Is Muscat Worth Visiting? Why We Loved It & Essential Info
Wondering whether Muscat is actually worth visiting? We’ve outlined why we love Muscat, and all the considerations you need to make before visiting.
Located on the Gulf of Oman, Muscat is a peaceful capital city. While most cities in the Middle East are filled with skyscrapers and modern architecture, Muscat is a place where the traditional culture has been preserved.
It’s somewhere that you’re more likely to be surrounded by locals than tour groups. With a beautiful coastline and some of the most stunning buildings we’ve ever seen, we thoroughly enjoyed our time in Muscat.
However, we also learnt a lot and our trip didn’t always go quite as planned.
So, if you’re wondering whether Muscat is worth visiting, we’ve outlined everything you need to know.
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Why Muscat Is Worth Visiting
Let’s jump right in with the pros and why we think Muscat is worth visiting.
Stunning Architecture
Muscat is home to some of the most impressive and beautiful architecture we’ve ever seen. Our favourite has to be the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, though the Royal Opera House is also incredible.
The Grand Mosque was one of those places that left us completely speechless. As we wandered through, it just kept getting better and better. With arches towering over us, polished marble floors, and insanely beautiful crystal chandeliers, it really couldn’t get any better.
We’ve been to some pretty impressive places in the past, and yet we both said this was by far the most incredible place we’d seen.
Even Muscat airport was designed to be absolutely beautiful. As soon as we landed in Muscat, we felt like we were surrounded by this modern yet traditional luxurious architecture.
The old town of Mutrah offers a special charm around its buildings too. Despite peeling paint and uneven walls, there is something so beautiful about strolling those ancient streets.
The architecture alone makes Muscat worth visiting in our opinion.
Rich Cultural Heritage
Despite its wealth, Oman puts more money into maintaining its traditional cultural heritage than anywhere else in the Middle East. It’s wonderful to see.
This means no huge towering skyscrapers, but traditional low-level white-washed buildings. New buildings are still built in the traditional style, adding a special charm to the city.
Muscat has a traditional way of life that extends beyond its buildings. Locals still shop in bustling souqs, haggling for the best bargain. They buy their fish from the fresh fish market, and their veg from the fruit and veg market.
It’s a simple and slow way of life that makes you embrace the little moments, like a sip of fresh coffee from a street market, or the sweet taste of mango juice, squeezed right in front of you.
Muscat also embraces its history as a working harbour city. The Mutrah Corniche has maritime sculptures along the edge, while there are several well-preserved forts protecting the city that you can visit.
Oman is a country that seamlessly blends its past with its present in the best possible way. It makes you wonder whether this should be the model for more countries around the world?
Stunning Natural Landscapes
Despite being a capital city, Muscat has so many beautiful natural landscapes. Our personal favourite was the Mutrah Corniche, a seafront area in the old town. This is still a working harbour, and yet it is stunning.
The sea is insanely blue, clear, and calm. We saw so many different types of tropical fish, some huge colourful ones, and so many turtles surfacing near the edge and feeding off the rocks in the warm shallows.
That was truly a ‘pinch me’ moment. We were not expecting to see sea turtles in the harbour, and yet they were right there.
It’s not only the seascape, Muscat is home to impressive mountains and wadis. There are several short hikes you can take out of the city to viewpoints around the town. Try hiking the C38 or C39 trail for impressive views over the city and complete peace in the mountains.
Peaceful And Relaxing Atmosphere
One thing that really surprised us was how peaceful and relaxing Muscat was. I mean, it’s a capital city. And yet, it wasn’t busy at all. It often felt like we were the only tourists there.
Wandering along the seafront, through the Grand Mosque, and exploring Mutrah Fort, we felt so relaxed and at ease. It’s a slow way of life that instantly catches you when you enter Muscat.
Plus, the city is sparklingly clean. We’ve never been to a capital city that’s that clean before. It really just adds to the peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.
Welcoming Hospitality
We found the Omani people to be super welcoming and friendly overall. When we first arrived in Mutrah, the man in the tourist information centre invited us in. He started giving us so many tips and information about Muscat, where to go, what to see. He could answer all of our questions.
After around 15 minutes of chatting, he pulled out his phone and started showing us his family photos of the Daymaniyat islands, the Lake District (he loved England). He even gave us one of his brand new, 1.5L unopened, ice cold water to take away with us. We were blown away by his kindness.
That is a theme that lasted throughout our time in Muscat.
When we arrived at the Grand Mosque, for example, the ladies in the shop put my headscarf on for me. The man on the entrance gate was so kind and jovial. We had locals lend us their hotspot to book a taxi.
We had several locals come up to talk to us, and we were made to feel welcome throughout.
This was one of our favourite things about Muscat and why we think it’s worth visiting.
Accessibility And Safety
With all the current and past issues in the Middle East, it is natural for you to wonder whether Muscat is even safe to visit. We can assure you it absolutely is.
Oman is one of the most peaceful and safe countries in the world.
We felt so safe throughout our entire time in Muscat. It felt like the locals really had our back, and were not out to get us in the slightest.
Muscat is also super easy to navigate. Whilst the city is quite spread out, each area is easily covered by foot, and taxis are readily available to take you between suburbs.
Perfect Base For Day Trips
One of the best things about visiting Muscat is that there are so many great day trip options from the city.
The one we would most recommend (and has been most recommended to us) is a snorkelling trip in the Daymaniyat Islands. Oman is home to thriving coral reefs, a huge array of colourful tropical fish, turtles, rays, sharks, and even whale sharks. And this is all accessible just a short boat ride from Muscat.
Another place you could visit is Wadi Shab, one of the most beautiful places in Oman. This is a magical oasis, with waterfalls, lakes, and palm trees nestled beneath towering rock walls.
To see a bit more of Oman’s culture, head to Nizwa, where you can see the famous Nizwa Fort and Nizwa souq. The architecture here is stunning, and there are plenty of great photo opportunities.
You can even visit the sandy dunes of the desert and natural pools at Wadi Bani Khalid. The variety of day trips and landscapes you can see from Muscat is crazy.
Things To Consider
Despite Muscat being a fabulous destination to visit, we made a few mistakes. Below, we’ve outlined everything you need to know to make sure you have the best time.
Hot Summers
The summers in Oman are insanely hot. Believe us. We visited at the end of May and it was over 40°c. Combine this with modest attire and my goodness was it hot. Heat stroke is a serious concern at this time of year.
Fewer people visit, so it is much quieter, but we wouldn’t recommend visiting in peak summer.
Instead, the best time to visit would be between October and February, when the weather is milder and the city is filled with life. This will allow you to explore more without getting overwhelmed with the heat. You can hike, you can visit the desert, you can snorkel without getting burnt to a crisp.
If at all possible, we would advise to avoid Muscat between May and September, when it’s at its hottest.
Limited Public Transportation Options
Public transport in Muscat is limited and pretty unreliable. We asked several different people where and when the bus to the airport departed from and they all gave us pretty vague answers and gestured somewhere in the distance.
When we had worked it out, the bus (which was meant to come every 15 minutes) didn’t come for an hour. Then our connecting bus also didn’t depart for 30 minutes. It was a real headache, and we’re grateful we had allowed an additional hour.
The easiest way to get around in Muscat is by taxi. They’re not cheap, however. We would recommend downloading OTAXI, Oman’s version of Uber, so you can book taxis and know the price in advance. This way you can also make sure you’re not getting into an unlicensed taxi.
Maybe we were just unlucky, but I would also not expect there to be seatbelts in the back of the taxi. None of the taxis we rode in had anywhere to plug the seatbelt in, with the drivers simply brushing it off as ‘we wouldn’t need it’. Yikes.
If you are planning on getting taxis, make sure you download an Airalo eSIM to be able to use the OTAXI app.
The cheapest, and by far the most convenient, way to get around Muscat is to hire a car. If we had realised how cheap car hire is in Oman, and how cheap the fuel is, we would definitely have done this.
Car hire starts from as little as 6 OMR per day. You can pick it up directly from the airport, and drop it back when you’re finished. It gives you the ultimate freedom to explore.
Relatively Expensive
Kind of.
Muscat is not the cheapest destination in the world. If you’re visiting expecting cheap prices, you’re going to be disappointed.
On the other hand, Muscat is also not that expensive. It’s slightly cheaper than UK and western prices, but at the same time some things are super cheap.
For example, petrol is super cheap. We got a coffee for 40p in the Mutrah souq. Entry to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is free (could you even imagine that in the west?!).
A meal in a restaurant will set you back around £7-15. A fresh fruit juice is £1.60.
Where the prices start to rack up, as with anywhere, is transport. If you’re getting taxis between each place, because the city is so spread out, you can easily end up spending £40-50 on transport alone each day.
There’s Not A Huge Amount To Do In The City
It’s true, there is not a huge amount to do in Muscat, especially if you’re not interested in museums. However, there is plenty to fill 1-2 days. We’ve written a full 1 day Muscat itinerary, with LOTS of suggestions if you want to extend your time.
If you’ve got a few extra days, you can head out on day trips to other parts of Oman, especially if you have your own car.
Ultimately, it will be what you make it. If you put in the effort to get between places, hire a car or a driver, there is plenty to do in Muscat. If, however, you just stay in Mutrah or one suburb for the whole time, you possibly will get bored.
Muscat is a very spread out city and you will need transport to get around, whether that’s a taxi or your own car. If you do that, we are sure you will find more than enough to keep you busy.
Where to Stay in Muscat
✅ Best Budget Stay – Riyam Hotel – This hotel is just a short walk from Mutrah Corniche and the souq, making it an ideal location for a stay in Muscat. It is comfortable with large rooms and a swimming pool for guest use.
✅ Best Mid-Range Stay – Fort Guesthouse – A traditionally decorated hotel within walking distance of everything there is to do in Mutrah, Muscat. It also has a fantastic rooftop café serving breakfast daily.
✅ Best Luxury Stay – Mandarin Oriental Muscat – Located right on the beach, this hotel offers a world-class experience. With various suites available to book, a gym, swimming pool, outdoor courtyard, and an exceptional restaurant, this is the best of the best.
For all of the best areas and hotels to stay in Muscat, CLICK HERE!
What To Wear In Muscat
Oman is a very conservative, predominantly Muslim country. As a result, you should always aim to dress conservatively. At a minimum, it means knees and shoulders covered for both men and women.
However, we would strongly recommend covering your ankles and elbows, especially as a woman. I wore a maxi skirt with a vest top and loose long-sleeve shirt over the top and this was perfect for the weather and culture. Nat wore linen trousers and a short-sleeved shirt.
If you’re visiting the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, women will also be required to cover their hair. Head scarfs are available to purchase from the gift shop near the entrance for 4 OMR.
FAQs
Still have a few questions about whether Muscat is worth visiting? We’ve answered the most common questions below.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Muscat?
Muscat is a beautiful destination year-round. However, for the best and most comfortable stay, you’re going to want to avoid the summer season when temperatures top 40°c.
We would recommend visiting between October and March for the best weather, with milder temperatures.
Is Muscat Safe For Tourists?
Yes, Muscat is most definitely safe for tourists. The crime rate in Muscat, and in Oman as a whole, is very low. The locals are kind and welcoming and genuinely want you to enjoy their country.
Of course, we would recommend exercising the same precautions you would in any major city worldwide, such as not going out alone at night, and being aware of your surroundings.
However, Muscat is a very friendly and very safe city.
Can I drink alcohol in Muscat?
Alcohol is available for purchase at licensed hotels, resorts, and restaurants. However, drinking outside of these venues is strictly prohibited.
How Long Should I Spend In Muscat?
We would recommend spending 1-2 days exploring Muscat itself, and then an additional day or two to allow for day trips to the Daymaniyat Islands and further inland.
Overall Verdict
Muscat is a beautiful, peaceful capital city, located on the coast of Oman. With friendly locals, insane architecture, and stunning scenery, we think Muscat is absolutely worth visiting.
Hire a car, visit the Grand Mosque, book a tour to the Daymaniyat Islands, and explore the vibrant souks. We’re sure you’re going to love visiting Muscat.
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