Museum Guide
History & Culture – Heritage on display
Oman’s rich cultural heritage is well preserved in Muscat’s many museums. The Oman Museum in the Madinat Sultan Qaboos covers the entire sweep of Oman’s 5,000-year history with displays on shipbuilding, Islam and fort architecture.
Situated in Old Muscat, Bait Al Zubair is a museum in a traditional Omani house giving amazing glimpses of the lifestyle and traditions of ancient and modern Muscat. It is also available for private hire and provides a unique venue for cocktail parties or diners.
The Natural History Museum in Muscat has four main exhibit sections. These are: Oman, a country of varied physical features; Oman through geological ages; diversified wildlife of Oman; and whales and other sea creatures.
LIST OF MUSEUMS
BAIT AL ZUBAIR, Muscat
Situated in Old Muscat, Bait Al Zubair is a museum in a traditional Omani house giving amazing glimpses of the lifestyle and traditions of ancient and modern Muscat. It is also available for private hire and provides a unique venue for cocktail parties or diners.
Location: Al Saidiya Street. Go through Muscat Gate and it’s just after the bend on the right-hand side of the road. This privately-run Museum also has a traditional Omani “town house” (tours 1730 hours daily) and a small gift/book shop.
Open: Saturday – Thursday, 0930 – 1800 hours. Closed on Fridays.
entry fee: RO 1 (Foreigners) 500 Baisas (Omanis), admission to children below 10 years old is free.
phone: +968 247 36688
www.baitalzubairmuseum.com
OMAN MUSEUM, Qurum
The Oman Museum in the Madinat Sultan Qaboos covers the entire sweep of Oman’s 5,000-year history with displays on shipbuilding, Islam and fort architecture.
Location: Al Alam Street, behind the Ministry of Information. Operated by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture.
Open: Saturday – Wednesday, 0830-1330 hours, and Thursday 0930-1230 hours.
(October 1 to March 31 – also open from 1600-1800 hours).
entry fee: 500 Baisas (adults) 200 Baisas (children) and 100 Baisas (under 6-years)
phone: +968 246 00946
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, Qurum
Location: A’Sarooj/Shatti Al Qurum, Way 2601. The Museum is housed in one of the two dome-shaped buildings near the Qurum Natural Park. Operated by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture.
Open: Saturday to Thursday, 0900-1300 hours (October 1 to March 31 – also open from 1600-1800 hours)
entry fee: 500 Baisas (adults) 100 Baisas (children under 12 years)
phone: +968 246 05368
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, Al Khuwair
The Natural History Museum in Muscat has four main exhibit sections. These are: Oman, a country of varied physical features; Oman through geological ages; diversified wildlife of Oman; and whales and other sea creatures.
Location: the Ministry of Heritage and Culture Complex, Al Khuwair.
Open: Saturday – Thursday, 0900-1300 hours
entry fee: 500 Baisas (adults), 200 Baisas (children) and 100 Baisas (under 6 years)
phone: +968 246 41510
NATIONAL MUSEUM, Ruwi
The National Museum in Ruwi charts the ruling dynasty and has amazing displays of Omani silverwork. It contains valuable collections of Omani heritage treasures such as silver ornaments, copper crafts and samples of known Omani ships. In addition, it is also home to a holy relic in the form of a letter dating back to the 8th century, sent by Prophet Mohammed to the rulers of Oman, A’bd and Jaifer, sons of Al Julanda, inviting the people of Oman to Islam. There is also a special section displaying the belongings of the Al Busaidi dynasty, rulers of Zanzibar.
Location: above Islamic Library , Way 3123 (off A’Noor Street), Ruwi – same street as the Sultan Qaboos Mosque.
Operated by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture.
Open: Saturday – Thursday, 0900-1300 hours (October 1 to March 31 – also open from 1600-1800 hours)
entry fee: 500 Baisas (adults), 200 Baisas (children) and 100 Baisas (under 6-years)
phone: +968 247 01289
SULTAN’S ARMED FORCES MUSEUM, Ruwi
The Sultan’s Armed Forces Museum has an excellent outline of Omani military history.
Location: Bait Al Falaj, Al Mujamma Street, Ruwi, Operated by the Ministry of Defence.
Open: Saturday – Thursday, 0800-1330 hours
entry fee: RO 1 (adults), 500 Baisas (children). Military personnel are exempted.
phone: +968 243 12642
CURRENCY MUSEUM, CENTRAL BANK OF OMAN, Ruwi
Location: In a beautiful building in the Central Business District of Ruwi. An interesting and nicely displayed collection of coins, notes and much more.
Open: Saturday – Wednesday only, 0830-1230 hours
entry fee: 250 Baisas.
phone: +968 247 96102
OMANI-FRENCH MUSEUM (Bait Fransa), Muscat
Location: Lane 9310, Qasr Al Alam Street, Muscat. Operated by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture.
Open: Saturday – Thursday, 0900-1300 hours (October 1 to March 31 – also open from 1600-1800 hours).
entry fee: 500 Baisas (adults) and 200 Baisas (children, 6-12 years)
phone: +968 247 36613
MUSCAT GATE MUSEUM, Muscat
Location: On Al Bahri Road (continuation of Mutrah Corniche), in the Gate which spans the road. Operated by Muscat Municipality.
Parking – either turn right just before the Museum into Way 8845, or go under the Museum and follow signs into Riyam Street. There are some 50 steps to walk up but worth it to see this Museum which was opened in the year 2000.
Open: Saturday – Thursday, 0930-1230 hours, and from 1630-1900 hours.
phone: +968 993 28754
SOHAR FORT MUSEUM, Sohar
Operated by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture.
Open: Saturday – Thursday, 0900-1330 hours. (October 1 to March 31 – also open from 1600-1800 hours.
phone: +968 268 44758
NAKHAL FORT, Nakhal
A restored Fort on the Batinah coast containing an interesting display of historic guns. Operated by the Ministry of Tourism.
Open: Saturday – Thursday, 0900-1600 hours.
phone: +968 267 81384
BAIT NA’AMAN, Batinah Coast
A beautiful small castle/country house restored and furnished. Operated by Ministry of Heritage and Culture.
Open: Saturday – Wednesday, 0900-1330 hours.
phone: +968 246 41300 ext. 142
OIL AND GAS EXHIBITION CENTRE AND PLANETARIUM, Qurum
Situated in Seih Al Maleh Street, Qurum between Petroleum Development Oman (PDO Gate No.2) and Oman Oil’s Main office.
Open: Saturday to Wednesdays, 0700-1200 and 1300-1545, and on Thursday 0800-1200. No entry fee.
phone: +968 246 77834
Planetarium: In 2000 it was built as an annex to the Oil and Gas Exhibition Centre, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. There is a spectacular one-hour film show in Arabic/English at the Planetarium on Wednesday evening at 1700 and 1900 hours, and on Thursday mornings at 1000 and 1100 hours.
Book advance, phone: +968 246 75542
BAIT AL MAKHAM, Bausher, Muscat
Open: Saturday – Wednesday, 0800-1400 hours.
entry fee: 500 Baisas.
phone: Director of Forts, Ministry of Heritage and Culture on +968 246 41300 ext. 142
