Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bait al-Baranda
MUSEUM
( 24 714262; Al-Mina St, Mutrah; adult/child OR1/400 baisa; 9am-1pm & 4-6pm Sat-Thu)
Located in a
renovated 1930s house, this excellent 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 collections, is one of the many striking exhibits. The ethnographic displays
help set not just Muscat but the whole of Oman in a regional, commercial and cultural
context. The ground floor of the museum is used as an exhibition space. There is a branch
of the popular Khargeen Café in the entrance.
Mutrah Souq
SOUQ
(Mutrah Corniche, Mutrah; 8am-1pm & 5-9pm Sat-Thu, 5-9pm Fri)
Many people come to Mutrah Cor-
niche just to visit the souq, which retains the chaotic interest of a traditional Arab market
albeit housed under modern timber roofing. There are some good antique shops selling a
mixture of Indian and Omani artefacts among the usual textile, hardware and gold shops.
Bargaining is expected but the rewards are not great, as any discount will be small. En-
trance to the souq is via the corniche, opposite the pedestrian traffic lights. Take care not
to wander into the historic Shiite district of Al-Lawataya by mistake, as the settlement is
walled for a good purpose. A sign under the archway requests that visitors keep out. Turn
right immediately inside the entrance and follow your nose along to the
gold souq
; or walk
straight ahead, fork right at the first junction and left at Muscat Pharmacy for Al-Ahli
Coffeeshop. You'll pass a traditional coffeehouse at the entrance but this tends to be a
locals-only meeting point for elderly men.
Mutrah Fort
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.
Al-Riyam & Kalbuh Bay Parks
PARK
( 4-11pm Sat-Wed, 9am-midnight Thu & Fri)
Beyond Mutrah Fort, the corniche leads to the leafy
Al-Riyam Park, with fine photo-worthy views of the harbour from the giant ornamental
