Highlights of the Day
On our last day in Oman, we visited the Royal Opera House Muscat, strolled along beautiful beaches, and bought an Arabian-style gold accessory. A relaxed and free-spirited day perfectly wrapped up this journey.
Logistics
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Muscat Qurum
Transportation: Rental Car
🎭 Beginning with the Royal Opera House
Today was our final day in Oman, and we kept the schedule light.
In the morning, we visited the Royal Opera House, finally getting the chance to explore its interior.
The moment we stepped inside, we were amazed by its grandeur and exquisite design.
From the floor to the pillars and the ceiling, everything was crafted from marble, intricately carved with elegant Arabesque patterns. Embedded between the marble were strips of Burmese teak, naturally radiating a reddish-brown glow, perfectly complementing the pure white marble.
It carried both the majestic grandeur of the West and the delicate refinement of Islamic art.
A staff member was assigned to guide visitors. She explained that it took seven years of planning and design before construction began in 2011, and four years to complete.
The Opera House was commissioned by the former Sultan Qaboos bin Said, a great patron of arts and culture.
Local Omani marble was used for the exterior to better withstand sunlight, while the interior featured imported Italian marble, which handles humidity better.
The ceiling’s design was inspired by the Imam Mosque of Isfahan in Iran, and all chandeliers were made in Germany.
Performances are held from September to April each year, as the weather becomes too hot afterward.
Most performances feature international troupes from Germany, the U.S., Japan, Korea, China, and, of course, Oman itself.
The Opera House originally had 1,100 seats. However, for Disney on Ice performances, the stage was expanded and the seating reduced to 800, but it can be restored at any time.
The best viewing spot is the royal box, located centrally at the back.
Every seat has a small screen installed, offering real-time translation in Arabic and English.
🌿 Experiencing the Local Mall
Our next stop was a mall, partly to see if any dining options were available during the midday hours, and partly to observe the mall’s scale.
As expected, all restaurants were closed for Ramadan.
We eventually found a supermarket, where they sold all sorts of foods, including hot fried chicken and a variety of dates.
Different types of dates ranged from 1.5 to 4.6 OMR per kilogram.
We picked a few types to try, then retreated to our car for lunch, enjoying fried chicken and dates together.
Oman truly gave us an authentic experience of Ramadan daily life.
By the way, we thought the Safawi dates tasted the best!
💼 A Beautiful Experience Buying Arabian Gold
After lunch, we wandered through the mall again and entered a gold shop.
The jewelry was finely crafted, featuring a rich Arabian style.
Prices were lower than what we would expect in the U.S., and to our surprise, even in a large shopping mall, bargaining was welcomed!
After some friendly negotiation, we finally purchased a delicate gold piece, a lovely souvenir with a memorable experience.
🌊 A Second Stroll by the Sea
Last time we visited Qurum Beach, it felt too small. Today, we tried again and found a much larger and more beautiful beach.
There were rows of free parking spaces along the roadside, making it very convenient for visitors.
The sand was soft and fine, and under the sunny afternoon sky, it was a pleasure to walk along the shore.
We even spotted a tourist sunbathing in a bikini, proving that the atmosphere here was more relaxed and free than we had imagined.
📅 Final Reflections: Oman's Culture and Daily Life
On this last day, some reflections naturally surfaced:
- Culture: If Dubai and Abu Dhabi represent a bold, luxurious modernism, Oman feels like a subtle blend of history and modernity—a more understated luxury.
- Religion: Dubai and Abu Dhabi are more liberal. Although public eating during Ramadan is rare, most eateries stay open. Oman is more conservative, with nearly all restaurants closed during the day and a long break for most businesses. Fortunately, supermarkets remain open, so we could still find food.
- Transportation: On Oman’s highways, we didn’t see a single flyover bridge. All intersections are handled by roundabouts, a simple and cost-effective solution that fits the local style.
🌍 What’s Next?
Stay tuned for Day 14 as we fly to Doha, Qatar
Have you ever visited Royal Opera House Muscat? What part amazed you the most?
Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear them!
If you’d like to learn more about the itinerary, please click the button below to download a free copy of the customizable itinerary.
