Discover the rich blend of ancient and modern architecture of Muscat on a half-day city tour. Learn how the city has undergone dramatic development in the past 3 decades, yet managed to preserve its age-old culture and heritage. Your driver will show you how to use the audio guide system to benefit the GPS enabled commentary that follows the tour. Start with a visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, and then continue through the Ministries' area to see a number of modern buildings with a touch of ancient, Islamic architecture. Go to the fish market and explore the narrow alleyways of the Muttrah souk to soak up the scent of exotic spices, coffee beans and ancient remedies. Learn more about the history of Oman at the Bait Al Zubair Museum. Take a souvenir photo at the magnificent Al Alam Palace, flanked by the twin Portuguese forts of Mirani and Jalali. Itinerary: • 45 mins in Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque • 15 mins in the fish market • 30 mins in the Bait Al Zubair Museum  • 10 mins for a photo stop in Al Alam Palace • 10 mins for a photo stop in Mirani & Jalali • 30 mins in Muttrah Souq

Get the perfect introduction to the city of Muscat, on a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour. The carefully designed route takes you to the major landmarks and historic sights, while your personal recorded commentary (available in 6 languages) provides entertaining commentary explaining the history and culture of the city. Sit back, relax, and take in the stunning scenery and mountainous backdrop. Hop on a Muscat bus tour to discover the fascinating history and traditional Arabian charm of Oman’s capital. Take in dramatic views of the city’s surrounding mountains and gleaming Sea of Oman. Hop off to explore 16th Century forts, museums and the Sultan’s Al Alam Palace and immerse yourself in the culture of Muscat. You can hop on and off at any of the stops to explore on your own. Buses run at regular intervals so re-joining the tour is easy and convenient. Your hop on hop off ticket is valid for 1 day or 2 days, including unlimited rides per loop during hours of operation. The tour is fun, safe and a relaxed way to explore the city. Above all, it guarantees some breathtaking views of Muscat.

After being picked up from your hotel, the tour will begin from Shatti Al-Qurum (next to the Intercontinental Hotel). From here, your tour will take you through the mountainous and desert landscape. Your driver will show you how to use the audio guide system to benefit the GPS enabled commentary that follows the tour. You will pass the coastal township of Quriyat before reaching Wadi Shab after an approximately 1.5-hour drive, after which your guide will take you for a 45-minute walk to reach the natural pools and cave. You will be permitted some time to swim in the area's clear, sparkling waters, before returning to the base after walking for another 45 minutes. You will spend 3 hours in the Wadi, which will include lunch at the Wadi Shab Resort. Following lunch, you will continue traveling through the village of Finns. You will discover its famous white sand beaches, as you drive the coastal scenic route to reach the dramatic Bimah Sinkhole, a miracle of nature, where you will be able to swim in its half-salted water. You will then commence your journey back to Muscat with a smooth drive after an active nature day in Oman. Your tour will later end in Shatti Al Qurum, from where you will transfer back to your hotel.

Get picked up from your hotel and head to the Shatti Al-Qurum hotel where the tour begins. Your driver will show you how to use the audio guide system to benefit the GPS enabled commentary (available in five languages) that follows the tour. Travel towards to Nizwa, Oman’s cultural capital and home to some of its most significant structures. Along the way, stop at a charming ancestral village called Birka Al Mawz, which sits at the base of Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain). In Nizwa, admire the central fort and its giant cannon tower; walk through the traditional souq (market); and, of course, enjoy a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch, visit the unique Jabreen Castle, built in the 17th century. It has magnificent plasterwork, carved doors, and painted wooden beams. You'll also see Jebel Shams—one of the most famous mountains in Oman—and one of the oldest towns in the region, Oman Bahla, before heading back to your hotel.

Start with pickup from your hotel in Muscat. Begin the tour at Shatti Al-Qurum, next to the Intercontinental Hotel. Pass by the Royal Opera House, a massive monument which was constructed on the orders of Sultan Qaboos, who is an avid fan of classical music. Make a photo stop at the illuminated Mohammed Al Ameen Mosque. Afterwards, head towards Old Muscat and the area of Muttrah Corniche. Admire the city's picturesque harbor from this beautiful waterside area. Arrive at Muttrah Souq to discover a mix of the old and new along with a myriad of sights, sounds, and fragrances from everyday life. Do some souvenir shopping before driving to the most prominent landmark in Muscat, the Al Alam Palace. Take a photo of the gates of the palace, flanked by the 16th-century Portuguese forts of Jalali and Mirani. In recent years the palace is largely used for ceremonial purposes.  Next, make your way to the Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Begin an authentic Omani culinary experience with the acrobatic tea-pouring skills of the tea sommelier. Enjoy a sumptuous buffet dinner at the Al Khiran Terrace Restaurant. Offering an array of culinary treasures, Al Bustan Palace is home to some of the best restaurants in the city, only steps from luxurious resort accommodations.

Begin your tour driving through the Hajar Mountains to the township of Nizwa, which is the ancient capital of Oman. Visit Nizwa Fort and the traditional Souk.  Next, travel through the deep Wadi Ghul and arrive at Jebel Shams, Mountain of the Sun, which is the undisputed lord of the mountains. Jebel Shams is the highest peak of the Jebel Al Akhdar mountain range, soaring 3,000 meters above sea level. This is the Grand Canyon of Oman and provides spectacular scenery, ancient rock carvings, and remote villages.  Continue your tour to the beautiful old village of Misfah, perched on the side of a mountain where narrow ancient stone pathways lead you into the valley below. Have lunch at a restaurant where you can savor local delicacies at the top of the mountain. Afterward, explore the ancient labyrinth of the region of Al Hamra before your return trip to Muscat.

Being a rare blend of ancient and modern, Muscat is a beautiful city which lies in a maze of brown pleated Mountains. Lulled by the Arabian Sea, the city has undergone dramatic development in the past two or three decades. However, Muscat takes pride in the fact that it has preserved its lustrous culture and heritage. Your visit starts with a tour of the grand mosque, which is an architectural marvel and perhaps the new landmark of the city. The drive continues through the ministries' area, where you can see a number of modern buildings with touches of ancient, Islamic architecture. Then, visit the fish market and the folkloric Muttrah souk, with its narrow covered alleys where you can smell exotic aromas of mounds of spices, coffee beans, and ancient remedies, all enticing perfumes that fill the air. Next, engage in a visit to the Bait Al Zubair Museum, which has a fine exhibit of Omani history and culture, encompassing all of the areas traditional values. You will also have a photo-stop at the magnificent Al Alam Palace (the official residence of Sultan Qaboos) flanked by the twin Portuguese forts of Mirani & Jalali. Continue to Bait-Al-Baranda, a great museum in muscat, before finally stopping for lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon , take your time to better explore this mystic city and its captivating civilization. Have a chance to explore other souks, and discover all the treasures and spices that you can find.

Begin your night tour with pickup at your hotel and make your way to Shatti-Al Qurum. Pass by the Royal Opera, a massive monument ordered by the music-loving Sultan himself, before stopping to take photos at the illuminated Mohammed Al Ameen Mosque. After, head toward Old Muscat and its corniche, and admire the city's attractive harbor area. Next, discover a mix of the old and new at the Muttrah Souq, as well as a myriad of sights, sounds, and fragrances from everyday life. Do a little souvenir shopping then continue to the most prominent landmark in Muscat, the Sultan’s Palace (Al Alam Palace). Take a photo of the gates and colonnaded approach by night, and marvel at the lighting. From the palace, move on to Al Angham restaurant for dinner. Savor your meal as you admire the breathtaking seating area where everything is just as elegant and intricate as the inside of the Royal Opera House itself.