Must-See Museums in Muscat

From the Land of Frankincense Museum to the Sultan's Armed Forces Museum, there are fascinating places to visit.

2 min read•May 11, 2018•By Zoë Smith

Hi, I'm Zoë!

Zoë Smith is a British travel writer, editor, and digital content creator who has lived, worked, and traveled over six continents, and is currently based near Nantes, France. She has written for Rough Guides, CNN, and Culture Trip, and is digital editor at FrenchEntrée.

The cultural epicenter of Oman, Muscat is home to museums as varied as the city itself—you’ll find tributes to everything from art and history to traditional crafts. Here are some of the best to add to your itinerary.

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Bait Al Zubair Museum

Outside the Bait Al Zubair Museum. | Photo Credit: The Marble World / Shutterstock

Located at the heart of the Old Town, the Bait Al Zubair Museum is one of the most-visited Muscat attractions; it houses the extensive private collection of the Al Zubair family. Inside, a series of colorful exhibitions showcase traditional Omani crafts, furniture, weaponry, household items, and clothing, as well models of an Omani-style village and souk.

Land of Frankincense Museum

The Land of Frankincense Museum on a bright day. | Photo Credit: Matyas Rehak / Shutterstock

Those exploring the Al-Baleed Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, will want to stop at the park’s Land of Frankincense Museum. You can learn all about the fascinating history of the ancient Islamic city and the importance of frankincense, one of Oman’s most lucrative exports, and see archaeological finds from Al-Baleed, Sumahram, and Wabar.

The Sultan's Armed Forces Museum is in a fort. | Photo Credit: Hamdan Yoshida / Shutterstock

Housed in the imposing Bait Al Falaj Fort, the Sultan's Armed Forces Museum is one of the most comprehensive military museums on the Arabian Peninsula. It showcases an enormous collection of military artifacts, weaponry, and vehicles, most notably a bulletproof Cadillac once belonging to Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

The National Museum

The National Museum and its beautiful exhibits. | Photo Credit: Sun_Shine / Shutterstock

The National Museum, which opened in 2013, chronicles Oman’s cultural history and heritage and showcases a wide collection of artifacts relating to the Sultanate of Oman. The museum also includes exhibitions on Omani arms and armor, currency, prehistory and ancient history, among many topics.