Often being compared against two of the Middle East’s mega-cities, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Muscat may not match them in size but it certainly has its own charm and draw. While its neighboring cities are filled to the brim with the pulse of the future, the capital of Oman embraces the rhythm of the past while quietly building on its optimistic present.
According to regulations issued by the Sultan, new buildings can’t be more than seven stories high, leaving just scattering of old buildings that rise up above this old port-town. The buildings in Muscat are neatly arranged in the country’s traditional white-painted style and, flanked by the arid mountains, they evoke the image of eggs in a bird's nest.
Under the rule of Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said the country has become a prosperous and peaceful nation with a modernised culture. Muscat is home to many locals who have moved from the villages for a better life and the area radiates a relaxed energy which ensures visitors feel safe.
An exotic, historic, unusual, and adventurous experience is packed into the small package that is Muscat. The desert merges into rugged mountainous coastlines and beaches which provide bases for water sports and diving while old forts every few miles look out over green valleys.
