adminYour first impressions of Oman will almost certainly be formed in Muscat. This long-stretched capital city, located along the Gulf of Oman, is the beating heart of the country. Muscat consists of an old and a new city center, with the airport conveniently located near the newer part of the city. In fact, you cannot stay overnight in the old city. This part is mainly dominated by government buildings and the Sultan’s palace. Muscat is a safe and diverse city, and as both the starting and ending point of a round trip, it’s well worth taking the time to explore.
Muscat: how to explore this city
When you arrive in Oman, I highly recommend picking up your rental car straight at the airport. That’s exactly what we did, and it made the trip so much easier from the start. Although Muscat does have a bus network, a car is really the only efficient way to get around, especially if you want the freedom to explore at your own pace.
The road infrastructure is excellent and driving felt relaxed and straightforward, even for first-time visitors. Parking near the main sights was never an issue, and I didn’t come across paid parking anywhere. Leaving our rental car in large parking areas never felt unsafe either. Oman is known for its very low crime rates, and that sense of safety is something you notice immediately. It’s the kind of destination where you can truly let go of stress and just enjoy the journey.
Muscat: best places to stay
When choosing where to stay in Muscat, location really matters. The city is long and spread out, so staying near the coast or close to the highway will save you a lot of travel time. There is a huge choice of hotels in Muscat, ranging from international chains to smaller boutique stays. You’ll easily find something that fits your travel style and budget. We found the areas around Qurum, Al Khuwair and Mutrah to be the most convenient, with easy access to beaches, restaurants and major sights. If you’re only in Muscat for a short stay or using it as the start or end point of a road trip, I’d avoid staying too far from the airport or city center. A well-located hotel makes exploring Muscat much more relaxed and efficient.
Muscat: best things to do and to see
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque was one of our favourite stops in Muscat. The scale of the building is truly impressive, yet the atmosphere inside feels calm and serene. Visiting is very straightforward: there’s a huge, free parking area right next to the mosque, which makes it an easy stop when exploring the city by car.
Tourists are only allowed to visit between 8 and 11 a.m., so arriving early is key. The entrance is free. Dress rules are taken seriously here: women need to cover their arms and legs and wear a headscarf. If you don’t have one with you, you can easily buy a headscarf at the souvenir shop near the entrance. As with any mosque, you’ll also need to take off your shoes before entering. And it’s important that you remember the place where you stored your shoes. After the visit, I genuinely couldn’t find my shoes anymore and had to search through rows of nearly identical pairs before finally spotting them. That’s how I managed to stay in until 11.30 a.m. Guards helped me search my shoes, so it was okay for them that I stayed. Slightly chaotic, but also part of the experience.
Fun fact: the enormous handwoven carpet in the main prayer hall was once the largest in the world and took years to complete (70m by 60m wide!). 600 women worked 4 years on this carpet! It adds to the almost unreal sense of scale inside the mosque
Mutrah Souq
Mutrah Souq is one of the oldest markets in Oman and a wonderful place to soak up the local atmosphere. The narrow alleyways are filled with the scent of frankincense, colourful textiles and traditional souvenirs, and it’s easy to get pleasantly lost while wandering around.
Unlike my experiences in souqs in other countries, the vendors here were absolutely not pushy. Of course, you do notice a few sales tricks, but you can browse around at your own pace without any pressure. I found this such a relief that we even made a quick stop here for a few souvenirs for friends and family just before heading back to the airport at the end of our trip.
There’s plenty of parking nearby. At the Fish Market (also fun for a short visit in the morning!), there is a large area where you can park for free.
The souq is open from 8 am to 1 pm and from 5 pm til 9 pm.
Mutrah Corniche
The main entry of the souq is via the Corniche. The Corniche is a path along the sea. The path leads from the fish market until the old town. It’s a nice walk. We went all the way until the Sultan’s Palace. And took a taxi back to the fish market for 5 OMR (about €11).
Daytrip to the Daymaniyat Nature Reserve
One of the excursions from Muscat you really shouldn’t miss is a boat trip to the Daymaniyat Islands. Just a 45-minute boat ride from the capital brings you to this stunning island group. These nine islands are a protected nature reserve due to the unique marine life surrounding them.
The islands have only been accessible to the public since 2013. During the summer months, when turtles come ashore to lay their eggs, the islands are closed and tours are limited to snorkeling or diving around the islands. From October to April, tours are allowed to land on the islands, and during this period you can even camp there.
Surprisingly, you’ll find full 5G connectivity on the islands (yes, that telecom mast does slightly spoil the view). But what truly makes this place special is the wildlife. While you might spot a turtle or two when snorkeling elsewhere, here you’ll see dozens swimming through the coral and right alongside the snorkelers. We even saw a few sharks gliding beneath us. An absolutely unique place!
I booked a tour via GetYourGuide.
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