Muscat is the capital of the Sultanate of Oman. It is also the largest city of this country. Besides the residential areas, the city of Muscat also has a bustling commercial area and several historical sites as well. Tourists get attracted to this place for various reasons. If you are at Muscat, you will get both the taste of the lofty mountains and the gurgling seas at the same time. Muscat is surrounded by volcanic mountains and the outstretched beaches of the Arabian Sea are a pleasure to be at. Other than these natural attractions, the city of Muscat is culturally very sound. The base of the culture of Muscat reflects typical Arabian traditions. The historic forts, Muscat museums and buildings reflect Muscat culture and the rich history that lies behind the city.
Muscat customs mainly center around the Islamic religion. This is the only recognized religion in Muscat and Ibadi Muslims form 75 percent of the total population. There are also a large number of expatriates who have come here from outside as well as the minor groups of Hindus and Christians. Apart from the mosques, there is a Shiva Temple, a Krishna Temple and two churches in the Ruwi locality.
The rich culture of Muscat is one of the things that make this city a popular tourist destination. The extensive architecture of Muscat is well reflected through the various historical buildings and forts of the city. Apart from the already existing, the modern buildings also speak of excellent architectural examples. The walls and gates that surround the city of Muscat are great places of tourist attraction. The three gates of Muscat are a sign of the rich traditions of Muscat in Sultanate of Oman and remind you of the olden times when these gates protected the city from invaders. There are a number of traditional mansions at the city which depict typical Arab culture in Muscat. The Bait Zariza, the Bait Al Sayyid Nadir bin Faisal, the Bait Ratnisi and the Bait Al Zawawi are to name a