Half-Day Muscat City Tour- Private Tour
ID: GYG705076-1156525
Category:
Country: Oman
Duration:
04:30 hours
Description
SULTAN QABOOS GRAND MOSQUE-FISH & VEGETABLES MARKET-MUTRAH MARKET (SOUQ)-BAIT AL ZUBAIR MUSEUM-AL ALAM PALACE-TWIN FORT OF JALAI AND MIRANI-ROYAL OPERA HOUSE
Be ready at 08:30, our guide will come to be you up from your location, our first stop is Grand Mosque which is built on a site occupying 416,000 m2 (4,480,000 sq. ft.) and the complex extends to cover an area of 40,000 m2 (430,000 sq. ft.), the newly built Grand Mosque was inaugurated by Sultan of Oman on May 4, 2001.
Five minarets have been built around the premises of the Mosque the main minaret (90 meters, 300 ft.) in height.
The prayer hall is square in shape and 74.4 by 74.4 meters (244 by 244 feet) has a central dome rising to a height of 50 meters (160 ft.) above the floor, the dome is embellished spectacularly from the inside and it is a major tourist attraction in itself, the main Musalla (Prayer Room) can hold over 6500 worshippers.
From Grand Mosque on the way to the fish market we drive through ministries and embassies area also we drive through the Marvelous Beach Street, Visit Fish, and Vegetable Market, local peoples paying and selling fresh fish and seafood.
From the fish market, just a short drive to Mutrah Souq, Oman's largest Traditional Souq, Muttrah Souq is one of the oldest marketplaces in Oman dating back two hundred years, it is located adjacent to the harbor of Muscat and has seen an immense trade in the age of sail, being strategically located on the way to India and China, it was named after darkness because of the crowded stalls and lanes where the sunrays do not infiltrate during the day and the shoppers need lamps to know their destinations, the name of the market has been drawn specifically from the part that extends from Al Lawatiya Mosque to Khour Bimba where the place is really full of stores and stalls and the narrow area of lanes does not allow the sunlight to enter.
From Muttrah Souq we visit Bait Al Zubair Museum, for a fine display of Omani culture and history and information about the Royal Family.
Then we visit the old Muscat and see the Al Alam Palace, has a history of over 200 years, and was built under the watch of Imam Sultan bin Ahmed, the 7th direct great-grandfather of Sultan Haitham, the existing palace, which has a facade of gold and blue, was rebuilt as a royal residence in 1972, the inner grounds of the palace remain off-limits, but members of the public are permitted to stop near the gates and take photographs, the Palace is used for official functions and receives distinguished visitors.
From there we visit the Royal Opera house, He is majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said Sultan of Oman has been always a fan of classical music and arts, in 2001, the sultan ordered the building of an opera house, and it was officially opened on October 12, 2011, the Royal Opera House reflects unique contemporary Omani architecture, and has a capacity to accommodate a maximum of 1,100 people, the opera house complex consists of a concert theater, auditorium, formal landscaped gardens, cultural market with retail, luxury restaurants, and an art center for musical, theatrical, and operatic productions.
Highlights
- Grand Mosque
- Muttrah Market (Souq)
- Al Alam Palace
- Royal Opera House
Guiding languages
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Dress code: Women should wear attire covering their arms and legs and should cover their head with a scarf. Men should wear a normal shirt and trousers)
When should I book?
To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.
Cancellations
This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.