Al Alam Palace
قصر العلم
The Sultan's ceremonial palace, instantly recognizable for its blue-and-gold mushroom-shaped columns and flanked by 16th-century Portuguese forts.
Al Alam Palace sits on the bay in Old Muscat and serves as the Sultan of Oman's ceremonial palace for receiving foreign heads of state. The current building dates from a 1972 reconstruction and has a striking façade: a row of blue-and-gold columns, shaped like mushrooms or goblets, supports a broad canopy that contrasts sharply with the white buildings around it. The palace is not open to the public, but visitors can take photos in the square in front of the main gate and outside the gates. On the cliffs of the small bay on either side of the palace stand Al Jalali Fort and Al Mirani Fort, both built during the Portuguese occupation in the 16th century. Together with the palace, they form the classic view of Old Muscat (the forts are usually closed to visitors). A few minutes' walk away are the Bait Al Zubair Museum (traditional Omani clothing, weapons and household items; entry about 2 rials) and the National Museum (entry about 5 rials), so the area works well for a half-day outing. Free admission. Getting there: a taxi from Mutrah along the seafront road takes about 10 minutes.
Opening hours
Exterior open all day (palace closed to visitors)
Nearby sights
- Al Jalali & Al Mirani Forts
- National Museum of Oman
- Bait Al Zubair Museum
- Muscat Gate Museum
- Riyam Park & Incense Burner Monument
- Muttrah Fort
- Mutrah Souq & Corniche
- Bait Al Baranda Museum