Exploring Oman › Forts, souqs and things to do in Oman › Old Muscat & Al Alam Palace
Photo: Dr. Ondřej Havelka (cestovatel) · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Old Muscat & Al Alam Palace
The Sultan's palace, two Portuguese forts and the oldest quarter in the capital.
The original walled Muscat: the blue-and-gold Al Alam Palace flanked by the 16th-century Portuguese forts of Mirani and Jalali, with the National Museum across the square. An easy, beautiful city walk, and it connects to Mutrah along the corniche.
| Best for | The ceremonial heart of Muscat |
|---|---|
| Time needed | 1.5–2 hrs (more with the museum) |
| Vehicle | Any car, or walk from Mutrah |
| Entry | Palace viewed from outside; museum has a fee |
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How to get to Old Muscat & Al Alam Palace
- 10 min beyond Mutrah along the corniche road.
- Park by the National Museum square.
- Everything is within a few hundred metres on foot.
What you'll do
- Walk the palace approach, the mushroom-column facade is Muscat's most photographed frame after the mosque.
- Spot Mirani and Jalali forts guarding the old harbour on both sides.
- Do the National Museum if you want the country's story in ninety minutes.
Tell us your dates and how many you are and we'll connect you with an MHT-licensed tour operator, who organises and runs the trip.
WhatsApp Explores OmanThe guide is free. If you'd rather hand the planning to a licensed guide, send me your dates and I'll build your route: the order, the drives, where to sleep and what it costs. Every trip is different, so I quote each one.
Request a quote on WhatsAppTips from a local guide
- Combine with Mutrah: souq at dusk, corniche walk, Old Muscat in the golden hour.
- The palace is photographed from the plaza, you don't go inside.
What to bring
Good to have
- National Museum entry fee if you go in, worth it
- Walking shoes for the corniche loop
Old Muscat & Al Alam Palace: questions people ask
How long do you need at Old Muscat & Al Alam Palace?
1.5–2 hrs (more with the museum).
Do you need a 4x4 to reach Old Muscat & Al Alam Palace?
Any car, or walk from Mutrah.
Is Old Muscat & Al Alam Palace good for kids?
Yes, it works with children.
Open Old Muscat & Al Alam Palace in the guide app →
More near Muscat
- Qurum Beach, The city's beach, and better than a city beach has any right to be.
- Sidab & its hidden coves, The 100/10 coves. My favourite hike in Muscat, with some of the most beautiful views.
- Marjan Beach (Ras Al Hamra), Turtles grazing metres from the sand, inside the city, for free.
- Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, The one thing every visitor should do in Muscat.
- Mutrah Souq & Corniche, Old Muscat, best at dusk.
- Daymaniyat Islands, Oman's best reef, a boat ride from the city.
From Exploring Oman, a guide to Oman by Hussain, a licensed Omani tour guide (@hussain_explores). 67 places and two 1-day plans, free to read; the 3, 5 and 7-day routes are in the app.
If you face an issue or something is incorrect, please contact us and we will make the necessary adjustments.