Muscat, the capital of Oman, is located on the shores of the Gulf of Oman. On the other hand, the city is very tightly adjoined by steep rocks, which have become a reliable natural fortress for settlement, protecting from external enemies.
An interesting fact is that there are practically no natural water sources in Oman: if you look at the map of the country, you will not find any rivers or lakes. At the same time, the capital of the state surprises with an abundance of greenery and flowering plants due to the use of an irrigation system.
Districts of the capital and their attractions
Muscat is divided into four districts, each of which has its own places of interest for tourists:
- The center of Muscat with the splendid palace of the sultan;
- Matrah is a shopping center in the capital of Oman;
- Ruvi, who brought together merchants from all over the world;
- Al-Qurum is the area of diplomatic missions and hotels.
Matrah, where one of the most interesting Arabian markets is located, will help guests of the capital of Oman buy souvenirs and gifts for relatives and friends. The Mutra market will surprise even an experienced traveler with its color: narrow streets, dead ends and turns.
Everywhere there is trade, a variety of goods are presented. Prices, of course, are too high, but bargaining is appropriate, in contrast to official stores, where fairly high, fixed prices are set. But in stores you can't run into fakes, which local street vendors sin.
Main entertainment
Firstly, in Muscat you can see the famous forts of Mirani and Jalali, built to protect the city in the 16th century. Secondly, acquaintance with the religious buildings of Muslims will be no less interesting. One of them, the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, is one of the three largest mosques on the planet. Moreover, access to foreigners is allowed inside (with the exception of Muslim holy days, Thursday and Friday).
It is clear that women can get acquainted with the architecture of Muslim shrines, but not their interior decor and decoration. But tourists will like excursions to local factories - one of them produces delicious halva, the second is famous for its perfumery.
You can learn more about the history of Muscat and Oman in museums such as the National Museum, which houses an impressive collection of silverware, or at Bayt al-Zubair, a history museum. Among the entertainment of the capital of Oman are walks in chic parks where a huge number of roses grow, and an ascent to the observation deck, which offers magnificent views of the city.
