Opened on 16th December 2006, the name of this building literally translates as "Villa with a Verandah". Situated after the port roundabout, on the right side just before the fish roundabout on the Muttrah corniche. It is inter-active and contains the history of Muscat, and is administered by  Muscat Municipality.  
The Museum present the story of Muscat include plate tectonics and scenic diversity in Muscat (geology); ancient life in Muscat; earliest human settlements from 10,000 BC to the early Islamic era; Muscat in the words of geographers and travelers; Muscat from the 1st century to 1744 AD; Al Bu Said dynasty; Muscat the harbour; Muscat today: The challenge and the achievement; and folk arts of Muscat. Where adopted in providing this information, with state-of-the art technology to provide an interactive briefing to visitors.

Bait al Baranda  become a part of Omani landmarks that would embody and preserve the memories of Muscat city and introduce the history of the city and contribute to cultural activities.
To ensure the perfection of renovation work, a specialized Omani institution to conduct historical research that was carried out by university researchers who verified historical facts from more than 2,500 references and documents in libraries and
archives in Oman and abroad.

Opening hours: (Sat to Thurs)0900 to 1300 hrs and 1600-1800 hrs
Entry fee:  R.O 1.000(adults), 500 bzs (children )(children under 4 years are not allowed).
Telephone: 24714262
Fax: 24714261

Operated by the Ministry of Tourism, this restored Fort on the Batinah coast contains an interesting display of Historic guns. Located one hundred miles southwest of Muscat, this fort was built between 1670 and 1680 to protect a local oasis and trade routes passing through the regional capital of Nizwa. The fort and a weekly goat auction market every Friday attracts local Bedouin are reminders of the past in an otherwise modern city.

Location: On Nakhal town 1 ½ hrs from Muscat.
Opening Times: Saturday - Thursday from 9am - 4pm.
 Telephone: +96826781384.

Salalah Museum

This museum displays rich collection of inscriptions on large stone slabs and rocks. Most of these inscriptions were found in Khor Rori where excavations unearthed the Port City of Sumharam. The ancient inscriptions are in southern Arabic and were used in Dhofar and Yemen in the pre-Islamic times. Ancient Dhofari inscriptions have also been found in many caves in the region. Also a range of local artefacts and costumes of Dhofar are also displayed.
Location:  In Salalah 1 ½ hrs from Muscat by flight or 10-12 hours by road.
Timings: Saturday – Thursday from 7:30am -2:30pm.
Entry fees: Free Entry.
Tel: +96823294549.

Sohar Fort

Opened in February 1993, it consists of six sections - private facilities used by the inmates of the fort, exhibits of the ancient copper trade in Sohar, tomb of late Sayyed Thuwaini bin Said Al Busaidi (1866), an underground passage, exhibits showing importance of ancient Sohar city, its history of navigation and overseas trade with Canton city in China, archaeological evidences of Sohar town and the events witnessed by it.
Location:  In Sohar 1 ½ hrs from Muscat.
Timings: Saturday – Thursday from 9am – 1.30pm & 4 – 6pm) (under renovation)
Entry fees: RO 1 (expats), 500 Bzs (Omanis), 250 Bzs (children)
Tel: +96826844758

Land of Frankincense

Opened on 23rd of July 2007, this museum contains two halls, the History Hall and the Maritime Hall. The History Hall consists of six sections. Section One embodies the Sultanate’s geography: the country’s long coastline which has been the venue of important events and a gateway for contact with other nations.

Section Two entitled ‘Oman in Ancient Times’ recounts tales of settlement and episodes of human civilisation and activities such as fishing, farming, herding and the making of pottery, textiles and metal utensils. The exhibits in this section include items from the Bronze Age and contacts with Mesopotamia, India and China.

Section Three, entitled “Land of Frankincense” focuses on frankincense trade and contacts with other nations and people such as the Pharaoh, the Phoenicians, the Greek, the Romans, the Persians, the Indians and the Chinese. Section Four gives insights about the advent of Islam in Oman. It reminds the visitor about Prophet Mohammed’s prayers for blessings for the Omani people. This section also shows how Omanis helped propagate Islam and contributed to studies on religion and how Oman, as an Islamic nation, was distinguished for its integrity, tolerance and composure.

Section Four gives examples of important historical events to which Oman was venue or in which Omanis were a party. This section refers to the extension of Oman’s influence along the Arab Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the eastern coast of Africa. Section Six is dedicated to the Sultanate’s modern renaissance brought about by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos in 1970.

The Marine Hall consists of seven sections. Exhibits in the first section (the maritime heritage) shows that Omanis had the knowledge of navigation since the olden times. Their seafaring activities had been taking place during the period of the civilisation of Mesopotamia and the Indus valley. The exhibits also illustrate a ancient regular trade links with India, China, east Africa, the Mediterranean and afterward with the UK and the United States.
Location:  In Salalah at al Baleed Park.

Sayyid Faisal bin Ali Museum

The Sayyid Faisal bin Ali Museum, displaying Oman’s fortified architecture and traditional weaponry.The museum is in memory of late Sayyid Faisal bin Ali al Said.
Established by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, includes a permanent exhibition of traditional weaponry in the Sultanate as well as spacious gallery with the panel exhibition on Oman’s fortified architecture. The exhibition gallery is designed in a way that it is able to host temporary exhibition from a wide range of fields, from history and archaeology to science and fine arts. The museum is accommodated in the former stage building of the ministry built under late Sayyid Faisal when he was the Minister of Heritage and Culture.

Originally used for theatrical and musical performances, the hall has now been architecturally modified and refurbished to suit its new purpose. The exhibition on Oman’s fortified architecture displays Omani landscape from the governorate of Muscat along the Batinah region to Musandam in the north and the interior regions to Dhofar down south depicting different types of towers, forts and castles of fortified settlements and residential strongholds.

As for traditional weaponry, the exhibition shows the earliest known weapons in Oman’s prehistory to the rich archaeological finds from the bronze to iron ages. The display ends with the two icons of Omani armoury — the exquisite Omani khanjar and the straight and curved swords. On display also are the early hand-held firearms and many of later 19th and early 20th century guns, including the famous Martini Henry that, through their rich Omani silver decoration, were transformed into works of art.

Timings: Saturday to Wednesday from 8.00am to 2.00pm.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Gives an intersting tour of Oman's flora and fauna.Showcases display indigenous species.In the adjoining whale hall is a skeleton of sperm whale which was found on one of Oman's beaches around 27 years ago. The botanical gardens, containing shrubs found in the Sultanate, are perfect for a short stroll in the cooler months.
Located in the Ministry of Heritage and Culture complex, Al Khwair.Off the dual carriageway going towards Muscat airport, opposite the Ice Skating Rink,take the turning right signposted Al Wazarat Street, and left at the roundabout.Museum is on the right.
Opening Times:Saturday to Thursday, 0900-1300 hours
Entry fees:500 baizas(adults),200 baizas(children) and 100 baizas(under 6 years)
Telephone: 24641510

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