Top 10 Things To Do in Muscat Oman

Oman, a Middle Eastern country on the Arabian Peninsula may be overlooked at first, but I promise it is worthy of a second glance. Oman is a small, peaceful country with only about 4 million residents and a million reasons why you should visit. The capital is the perfect introduction to the Middle East and there are so many things to do in Muscat.

Visit the Royal Opera House

The Royal Opera House is a visually stunning building and shows a level of craftsmanship and design that is unparalleled. The stark white exterior with bright, beautiful flowers surrounding the building.

The interior of the Opera House is floor to ceiling ornate Islamic architecture. There is a small fee (3 OMR) to visit and you can arrange a tour of the property to hear more about the concert hall and its construction.

Explore the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

This mosque is a representation of the love the Omani people have for their Sultan and their religion. It is a spectacular mosque, with beautiful grounds and intricate designs. Often, a mosque is not open to the general public so this is a chance for non muslims to learn more about the religion.

The grand mosque is a world record holder. The world’s largest chandelier hangs with over 600,000 Swarovski crystals and the floor is covered by one of the world’s largest Persian rugs. It took 600 weavers four years to complete. The most impressive architectural aspect is the intricate mosaics throughout the complex.

Remember, Fridays are a day of prayer, so visiting the mosque is only from Saturdays through Thursdays. Also, since it is an active religious site, dressing respectfully is required. That means both men and women need to have their legs covered to their ankles and shoulders. Women need their heads covered.

Walk Along Mutrah Waterfront

The corniche of Mutrah is a place where you can walk and take in daily life in Muscat. Cafes and restaurants line the pedestrian walkway. It is a great place to spend an sunny afternoon, people watching and admiring the rocky coastline.

Get Lost in Mutrah Souq

The souq is a place to get lost and shop and is conveniently placed right along the waterfront. Much like other Arab countries, Oman has some wonderful markets, or souqs. This is the best place to go and find all of the souvenirs you’re looking for. The traditional market has textiles, antiques, house wares and jewelry. A classic Oman memento would be frankincense. The tree resin is native to Oman, and can be used as a perfume oil, an incense or for medicinal purposes.

Peruse the Fish Market

One of the surest way to see is to go to the source. Make a plan to visit the fish market while you’re at the Mutrah waterfront. Visiting local markets are one great way to get an insider view on local life. Heading to the fish market in Mutrah is one of those great local aspects of things to do in Muscat.

If you’re staying in an apartment, or a place with your own kitchen, coming here early is the one way to guarantee to get the freshest catch of the day. Curious about how to choose a sustainable fish? Check out Seafood Watch to find which seafood is most environmentally friendly to catch and eat.

Dig Into the Local Cuisine

Middle Eastern food is varied and delicious. There are spices and preparations that you may be familiar with, and other dishes that are a totally new experience. One of the best ways to familiarize yourself with a region is to start on the plate. Food in Oman was mouthwateringly delicious. The style of cooking is very like other countries in the region, is heavily influenced by Arabic, Indian, African and Mediterranean styles. This is heavily due to Oman’s relationship with these regions through the spice trade routes.

Restaurants like Bait Al Luban or Kargeen are both where you can go and try new dishes without disappointment. With cooked or baked meats, fresh seafoods, rices and vegetables, there is a meal for anyone. Traditional Omani food means you can have meat eaters and vegans sharing a table easily.

Imagine Being a Sultan at Al Alam Palace

Al Alam Palace is the ceremonial palace of Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said and is a great way to introduce yourself to the history of the Sultanate.

What’s a Sultanate? It means a state or country governed by a Sultan.

Wonderful, now what’s a sultan? A sultan is a noble title in Muslim countries. Much like a king, a sultan is the power or ruler of a sovereignty. Basically, the head of state and ultimate power of the country.

Visiting the Al Alam Palace is one of the six houses of the Sultan, and it has been a residence since 1972. While you can’t go in the palace, you can go to the front grounds and see the property. It is basically the equivalent of going to see the White House in Washington DC in the US. Even if you aren’t able to see the interior, the exterior design is blue and golden design is unique and worth a look.

Experience the National Museum Oman

The National Museum goes back over 2 million years, with early history until present day. One of the things you can do in Muscat is learn more about the Middle East through its cultural heritage as well as its past.

The famed Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama has part of his shipwrecked fleet here among over 5,000 other artifacts within the different exhibits. The permanent galleries are laid out in themed sections, from prehistoric artifacts through present day.

Get Outdoors at Qurum Beach & Park

There are several beaches in and around Muscat, you can find some quieter than others. Many of the resorts and oceanfront properties have their own private beaches. The public beaches and parks are clean and family friendly. It is a perfect place to go for a run, take a walk or pack a picnic and enjoy the seaside of Muscat.

Don’t forget that aside from the hotels catered to western tourists, that coming to the beach and sunbathing in a bikini is not the norm here in Muscat. The thing to do in Muscat when visiting a beach or park is to be respectful to the local culture and be modestly dressed.

Marvel at the Historic Forts

There are many old fortifications you’ll see on hilltops across Oman, but your initial glimpse of these towers will most likely be in Muscat. One of the best things to do in Muscat is be sure to find the three most famous forts while you are visiting the city. The word Muscat means ‘anchorage’ and this city was just that, an anchor for the

While you can’t access every fort because of their age and accessibility, it is a beautiful reminder of the ancient ramparts as well as an iconic symbol of prominent old world power. One full side of the country hugs the coastline from the UEA to the north and Yemen to the south. An ability to monitor ships and harbors was paramount during times of the spice trade.

Where to stay in Muscat

There are so many different choices of places to stay for any budget in Muscat. Luxury properties have beautiful buildings and many with pristine beachfront locations. Don’t count out more inexpensive accommodations, there are some wonderful places to stay that won’t break the bank.

Places like the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah or the Chedi Muscat are one of the many exclusive luxury properties in Muscat. You can treat yourself for a day or two and be totally pampered. A good mid range choice for a hotel in central Muscat is Centara Muscat Hotel Oman. They have fast wifi, clean rooms and a rooftop pool with the best views of the rest of the city. I also love recommending locally owned B&B or smaller boutique hotels. It is a great way to keep your tourism dollars circulating within the local economy and an opportunity to connect with the community. Behlys Villa for me was clean, friendly, cost effective alternative to a hotel stay in Muscat.

Travel Tip: If I’m starting and returning to the same location during my trip in the same location, I’ll often book two different style places at the beginning and end to get a better idea for the variety of accommodations in one location.

Getting Around Muscat

While I normally opt for public transportation, this time around I did have my own car. Driving was not an issue for me in Oman and driving in Muscat in particular was also easy. The roads are well marked in the city and there was ample parking at all of the locations on the list.

Driving gets a little more “interesting” when you start exploring other parts of Oman. Some places an off road vehicle is preferred, and through the middle of the country, the roads are desolate. Currently, ride share apps like Uber or Lyft are not available in Oman, but standard taxis are around town.

Navigating your way around Oman can be a little tricky only in with the issue that I’ve read some people have had problems with turn by turn directions on Google maps. Waze apparently works without much problem. I avoided the issue altogether by having my phone connected to my SkyRoam to stay online while I was driving and had access to both navigation apps.

Traveling Alone in the Middle East

I’m a solo female traveler and often, I’m asked a question about how it is to travel alone in regions where at first thought may not be open or safe to that style of travel. Part of the reason I chose a self driving trip through Oman was for that exact reason. Oman, much like many places in the Middle East may be religious and culturally conservative, but they can be in other ways simultaneously modern and progressive.

Women are permitted to drive and move through the country on their own, both tourists and residents alike. People were curious how restricted it would be to travel alone as a women. In the several weeks I spent in the country I didn’t feel threatened, unsafe or disrespected once. I think it is important to change the narrative when speaking about places like the Middle East, especially for those who haven’t visited and may have a preconceived notion about the region.