during the Portuguese occupation, now converted into a museum devoted to Omani heritage. Unfortunately the fort is only opened to visiting dignitaries and heads of state and not open to the general public, but it's still possible to climb the steep stairs up to the top and to enjoy the view.

  2. See

    Al Mirani Fort

    Built at the same time as Al Jalali Fort which it faces across the harbour. This fort has also been converted to a museum which is closed to the general public, but it can be freely appreciated from the outside.

  3. See

    Bait Al Zubair Museum

    The museum features displays on Omani social history, while tours are frequently run of the neighbouring reconstructed townhouse.

    Sat-Thu 9:30AM-6PM

  4. See

    Bait al-Baranda Museum

    This renovated house from the 1930s has exhibits illustrating the history of Muscat. The lower level is devoted to pre-history and palaeontology, while the upper level is devoted to human history and ethnography.

    RO 1 (adults), RO 0.500 (children)

  5. See

    Bawshar Fort

    A large, photogenic ruined mud-brick fortress in a scenic location. Behind the fortress are scattered ruins and a long rampart wall, still unexcavated. Along the ridgeline in the hills are some prehistoric beehive graves.

    Free

  6. See

    Muscat Gate Museum

    This museum marks the location of the old city wall, and has the original city gates which were used until the 1970s. The location offers good views of Old Muscat and the palace.

    Sat-Thu 8AM-2PM

  7. See

    Mutrah Fort

    Built by the Portuguese in the 1580s, this fort is not open to the public, but visitors are permitted to climb up the hill to the outside for a good view of the area.

  8. See

    National Museum

    This large museum tries to illustrate the history and customs of Oman from the Stone Age to the present day. Obviously huge effort is being put in the presentation, there are many 3D printed detailed models of Omani architecture and beautifully presented artifacts. There's also a curious exhibition of (largely kitsch) presents from foreign dignitaries on the top floor.

    Sat-Thu 10AM-5PM, Fri 2PM-6PMRO 5 (adults), free (children)

  9. See

    Qasr Al Alam Royal Palace

    This is the office of Sultan Qaboos, ruler of Oman. This beautiful palace stands on the head of a natural deep water harbour and is guarded on either side by the twin forts of Mirani and Jelali. Visitors are not allowed to visit the palace, but they are allowed to take photographs at the entrance of the palace.

  10. See

    Sultan's Armed Forces Museum

    This curious museum is housed in a building built in 1845 as a royal summer home. The lower level has displays on Oman's history, and the upper level praises Oman's international relations and military history and weaponry; including a cluster bomb that is banned by international treaties (that Oman is not a signatory of.) An outdoor section presents some decomissioned heavy military machinery. All visitors are given a mandatory military escort.

    RO 2

  11. See

    Natural History Museum

    Sat 9AM-1:30PM; Sun 8AM-1:30PM, 4-6PM; Mon-Wed 9AM-1:30PM; Thu 9AM-1PM

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Muscat (CC BY-SA 4.0).