Outwardly, Oman shares many of the cultural characteristics of its Arab neighbors, particularly those in the Gulf Cooperation Council. Despite these similarities, important factors make Oman unique in the Middle East. These result as much from geography and history as from culture and economics. The relatively recent and artificial nature of the state of Oman makes it difficult to describe a national culture; however, sufficient cultural heterogeneity exists within its national boundaries to make Oman distinct from other Arab States of the Persian Gulf. Oman’s cultural diversity is greater than that of its Arab neighbors, given its historical expansion to the Swahili Coast and the Indian Ocean.

The city has numerous mosques including the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Ruwi Mosque, Saeed bin Taimoor and Zawawi Mosque. A few Shi’ite mosques also exist here. Muscat has a number of museums. The Bait Al Falaj Fort played an important role in Muscat’s military history.

West of Muscat is the world’s largest uninterrupted sand desert. It extends across the Arabian Peninsula and is a tourism hub. It is covering not only parts of Oman but neighboring Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates. Experience the endless desert is not a bad idea.

Muscat is a port city, so viewing the mid-air acrobatics of spinner dolphins on a boat tour around the Gulf of Oman is worth trying. Many people come to Mutrah Corniche just to visit the souq, which retains the chaotic interest of a traditional Arab market albeit housed under modern timber roofing. Shops selling Omani and Indian artifacts together with a few antiques jostle among more traditional textile, hardware, and jewelry stores.

While grilled meats, hummus, and flatbreads are heaped onto many a restaurant table, Muscat is primarily a city of seafood lovers. The stand-out dish is kingfish curry. Chunks of fresh fish simmered in a broth of coconut, turmeric, ginger, and garlic.

Dine on the catch of the day overlooking the swaying yachts at the Blue Marlin restaurant in the marina. Even the most ravenous travelers will be satisfied by platters heaped with grilled tuna, prawns, kingfish, and a whopping lobster.

According to the Internet