Top places to visit in Muscat

• Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

  grand mosque · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · entry OMR 8 (≈ ₹1,980)

  Oman's main mosque, holding a vast single-piece Persian carpet and an immense Swarovski chandelier beneath a 50m dome. Open to non-Muslim visitors in the morning.

• Al Alam Palace

  palace · 4.6 rating · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Sultan's ceremonial palace in Old Muscat, framed by gold-and-blue flared columns and the two harbour forts; grounds viewed from the forecourt.

• Royal Opera House Muscat

  opera house · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Oman's premier performing-arts venue, an opulent complex of Omani marble, teak and Islamic design hosting opera, ballet and concerts.

• Qurum Beach

  city beach · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Muscat's long public sandy beach, popular for evening strolls, jogging and beachfront cafés.

• Muttrah Souq

  traditional souq · 4.4 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  One of Oman's oldest covered markets (Souq Al Dhalam), a warren of lanes selling frankincense, silver, khanjars, textiles and spices.

• Qurum Natural Park

  city park · 4.4 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  A large public park behind Qurum beach with a boating lake, gardens, fountains and shaded lawns.

• Riyam Park

  city park · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A hillside park between Muttrah and Old Muscat crowned by the giant frankincense-burner monument overlooking the harbour.

• Muttrah Corniche

  waterfront · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A palm-lined waterfront promenade along Muttrah harbour, lined with restored merchant houses and best walked at sunset.

• National Museum of Oman

  national museum · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Oman's flagship museum with 14 galleries spanning national heritage, maritime history and Omani craftsmanship, opposite Al Alam Palace.

• Muttrah Fort

  portuguese fort · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A restored 16th-century Portuguese hilltop fort above Muttrah harbour, giving panoramic views over the Corniche and dhow port.

• Bait Al Zubair

  heritage museum · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  A privately run museum of Omani heritage set across traditional houses and gardens, with fine collections of weaponry, jewellery and dress.

• Amouage Perfume Visitor Centre

  perfume factory · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Omani luxury perfume house of Amouage, offering a free guided factory tour of frankincense-based fragrance-making, plus a boutique.

Things to do

• Dolphin Watching Cruise Water · 2 h · from OMR 15 per person
• Sunset Dhow Cruise Water · 1.8 h · from OMR 20 per person
• Daymaniyat Islands Snorkel & Dive Water · 7 h · from OMR 45 per person
• Muscat Half-Day City Tour Tour · 4.5 h · from OMR 25 per person
• Amouage Perfume Factory Tour Cultural · 0.8 h
• Wadi Shab & Bimmah Sinkhole Day Trip Adventure · 9 h · from OMR 35 per person
• Wahiba Sands Desert Safari Adventure · 10 h · from OMR 45 per person

Day trips and tours

• Muscat City Highlights Day Tour 5 h · from OMR 25

Where to stay in Muscat

• Muttrah about OMR 30 per night

  Atmospheric old harbour district with the souq, Corniche and budget-to-mid hotels.

• Shatti Al Qurum about OMR 80 per night

  Muscat's beach-and-culture strip with the Opera House, malls and upscale hotels.

• Al Mouj & Seeb about OMR 70 per night

  Modern marina-front community near the airport with waterfront dining and Daymaniyat boat trips.

Hotels

• Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel 5-star · OMR 150 to OMR 320 per night
• The Chedi Muscat 5-star · OMR 150 to OMR 380 per night
• Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa 5-star · OMR 90 to OMR 240 per night
• Grand Hyatt Muscat 5-star · OMR 70 to OMR 150 per night
• InterContinental Muscat 5-star · OMR 60 to OMR 130 per night
• Crowne Plaza Muscat 4-star · OMR 45 to OMR 90 per night

Where to eat

• Kargeen Caffe Omani, Middle Eastern · about OMR 10 per person
• Bait Al Luban Omani · about OMR 12 per person
• Ubhar Omani, Arabian · about OMR 13 per person
• The Beach Restaurant Seafood, International · about OMR 32 per person
• Turkish House Restaurant Turkish · about OMR 8 per person
• The Restaurant at The Chedi International, Asian, Mediterranean · about OMR 40 per person
• Automatic Restaurant Lebanese, Arabic · about OMR 8 per person
• Bin Ateeq Omani · about OMR 7 per person

Getting to Muscat

Airport: Muscat (MCT)

How visitors arrive in Muscat

• Fly into Muscat (MCT) By air · common

  Muscat International Airport has flights from cities across the Middle East, South Asia and Europe. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus or car from the UAE By road from UAE · common

  Coaches run from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Al Ain; driving via the Hatta or Al Ain crossings is possible, though some crossings are Gulf-citizen only. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Ferry from Khasab By ferry from Khasab · possible

  A ferry sails from Khasab to Mutrah and cruise ships dock at Port Sultan Qaboos. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Taxi counter at Muscat airport

  Official taxis are booked at the airport taxi counter, reached from arrivals via the lower level. Agree the fare before starting the journey. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• OTaxi app

  The OTaxi app books an official taxi at a preset fare, avoiding haggling. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Mwasalat public bus unconfirmed

  Mwasalat buses leave from outside the terminal; most routes start or end in Ruwi. They take cash only. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Mwasalat buses accept cash only, so change or withdraw money inside the airport first. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the port to the centre

• Taxi from Mutrah port

  Ferries from Khasab and cruise ships arrive at Sultan Qaboos Port in Mutrah. Taxis wait there and a board by the exit lists fares; the Corniche is a short walk. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Bus

  Mwasalat runs the public buses, covering the main sights and the airport, and most lines start or end in Ruwi.

• Car Rental Self useful for some trips

  Rental agencies have offices at the airport; a 2WD is fine for the city, while wadis and mountain roads need a 4WD.

• Ride Hail

  The O Taxi app lets travellers book an official taxi at a set fare instead of haggling.

• Taxi useful for some trips

  Orange-and-white taxis tend to wait outside hotels and the fare is agreed before getting in; maxi taxis also run along the highways.

• Walking

Paying

• Standard taxis are unmetered, so agree the price before getting in. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Safety and scams to avoid

• Unmetered taxi overcharging

  Airport, Muttrah, hotels

  Muscat's orange-and-white taxis have no meters, so drivers may quote inflated fares to tourists, especially from the airport or souq.

  How to avoid it: Agree the fare before getting in, or use the Otaxi or Careem apps for a fixed upfront price.

• Souq "antique" and price mark-ups

  Muttrah Souq

  Some items sold as old silver, khanjars or antiques are newly made, and opening prices for tourists are high.

  How to avoid it: Bargaining is expected; compare a few stalls and settle on roughly half the first price.

Best time to visit Muscat

• Jan 25°C
• Feb 26°C
• Mar 29°C
• Apr 35°C
• May 40°C
• Jun 39°C
• Jul 37°C
• Aug 36°C
• Sep 36°C
• Oct 35°C
• Nov 30°C
• Dec 27°C

More in Oman

• Salalah
• Nizwa
• Jebel Akhdar
• Bidiyah
• Sur
• Khasab

Frequently asked questions about Muscat

How many days do you need in Muscat?

A typical trip to Muscat is 3-4 days.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Muscat?

The highest-rated places in our Muscat guide are Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Royal Opera House Muscat, Al Alam Palace, Muttrah Corniche, National Museum of Oman.

Where should I stay in Muscat?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Muscat: Muttrah, Shatti Al Qurum, Al Mouj & Seeb.

How do I get around Muscat?

Ways to get around Muscat covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Ride-hailing app, Taxi.

What scams should I watch out for in Muscat?

Scams reported to us for Muscat include Unmetered taxi overcharging; Souq "antique" and price mark-ups. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Muscat?

Average daytime highs in Muscat run from 25°C in Jan to 40°C in May.

Which airport is nearest to Muscat?

The nearest airport to Muscat has the code MCT.