Hotels near Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque opened in 2001 after six years of construction and holds 20,000 worshippers across the main prayer hall, the women's hall and the arcaded outer courtyards. The single-piece Persian carpet in the main hall weighs 21 tonnes and took 600 weavers four years to knot. Above it hangs a Swarovski crystal chandelier that drops 14 metres. The Indian sandstone, the Omani marble and the restraint of the geometry are what stay with most people.

Non-Muslim visitors are admitted on weekday mornings only, roughly 8am to 11am, and the mosque is closed to tourists on Fridays. The dress code is enforced at the gate with no exceptions: long sleeves, ankle-length trousers or skirts, and a headscarf covering the hair for women. Entry is free. Give it 90 minutes to take in both prayer halls, the Islamic library and the courtyards. Photography is fine, tripods are not.

Pro Tip: Arrive at 8am sharp. By 9.30 the coach groups from the cruise terminal have filled the main hall and the low light through the stained glass has gone. Scarves sell for about 3 OMR (roughly 7 EUR) at the car park kiosk if you forget one.