Guide To Top Things To Do In Muscat Oman 2026

Let me tell you about all the things to do in Muscat. When I first heard of Muscat, I was immediately fascinated and wanted to visit the city. That much-anticipated trip finally happened over 10 years ago and I really got hooked, returning to the city at least twice a year.

Apart from the amazing atmosphere and the Omani hospitality, there are quite a few things to do in Muscat, but nothing that would justify my many return trips.

Muscat is a very spread out city and each area is quite different from the other, making it almost like many small towns within the city, each separated by the strikingly beautiful mountains that crisscross the city.

For that reason, most places to visit in Muscat are far apart from each other. But thank goodness, the city has great roads and a high-speed highway that makes distances seem short.

Having said that, hiring a taxi in Muscat can be very expensive for the same reasons I mentioned above. You can also opt for renting a car, which will make tourism in Muscat and the rest of Oman much more convenient.

 

To help you plan your trip, I’ve created this Muscat travel guide, with details of what to do in Muscat, structured in such a way that will help you make the best use of your time.

Top Things To Do In Muscat, Oman

When you plan what to do in Muscat, it’s important to remember the distances, as I mentioned before. With that in mind, you should visit those must-see Muscat attractions that make the city what it is on your first day.

Those are the historical attractions, markets and that piece of coastline that appears on almost every Muscat postcard, the corniche.

Muttrah Corniche

Muttrah Corniche is my favourite place in the city and once you’re there, you will understand why.

If you can see the place beyond the many cars, you will feel like time stood still here. The corniche itself is the seaside promenade that goes along the small bay that forms the port of Muscat.

As you walk along and enjoy the shade in the many small gazebos, you will notice that most of the houses here still keep their historic architecture.

Add to that the rugged mountains in the background and the iconic Muttra Fort. This is the best place to start your tour of Muscat.

Muscat Fish Market

Muscat Fish Market used to be one of those places that made you feel you were in a small village. It is now in a brand new building, shaped like a fish, next to Muttrah Corniche.

Even though it is a modern and air-conditioned, place, the old vibe is still there. As some would say, old habits die hard.

Muttrah Souq: A Great Place To Visit in Muscat

It is true that Muscat has many shopping malls and Omanis nowadays prefer the convenience of having everything in one glitzy place.

But despite all that, Muttrah Souq is still going strong and is the best place to buy souvenirs in Muscat.

Here you can buy all things Arab and Omani, from shisha pipes to beautiful lampshades.

But Muttrah Souq is still a favourite among locals and they come here to buy everyday goods, fabric, clothes, house utensils and that quintessentially Omani item that I highly recommend you buy, as well: frankincense.

Old Muscat

Old Muscat, is one of the most popular places to visit in Muscat, after Muttrah.

Here there are some of the main Muscat attractions, but the area itself is beautiful and lives up to its name.

Apart from the iconic buildings below, there are several forts, some small, others quite emblematic, such as Mirani and Jalali.

There are also a few small mosques and, once you get out of the main tourist area, I recommend you go for a walk to see how some Omanis live and lots of kids wearing dishdasha (the traditional Omani robe) playing on the streets.

See Also: Muscat to Dubai by Bus

Al Alam Palace

Al Alam is the main Sultan’s main palace, located on a quiet avenue in Old Muscat. The building is fairly modern and its gold and blue facade looks slightly kitsch to me.

Unfortunately, the palace is never open to the public, but you can get close to the main gate and snap a few shots.

It is very popular with locals, who come to the area, especially on the weekends.

There are two historic forts on each side of Al Alam Palace, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century.

If you walk to the seaside, you can see the palace from a different angle. Looking at it, it’s hard to believe that the Sultan is wealthier than the British Royal Family.

Omani-French Museum

This is not among the most famous Muscat attractions, but it’s well worth a visit, even if you’re not French!

The Omani-French Museum displays pictures and objects that show the long-standing friendship between both countries.

You can also see some gifts given by the French government to the Sultan, copies of old documents and letters. I really liked this museum and visited it twice in the last few years.

It’s right at the entrance of Old Muscat, on the way to Al Alam Palace.

National Museum of Oman

The National Museum of Oman, which opened in 2016, is the country’s new flagship museum.

This was my first trip to Muscat since its opening, so I was really looking forward to my visit. It’s located opposite Al Alam Palace, at the other end of the avenue.

The building itself is modern with very distinct traditional Omani aspects – in other words, even though it’s very modern, you can see the Arab architectural style.

The displays are very nicely set up and you can hire an audio guide to get extra information.

There are sections dedicated to Omani tradition, a room with miniatures of the most important forts in the country and another with crown jewellery. You can easily stay here for 2 or 3 hours without getting bored.

Entry to the museum costs only 5 Omani Rials (about 10GBP, 14USD) for tourists, OMR2 for residents and OMR1 for Omanis and GCC nationals.

Watch Spinner Dolphins

Just off the coast of Muscat, you can watch the small spinner dolphins. If you don’t have your own boat (well, we don’t right?) you can go on a full day dolphin watching cruise along the coast, where you can see these amazing mammals and other marine species and go snorkeling.

Tours include light refreshments and, while sightings are not guaranteed, they’re almost certain.

You can book your dolphin-watching cruise here.

On your second day, there are still a few things to see in Muscat, those concentrated far from Muttrah or Old Muscat. This is the modern Muscat that won’t always appear on postcards or on the cover of Muscat tourist guides.

Qurum Beach: Top Place To Visit in Muscat

Qurum Beach (Shatti Al-Qurm) is one of Muscat’s most popular areas with resident Western expats and is home to many embassies.

Qurum is also the longest beach in Muscat, where locals and tourists mingle and where you can see a tourist in a bikini and an Omani woman wearing a full-body attire.

In late afternoons, it’s common to see groups of Omanis playing football.

Nearby there is a shopping mall and a few cafes and restaurants. Walk down the so-called Love Road, between the beach and some mangroves, where young Omanis meet for a chat and show off their supercars.

Royal Opera House, Among the Top Muscat Attractions

The Royal Opera House Muscat was the first of its kind to open in the Middle East – since then, Abu Dhabi has its own opera house.

It’s located in the Shati Al Qurum district, not far from the famous beach. The venue hosts musical events that range from traditional Arab music to operas and popular music.

I highly recommend you attend a performance, but if nothing is on, you can still visit the interiors.

The guided tour will take you to the main auditorium, where you can see the stage or even some rehearsal, which I was able to see on my last visit.

There are exhibitions of customs used in performances here and elsewhere.

If you’re a Luciano Pavarotti or Michael Jackson fan, you will love the memorabilia on display.

If you prefer, you can also have dinner at the Opera House as part of an evening tour of Muscat, including hotel pick-up.

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

The Grand Mosque took six years to be built, and once you come for a visit, you will understand why.

It is a mosque of superlatives and I recommend around two hours, so you can not only see the interiors but also enjoy the perfectly manicured gardens and find your favourite spot to take pictures.

Apart from the beautiful tiles that cover most of the interiors, the main feature is the Persian carpet, which took four years to be made and weights mere 21 tonnes.

The carpet also has 28 colours and different shades, all acquired from traditional vegetable dyes – interesting or not?

My favourite item, however, is the grand chandelier. It used to be the world’s biggest chandelier, with a staggering 14m, 8,5 tonnes and 1122 light bulbs.

But says the tale that the Emirati neighbours decided to hold themselves the record after coming and measuring both the chandelier and carpet.

With or without world records, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is definitely one of the top Muscat attractions.

Unlike some of the things to do in Muscat, visiting the Grand Mosque is free of charge. Non-Muslims are allowed to visit only in the mornings. It is closed to non-Muslims on Fridays.

Best Day Trips From Muscat

Most people travelling to Oman, spend only a few days in Muscat, visiting the attractions I’ve mentioned and enjoying the beach.

Many go on longer trips around the country, some as far south as Salalah, on the border with Yemen. Others prefer to take day trips from Muscat and visit the nearby attractions.

Having done quite a few of these myself, I’ll share with you some of the best day trips from Muscat.

Bear in mind that you will either need your own 4×4 car (compare your car hire here) or hire tours from Muscat with a company.

Some of these trips I did in my own car in the past, while more recently I travelled with Zahara Tours, whose services I really liked and I highly recommend.

My guide, Abdullah, was a typical Omani: professional, respectful and very friendly.

As a rule of thumb, tours in Oman are not cheap, no matter what company you speak to.

But since most people will only come to Oman once in a lifetime, I highly recommend venturing outside Muscat.

Bimmah Sinkhole: An Easy Day Trip From Muscat

Bimmah Sinkhole is probably one of the most beautiful sinkholes in the world. It’s located less than one hour from Muscat and you can swim down there.

Even though they started developing the small park where the sinkhole is located, it’s important to take your own water and food, since there are no bars or restaurants there.

You can visit both Bimmah Sinkhole and Wadi Shab (below) in a small group tour or in a private tour.

Wadi Shab

Oman is famous for its desert and its wadis – dry riverbeds. But some wadis are a real oasis with water flowing all year round.

Wadi Shadi Shab is the nearest to Muscat and you just have to pay for the 2-minute boat ride to get on the other side.

Once there, you’re free to roam around the valley, surrounded by high mountains and in search of waterfalls (natural and otherwise), small pools and a landscape that will literally take your breath away!

You can visit Wadi Shab and Bimmah Sinkhole together in a small group tour or in a private tour.

Wadi Bani Khalid

Wadi Bani Khalid is 240km from Muscat (or around 3 hours by car). It is slightly more developed than Wadi Shab, with a large natural pool and many smaller pools as you walk in the valley.

If you have a guide, you can go visit the cave higher up.

You can book a private tour to Wadi Bani Khalid with our partners at Get Your Guide.

See Also: Best Places To Visit In Oman

Nizwa

Nizwa is the old Omani capital and it’s only 2 hours from Muscat. Whilst a new highway crosses part of the city, Nizwa has a few world-class attractions in its own right. It’s possible to visit the city privately or with an organised tour.

Start with a visit to Nizwa Fort, from where you can have great views of the city and the local souq, another great attraction.

Try to go very early on a Friday to see the goat market, where they sell livestock and you will feel transported to centuries back.

Nizwa is also a good base to visit some other attractions, such as Al Hoota Caves, with its huge stalactites and stalagmites formations, Al Bakhla and Jabrin Forts. In which case you will need to stay overnight.

Accommodation in central Nizwa is scarce, but I suggest Nizwa City Apartments for its location and cleanliness.

For something more upmarket (but far from the city centre), Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel is the best option.

Tours from Muscat to Nizwa include hotel pick-up, transport, lunch and entrance fees. On Fridays there is a very unique cattle market which is worth experiencing (not on during Ramadan and summer).

Best Places To Stay In Muscat

Perhaps one of the most difficult tasks you will have on your trip is choosing the best places to stay in Muscat.

I have written a full post on where to stay in Muscat, but for the sake of making things easier, I will share my three top hotels in Muscat, based purely on location.

Centara Muscat Hotel

This is a brand new hotel, opened in late 2017 and with spacious, modern rooms with lots of natural light.

The hotel also has a gym, rooftop pool, and two restaurants. Located in the Ghala district, it is relatively near the airport and very close to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.

Click here to check out their best prices.

The Chedi Muscat

If you’re looking for a luxury hotel with amazing service, right by the beach, this is the best place to stay in Muscat.

Located in Al Ghubra, just north of Qurm Beach, The Chedi Muscat offers three swimming pools and a beachside location.

It also has a fantastic restaurant serving the best of the Omani and international cuisines, luxury rooms and suites and service that no other luxury hotel in Muscat will offer.

Enter here to see their best prices.

Riyam Hotel

Riyam Hotel is located in Muttrah, only 1km from the Corniche. It is one of the best budget hotels in Muscat, combining the lowest prices with one of the best locations to stay in Muscat.

Click here to see their best prices.

What’s The Best Time To Visit Muscat?

Finding the best time to visit Muscat can be quite confusing. I’ve been there on several occasions and will tell you from experience.

The best time to visit Muscat is from late October to early April. Ideally, go between late November and early March, when temperatures are pleasant most of the day, around 25 degrees Celsius.

From May to September, the summer months, it is unbearably hot. Avoid it. Really. Just avoid it. One day, I left my hotel at 2am because I couldn’t sleep and went to a shisha bar nearby.

I was all comfortable in my air-conditioned room. But as soon as I got out of the hotel, I was hit by this heat wave, it felt as if I had just gone into an oven.

It was humid and the temperature was 34 degrees Celsius at 2am in May! You get the point.