Muscat Attraction Tours: Museums and Forts
Travel advisory: Oman has been drawn into the 2026 conflict between the United States and Iran. At the time of writing, the UK Foreign Office does not advise against travel to Oman, but it reports strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran across the region, Oman included, since 8 July, and warns that terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out. The US State Department rates Oman Level 3, “Reconsider Travel”, with the Yemen border area at Do Not Travel. The capital’s airport and main attractions are operating and no strikes on Muscat are reported, though flight cancellations and airspace closures are possible. Stay away from military and security sites and do not photograph them. Read the UK FCDO advice and the US State Department advisory before you book and again before you fly.
Muscat’s main indoor attractions are spread over three zones: Old Muscat, central Muscat and the western suburbs. Group the stops by zone, take taxis between zones, and expect the cooler morning hours to be the easiest time to visit. Fees below are in Omani rials (OMR, about US$2.60 each).
Royal Opera House Muscat tours
Opened in 2011, the opera house runs guided tours from Saturday to Thursday between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm, subject to auditorium availability. One building, either the opera house or the House of Musical Arts, costs OMR 3.15 for adults and OMR 1.05 for children. Both buildings cost OMR 4.20 for adults and OMR 2.10 for children. Groups of ten or more pay OMR 2.10 per person for one building or OMR 3.68 for both. A private tour in working hours is OMR 7.35 per person including VAT, and a private visit after hours or on a Friday, for a minimum of ten people, is OMR 21 per person. Book on +968 24403300 or at tours@rohmuscat.org.om , and see the tours page .
National Museum of Oman
The museum in Old Muscat, opposite Al Alam Palace, opened in 2016 and shows more than 7,000 artefacts across 14 galleries. It is open Saturday to Thursday from 10 am to 5 pm, with last entry at 4:30 pm. Friday hours vary, so check first. Tourists pay OMR 5, foreign residents OMR 2, and Omani and GCC citizens OMR 1. Children under 6 and students are free. The ticket desk takes Visa and Mastercard only, with no cash, American Express or dollars. Details are on the museum site .
Bait Al Zubair
This museum on Al Saidiya Street in Old Muscat was established in 1998. It holds khanjars, weapons, jewellery and costume, with a garden and cafe. Foreign visitors pay OMR 3.200 including VAT and children enter free. Opening hours are about 9 am to 5 pm, closed Friday. Tickets are sold at the Bait Al Zubair booking page .
Al Mirani Fort
Al Mirani Fort is open daily and entry is ticketed, at the on-site reception. Opening hours are 8 am to midnight, and the fort has a weapons museum, an open-air theatre and views over the bay. Foreign visitors have been quoted about OMR 10, so check the price on arrival. Guided tours can be arranged at reception. Al Jalali Fort across the water has no public interior, so view it from the harbour.
Amouage visitor centre
The Amouage perfume factory in Rusayl, Seeb, takes visitors on guided tours, reportedly Sunday to Thursday from about 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Book ahead, because you need a car or taxi to reach it, and ask about the price when you do.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
The mosque in Bawshar is about 20 km or more by road from Muttrah and Old Muscat, so give it its own morning. It was inaugurated in 2001 and has a dome 50 m above the floor and five minarets. Non-Muslim visitors are welcome every day except Friday, from about 8:30 to 11:00 am, and you should arrive early. The Ministry of Tourism lists an admission fee of OMR 8, introduced in January 2025, so check the current price before you go. Dress modestly: cover shoulders, arms and knees, and women cover their hair. Abayas and headscarves are available at the entrance. See the mosque website .
For a guided city circuit, browse Muscat city tours .
Read more: sightseeing in Muscat and bus tours in Muscat .