Old Muscat & Al-Alam Palace★★
Old Muscat — The Cradle of the Capital
The historic Old Muscat (Muscat City) is tiny — squeezed between two Portuguese forts for a few hundred meters — but rich in history. This was the heart of the Omani empire, where the Portuguese landed in 1507, and where sultans resided for centuries.
Al-Alam Palace
The Al-Alam Palace is the ceremonial residence of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. A surprisingly colorful building with golden and blue facade elements — built in 1972 by Sultan Qaboos as a symbol of modernization. The palace can only be viewed from the outside, but the perspective through the manicured gardens with the forts in the background is photogenic.
Portuguese Forts
The palace is flanked by two mighty Portuguese fortresses from the 16th century:
- Fort Jalali (Al-Jalali): Perched on a rocky outcrop above the sea. Used as a prison and now a museum (accessible only with special permission).
- Fort Mirani (Al-Mirani): Located opposite, also on a rock. Used by the military and not open to the public. The exterior view is still impressive.
Both forts were built by the Portuguese, who occupied Muscat from 1507 to 1650 and used the port as a base for their India trade. The Imam Ya'rubi dynasty eventually expelled them — marking the beginning of the Omani Empire.
Bait Al Zubair Museum
The Bait Al Zubair in a historic residence showcases Omani culture in all its facets: Traditional clothing, weapons (Khanjar daggers), jewelry, everyday items, and photographs of Oman before modernization. A small but fine museum that helps you understand the country better.
Walking Tour: Old Muscat
Duration: 1.5–2 hours | Best Time: Mornings 8:00–10:00 AM (cool, good light)
1. Bait Al Zubair Museum (Start)
Start with the museum to get context for everything else. The exhibition on traditional clothing, weapons, and daily life prepares you for what you see in the streets. Allow 45 minutes.
2. Al-Alam Palace
200 meters further: The colorful ceremonial palace, flanked by manicured gardens. Photograph from the outside (close-ups of the facade allowed, but do not include guards in the picture). Note the golden and blue color elements — unusual for the otherwise restrained Omani architecture.
3. Fort Jalali
Left of the palace on a rock: The Portuguese fort from the 16th century. Imposing from the outside, accessible only with special permission. Clearly visible from the road below. The staircase in the rock is an architectural marvel.
4. Fort Mirani
Right of the palace: The twin fort. Used militarily, not accessible, but the exterior view from the coastal road is impressive. Together with Fort Jalali and the palace, it forms one of Muscat's most iconic views.
5. Corniche of Old Muscat
The short coastal path between the forts offers dramatic views: rocks, turquoise sea, and the white buildings of the old town. It's almost always quiet here — unlike the Mutrah Corniche, you often have Old Muscat almost to yourself.
6. Gates Museum (optional)
At the city gate of Old Muscat: A small museum about the history of the city gates and fortifications. Free, 20 minutes.
