I was told that the capital of Oman, Muscat, is capable of surprising and impressing even the most experienced traveler. And, indeed, the city and its surroundings fascinate with their history, unique architecture and culture.

Walking around the city, the first thing I noticed was its cleanliness. Muscat literally sparkles, which is why many foreigners call it the pearl of Arabia. Although even before 1970 there was only one paved road here, and there were no schools, health facilities and a transport system in the country. Everything changed when Qaboos bin Said Al Said, the son of the previous ruler, came to power.

One of the main attractions of the city is the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, considered the third largest in the world. Its construction lasted six years and was completed in 2001. The interior is decorated with marble, ceramic patterns decorate the frames, and in the main prayer hall hangs a huge chandelier with Swarovski crystals, of which there are more than 600 thousand. The sight is amazing.

The Royal Opera House on Sultan Qaboos Street is a must-visit. Today it is Oman’s main venue for music and cultural events. By the way, the total cost of the construction of the theater is still a mystery, there are only guesses how much the construction cost, and even those are far from the real figure.

If you want to plunge into the atmosphere of the east, buy aromatic oils, national clothes, oriental jewelry, decorative items and much more, then it is worth visiting the old Matrah Suk market.

Oman represents a multitude of cultures and eras, intertwined from various countries and continents. It was once one of the centers for the trade in silk and spices. And even earlier, it was from these lands that Sinbad the sailor went on great voyages.

If you go from Muscat towards the Hajar Mountains, you can look into a place called Birkat al-Mauz. It will be hard to believe, but even before 1970 it was a residential village, the locals lived in clay shacks, and the water supply system was public. Today there are… ruins.

In addition to its rich cultural component, Oman is struck by the beauty of nature: mountain ranges, date and pomegranate gardens, wadis (dry riverbeds) and deserts…

Going up into the mountains, in the town of Jabal al-Akhdar, you can go hiking and get acquainted with the villages located on the slopes. And going down to the foot of the Hajar mountains, you can visit the city of Nizwa. In ancient times, it was a trade and economic hub, and now it is a full—fledged tourist and cultural center. The local bazaar has a huge selection of dates, halva and spices.

Over the long centuries of Nizwa’s existence, many fortresses have been built in the city, but the most important attraction is the fort with the same name. It is a mighty round tower built in the XVII century, up to 30 m high.

To get to the oasis of Wadi Shaab, you will first have to overcome a 3 km long path through mountainous terrain. Along the way, there are amazing landscapes that sometimes resemble Martian ones.

In addition to its unique nature and attractions, Oman is famous for its luxury hotels, sandy coves and diverse cuisine. Oman is also known as the country of perfumes. It has its own brand of perfumes, which was created by order of Sultan Qaboos. Tourists can visit the perfume factory in Muscat.

Oman is a wonderful country with its own unique culture and customs. To be honest, it’s not so easy to surprise me: I’ve been to various countries, but Oman is like a fairy tale about Princess Jasmine and Aladdin come to life. It has everything: mountains, abandoned villages, incredibly beautiful clothes and amazing cuisine.