Location: Muscat
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What to do and see in Muscat, Muscat Governorate: The Best Museums
Muscat (Arabic: مسقط, Masqaṭ pronounced [ˈmasqatˤ]) is the capital and largest metropolitan city of Oman. It is also the seat of government and largest city in the Governorate of Muscat. Muscat is also considered as a Global City. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the total population of Muscat Governorate reached 1.28 million as of September 2015. The metropolitan area spans approximately 3,500 km (1,400 sq mi) and includes six provinces called wilayats. Known since the early 1st century CE as an important trading port between the west and the east, Muscat was ruled by various indigenous tribes as well as foreign powers such as the Persians, the Portuguese Empire and the Ottoman Empire at various points in its history. A regional military power in the 18th century, Muscat's influence extended as far as East Africa and Zanzibar. As an important port-town in the Gulf of Oman, Muscat attracted foreign tradesmen and settlers such as the Persians and the Balochis. Since the ascension of Qaboos bin Said as Sultan of Oman in 1970, Muscat has experienced rapid infrastructural development that has led to the growth of a vibrant economy and a multi-ethnic society.
Restaurants in Muscat
1. Stal Gallery & Studio
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Stal Gallery is home to many exciting Art Exhibitions. From contemporary artists to famous classic works, hosting local and international art collections - it always has something interesting to see. Explore Stal Gallery Collections, Exhibitions, Artists, Art Classes and Art courses, life painting sessions, Residency Calls for artists. Join our Public Tours held every day. Free entry
2. Ghalya's Museum of Modern Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 157 reviews
Ghalyas Museum of Modern Art is now known as Place & People Museum. It invites visitors to explore Oman’s past, present and future aura, being welcomed not by one person, or several people, but by a whole culture. The display of modern works, in conjunction with the historic life of the 50s and 70s is intended to create a feeling that the “inner” Omani continues forever unchanging. With a permanent collection of heritage, culture, tradition and art, Place & People Museum serves as a museum and a showcase.
Reviewed By 28katea - Melbourne, Australia
This little unassuming museum of modern daily life in Muscat-Oman is a terrific introduction to how people lived. The country is in the midst of massive change and it is good to be able to consider where it is coming from. Highly recommended.
3. Sultan's Armed Forces Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 195 reviews
Reviewed By PeterGarrett78 - Pewsey, United Kingdom
I decided to visit this place on a recommendation and was so pleased I did! The museum is only open until 1330hrs each day so a morning schedule is crucial. There is plenty of parking available which is free, the museum itself costs 1 OMR for entry which at the time of writing is £2; this is absolute value for money and I would encourage you to leave a larger donation. We were given a member of the Sultans Royal Guard to escort us round, whilst he left us to read the information boards he was more than happy to answer any questions we had obviously having a great knowledge of the museum and the history of the armed forces. The museum is set across 2 floors and is quite large, there are a number of different rooms that are split into categories which makes learning about the different subjects very easy. All information boards are in English as well which is great with automatic lights bringing the rooms to life as you enter. The displays are very good indeed with a few being interactive, there is also a large outdoor area where you can see an actual retired Omani naval ship both modern and ancient as well as a whole host of other vehicles, bunkers and equipment including a retired Sultans armoured limo. This is a fantastic museum, based on this visit I think you would really be missing out if you left it off your list. I can’t recommend it enough.
4. Bait Al Zubair
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 952 reviews
Reviewed By TheOExpress - Hong Kong, China
...as the varying art and artefacts on show there are even better than the main part. I particularly liked the modern art, wonderful photography and architectural recreations in those parts.
5. Oman Oil and Gas Exhibition Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 89 reviews
Reviewed By Onewheelers - Inverness, United Kingdom
The oil and petroleum section was good but not all exhibits functioning - still worthwhile, but best suited adults and older kids/teenagers. The best bit is the energy and sustainability section where we had great fun with very high quality interactive exhibits that younger children - say age 5 upwards would also be able to enjoy. Both very informative and enjoyable. Free entry.
6. PDO Planetarium
7. Oman Photography Club
8. The National Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 392 reviews
The National Museum - Sultanate of Oman, established in 2013, is the Sultanate's flagship cultural institution, showcasing the nation's heritage from the earliest human settlement in the Oman Peninsula some two million years ago through to the present day. As a national institution with global outreach, the museum is dedicated to ensuring Oman's cultural heritage is understood and appreciated not only within the Sultanate, but also internationally. Further, it aims to provide opportunities for cultural expression, innovation and the transfer of traditional skills and knowledge from one generation to the next. The museum is located in the heart of Muscat in a magnificent purpose-designed building. The total area of the building is 13,700 square metres (147,000 sq ft), including 4,000 square metres (43,000 sq ft) allocated for 14 permanent galleries - The Land and the People Gallery, Maritime History Gallery, Arms and Armour Gallery, Aflaj Gallery, Currency Gallery, Prehistory and Ancient History Galleries, Splendours of Islam Gallery, Oman and the World Gallery, Intangible Heritage Gallery and Renaissance Gallery, among others. A further 400 square metres (4,300 sq ft) are allocated for temporary exhibitions. The National Museum houses 5466 objects and offers 43 digital immersive experiences, a fully equipped Learning Centre, state-of-the-art conservation facilities, a UHD cinema and discovery areas for children. It features an integrated infrastructure for special needs and is the first museum in the Middle East to adopt Arabic Braille script for the visually impaired. It also houses the region's first open-plan museum storage concept, where visitors can learn about the various processes that artefacts go through before they are put on display.
Reviewed By T-SGlobetrotters - Preston, United Kingdom
The museum opened in 2016 stands on a purpose built site at the opposite end of the boulevard to the Al Alam palace. As you might expect the building itself is spectacular. It features displays covering of all aspects of Omani cultural and natural history housed over two floors. it is beautifully curated and each artefact has English commentary. There are super life size models of large fishing boats, the bronze age beehive tombs found at Al Ayn, intricately carved doors, as well as amazing mosaic pieces, ancient pottery, jewellery, traditional costume styles plus much more. There is also a 15 minute film on the history of Oman which alternates between Arabic and English. Entry fee is five Rials per person for tourists but the entry fee is worth it. At the time of our visit they were also offering a 20% discount in the adjacent restaurant, we had lunch the.re and it too was excellent. Need to allow two hours for the visit to fully appreciate the displays.
9. Natural History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 115 reviews
Reviewed By delnaelavia - Mumbai, India
If you like natural history take 1.5 hours to go through the various rooms at this museum. It has exhibits on natural history, birds, animals, geological facts, evolution of Oman etc. We thoroughly enjoyed the marine exhibit too. Entry is only 1 OMR It’s open on all days in the morning but also from 2 to 4 pm on some days even tho the website does not mention it. Call and check before you visit
10. Bait Al-Baranda
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 152 reviews
Reviewed By Abirjaber - Doha, Qatar
This a small museum but one of the rich cultural & historical places in Muscat. We knowing many pieces of information about the old world and how the map transformed during thousands of decades using interactive technology that displays pictures of tectonic plate movement over the past 750 million years until today, showing the activity that formed the continents in the past. We hear the history of Muscat since its geological formation to the present day. Also, we see a lot of maps from many resources, the museum includes documentation of the Sultanate of Oman’s history since its inception to the present day. we saw the old Omani costumes, the maritime trade, and The skeleton of a dinosaur.
