“Muscat is not Dubai” – an afternoon in the Omani capital

“Muscat is not Dubai, Oman is a huge country with many different kinds of places to visit and a lot of history”, through my first hours in this place I have heard this sentence and versions of it a number of times from restaurant staff, the taxi driver and while checking in at the hotel. And for sure, Muscat is not very far from Dubai but it is a totally different experience.
Here modern skyscrapers shine with their absence, the old parts of the city are preserved and wherever you go around town you are surrounded either by the sea of mountains. While Dubai lies on the Persian Gulf, Muscat is on the other side facing the Arabian sea and the water from here is open all the way across to India.

It’s position in the centre between the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent has given birth to the legend of Sinbad the Sailor, it has attracted the Persians, the Ottoman Turks, and also as early as in the 1500s the Portuguese tried to conquer the harbour, and much later on the British also had their share of control over Oman and Muscat.

Muscat today is a modern Arabian city that still preserves the traditional lifestyle, and thankfully a great deal of Arabian hospitality. Below would be the impressions I had from a great afternoon hanging around in the Omani capital.

Selling dates and other fruits outside Mutrah Souq, Muscat, Oman

Muscat, Oman, Al Alam Palace (Arabic for The Flag) is one of the residences of Sultan Qaboos in Old Muscat






Muscat is surrounded by mountains





Afternoon stroll on the corniche of Mutrah, Muscat, Oman. In the harbour one may see the Oman Royal Yacht Sqadron, owned by HM Sultan Qaboos.



On the Corniche of Mutrah, Old Muscat, Oman



Mutrah Fort, Muscat, Oman. Great place to go up and enjoy the view of the town from above.



Sunset over Muscat, Oman, view from Mutrah fort in the late afternoon/early evening.



Street view along Mutrah Corniche, Muscat, Oman.



Inside the Mutrah Souq in Muscat, Oman. Attracting visitors as well as local shoppers, one of the most popular attractions of the city.






The evening was concluded with a meal of Omani fresh fish at restaurant Bait Al Luban, served with a hibiscus drink.



An alternative dinner option (which I visited on another day) is Begums, not in old Muscat but serving great Indian food at good prices in Al Khuwair