The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is Muscat’s main mosque and the biggest in Oman. Its gleaming white sandstone walls and vast prayer halls stretch over 103 acres (42 hectares) and can house up to 20,000 worshippers. Five ornate minarets and a central dome light up like a beacon at night, guiding visitors to this spectacular facility for Islamic faith and studies. Explore the mosque’s courtyards dotted with hibiscus plants and fountains and see the holy verses inscribed in the sandstone walls. The mosque’s halls and five minarets, which symbolize the five pillars of Islam, are decorated in the styles of different Islamic cultures, including Egyptian and Omani. The massive main prayer hall features a single Persian carpet. It’s the second-largest carpet in the world, with more than 1,700 million knots.

One of the oldest traditional souks (marketplaces) in the Arab world, the Muttrah Souq (Mutrah Souk) has a history stretching back over 200 years and has earned acclaim throughout Oman for its varied array of both local and imported goods part to its strategic position at the mouth of Muscat Harbor. Muttrah Souk takes its name from the network of narrow streets that run between Khour Bimba and the Al Lawatiya Mosque, Navigating the dimly lit stalls and maze-like alleyways is all part of the experience and shopping in the souks is one of the top pastimes for visitors to Oman. Exploring the myriad of stalls reveals a host of local goods like Frankincense, perfumes and fresh spices, alongside traditional handicrafts like Khanjers (Omani knives), Bedu jewelry and colorful hookah pipes. Pay a visit to the Gold Souk,and silver jewelry, tuck into some local street food, then put your haggling skills to the test as you scour the markets for unique Omani souvenirs.

Al Alam Palace built for the late Sultan Qaboos during his 50-year reign, Al Alam is mainly used to receive high-ranking guests such as foreign dignitaries and Queen Elizabeth II. Though the palace interior is off-limits, you can admire the exterior from Old Muscat’s harborfront. 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 visitors are permitted to stop near the gates and take photographs. Al Alam Palace is surrounded by the Mirani and Jalali Forts built in the 16th century by the Portuguese. The Palace is used for official functions and receiving distinguished visitors. In January 2012, the Sultan received Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands at Al Alam Palace during her state visit to Oman.

Royal Opera House has won over a wealth of fans since opening its doors back in 2011, claiming the title of the Gulf’s first opera house and cementing Oman’s reputation With its dramatic colonnaded façade, gold-inlaid marble interiors, and elaborate handcrafted stuccos, the inspired design of the Opera House is a fine example of contemporary Islamic architecture, constructed from the Omani desert rose stone and encircled by landscaped gardens. Commissioned by Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the 80,000 square-kilometer complex was designed to be as functional as it is stylish, with a state-of-the-art adjustable-acoustic auditorium and innovative subtitle touchscreens attached to each of its 1,100 seats. With its performance season running from September to June, the Royal Opera House has already cultivated a reputation for diversity with Western, Asian and Arab theater, opera and ballets all taking to the stage, as well as providing the home ground for the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra