This Living Museum in Oman Is One You Have to Visit

Bait Al Safah, Bayt Al Safah or Beit Al Safa is one of the most famous museums in Oman, which is located in the village of Al Hamra in Al Dakhliya Region. The village is 30 minutes away from Nizwa, and is located at the foot of the mountains. The museum is known as a “living museum”, but it has the shape of an old Omani house, which provides an exceptional experience that resembles the ancient Omani lifestyle.

Beside taking the shape of an old Omani house made of mud bricks, the museum has Omanis who play the roles of an Omani family imitating their routine in the past. The staff of the museum are locals who practise the traditions, norms and roles of the Omani people from days gone by. As you walk through Bait Al Safah, you will see how Omani women used to bake traditional bread, how they made flour, and how they made oils from different nuts. Men also demonstrate how they used to roast coffee beans and grind them.

The house is decorated with different traditional handmade crafts, as well as ancient Omani furniture, most of which are made of palm leaves, leather pottery, wood and wool.

Al Hamra village is around two hours away from Muscat. You can get there from the capital city by car or by bus. The museum is located between old abandoned houses. The best way to enjoy this unforgettable experience is to park outside the village, and walk through the old houses and into the museum.

If you’re planning to visit Bait Al Safah, then it is better to plan to stay there for a few days, because there are lots of amazing attractions and exceptional cultural trips to experience. Here are the best places you can stay in, around the living museum.

As well as the natural surroundings of the living museum, Bait Al Safah is located in a very cultural and significantly historical area. In other words, don’t worry about driving a fair distance to get to this museum, because there are lots of amazing attractions nearby.