How To Spend One Day In Muscat, Oman: Complete Itinerary

Planning on spending one day in Muscat? We’ve got the PERFECT Itinerary for you!

Oman is a country that few people consider visiting, and yet is one that absolutely blew us away. One day in Muscat is the perfect amount of time to get to know this beautiful sleepy city. 

Despite being one of the richest countries in the region, Oman uses its wealth to preserve its traditional culture rather than to build towering skyscrapers.

As you explore the city, you’ll notice plenty of traditional white and beige clay houses, bustling souqs, great food, and a sleepy laidback atmosphere. With Oman Air offering long layovers in Muscat, it’s the perfect excuse to get out and explore the city.

Guided Tours Of Muscat

Don’t fancy exploring on your own? Here are the best guided tours of Muscat.

One Day In Muscat Overview

✅ Prefer to download the itinerary to use offline? Click HERE!

Morning

Your day in Muscat is going to be off to the best start with a visit to our absolute favourite place in the city. Get up early, grab some breakfast and a coffee, because this place is going to blow you away.

Visit The Jaw-Dropping Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is the most impressive building we have ever visited. Full stop. 

Picture a palace-like mosque, built almost entirely in sparkling white marble, with the tallest arches and towers, and an insanely impressive prayer hall. The Grand Mosque is all that and more. It’s one of those places where pictures just don’t do it justice and you have to see to believe.

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Muscat 1 Day Itinerary

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I lost count of how many times I was left speechless by the Mosque. It just kept getting better and better. This is by far the best place to visit in Muscat.

Entry to the Grand Mosque is completely free (which is honestly insane), but you do have to make sure you are completely covered up.

What To Wear To The Grand Mosque

As a woman, I would recommend wearing a maxi skirt or dress, with a long lightweight button-up shirt. Keep the shirt untucked/untied and ensure it’s not too sheer and you can’t see through it. Make sure your ankles are completely covered. We would recommend wearing long socks underneath to make sure.

Make sure your hair is completely covered with a scarf. Head scarves are available to purchase in the gift shop just at the entrance to the Mosque, and cost 4+ OMR. The ladies in the shop can also help you put it on correctly. We did see someone get refused entry into the prayer hall because her head scarf was too sheer.

For men, wear loose linen trousers and a shirt. Short-sleeved shirts are fine.

We would also recommend wearing shoes that you can slip off and on easily as you’ll need to take them off in several places.

Visiting The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is absolutely huge and can easily take several hours to explore. As it is only open in the mornings, get there for opening time to ensure you have enough time to explore.

You can’t take any bags into the Grand Mosque. Instead, just by the entrance is a little bench where you are instructed to leave your bags. It was a little nerve-wracking, but we were assured it was fine, and we encountered no issues. 

Upon entering, you’ll be greeted with a wide open expanse of gardens, with water features, palm trees, and the Mosque right ahead.

We highly recommend spending several hours exploring everything the Mosque has to offer.

Start by entering the small prayer hall straight ahead of the entrance. It’s basic, yet beautiful inside, with carved wooden ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and gold clocks.

After, explore round to the right and the outside areas of the Mosque. It’s so beautiful, with marble as far as the eye can see. There are tall archways and intricate details at every turn. There are carvings that honestly look like someone has handwritten into the wall. It’s insane.

For the last stop in the Mosque, head into the main prayer hall. It’s huge, and can fit 6500 people during prayer times. Almost every Friday the prayer hall and the entire mosque is filled with worshippers, amounting to 20,000 people. 

The main prayer hall has the biggest hand-woven carpet in the world, taking 4 years and 600 people to make. The ceiling is adorned with a 14m chandelier, weighing 8.5 tonnes with 1200 lightbulbs. It is so beautiful. 

Just outside the prayer hall are several tall arches, the tallest in the complex. This is such a beautiful photo spot (and photos are encouraged inside the mosque).

Afternoon

After spending the morning exploring the mosque, book a taxi to Mutrah and head on a scenic 30-minute drive. Mutrah is one town over from Muscat, and acts as Muscat’s Old Town. It is located right on the sea front, and has plenty to offer visitors.

Lunch At Ghamdan Palace

When you arrive in Mutrah, walk back towards the roundabout and fish market, cross the road, and head to Ghamdan Palace. Ghamdan Palace is one of the best and most authentic Omani restaurants in the area.

With a large menu offering various Middle Eastern dishes, Ghamdan Palace is reasonably priced. The portions are generous and the food is delicious. The service is fantastic and the staff are so friendly. This is a fantastic place to stop for lunch.

Explore Mutrah Fort

After filling your belly, it’s time to head on a gentle walk along the seafront to the opposite end of Mutrah Corniche where you’ll find Mutrah Fort.

Dating back to as early as 1507, Mutrah Fort is positioned to offer protection to Mutrah during the event of an invasion. It has some of the best views over the Sultan Qaboos Port, and you can see for miles from the top.

Honestly, there is not a lot inside the fort, bar a few cannons, but the views from the top are worth visiting for alone. 

Take A Stroll Through The Old Town

Mutrah is a charming town, filled with traditional white Omani buildings. It was originally built as a working fishing town, with maritime commerce being the main source of income. 

Nowadays, the town is still full of life, with many locals still calling these old buildings home. A large proportion of income still comes from fishing, with the large fish market being evidence of that.

We always think one of the best ways to get to know a place is by exploring the hidden streets and alleys. We love to go where the locals go. Mutrah is no exception.

The streets are so beautiful and completely unique compared to anywhere else we’ve been before. It is also the perfect place to take some photos of local life.

Just please remember that people do live here so be respectful!

Shop In Mutrah Souq

One of the best things to do when if you’ve only got one day in Muscat is to shop in Mutrah Souq. In the late afternoons, the souq comes alive with the fragrance of spices and sparkling trinkets at every turn.

A souq is a big covered shopping market, and Mutrah Souq is beautiful. It is a bit of a maze, with each winding alley intertwining in a way we could never work out. But part of the fun of shopping in a souq is getting lost! This is how you find the best stores and the best hidden gems.

Mutrah Souq is particularly famous for its rose oil and gold jewellery, of which you can find plenty. There are fabric stores, intricately decorated kumas (traditional Omani caps), old coins and artifacts from around the world, and all sorts of other stuff. It is so much fun to explore.

Bargaining is expected, so don’t be afraid to try to haggle a good deal. We’d also recommend carrying plenty of cash as most places are cash only.

Don’t miss the opportunity to grab a coffee from the coffee shop on the left as you enter the souk. This is a real local hotspot and the prices are so cheap compared to many places in Muscat. Plus, the coffee was honestly delicious and only cost 0.2 OMR (around 40p!).

Mutrah also has a separate gold souq, filled with all sorts of beautiful jewellery.

Ultimately, Mutrah Souq is the best place to shop, find unique items, and souvenirs.

Evening

Evenings in Muscat are something really special. As the sun starts to drop lower in the sky, all the locals come out creating a really lovely vibrant atmosphere.

Watch Sunset At Mutrah Corniche

The best thing to do in Muscat during the evening is to watch sunset at Mutrah Corniche. The corniche is the waterfront area, with a long paved promenade stretching the entire length, making it really accessible.

We spent several hours along the corniche. It’s such a peaceful place and feels so relaxing. There are benches, statues of dolphins, and little shelters spaced out along the corniche. 

Make sure you keep an eye on the water. We saw so many different types of fish, some really big and colourful ones, and even several turtles. It was absolutely amazing. We were completely mesmerised watching the turtles bobbing around, feeding off the rocks just beyond the sea wall.

Where To Stay In Muscat

Muscat is a large, sprawling city, and is pretty spread out along the coast. For the best experience, we would recommend staying in Muscat’s old town region of Mutrah. Mutrah is filled with so much life and will give you an authentic taste of Oman.

✅ Best Budget Stay – Riyam Hotel – This hotel offers a comfortable stay just a short walk from Mutrah Souq and Corniche. It has a small swimming pool and the rooms are very large. Some rooms come with a sea view.

✅ Best Mid-Range Stay – Fort Guesthouse – Decorated in a traditional style, this guest house is within a short walk of everything there is to do in Mutrah. With a fantastic rooftop café serving a delicious breakfast, this is a great option to stay for one night in Muscat.

✅ Best Luxury Stay – Mandarin Oriental Muscat – If you want to splash out on real luxury, you’re going to want to head away from the old town, into the newer part of Muscat.

The Mandarin Oriental is located on the beach, with world class facilities including a gym, swimming pool, outdoor courtyard, and an exceptional restaurant. The rooms are huge and comfortable. You can’t get much better than this when visiting Muscat for one day.

How To Get Around Muscat

The easiest, and cheapest, way to get around Muscat is to hire a car. This is particularly good if you’re spending longer in Oman and want to explore more of the country.

Car rental is pretty reasonable, even if it’s just for the day, and petrol is very cheap in Muscat. Plus, hiring a car gives you total freedom and flexibility over where to go. This is definitely going to be the cheapest option to explore Muscat for a day.

Alternatively, taxis are going to be your best friend. There are public buses in Muscat, however they can be a little tricky and very time consuming to navigate.

Make sure you download OTAXI app before visiting so that you can book licensed taxis at a fair price with no hidden fees. You will need to make sure you’ve got a local SIM card to use it without roaming fees. 

We recommend Airalo, where you can buy a single day eSIM with mobile data that should be enough for your one day in Muscat.

Best Time To Visit Muscat

Muscat is located on the Arabian peninsula, meaning the summers get VERY hot. We visited at the end of May, and my goodness did we struggle in the heat. It was 40+°c and with bright sunshine all day. 

If you do decide to visit in summer, please remember to still dress respectfully, in a long skirt, dress or trousers, and with a top covering your elbows. 

The best time to visit Muscat is from November to February, when the temperatures are a little cooler and more manageable. 

If You’ve Got More Time

If you’ve got an extra day or two in Muscat, there are plenty of things that can fill your time. 

Snorkel The Daymaniat Islands 

The number one thing we would recommend doing is taking a boat trip to go snorkelling at the Daymaniat Islands. The marine life in the Gulf of Oman is incredibly rich and vibrant, with thriving coral reefs, turtles, sharks, rays, a colourful assortment of tropical fish, and even whale sharks if you’re visiting between July and September.

This is easily the best thing to do in Muscat.

Royal Opera House

The Royal Opera House is easily one of the most impressive buildings in Muscat, if not in the whole of Oman. The Royal Opera House was built due to Sultan Qaboos’s vision of turning Oman into a cultural and artistic hub, and it really has put it on the map. 

The white marble exterior is stunning, with archways similar to that in the Grand Mosque. However, it’s the inside that really steals the show. With intricate chandeliers, rich wood, and velvet seats, it really is magical.

We’d recommend seeing a show if you can, or if not then take a guided tour of the interior. It’s incredible.

Bait Al Zubair Museum

This privately-owned museum is located in a traditional restored house. It showcases Omani culture and tradition through displays of traditional furniture and handicrafts. It is also at the centre of Oman’s cultural hub, and is often used to house art exhibitions, meaning the contents is constantly changing.

Muscat Gate

Muscat Gate is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city – a grand stone gate that looks like something out of a movie. It stands at the entrance to Old Muscat, right above the main road, and it’s honestly such a great photo spot.

You can walk through the gate itself and head up into the Muscat Gate Museum, which gives a great overview of Omani history – from ancient trade routes and forts to the story of Muscat’s transformation into the capital it is today.

Al Alam Palace

As with so many places in Muscat, Al Alam Palace is stunning. This is the ceremonial palace of the Sultan. Whilst you can’t actually go inside, you can walk right up to the gates and take photos from the outside. It is seriously impressive. 

Nizwa Fort Day trip

Nizwa Fort is one of the most iconic historical sites in Oman, and it’s absolutely worth the trip from Muscat. Built in the 17th century, this massive sand-coloured fortress has the largest cylindrical tower in Oman – it’s 30 metres wide and was designed to withstand brutal sieges. 

The entire complex is super photogenic – think dramatic arches, staircases, courtyards, and ancient wooden doors.

Hike The C38 Or C39 Trail

There are several hikes you can take from Muscat. These hikes will see you climbing into the mountains and weaving through the wadis for some of the best views over Muscat and Mutrah Corniche. 

We would strongly advise against doing these hikes during the summer months as the temperatures are far too high, making it dangerous to attempt.

FAQs

Still have a few questions about spending one day in Muscat? We’ve answered the most common questions below.

Is Muscat Safe?

Oman is one of the safest countries in the Middle East, and Muscat is no exception. We met so many friendly locals during our time in Muscat and never felt unsafe. The city is kept perfectly clean and is so quiet and tranquil. 

How Long Do You Need To Spend In Muscat?

If it is your first time visiting, one day in Muscat is enough to see the main sights. However, we would recommend staying at least 2 days in order to take a day trip from Muscat to either the Daymaniat Islands or Nizwa Fort.

Do They Speak English In Muscat?

Yes, virtually everyone we encountered spoke relatively fluent English. We never had a problem communicating in Muscat.

Wrap Up

Muscat is a beautiful, friendly, city, with some of the most impressive architecture we have ever seen. Spending a day in Muscat is the perfect amount of time to thoroughly explore the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Mutrah Corniche, and shop in the souks. 

This itinerary will allow you to immerse yourself in the culture, history, wildlife, and religion of Oman. We loved our time in Muscat and we know you will too.

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