Muscat, the capital of Oman, is a sprawling city with a mix of historic and modern neighborhoods. Stroll along the corniche, explore the lively Mutrah Souk, and climb Mutrah Fort for a panoramic view of the city and the harbor. The absolute highlight of Muscat, however, is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, an impressive architectural masterpiece built of snow-white sandstone and surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens. The exterior of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is photogenic thanks to its tall white arches and five minarets, while the serene courtyards and corridors with their unique vistas invite you to take plenty of photos.
Inside, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is just as spectacular. The enormous prayer hall for men can accommodate thousands of worshippers and is lavishly decorated with the second-largest Persian carpet in the world (70 x 60 meters, hand-knotted by 600 women over four years) and a gigantic 8-ton Swarovski chandelier featuring 1,122 lights. The smaller prayer hall for women is also beautiful, though less spacious. In total, up to 20,000 people can pray at the same time. For non-Muslims, the mosque is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., provided that appropriate attire is worn. The Sultan Qaboos Mosque is one of Muscat’s most beautiful highlights.
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque will be visited during the Saudi Arabia and Oman Tour, as well as during the 9-day Oman Highlights Tour .
Get inspired by one of the other highlights in Saudi Arabia
