Muscat Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Muscat which includes general coastal views and a sunset
Muscat featuring a city
Muscat featuring mountains and landscape views
Muttrah Souq showing markets, city views and shopping
Shatti Al Qurum showing tranquil scenes and mountains

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

Default Image

Al Khuwair

5/5(1 area review)

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

Shati Al Qurum

4/5(2 area reviews)

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

Shati Al Qurum
Muttrah Souq showing signage

Muttrah

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
Default Image

Ruwi

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
Default Image

Qurm

The beaches and abundant dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Qurm. A stop by Qurum Beach or PDO Oil & Gas Exhibition Centre might round out your trip.

Qurm
Default Image

Al Ghubrah Ash Shamaliyyah

3/5(1 area review)

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
The Chedi Muscat
The Chedi Muscat
5 out of 5
North Ghubra 32 Way No. 3215, Street No. 46, Muscat
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Muscat. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (648 reviews)
"Had a really good time at The Chedi. Got a free room upgrade upon arrival which was nice. One of the best things about it was the cleanliness of the entire property, room etc. minimal bugs too. The only down side when it came to cleanliness was that I think the pools could be cleaned a bit more regularly ..."

Reviewed on 29 Jun. 2025

The Chedi Muscat
InterContinental Muscat by IHG
InterContinental Muscat by IHG
5 out of 5
Al Kharjiya Street, Al Shati Area, PO Box 398, Muscat
The price is NZ$247 per night from 3 July to 4 July
NZ$247
3 July - 4 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Muscat. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (261 reviews)
"Amazing stay & even better location. Right on the beach and 15 minute drive from anything"

Reviewed on 13 Jun. 2025

InterContinental Muscat by IHG
Sheraton Oman Hotel
Sheraton Oman Hotel
5 out of 5
Ruwi, Muscat
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$138 per night from 11 July to 12 July
NZ$138
11 July - 12 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Muscat. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (431 reviews)
"Fantastic service and good quality food. Hotel facilities outdated which was a shame - needs renovation to bring it all up to standard for 5*. Service, friendliness brilliant!"

Reviewed on 16 Jun. 2025

Sheraton Oman Hotel
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.
Levatio Suites Muscat, a member of Radisson Individuals
Levatio Suites Muscat, a member of Radisson Individuals
5 out of 5
Panorama Mall, Muscat, Muscat Governorate
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Muscat. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Panorama Mall and Mohammed Al Ameen ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (201 reviews)
"Excellent experience at Levatio suite Muscat. Very clean. All staff members were very helpful and friendly. Enjoyed the spa in the hotel. Great breakfast as well."

Reviewed on 5 Jun. 2025

Levatio Suites Muscat, a member of Radisson Individuals
Fraser Suites Muscat
Fraser Suites Muscat
5 out of 5
Landmark Building, 23 July Street, Muscat, Muscat Governorate
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Muscat. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the room service ...
9/10 Wonderful! (143 reviews)
Excellent stay
"Really nice welcome, the rooms are large and comfortable and really well equipped. The pool is lovely with plenty of loungers and an excellent gym."

Reviewed on 15 Feb. 2025

Fraser Suites Muscat
Al Murooj Hotel Apartments
Al Murooj Hotel Apartments
3 out of 5
Al Ghubrah, Al Azaiba, Muscat
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Muscat. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and Sultan ...
"Nothing was good except the two guys in the front desk, Night Shift, and day shift guy. That’s it I don’t have nothing to say"

Reviewed on 16 May 2024

Al Murooj Hotel Apartments
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

Activities

Reviews of Muscat

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
4
5 - Excellent 67%
4 - Good
2
4 - Good 33%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

There is no CBD, individual shops or restaurants so suggest booking a hotel near a major shopping mall to access all services outside your hotel.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lovely place to visit to see a variety of things - beach, mountains, villages, forts, ports and souqs. People are friendly and accommodating.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We found Muscat a very attractive city and everyone we met was helpful and friendly. The souk was good fun but hot even in the evening.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Muscat was a slow burn for us. We liked the warmth (in January), clean spacious apartment, good roads etc but initially found it a bit boring after coming from Turkey. However hiring a driver the final day made all the difference (Omar from Sunshine)

Cities near Muscat