Al Alam Palace

Buildings in Oman tend to be either boxy and simple, or grand, whitewashed and geometrically linear. Al Alam Palace isn’t what you expect. Built in 1972, it has a bit of retro glamour with its flamboyantly colorful, teal and gold exaggerated arches hold up a flat, pierced marble roof. A lone flagpole sticks out of the center. Though the Sultan has six palaces, Al Alam is the most important. This is where he receives guests such as Queen Elizabeth of England.

While not open to the public, the ornate iron gates reveal the palace behind. The broad pedestrian boulevard leading are anchored by regal government buildings. The pretty gardens and careful upkeep of the square make for postcard-worthy, almost Disney-esque close ups.