Low white houses between mountains and sea
Muscat is a low-rise capital of white buildings strung out between rocky mountains and the Gulf of Oman. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, with one of the world's largest hand-woven carpets, is open to visitors in the mornings. Along the Mutrah Corniche, dhows bob in the harbour and the Mutrah Souq sells frankincense, silver and halwa. Old Muscat has the Al Alam Palace flanked by Portuguese-era forts, and boat trips go out to see dolphins and snorkel off the Daymaniyat Islands.