Muscat

Understand

Wedged between the Arabian Sea and the rugged Western Hajar Mountains, the city referred to as Muscat is in fact several smaller towns which have grown together over time. These include old Muscat (also known as the 'walled city'), site of the royal palace; Mutrah (also spelled Matrah or Matruh), once a fishing village and home to the labyrinthine Mutrah Souq; and Ruwi, which is the commercial and diplomatic quarter of the city. The metropolitan area covers 3,500 km2, and this tripartite division can be inconvenient for the visitor especially as much accommodation is a fair distance from sights of interest. Unlike other cities in the Gulf, notably in the UAE and Qatar, Muscat does not have an ultramodern skyline. Following the preferences of the Sultan, modern construction is required to adhere to traditional Arabic architectural styles, resulting in a more low-key urban landscape.

Municipal government website (in English)

Getting there

By plane

1 Muscat International Airport (MCT IATA, formerly Seeb International Airport) (37 km west of Mutrah), ☏ +968 24 519223, +968 24 519456. Flights from many cities in the Middle East and southern Asia, and from several European cities.

Oman Air (in Ruwi, opposite Central Bank), ☏ +968 24 707222, +968 24 798096 (reservations), +968 24 750812 (tickets), fax: +968 24 795546. Operates flights to Muscat from many airports in the Middle East, Asia and Europe. Domestically operates flights from Salalah and Khasab. Air Arabia, ☏ +968 24 700828. 2 flights per day from Sharjah to Muscat, duration of flight is 55 min. Air India Express. Flights from Amritsar on Wednesday and Friday (duration of flight 3hr 15min, from Delhi on W, F (duration of flight 5hr 20min), from Kochi on Tu Th and Su (duration of flight 3hr 35min), from Kozhikode on F Sa Su (duration of flight 3hr 25min), from Thiruvanantahapuram on Tu Th-Su (duration of flight 3hr 45min, or 5hr 20min if flight goes via Cochin). British Airways, ☏ +968 24 565123, +968 24 2456877, fax: +968 24 795721. Service Terminated (updated Sep 2023) Egypt Air, ☏ +968 24 794113, +968 24 796134, fax: +968 24 70989. Offers flights from Cairo to Muscat M W-F, arriving in Muscat next morning, duration of flight 4 hr. Emirates, ☏ +968 24 786600, +968 24 792222, fax: +968 24 750989. 10 flights per day from Dubai to Muscat, flying time 1 hr. Etihad Airways, ☏ +968 24 823555, +968 24 817861, fax: +968 24 823556. 3 flights per day from Abu Dhabi to Muscat, duration of flight 1hr 05min. flydubai. 3 flights per day from Dubai to Muscat. Gulf Air, ☏ +968 24 703222, +968 24 703544, fax: +968 24 7003381. Flights from Bahrain to Muscat. KLM. Flights from Amsterdam to Muscat on M W-F Su, duration of flight 8 hr 30 min. Kuwait Airways, ☏ +968 24 701262, +968 24 704455, fax: +968 24 700483. Lufthansa, ☏ +968 24 796692, +968 24 510400, fax: +968 24 798987. Daily flights from Frankfurt to Muscat with a technical stop in Kuwait, duration of flight 8 hr. (updated Jan 2017) Pakistan International Airlines, Building No. 69, Way No. 2728, Block No. 127, Markaz Tijari Street, CBD area, ☏ +968 24792471, mctuupk@piac.aero. Flights from Islamabad on M W Th Sa and Su and from Peshawar on W Th and Sa. Qatar Airways, ☏ +968 24 787070, fax: +968 24 798987. (updated Apr 2016) Royal Jordanian, ☏ +968 24 796693, +968 24 707930, fax: +968 24 788098. Flies from Amman to Muscat on Tu Th F and Su, arriving in Muscat next morning. Swiss, ☏ +968 24 703303, +968 24 787416, fax: +968 24 799502. Daily flights from Zurich to Muscat via Dubai. Turkish Airlines. Daily flights from Istanbul SalamAir (السلام), ☏ +96824272222. Taxis from and to the airport should cost between RO 6 (Golden Tulip, near the airport) and RO 12 (Al Bustan Palace Hotel, Al Bustan). Taxis can be booked at the Taxi Counter (☏ +968 24518780, +968 24518781, taxi@omanairports.com). Make sure you agree the fare with the driver before commencing your journey. Fares should be agreed before commencing the journey and may be pre-paid at the Muscat International Airport Taxi Counter. There are ATM machines inside the terminal just prior to exiting on the left side of the doors. It's also possible and recommended to use the app "OTaxi" to get a pre-determined fare with an official taxi. The use of the app is now (08/2026) de facto advertised even inside the airport. Go to the -1 floor from the arrivals to get into the taxi pickup area and the airport taxi counter.

2 Public buses from the airport (ground floor outside the new terminal). Many bus lines operate from here. Timetables are integrated into Google Maps. Only cash payments are possible. Exchange or withdraw at the airport terminal beforehand. The public buses are operated by Mwasalat. 1.5 rials. (updated Jan 2026)

Getting around

E-hailing

The app O Taxi is available for Muscat so you don't need to haggle for a standard taxi.

Maxi taxi

There are maxi taxis, which are also known throughout the expat community as baisa buses. They are white minibuses with an orange taxi sign on the top. They operate between Seeb in the west and the Corniche area in the east. They only go on the highways. The best place on a highway to wait for them is at the on-ramps of a junction, near a local bus stop and/or where you see a few people waiting for one. Flag down a maxi taxi and tell the driver to which destination at a highway you want to go to. The driver will tell you either to get in the minibus or that he goes to another direction; in this case wait for the next one. A journey within the Muscat area costs about 0.2–0.4 rials (Jan 2026).

Standard taxi

The (mostly orange and white) taxis are a bit pricier, and they hang around the hotels where they get juicy fares from unwary travellers. They will charge RO 8 for an airport trip if you don't haggle, but you should be able to agree RO 5. They always say they will give you "good price", but it's best to figure out what you want to spend then agree before you get in. The minimum fare is RO 1.500 and most destinations won't be much more than that. There are also shared standard taxis in the same white orange color. They mostly go along the highways. Prices should be about 0.5 - 1 rial.

See

Old Muscat

1 Al Jalali Fort, Qasr Al Alam St. Built as a prison in the rocky mountains in the 1580s during the Portuguese occupation, now converted into a museum devoted to Omani heritage. Unfortunately the fort is only opened to visiting dignitaries and heads of state and not open to the general public, but it's still possible to climb the steep stairs up to the top and to enjoy the view. 2 Al Mirani Fort, Al Mirani St. Built at the same time as Al Jalali Fort which it faces across the harbour. This fort has also been converted to a museum which is closed to the general public, but it can be freely appreciated from the outside. 3 Qasr Al Alam Royal Palace. This is the office of Sultan Qaboos, ruler of Oman. This beautiful palace stands on the head of a natural deep water harbour and is guarded on either side by the twin forts of Mirani and Jelali. Visitors are not allowed to visit the palace, but they are allowed to take photographs at the entrance of the palace. 4 Bait Al Zubair Museum, Al Bahri Rd, ☏ +968 24 736688. Sa-Th 9:30AM-6PM. The museum features displays on Omani social history, while tours are frequently run of the neighbouring reconstructed townhouse. 5 Omani French Museum, Qasr al-Alam St (in Bait Fransa near the police station). Sa-W 8AM-1PM, Th 9AM-1PM. This small museum has displays detailing the relations between France and Oman, with many colonial objects from the 19th century. RO 0.500. 6 Muscat Gate Museum, Al Bahri Rd. Sa-Th 8AM-2PM. This museum marks the location of the old city wall, and has the original city gates which were used until the 1970s. The location offers good views of Old Muscat and the palace. 7 Bait Muzna Gallery, Saidiya St, Way 8662, House 234 (opposite Bait al Zubair Museum), ☏ +968 24739 204, fax: +968 24739205, art@baitmuznagallery.com. A gallery representing primarily Omani artists, and a few Oman-based western artists. 8 National Museum, An Noor St, ☏ +968 24 701289. Sa-Th 10AM-5PM, F 2PM-6PM. This large museum tries to illustrate the history and customs of Oman from the Stone Age to the present day. Obviously huge effort is being put in the presentation, there are many 3D printed detailed models of Omani architecture and beautifully presented artifacts. There's also a curious exhibition of (largely kitsch) presents from foreign dignitaries on the top floor. RO 5 (adults), free (children). (updated Sep 2022)

Mutrah

Formerly a fishing village, Mutrah is known primarily for its extensive souq and waterfront corniche. Mutrah harbour is also where the Sultan's royal yacht is docked.

9 Corniche, Al Bahri Rd. The renovated corniche area is a popular place for a walk and also for its many not-so-expensive eating places. There are also good view of the fishing dhows in the harbour. 10 Fish market (fish souq), Al Bahri Rd (along the Corniche, across from the Marina Hotel). Daily 6-10AM. Visitors can watch fishermen unload and sell the catch of the day. 11 Bait al-Baranda Museum, Al Mina St, ☏ +968 24 714262. This renovated house from the 1930s has exhibits illustrating the history of Muscat. The lower level is devoted to pre-history and palaeontology, while the upper level is devoted to human history and ethnography. RO 1 (adults), RO 0.500 (children). 12 Mutrah Fort, Al Bahri Rd. Built by the Portuguese in the 1580s, this fort is not open to the public, but visitors are permitted to climb up the hill to the outside for a good view of the area. 13 Riyam Park, Al Bahri Rd. This park also has a small funfair with rides. Great views can be had from the giant incense burner perched on the hillside. Visited in The Amazing Race 9. 14 Old waterfront watchtower, Al Bahri Rd (across from Riyam Park). This restored Portuguese watchtower on the waterfront is a good place to catch views of the sunset. 15 Old souq watchtower (near Mutrah Souq and Mutrah St). This Portuguese watchtower has also been restored, and although the tower is closed to the public, the hill can be climbed for some great views of Mutrah and the Corniche. There is no clearly-defined path to the top; the easiest access is from the northwest. 16 Ghalya’s Museum of Modern Art, Al Wadi Khabir (on the Corniche, near Mutrah Fort), ☏ +968 24 711640, fax: +968 24 711620, info@ghalyas-museum.com. Sa-Th 9:30AM-6PM. This museum is made up of a cluster of houses with furnishings and displays appropriate to an Omani house between 1950 and 1970, i.e. before the accession of Sultan Qaboos. There is also a small modern art gallery. RO 2 (adults 12+), 500 Bzs (children 6-12). (updated Sep 2022)

Do

Festivals and cultural events

1 Royal Opera House Muscat, Al Kharjiyah St, ☏ +968 24 403300, fax: +968 24 403322, info@rohmuscat.org.om. This stunning building is the venue for a wide range of performing arts, including western classical music, classical Arabian music, jazz and flamenco, and ballet and modern dance. Muscat Festival. Held annually from late January to early February, this month-long event celebrates Omani culture and traditions with demonstrations, food, dance and music performances, and other entertainment. (updated Nov 2025)

Trekking

There is some outstanding trekking in northern Oman, and for a taste there are a couple of easy treks within or very close to Muscat.

2 Trekking path C38 (from Riyam Park to Mutrah Souq). This short hike takes the walker away from the modern world of Muscat and also offers fantastic views of the rugged mountains surrounding the capital city. The path begins in Riyam Park, and follows a 5000-year-old trail used by miners to an abandoned village, then finally finishes near Mutrah Souq. Allow for 1.5-2 hours, with an additional 20-minute return walk along the Corniche. A decent trail map can be found here.Between Riyam Park and the highest point it is a concrete path albeit quite steep.Between the highest point and Mutrah, the trail is mostly on bare rock and only marked by painted flags which may be difficult to spot. In places it can be impassable unless you are willing to scramble up cliff faces. Bring at least 2 litres of water and wear shoes with good grip. Do not start the trek after 4pm unless you go in a group and bring torch lights, as getting lost is highly likely in the dark. (updated Oct 2024) 3 Trekking paths C52 and C53 (Bandar Jissah coastline). These two easy treks offer beautiful views over the coastline. Both trails begin in Bandar Jissah. Trail map for C52; trail map for C53.

Shopping

1 Mutrah Souq (main entrance along the Corniche, Mutrah). The maze-like souq (marketplace) is often described as the best in the Gulf region. The souq has many shops for jewellery, traditional Omani handicrafts and Omani food at reasonable prices. Some specific items to look for include Arab hand-embroidered mussar (shawls intended to be worn as turbans, RO 10+), garments, nuts, spices, incense, and earthenware. A few shops accept credit cards. 2 Amouage Perfume Factory (near the airport), ☏ +968 24 534800. Sa-Th 8:30AM-4PM. Amouage perfume is the most expensive perfume in the world, and visitors can learn about its production. It is recommended (but not required) to call beforehand to ensure that someone is available to show you around. 3 Barka Omani Halwa Factory (between Seeb and Barka). 4 Boraka Halwa Factory, Mutrah St (Mutrah). 5 Jawahir Oman Jewellers, Al Wilaj St (Al Qurum Complex, Al Qurm), ☏ +968 24 563239. Sells prized Omani silver, crafted into contemporary jewellery and gifts in a Muscat workshop. 6 Omani Heritage Gallery, Jawharat Al Shatti Shopping Centre (across Al Kharijiyah St from the Royal Opera House, Al Khuwair), ☏ +968 24 696974, fax: +968 24 696568, ohgmq@omantel.net.om. This gallery is operated by a non-profit group which encourages cottage industries. 7 Souq al Jumaa (Friday Market) (Wadi Kabir, Ruwi). Fridays 7AM-9PM. A bustling flea market with everything from jewellery, camping gear, carpets and even cars. There is a section with clothing, and food stalls are also nearby.

Malls

8 Mall of Oman. It's the biggest shopping mall in Oman. (updated Jan 2026) 9 Markaz al Bahja Mall (Seeb), ☏ +968 24 503403. Oman's answer to Dubai Mall 10 City Centre Muscat (Seeb St), ☏ +968 800 78786. Sa-W 10AM-10PM Th F 10AM-midnight. Contains a lot of shops including a large Carrefour Hypermarket. 11 Oman Avenues Mall (Sultan Qaboos St), ☏ +968 24 540200. Oman Avenues Mall is the second largest shopping mall in Oman. Offers shopping, dining, kid zones and entertainment to locals and international tourists. (updated Jan 2026) 12 Qurum City Centre. Contains Carrefour. 13 Sabco Centre (near the turnoff between Sultan Qaboos St and Qurm Heights Rd, Qurm). A collection of about half a dozen medium sized shopping centres which is very popular with locals. The actual Sabco Centre has a small souq-like collection of shops that contains many of the handicrafts that are available in the Mutrah Souq. There is also a Godiva Chocolates shop (☏ +968 24 562367). Opposite the Sabco Centre is the Omani Craftsman's House that only sells guaranteed Made in Oman crafts at fixed (but relatively high) prices.

Hypermarkets

14 Al Meera (Azaiba), ☏ +968 24 583444. A Qatari-based chain. 15 Lulu Hypermarket, Al Mina St (Mutrah). All Lulu's branches have delis offering takeaways. 16 Lulu Hypermarket Wadi Kabir, 63 St (Ruwi). 17 Lulu Hypermarket, As Sultan Qaboos St (Ghubrah), ☏ +968 24 504504. This location is particularly convenient if you're looking to stock up before heading to the mountains. 18 Carrefour Hypermarket, Qurum City Centre. There is another Carrefour located in Muscat city centre (see listing above). 19 Sultan Shopping Center (Al Qurm).

Eat

Budget

Food is relatively cheap in Muscat, a meal can cost just a couple of rials. For inexpensive Indian food, there are many restaurants catering to Indian guest workers in Al Khuwayr. In Mutrah you can walk down the waterfront in the Corniche area to catch a cool sea breeze, and treat yourself to some sandwiches and Halib (tea with milk) or Sulaimani (black tea) at one of the wayside restaurants. A cup of tea costs about RO 0.100.

Ruwi

1 Al Haikal Restaurant, 2996 Way (near bus stand, Ruwi). Pakistani food. (updated Sep 2022) 2 Oman Express, 4359 Way, ☏ +968 24 7731329. Delivers Lunch. (updated Sep 2022) 3 Saravana Bhavan Restaurant, Ruwi Street (Ruwi, opposite OC Centre), ☏ +968 24 704502. South Indian vegetarian restaurant. (updated Sep 2022) 4 KERA, An Noor Street. (updated Sep 2022) 5 Al Haikal Bakery, 2969 Way. Pakistani (updated Sep 2022) 6 Dhaka Restaurant & Coffee Shop مطعم و مقهى دكا, Saq Al Juma Street and LuLu road. Bangladeshi (updated Sep 2022)

Qurum

7 Al Tarboush (Al-Tarboosh), 651 Way (opposite the Sabco Centre, Qurm). Fast Arabian/Lebanese-style food available for takeaway or eat-in on the first floor. (updated Sep 2022)

Drink

Every road, street corner or little collection houses, huts or businesses has a 'Coffee-Shop' – basic but worth a go. Fresh fruit juices are delicious and available from a number of stalls and cafes in Muscat. Expect to pay between RO 0.500-1.500 for these juices depending on type and size.

1 Al Ahli Coffeeshop (Mutrah Souq), ☏ +968 24 713469. Also has fresh fruit juices. 2 Fast Food N Juice Centre, Al Bahri Rd (Mutrah). You can watch the world go by from the outside tables. 3 Starbucks Coffee (Al Qurm). Located on the beach road that goes between the Crown Plaza Hotel and the Intercontinental Hotel. It is so close that if you cross the road, you are on the beach. The larger drinks are about RO 2-2.2, but the view through the glass wall of the waves coming into the beach is excellent.

Lounges

4 Left Bank (ground floor beneath Mumtaz Mahal Restaurant, Qurm), ☏ +968 24 693699. Sa-Th noon-3PM, 6PM-2AM; F 2PM-1:30AM/2AM. Known for good drinks as well as good food. Reservations recommended if you come here for dinner. Expensive.

Sleep

Budget

Hostels can be found in different areas of the city. In Gubrah, around the Al Maha International Hotel, there are many hostels, many very affordable restaurants, two hypermarkets, the Oman Avenues Mall and the highway with a local bus stop, taxis and shared standard taxis. These hostels in Gubrah have got a good rating on Google Maps and booking.com, mostly due to their friendly owners; if you have high demands regarding cleanliness, they might not be a good choice for you . Guest Houses. There are a number of guest houses (Isteraha in Arabic) spread around Muscat which are quite affordable and acceptable in general. Corniche Area There are five hotels on the Corniche waterfront in Mutrah that all charge RO 15. Al Fanar Hotel, which is very rundown at the end of the waterfront, charges RO 10. Naseem Hotel, opposite the Corniche, charges RO 27 for a twin-bed room (as of Dec 2016). 1 Aywa Guesthouse (formerly known as Aywa Hostel), Ghubrah North, Way 3209, no. 725, ☏ +968 9804 9029, guesthouse@aywaholidays.com. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon. Guesthouse has a terrace, lounge, and kitchen. Price includes WiFi and using guest computer, printer/scanner and washing machine. RO 19 double room. (updated Jan 2017) 2 Delmon Hotel Apartments, Al Wada Al Kabir St (Ruwi), ☏ +968 24 818181, fax: +968 24 818844, delmonhotelapartments@yahoo.com. Includes breakfast and free Wi-Fi. RO 23-75. 3 Marina Hotel, Corniche (Mutrah, across from the fish souq), ☏ +968 24 713100. Has good views of the harbour, but with two nightclubs is quite noisy at night. Free wi-fi available only in lobby. 4 Ruwi Hotel (Ruwi), ☏ +968 24 704244, fax: +968 24 704248, reservationruwi@omanhotels.com. A tired and run-down hotel that is more the standard of a third world backpacker establishment, but has an interesting bar. 5 Al Waffa Hotel Flats, Ruwi Mwasalat Bus Station, Muscat Oman (in front of Mwasalat bus station, see GPS location), ☏ +968 24786522. Despite bit strange reception entry, the hotel has nice big & clean rooms with toilet, shower, fridge and SmartTV. Excellent location. RO 20/night for 2 persons. (updated Mar 2017)

Mid-range

6 Crown Plaza Hotel, Al Qurm St (Heights Residential Area, Al Qurm), ☏ +968 24 660660. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 1PM. Has a grand view north up the beach towards the Intercontinental. 7 Golden Tulip Seeb, Exhibition St (Seeb, across the expressway from the airport), ☏ +968 24 514444, +968 24 510055 (reservations), fb@goldentulipseeb.com. 8 Haffa House Hotel, Al Farahidi St, ☏ +968 2470 7207, toll-free: +968 2470 7208, reservations@shanfarihotels.com. Check-in: 2PM-midnight, check-out: noon-3PM. Non-smoking rooms, gym onsite, free Wi-Fi, luggage storage available. From RO 40, including breakfast. (updated Oct 2017) 9 Somerset Panorama Muscat, Al Ghubrah Street, ☏ +968 2 204 0000, enquiry.muscat@the-ascott.com. This property offers studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments. Amenities included are housekeeping, food delivery, laundry & dry cleaning services. (updated Nov 2017)

Splurge

Muscat offers a considerable range of luxury hotels, including those listed below.

Stay safe

It is advisable to drink bottled water while in Muscat. Tap water is generally not safe. In some very simple restaurants the water in the plastic jug on the table tastes like tap water. It's better not to drink it and to order bottled water instead.

Go next

Drive west to Nizwa, and then go hiking or camping in the magnificent Hajar Mountains. Explore the fortresses in the area, and visit the UNESCO sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn. Staying in Saiq offers pleasant temperatures from April to October. Drive south for an hour to explore the spectacular Wadi Shab. Along the way check out the Bimmah Sinkhole, and then continue onwards to Sur. Head north to Sohar for some good diving, visit Ibri and then continue onward to the Musandam Peninsula.

More pictures of Muscat

From this destination's category on Wikimedia Commons. Each photograph is credited to its own author under its own licence.