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Muscat

Unlike its flashy neighbours, the sleepy demeanour of the Sultanate of Oman's capital, Muscat, means there are no cranes filling the horizons working on the world's glitziest buildings. Instead, this Arabian town's clear blue skies are adorned with the camel-coloured Al Hajjar mountains, which become a beguiling burnt orange when the sun sets. Long stretches of clean beaches are idyllic spots for diving and swimming.
 

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Essentials

01 Throw away your phrase book, English is widely spoken.
02 Omanis are welcoming, polite and well-mannered. Expect to be invited in for coffee and dates.
03 They've got a great sense of humour so expect to share a joke.
04 It's the land of the Queen of Sheeba, Sinbad the Sailor and Vasco da Gama's famous navigator Ahmed Ibn Majid
05 Men should not offer to shake hands when greeting women and vice versa.

Hotels

Independent and easy
Midan Hotel Suites
Building 259,
Way 3205,
Al Mareefah Street
Al Ghubrah North
+ 968 2 449 9565

midanoman.com

Big chain
Shangri-La
Barr Al Jissah
Resort & Spa
Kantab, PO Box 644, Postal Code 113
+ 968 2 477 6666
shangri-la.com 

Premium
The Chedi
PO Box 964,
Al Khuwair,
Postal Code 133
+ 968 2 452 4400
ghmhotels.com


Dining

Fast breakfast
Food and Juice Centre
Muttrah Corniche
+ 968 2 432 0750

Business breakfast
The Restaurant  at the Chedi
Al Ghubra
+ 968 2 452 4400
ghmhotels.com

Mid-morning coffee
Olivos Coffee Shop
1 Radisson SAS,
PO Box 939,
Al Khuwair, 
+ 968 2 448 7777
muscat.radissonsas.com

Lunch with friends
Bin Ateeq
Al Khuwair
+ 968 2 447 8225
binateeq.omanlist.com

Picnic spot
Qurum Beach
Muscat, 10 miles from Muscat's airport.

Lunch on your own
Tokyo Taro Sushi
Al Falaj Hotel, Ruwi
+ 968 2 470 2311
alfalajhotel.com

Sunset cocktail
The Beach Pavillion
Al Bustan Palace, Muttrah
+ 968 2 479 9666
ichotelsgroup.com

Dinner for two
Shiraz Restaurant
Crowne Plaza Hotel, PO Box 1455
+ 968 2 466 0660
ichotelsgroup.com

Dinner with friends
Mumtaz Mahal
Way 2601 near Qurm Nature Reserve
+ 968 2 460 5907
akgc.net/mumtaz.php

Big dinner with friends
Shahrazad
Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa,
Qantab
+ 968 2 477 6565

Barbecue/al fresco
The Arabian
Courtyard at the Chedi
Al Ghubra
+ 968 2 452 4400
ghmhotels.com

Drinks after dinner
Trader Vics
Intercontinental Hotel, PO Box 398, Postal Code 114  
+ 968 2 468 0080
tradervics.com

Late drinks
The Long Bar & Xyro (until 02.00)
Shangri-La Barr
Al Jissah
+ 968 2 477 6666
shangri-la.com

On the tiles
Copacabana
Grand Hyatt
+ 968 2 464 1234
muscat.grand.hyatt.com

Reading
Bookshop
Borders
Muscat City Centre
+ 968 2 455 8089
borders.com

Basics
Muscat Pharmacy
Al Hail (open 24 hours)
+ 968 2 481 4501
muscatpharmacy.net

Thank yous
Cupcakes
Sprinkles
9635 Little Santa Monica Boulevard,
Beverly Hillsp
+ 1 310 274 8765
sprinkles.com

Shopping
Something you can't get anywhere else
Furniture from Blackman Cruz
836 North Highland Ave
+ 1 323 466 8600
blackmancruz.com

Lost luggage - where to buy shirts, socks and underwear
Fred Segal
420 Broadway, Santa Monica
+ 1 310 458 2800
fredsegal.com

Something for the kids
Toys from Acorn Store
1220 5th Street, Santa Monica
+ 1 310 451 5845
theacornstore.com

Something for someone you love
Monocle Shop
225 26th Street 19B, Santa Monica
+ 1 310 395 4180

Amouage
Niche luxury fragrance house, inspired by frankincense grown in Oman
amouage.com

Something for yourself
Opening Ceremony
451 North La Cienega Boulevard
+ 1 310 652 1120
openingceremony.us

Two-hour tour

01
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat
Contains the world's largest Persian carpet. Open to non-Muslims from 08.00 to 11.00 daily except Fridays and holidays. Men must wear long-sleeved shirts and women must cover their hair and body.

02
Muttrah Souk
Where you can buy Arabian attars (essential oils).

03
Tour Muscat's Al Mirani and Al Jalali Forts
Check with hotel for which company to use.

Limousine/car
Sixt Car Rentals
e-sixt.com

Transport
Car rental
Avoid overpriced taxis. There are several rental car companies at the airport.
omanairports.com/transport.asp

Fitness
Good gym
Day of Paradise
Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa. Non-guests pay 20 Rials (€30) for use of pool, gym and beach.
 + 968 2 477 6666
shangri-la.com