Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
You can take in a football (soccer) game at
Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex
OFFLINE MAP
(
24 592197; Al-Ghubra St, Al-Ghubra South)
.
MUSCAT FOR CHILDREN
Muscat is a safe and friendly city with a few attractions for children.
Children's Museum
OFFLINE MAP
( 24 605368; off Sultan Qaboos St, Qurm; admission 500 baisa;
8am-1.30pm Sat-Wed, 9am-1pm Thu year-round, 4-6pm Mon Oct-Mar) This well-signposted domed build-
ing has lots of hands-on science displays.
Ice Skating
OFFLINE MAP
(Fun Zone; ; 24 662951; Qurm Park, Qurm; admission incl skate hire OR4;
9am-midnight) A good way to beat the summer heat. Sessions last 90 minutes. Women-only sessions on
Monday from 9am to 6pm. The rink is closed between 8pm and 10pm on Saturday to allow the ice hockey team
to practice.
Markaz al-Bahja
(Foton World Fantasia; 24 537061; near Seeb) A fair way out of town, this covered play
area with themed rides is in a shopping mall, 5km northwest of Muscat International Airport on the highway to-
wards Seeb.
Marah Land
( 24 562215; Qurm Park, Qurm; admission 300 baisa plus 250-750 baisa per ride;
8am-1pm & 4pm-midnight Sat-Thu, 4pm-midnight Fri) Set inside the attractively landscaped Qurm Park, this
funfair with Ferris wheel is a local favourite.
Shopping
Muscat doesn't have the exhaustive range of shopping options on offer in other parts of
the region, nor is it particularly cheap. However, with one of the most characterful old
souqs in the region, a few classy shops such as those in Opera Galleria adjacent to the
Royal Opera House Muscat, and some big sprawling malls (Qurm City Centre, Muscat
City Centre near Rusayl roundabout and nearby Markaz al-Bahja), there's enough to keep
a dedicated shopper happy.
Souq Ruwi St is worth visiting for all manner of cheap and cheerfuls - from souvenir T-
shirts to don't-ask DVDs and gold from India.
Crafts, Souvenirs & Gifts
Some popular Omani-produced items include highly worked silver
khanjars
(curved dag-
gers) that start at OR30 for a tourist replica to OR500 for an exquisite genuine item; bas-
kets worked with pieces of camel or goat hide (from OR5);
kuma
(Omani hats), which
start at OR2 for a machine-made one to OR50 for a highly crafted handmade piece; hand-
