Oman to Cologne

Muscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman, has a character quite different from the other flashy emirate capitals. There are very few high rise buildings, and even the utilitarian edifices in the city reflect tradition using domes or Arab architecture style windows. The result is a stunningly beautiful and uniform city showcasing a fair blend of culture and modernization.

The Omani capital is famous for its sparkling souks and mouth-watering seafood, but something about Muscat that sets it apart from its neighbours is the cliff-top landmarks and thrilling terrains. Muscat means “safe anchorage,” and the sea plays an imperative role in the lives of the city residents, by helping sustain the fishing industry and providing opportunities for visitors to swim alongside the turtles in the lagoons. The economy of the country is dominated by trade, petroleum, and porting.

How to reach Muscat

By Air – The Muscat International Airport is the only international airport. Air India Express offers flights to Muscat from Amritsar, Delhi, Kochi, Kozhikode, and Thiruvananthapuram. For travelling from outside of India, one can choose from operators like Oman Air, British Airways, Gulf Air, Lufthansa, and Emirates, depending upon where they are travelling from.

By Bus – One can hop on any of the buses by the Omar National Transport Company to travel to Muscat from Dubai or Abu Dhabi. There are a few other bus services that run to and from Muscat on a daily basis.

By Car – One can drive to Muscat from the United Arab Emirates, which takes about 6 hours. There is another route from Al Ghaydah, Yemen, which takes about 6 hours via the border-crossing at Sarfeit to Saraha, and another 10 hours to reach Muscat. There are many car rental services available in the city. One can use the driving license from their home country to drive around Muscat for up to 90 days.

What to do in Muscat

Muscat, the beautiful capital of the Sultanate of Oman, is a vibrant place to visit. It is embedded between the Arabian Sea and the rugged Hajar Mountains. The city is actually a collection of smaller towns that have grown together over time. The area of Muttrah, where most tourists gather, is surrounded by rocky outcrops surrounding a cosy port. The development of the Royal Opera House is another feather in the cap of the city’s contribution to the global cultural map. There are incredible places to visit and amazing things to do in Muscat. Some of them are as follows:

The Royal Opera House

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

The National Museum

Al Alam Palace

Marina Bandar Al Rowdha

Mutrah Souq

Bait Al Zubair

Sultan’s Palace

Mutrah Corniche

Ghalya Museum of Modern Art

Oman Grand Canyons

The Batinah Coast

Museum of Illusions

Muscat Gate Museum

Al Jalali Fort

Omani French Museum

Omani Children’s Museum

The Sultan’s Armed Forces Museum

Enjoy water sports

Eat at Al Angham Restaurant

Relax at some of Muscat’s secret beaches

Eat out at the streets of Ruwi

Go on a Muscat Hop-on Hop-off bus tour

Go on a Wahiba sands tour

Go on a dolphin cruise

Visit the Chedi

The many sightseeing options in the city will unravel its mysteries, and enthusiasts can opt from a wide range of tours provided by various operators. These tours to help the tourists to understand more about Muscat’s roots, and unveil the true beauty of the Omani capital.

Major Airports in and Around Muscat

The Muscat International Airport is the sole international airport that connects Muscat to the rest of the world. Oman Air is the primary carrier of Muscat. The other airlines that operate in Muscat include Air Arabia, Air India Express, British Airways, Egypt Air, Etihad, Emirates, Fly Dubai, Gulf Air, KLM, Quwait Airways, and Qatar Airways.

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Germany's fourth largest city, Cologne is located on both sides of Rhine River. It is considered to be one of the most liberal cities in Germany and is the hotspot for nation's media, tourism and business. The inner city was completely destroyed in the World War II and the reconstruction resulted in a very mixed and unique cityscape. People of this city are friendly and jovial in nature, welcoming tourists of all types and with all interests. The city is an important cultural and research centre and home to number of corporate headquarters. The University of Cologne is one of the oldest and largest universities in Europe. The city has a long list of sightseeing attractions. The city has more than thirty museums and hundreds of galleries. It is a major cultural centre and has a vibrant art scene. The Cologne Cathedral is one of the most famous monument and a respected landmark and was designated as a World Heritage Site. Twelve Romanesque Churches are outstanding examples of medieval church architecture. The city has park areas that encircle the entire town and are set aside as public recreation areas. The city has an excellent local transportation system consisting of trams, local trains, buses and bicycles. The strong side of this city is its cultural life. The Cologne Carnival is one of the biggest street festivals in Europe. The city is an important trade city with land, sea and air connections. High Street is the main shopping street and contains many gift shops, clothing stores, fast food restaurants and electronic goods dealers. Schildergasse has been named as the busiest shopping street in Europe with almost 13000 people passing through every hour. The city has a wide variety of restaurants, clubs, pubs and bars serving every cuisine. Weekend trips to this destination are very easy to arrange by booking cheap air tickets from MakeMyTrip.com. The website offers you with host of travel services such as hotels, flights and holiday tours. MakeMyTrip.com gives you the freedom to book holiday packages that values your money and are easily suited to your needs and budget.