Old Muscat is the historic walled city, a small cove boxed in by jagged mountains a few kilometres east of Mutrah. For centuries it was the seat of Oman’s rulers and the only way in was by sea or over the mountain passes. The Portuguese, who held the town for much of the 16th and 17th centuries, built the twin forts of Al Jalali and Al Mirani on the rocks either side of the harbour.
Between them stands Al Alam Palace, the Sultan’s ceremonial palace, with its striking blue-and-gold columns. It is not open to the public, but you can walk up to the gates and along the colonnaded plaza in front. Today Old Muscat is quiet, clean and full of government buildings — and home to the best museums in the country.
Top things to do at Old Muscat
See Al Alam Palace from the gates
The palace plaza is open to walk around, and the view of the blue-and-gold facade with Jalali and Mirani forts on either side is the classic Old Muscat photograph. Visit in the morning or late afternoon for softer light.
Spend two hours in the National Museum
The National Museum of Oman, facing the palace, is the best introduction to the country’s history anywhere.
Visit Bait Al Zubair
A private museum in a restored family house, with superb collections of khanjars, traditional costume, jewellery and old photographs, plus a garden with a model village and falaj. Allow an hour; there is a small café.
Walk to Muscat Gate and the viewpoints
The Muscat Gate Museum sits in a stretch of the old city walls on the road from Mutrah and tells the story of the city. Nearby, footpaths climb to watchtowers with views over the cove.
How to get to Old Muscat
- From Mutrah: about 3 km along the coast road — 10 minutes by taxi or a pleasant evening walk.
- From Qurum or the Grand Mosque: 30–40 minutes by taxi.
- On a tour: all the half-day city tours stop at Al Alam Palace.
Insider tips
- Al Jalali and Al Mirani forts are generally closed to the public; photograph them from the palace plaza or from a boat.
- Combine Old Muscat, the National Museum and Bait Al Zubair in one morning, then taxi to Mutrah for lunch.
- There is little shade on the plaza — visit early or late in the warmer months.
- Bait Al Zubair and some museums close on Fridays or open only in the afternoon; check before you go.
Best tours & tickets for Old Muscat
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to see Old Muscat:
City tour from €79 Muscat: Guided Landmarks Tour
A thorough five-hour introduction to Muscat that allows more time at each stop than the quicker city tours — the Grand Mosque’s prayer halls, the Opera House, the forts of Old Muscat and a wander through Mutrah Souq.
- Grand Mosque with a guide
- Royal Opera House Muscat
- Old Muscat’s forts and Mutrah Souq
City tour from €62 Muscat: Full-Day City Tour
The complete city in a day: the Grand Mosque in the morning, the Opera House, the galleries of the National Museum, Al Alam Palace and time to walk the Mutrah Corniche and souq.
- Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
- National Museum of Oman
- Royal Opera House and Mutrah Corniche
Boat trip from €53 Muscat: Omani Dhow Coastal and Sunset Cruise
A gentle two hours along Muscat’s rugged coastline on a traditional wooden dhow, with drinks aboard and the mountains turning pink behind the city as the sun goes down. Optional hotel pickup makes it an easy evening.
- Sail aboard a traditional wooden dhow
- Cliffs, coves and forts from the water
- Sunset over the Sea of Oman
