Muscat Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Muscat which includes a city
East meets west in this historical port city, home to lavish palaces, Portuguese forts and one of the oldest marketplaces in the Arab world.

Muscat has long played an important role in trade between the east and the west and its streets and attractions reveal its ancient harbor town history. Today, the city is made up of three main areas. Explore the ancient walled city of Old Muscat to discover its royal palaces and forts. Mutrah is a small fishing village in the harbor and the site of the famous maze-like market. The commercial heart of Muscat is in Ruwi.

Muscat lies between the rocky Western Al Hajar mountain range and the Gulf of Oman, giving the city a picturesque landscape of blue seas and dramatic mountains.

Start your day with an aromatic kahwa (Omani coffee), spiced with cloves and cardamom, in one of the city’s many coffee shops. Afterwards, learn about Muscat’s lively past as a prosperous trade town with ruling Omani sultans and as a part of the Persian and Portuguese empires.

Visit Old Muscat to see the extravagant official residence of Sultan Qaboos, called Al Alam Palace, nestled between two 16th-century Portuguese forts, Al-JalaliFort and Al-MiraniFort. Enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the harbor and the Gulf of Oman.

Get a taste for traditional Oman at the Mutrah Souk market, one of the oldest marketplaces in the world. Stalls overflow with glittering gold antiques, embroidered robes, incense, spices and fresh produce. Just a few minutes’ walk from the souk is the extensive Bait al Baranda Museum where you can immerse yourself in Muscat’s rich history and distinctive culture.

Muscat’s arid climate makes for long, hot summers and very warm winters with little rainfall. Drink plenty of bottled water and save the hottest part of the day for enjoying Omani dates and halwa sweets indoors.

Discover Muscat’s three districts by car. Sign up to a car rental service or take advantage of the affordable orange and white taxis that travel all over the city and beyond. Inexpensive buses also serve the city. Muscat International Airport is located approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of Ruwi.

Where to stay in Muscat

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Al Khuwair

3.5/5(5 area reviews)

Al Khuwair is popular for its ample dining options, and you might make a stop by Oman Natural History Museum, a top place to visit in the area.

Al Khuwair
Muttrah Souq showing signage

Muttrah

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Unique features of Muttrah include the shopping and restaurants. Make a stop by Muttrah Souq or Muttrah Corniche while you're exploring the area.

Muttrah
Muscat which includes a coastal town

Azaiba

3.5/5(12 area reviews)

Azaiba is well liked for its restaurants, and you can visit sights like Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and Oman Avenues Mall if you have time to explore the area.

Azaiba
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Ruwi

4/5(10 area reviews)

Shopping and restaurants are notable features of Ruwi. You might consider stopping by Sultan's Armed Forces Museum while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Ruwi
Shatti Al Qurum featuring general coastal views, a coastal town and a beach

Shati Al Qurum

4.5/5(12 area reviews)

The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Shati Al Qurum. A stop by Qurum Beach or Royal Opera House Muscat might round out your trip.

Shati Al Qurum
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Al Ghubrah Ash Shamaliyyah

4/5(7 area reviews)

Check out the beaches, spas and restaurants while spending some time in Al Ghubrah Ash Shamaliyyah. Though there might not be many attractions in the neighbourhood, you won't need to go far to find top spots like Oman Avenues Mall or Muscat Grand Mall.

Al Ghubrah Ash Shamaliyyah
Platinum Hotel
Platinum Hotel
3 out of 5
Next to Oman Oil Petrol Pump, Al Khuwair, Muscat
The price is ₹3,412 per night from 13 May to 14 May
₹3,412
per night
13 May - 14 May
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews.
8.4/10 Very Good! (159 reviews)
"Nice and clean spotless for the room service. The guys was excellent personality In the front desk guys good personality excellent. I give five star for everything I’m happy and thank you so much for everything"

Reviewed on 9 May 2024

Platinum Hotel
InterContinental Muscat, an IHG Hotel
InterContinental Muscat, an IHG Hotel
5 out of 5
Al Kharjiya Street, Al Shati Area, PO Box 398, Muscat
The price is ₹11,128 per night from 18 May to 19 May
₹11,128
per night
18 May - 19 May
Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews.
9/10 Wonderful! (164 reviews)
"Great, friendly staff. Amazing breakfast! Super clean rooms and interior of hotel meticulously kept."

Reviewed on 1 May 2024

InterContinental Muscat, an IHG Hotel
The Chedi Muscat
The Chedi Muscat
5 out of 5
North Ghubra 32 Way No. 3215, Street No. 46, Muscat
The price is ₹19,162 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
₹19,162
per night
2 Jun - 3 Jun
Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (626 reviews)
"We had a lovely stay at the Chedi in Muscat in early April and found it a very relaxing place to stay with family including teenagers. The staff were very friendly and courteous. One suggestion is to improve the atmosphere by arranging some activities and themed nights to engage the guests."

Reviewed on 15 Apr 2024

The Chedi Muscat
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
City Park Hotel Apartments
City Park Hotel Apartments
3 out of 5
Sultan Qaboos Street, Al Khuwair, Muscat
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 24-hour room service.
8.4/10 Very Good! (30 reviews)
"The staff was very helpful and friendly. The beds were nice but the shower door was missing and you couldn’t turn the bedroom lights off without turning all the power off to the whole suite."

Reviewed on 13 Dec 2023

City Park Hotel Apartments
Fraser Suites Muscat
Fraser Suites Muscat
5 out of 5
Landmark Building, 23 July Street, Muscat, Muscat Governorate
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the room service and the property condition in their reviews.
8.8/10 Excellent! (113 reviews)
"It was a great little hotel in a central location. We really liked it and didn't realise it has a laundry in the room which was handy. Only feedback is the back door is really difficult to open and has a special knack to it. Also the bedside tables were really close to the pillow area on the bed ..."

Reviewed on 30 Apr 2024

Fraser Suites Muscat
Levatio Suites Muscat, a member of Radisson Individuals
Levatio Suites Muscat, a member of Radisson Individuals
4 out of 5
Towers 3 and 4, Muscat, Muscat Governorate
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge).
9/10 Wonderful! (154 reviews)
"Hotel staff is excellent. They are always ready to assist for all your needs. We will definitely come again."

Reviewed on 10 May 2024

Levatio Suites Muscat, a member of Radisson Individuals
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Muscat

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
58
" "5 - Excellent 61.702127659574465%
4 - Good
29
" "4 - Good 30.851063829787233%
3 - Okay
7
" "3 - Okay 7.446808510638298%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
17 Jan 2020

Beautiful place and very safe

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
2 Jan 2020

Lovely place, great people, great weather and food choices. Wonderful winter break.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
1 Jan 2020

Great place for Break Cheaper Quieter version of Dubai

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
1 Jan 2020

Muscat is a sprawling low-rise city that is surprisingly green and very friendly.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
30 Dec 2019

A safe place to visit agree taxi pricebefore journey

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
16 Dec 2019

Nice for a day but it's a long and difficult drive from dubai

Cities near Muscat