Mutrah
First-timersThe souq and corniche, walkable without a car.
Muscat city guide
Things To Do In Muscat
A low-rise white capital strung along the coast beneath bare mountains, with one of the most beautiful mosques in the world, an old souq on the corniche, and wadis and forts within a couple of hours.
12
Hostels in the city
7.8
Average, from 201 reviews
9999
Emergency number
~1.5 h
To Wadi Shab
Low-rise
White city by law
The capital between mountains and sea
Muscat stretches for kilometres along the Gulf of Oman, squeezed between the sea and the jagged Hajar mountains, and by law most of its buildings are low and white. It was a great trading port for centuries, and the Portuguese forts above the old harbour still guard it.
Oman is one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the Middle East, and Muscat is relaxed and uncrowded.
It is also the base for Oman's wadis, forts and mountains, best seen by hire car. Three days in and around Muscat is right.
Where to stay
Muscat is long and spread out along the coast. Mutrah, around the corniche and the souq, is the most atmospheric base and the easiest without a car. Qurum, in the middle of the city, has the beach, parks and restaurants. Ruwi, inland from Mutrah, is the transport hub and has the cheapest hotels.
Qurum
BeachThe beach, parks and restaurants.
Ruwi
ValueThe transport hub, with the cheapest hotels.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 12 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Muscat
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, completed in 2001, is one of the most beautiful modern mosques in the world: white marble courtyards, a prayer hall with one of the largest hand-woven carpets ever made, and a vast Swarovski crystal chandelier. Non-Muslims can visit for free on Saturday to Thursday mornings, from about 8am to 11am; cover arms and legs, and women need a headscarf, which can be borrowed.
Walk the Mutrah corniche at sunset, past dhows in the harbour, and get lost in the Mutrah Souq, one of the oldest in Arabia, with frankincense, silver khanjar daggers, spices and textiles. Mornings and evenings are busiest; many shops close in the afternoon.
In Old Muscat, see the colourful Al Alam Palace, the sultan's ceremonial palace, from outside, with the Portuguese-built Al Jalali and Mirani forts on the rocks above the bay. The National Museum is the best introduction to Oman's history, and Bait Al Zubair, a private museum, shows traditional dress, weapons and jewellery. The Royal Opera House, opened in 2011, runs tours and performances.
Boat trips leave the marinas for dolphin watching in the morning and snorkelling at the Daymaniyat Islands, a protected reserve with turtles and reef fish.
Beyond the city, drive to the Bimmah Sinkhole and Wadi Shab, where you swim through turquoise pools to a waterfall inside a cave.
Free things
Free things to do in Muscat
The Grand Mosque is free on weekday mornings. The Mutrah corniche, the souq and Old Muscat's palace and forts from outside cost nothing.
Qurum Beach and Qurum Natural Park are free, and the Riyam Park watchtower above Mutrah gives a free view over the harbour. The Bimmah Sinkhole is free, and wild camping on beaches and in the mountains is legal and common, a free night's stay.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Muscat
Omani food is mild and generous, often eaten sitting on the floor from shared platters. Shuwa, lamb or goat marinated in spices and slow-cooked underground for a day or two, is made for Eid and other feasts, and some restaurants serve it. Mashuai, a whole grilled kingfish with lemon rice, and qabuli, spiced rice with meat, are everyday dishes.
Omani halwa, a sticky sweet of sugar, rosewater and saffron, is served with kahwa, cardamom coffee, and dates, the national gesture of welcome.
Indian, Pakistani and Lebanese restaurants are everywhere and cheap, especially around Ruwi and Mutrah. A meal is €5 to €15.
Nightlife
Going out in Muscat
Alcohol is legal in Oman for non-Muslims, but it is served only in licensed hotel bars and some restaurants, and it is expensive. It is not served in public during Ramadan.
Most evenings are spent outdoors in the cool: walking the Mutrah corniche, in cafés and shisha lounges, or at the beach. In January and February, Muscat Nights, the winter festival, fills the city's parks with events, food and fireworks.
A beer in a hotel bar is €8 to €12.
Getting around
Getting around Muscat
Muscat International Airport is about 30 minutes from Mutrah by taxi. Use the Otaxi or OmanTaxi apps or metered taxis, and agree the fare first with older street taxis.
Mwasalat public buses run along the main roads, including from the airport to Ruwi and Mutrah, but they are limited.
A hire car is almost essential for the wadis, forts and mountains: roads are excellent, signs are in English and Arabic, and fuel is cheap. Jebel Shams and some mountain tracks need a four-wheel drive. Buses also run to Dubai and Salalah.
Costs
What Muscat costs
Muscat is expensive; the Omani rial is one of the strongest currencies in the world. Budget beds are scarce, starting around €25, and a careful day is €50 to €70 including car hire.
The Grand Mosque is free, the National Museum charges a few euros, and a dolphin and snorkel trip is €30 to €60. Car hire is from about €25 a day, and fuel is cheap. Wild camping is legal and normal almost everywhere, which saves a lot.
The currency is the Omani rial (OMR), pegged to the US dollar; prices here are euro equivalents. Cards work almost everywhere.
Safety
Staying safe in Muscat
Muscat is very safe, with very low crime, and Omanis are known for their hospitality.
Dress modestly in public, covering shoulders and knees; swimwear is for beaches and pools. During Ramadan, do not eat, drink or smoke in public in daylight.
Summer heat passes 40°C; avoid hiking in the middle of the day. Wadis can flood suddenly after rain, even when it is dry where you are; never camp or park in a wadi bed if storms are forecast. Drive carefully on mountain roads.
Emergency number is 9999.
Day trips from Muscat
Wadis, forts, the Grand Canyon of Arabia and the desert.
Bimmah Sinkhole
A turquoise sinkhole you can swim in, free.
Nizwa
A great round fort and the Friday morning goat market.
Jebel Shams
The "Grand Canyon of Arabia", with a balcony walk on the rim.
Wahiba Sands
Desert camps among red dunes.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Muscat Nights, the winter festival, fills the city in January and February.
January and February
Muscat Nights
Muscat
The winter festival.
20 November
National Day
Nationwide
Celebrations and lights.
Varies yearly
Ramadan
Nationwide
Quiet days, lively evenings.
Hostels
Where to stay in Muscat
The top-rated places to stay in Muscat right now, live from Hostelworld.
Basil Hostel
Dorms from €12 a night
See dates and book
Maison Miraj Hostel
Dorms from €19 a night
See dates and book
Sukoon Hostel
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
Heritage Hostel Muscat
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
Mozna Hostel
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
Good Times Hostel
See dates and book
House of Nomads
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
Sikka Hostel
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
Cozy Vibes Hostel
Dorms from €6 a night
See dates and book
Dream Beach Hostel
Dorms from €0 a night
See dates and book
International Hoste
Dorms from €6 a night
See dates and book
Folory Stay Mascate
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
When to go
October to March. Summers are extremely hot.
Jan
Muscat Nights
Feb
Muscat Nights
Mar
Good
Apr
Warming
May
Hot
Jun
Extreme heat
Jul
Extreme heat
Aug
Extreme heat
Sep
Hot
Oct
Good
Nov
National Day
Dec
Peak
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in rials locally; these are euro equivalents. Includes car hire in the upper tiers.
—
- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Muscat travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
When can non-Muslims visit the Grand Mosque?
Saturday to Thursday mornings, from about 8am to 11am. Cover arms and legs; women need a headscarf, which can be borrowed.
Do I need a car?
For the wadis, forts and mountains, almost. Public buses are limited; roads are excellent and fuel is cheap.
Is Oman expensive?
Beds and eating out are, but fuel is cheap, many sights are free, and wild camping is legal almost everywhere.
Can I drink alcohol?
In licensed hotel bars and some restaurants, which are expensive. Not in public during Ramadan.
How many days do you need?
Three in and around Muscat; a week or more for the rest of Oman.
When is the best time to visit?
October to March. Summers pass 40°C.
Is Wadi Shab hard?
It is a hike of about an hour each way over rocks, then a swim through pools to the cave. Bring water shoes and go early.
Say yes to hostels, meet the world
Compare Muscat hostels — live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.
Get the App.