The capital of Oman is Muscat. Many times this city has been chosen as the most beautiful city in the Arabian Gulf. Since ancient times this city has been known as the centre of shipbuilding and navigation. It is also the main resort of the country. The city consists of three main areas: Muscat, where the administrative establishments of the country are concentrated, the trading quarter, Muttrah and the business district, Ruwi.

The gorgeous Al-Alam palace, the principal residence of the Sultan, Qaboos bin Said Al-Said, is the centre of old Muscat. Perhaps Muttrah's trading area is the most picturesque place in Muscat. It is located on the sea-front promenade or Corniche, which runs like half moon along the capital harbour, decorated in marble with fountains and cosy gazeboes. The Corniche begins with stocky buildings of the old fish market where since early morning busy fishermen display their silver catch for sale. The many ancient houses on the shoreline used to belong to prosperous traders and were built in the traditional Omani style, decorated with elegant latticed balconies - musharabbias. Immediately behind these buildings are found the twisting streets of the lively oriental bazaar, Muttrah Souq, which disappears into the distance. This is the main place in the city where curve Omani daggers (khanjars), spicy jelly (halwah), fragrant coffee with cardamom, all manner of textiles, jewellery, traditional Omani perfumes and frankincense - the most valuable Omani souvenir - are sold.

But perhaps the most impressive sight in Muscat is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, which is located in the Ghubra area. It was built over a period of eight years, funded by the private means of the Sultan, and is the third biggest mosque in the world, after the huge Saudi mosques in Mecca and Medina. The mosque is very beautiful, especially at night, when its grey marble fade merges into the mysterious light, and all the minarets and its huge dome are lit with a radiant yellow colour.

If you want to explore the old history and traditions of Oman you have to go to Nizwa, the capital of the Dakhiliyah Interior) Region and one of the best known cities of Oman. It lies at the foot of the Hadjar Mountains. Sacred Nizwa was the former residence of the Imams (the religious rulers of the country) and one of the oldest capitals of Oman. It is recognized as the spiritual centre of the Sultanate. It is worth getting up early just to see the Friday animal market in Nizwa. What you will see is like a real theatre scene where the animals and the sellers play their roles. All of the livestock is located in a circle drawn on the ground. Sellers drag the resisting animals with all their force, while buyers look critically at every cow or goat searching for the best one. The real show starts when the buyer has to bargain with the seller for a fair price. They both get dissatisfied, the buyer leaves, comes back, starts negotiating again and again, and then, finally, they settle on a fair price suitable for the seller and the buyer. The show is spectacular and inexpressible!

Bahla
The city of Bahla is located 40 kilometers from Nizwa. The city is rumored to be full of sorcerers and genies. In the oldest part of the market you can even see a very old scraggy tree which has been chained to the ground. The locals say that this tree is a meeting place for genies and they believe that if not for the chains the genies would take it away. Bahla is also famous for its 13km of fortress wall and traditional pottery

Dhofar, the southern province of Oman, is one of the most unusual places in the Middle East. Most of the Province lies in the path of the seasonal monsoon (moist winds), which blow from June till the end of September. The monsoon season is called the kharifa, which means "autumn". While the rest of the Arabian Peninsula swelters in the searing summer heat, in Dhofar it is fresh and comfortable and the temperatures seldom exceed 30ºC. The wind brings periodical, but plentiful rain, and Salalah, a former capital of Oman and, nowadays, the main city of the Province, becomes green; the rivers in mountains fill with water and cascade through gorges and over impressive waterfalls. Besides this welcome opportunity escape from the heat, one has the chance to go scuba diving or snorkelling to explore the rich underwater world of the Indian Ocean. It is possible to see ancient frankincense trees, as well as the beautiful ruins of the palace of the Queen of Sheba and to visit the tombs of prophets. The coast to the north of Salalah has secluded lagoons with mangrove trees, pink flamingos and cormorants. At the end of the monsoon season you can even hear the nightingale warble!

This Omani province is located in the far north, it is a small piece of land situated between UAE and the Strait of Hormuz. It is often called the Omani Norway. This little-known area posses a unique natural phenomenon - an intricate labyrinth of tiny islands, fjords and skerries, abounding turquoise inlets and secluded bays. This province is simply ideal for bathing. You can even reach these islands by sailing on a traditional Arabian dhow (sailing boat). Omanis consider the Musandam as a very peaceful place. The province is very small only three thousand square kilometers mostly consisting of high mountains. One of them is Jebel Khadjar, where mountain goats, tahrs and leopards can be found. Acacia trees, jujubes, wild almonds and mountain wormwood grow there. The Musandam is enclosed on all sides by the UAE and it is possible to reach it by road from the UAE, by plane to its capital, Khasab or by high speed ferry from Muscat sea port.