See Muttrah from sea to mountain

MUSCAT: Muttrah is set to enhance its tourism landscape through the Muttrah Cable Car project, connecting the port with mountain heights and Hay Al Ward Park along a 3-kilometre route. Combining adventure, entertainment, culture and dining, the cable car offers visitors a fresh perspective on the waterfront and historic landmarks.
Azzan bin Qasim al Busaidi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, said that the ministry views the project as a strategic addition to Muscat Governorate’s bouquet of tourism options rather than just a standalone entertainment attraction.
“The Muttrah Cable Car is a distinctive project that adds to the diversity of tourism experiences in the wilayat,” Al Busaidi said, noting that it aims to boost regional competitiveness, extend visitor stays, and increase spending across local tourism services.
The project leverages Muttrah's rare geographical asset: bringing sea, mountains, and a historic city together in a single area. It is especially well-suited for cruise passengers and short-stay international visitors looking for an enriched itinerary.
Khalid bin Said al Nabhani, Chairman of Muttrah Cable Car Company, detailed the project's infrastructure. The system features 18 cabins (including two VIP cabins), each holding eight passengers, giving the cable car a capacity of 800 passengers per hour.
The first is the Port Station, located between Muttrah Fish Market and the Muttrah Waterfront project. The route then passes through the Summit Station, located between Muttrah Fort and Al Riyam Park, before ending at the Hay Al Ward Station inside the park near the Muscat Gate.
The cable car system comprises 18 cabins, including two VIP cabins. Each cabin can accommodate eight passengers, giving the project a capacity of 800 passengers per hour.
The Port Station is located close to Muttrah Souq and the cruise ship terminal and serves as the main starting point for visitors and cruise passengers. It includes a ticketing and visitor reception area, as well as cafes and other services.
From the station, the cable car route heads towards the summit, passing over a number of sites and landmarks that form part of Muttrah’s urban and tourism landscape.

Summit Station
Al Nabhani said the Summit Station, located between Muttrah Fort and Al Riyam Park, forms the centrepiece of the project’s tourism experiences.
It offers a 360-degree view of Muttrah and the waterfront and includes a range of facilities and services combining entertainment, culture, restaurants and cafes.
The station’s components include an open-air events theatre and viewing platforms. The theatre is an open-air mountain amphitheatre with a capacity of more than 1,000 visitors and overlooks the sea from its elevated position.
It will host concerts, national celebrations and evening performances, in addition to restaurants, cafes and shops featuring international brands opening in the Sultanate of Oman for the first time.
The station will also feature the “Miniature Oman” experience, showcasing models of Oman’s historic and modern landmarks.
Another component of the Summit Station is the “Digital Muttrah House”, an indoor experience inspired by the stories, heritage and atmosphere of Muttrah.
Al Nabhani said the experience combines digital storytelling, visual presentation technologies and artificial intelligence, along with activities aimed at families.
The third station is located inside Al Ward District Park near the Muscat Gate. It has been designed as a place for relaxation and viewing the sea and waves.
The station includes retail units, restaurants and cafes, a landscaped outdoor plaza, fountains and shaded seating areas.
Al Nabhani said the station would serve as a second departure point for visitors wishing to travel up to the Summit Station, adding another access point linked to the waterfront.
It will allow visitors to choose their starting and ending points according to their route through the wilayat.

The historic and heritage character of Muttrah makes preserving its identity a key consideration for any new tourism project.
Al Busaidi said identity is a fundamental element in developing any tourism destination, particularly Muttrah, which has a distinctive architectural, historical and cultural identity.
Al Busaidi said there are broad opportunities to link the cable car experience with the historical and heritage landmarks of Muttrah, given the diversity of tourism and historical assets in the wilayat and surrounding areas.
Al Busaidi said the economic value of tourism projects is also measured by their impact on surrounding activities. As visitor numbers increase and experiences become more diverse, opportunities expand for restaurants, cafes, retail outlets, tour operators, travel and tourism companies, tour guides, artisans, small and medium enterprises and other tourism-related businesses.
Asked about projects supporting the cable car, Al Nabhani said Sabeen Investment Company, in cooperation with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority, has launched a number of projects serving the development and contributing to the growth of SMEs.
The project also includes strategic partnerships with government entities and government-owned companies, while providing opportunities for SMEs to participate in associated projects and helping localise certain specialised professions.
He noted that the project includes 23 commercial units and restaurants distributed among the stations according to the nature and function of each location.
The current phase focuses on completing operational tests in cooperation with the Swiss company and the European organisation specialising in cable-car systems and related certification.
According to Al Nabhani, the tests are being conducted under the supervision of a specialised team before the launch.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Route and Distance: The Muttrah Cable Car route spans approximately 3 km, connecting the Muttrah Port waterfront, mountain heights, and Hay Al Ward Park.
Three Main Stations:
Port Station: The Muttrah Fish Market and the Waterfront; serves as the main entry point.
Summit Station: Situated between Muttrah Fort and Al Riyam Park.
Hay Al Ward Station: Located inside Hay Al Ward Park near the Muscat Gate.
Capacity and Facilities: The system features 18 cabins (including 2 VIP cabins), each accommodating 8 passengers, providing a total capacity of 800 passengers per hour.
Key Summit Station Attractions: An open-air mountain amphitheatre with seating for over 1,000 visitors.
Interactive & Digital Cultural Features: The Summit Station will house 'Miniature Oman' and the 'Digital Muttrah House'.
Commercial & SME Opportunities: The development includes 23 commercial units and restaurants.