Muscat

Travel Guide

Muscat featuring general coastal views and a sunset
Muscat featuring a city
Muscat which includes mountains and landscape views
Muttrah Souq featuring central business district, markets and shopping
Shatti Al Qurum featuring 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

An Architechtural Beauty in oman...

Al Khuwair

Visitors highly recommend Al Khuwair for its abundant dining options, and you can make a stop by Oman Natural History Museum while you're in town.

Al Khuwair
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
Shatti Al Qurum which includes general coastal views, a coastal town and a sandy beach

Shati Al Qurum

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
Default Image

Ruwi

Shopping and restaurants are notable features of Ruwi. You might consider a stop by Sultan's Armed Forces Museum while you're exploring the neighborhood.

Ruwi
It's a Beautiful Beach in Muscat near the famous Crown Plaza Hotel....

Qurm

The pristine beaches and ample 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
A Landmark in the Muttrah area of Oman.

Al Ghubrah Ash Shamaliyyah

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 neighborhood, 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$305 nightly
The price is $349 total per night from Jul 25 to Jul 26
$349 total
Jul 25 - Jul 26
Total includes taxes and fees
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! (651 reviews)
"An amazing hotel with a great location and a private beach. Stunning layout, very clean and modern gym. The long infinity pool is breathtaking. We had a great 8 days there and will return again"

Reviewed on Jul 12, 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
Fully refundable
$117 nightly
The price is $133 total per night from Jul 25 to Jul 26
$133 total
Jul 25 - Jul 26
Total includes taxes and 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! (263 reviews)
"Amazing stay & even better location. Right on the beach and 15 minute drive from anything"

Reviewed on Jun 13, 2025

InterContinental Muscat by IHG
Jumeirah Muscat Bay

Jumeirah Muscat Bay

5 out of 5
Saraya Bandar Jissah SAOC, PO Box 605, PC 115, Muscat
$238 nightly
The price is $272 total per night from Jul 23 to Jul 24
$272 total
Jul 23 - Jul 24
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Muscat. Enjoy free parking, 3 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (145 reviews)
Amazing place
"Amazing"

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2025

Jumeirah Muscat Bay
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 Jun 5, 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 Feb 15, 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 May 16, 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

Things to do

Reviews of Muscat

4.6
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
129
5 - Excellent 61%
4 - Good
74
4 - Good 35%
3 - Okay
8
3 - Okay 4%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

People friendly, usually not talkative. Emigrants, even friendlier. Taxi drivers charge more than usual for tourists/visitors. Many, many varieties for food places, different cousines. Barging/haggling is a common thing for small shops. Pretty safe.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I had not been to Muscat for 17 years and was thrilled to see that it has maintained it’s peaceful, calm, stress-free air about it. The quality of life seems so very high and it’s somewhere that I could easily live if given the chance.

5/5 - Excellent

Almadan

Muscat and Oman overall is an excellent country and have very nice and politely people they respected any visitors to their country. Oman weather is very nice allover the year they have many resorts hotels among the best in the world.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Lovely weather

4/5 - Good

Lubomir

Nice pleasant stay

4/5 - Good

Elizabeth

Beautiful scenery mountains surrounding the city are awe inspiring. Still a city growing

Cities near Muscat