This seems to be another one of the mandatory stops on group tours, so if you can time your visit in between bus tours it will be most enjoyable. Given its small size, it gets quite crowded when a bus load of tourists is in the museum. It's a good introduction to Omani traditional culture. The illustrated map of Oman was helpful in understanding the country, the costume displays were well done, and for those who are stamp collectors there is a small but interesting display of stamps hidden away upstairs. The small-scale models of various significant Omani buildings were also interesting.

Bait al Zubair Museum was a twentieth century Omani house, owned by a long standing government minister that was then converted to a museum to showcase Omani culture - clothes, weapons, architecture, trade and music and the differences between the regions that make up the country. Again, the 45 minutes we had here weren't enough but we did get an overview of the country and its people and left with a greater understanding than we had before we went inside. We didn't have time to see the gardens, the separate recreation of an Omani house, the map rooms or the stamps and coins room, basically in 45 minutes we just saw the ground floor so allow maybe 2 hours.

A lovely museum focused on telling the story of the Omani people through well-presented signboards and ethnographic displays of Omani artifacts such as Khanjar daggers, clothing, jewelry, manuscripts, photographs, etc. Outside as you exit the museum is an informative signboard and model of the Aflaj Irrigation Systems of Oman. Still in use today, 5 examples of this system have been recognized by Unesco as World Heritage Sites. After a delightful visit, we enjoyed coffee then lunch at the cafe outside of the main entrance. Note, this cafe serves some lovely traditional Omani food but do not wait until early afternoon since there is limited availability of these popular specialty meals which require hours of preparation.

To me, this is actually the best museum in Oman. It is the platonic ideal of a great anthropological museum. With detailed information on displays, it truly gives you a comprehensive understanding of the culture and lives of Omani people in all its historical and geographic diversity. You honestly learn as much as a university course.

Bait Al Zubair Museum in Muscat was an immersive and enlightening experience that offered a deep dive into Oman's vibrant heritage. This museum is a treasure trove of cultural and historical artifacts, beautifully showcasing the rich traditions and history of Oman. The museum offers a valuable educational experience, making it an excellent resource for anyone interested in learning about Omani culture and history.