About Muscat
Muscat is the capital and most populous city of Oman. It is the seat of the Governorate of Muscat. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the population of the Muscat Governorate in 2022 was 1.72 million. The metropolitan area includes six provinces, called wilayat, and spans approximately 6,500 km2 (2,500 sq mi). The Hajar Mountains dominate the view from Muscat. The city lies on the Gulf of Oman, near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Low-lying white buildings are a typical feature of its architecture. The city's port district of Muttrah, with its corniche and harbour, are at the north-eastern edge of the city. Muscat's economy is dominated by trade, petroleum, liquified natural gas and porting.
Places to visit in Muscat
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Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
Religious · 13 mi from centreOman's main mosque, famous for its huge hand-woven carpet and crystal chandelier. Non-Muslims can visit only in the morning, and must dress modestly with women covering their hair.
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Mutrah Souq
MarketA traditional covered market near the corniche, selling frankincense, silver, textiles and spices. Visit in the evening when it is cooler and busier, and bargain politely.
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Royal Opera House Muscat
EntertainmentA grand performing arts venue with elegant marble halls and gardens. Join a guided tour during the day or book a performance, and follow the dress code for evening shows.
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Al Alam Palace
LandmarkThe ceremonial palace of the sultan, known for its colorful columns facing a waterfront courtyard. Visitors cannot go inside, but the gates make a good photo stop in Old Muscat.
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Al Jalali Fort
HistoricA 16th-century Portuguese fort guarding Muscat harbor on a rocky outcrop. It is mostly closed to the public, so view it from the waterfront near the palace.
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National Museum of Oman
MuseumThe country's main museum, covering Omani history from ancient times to the present. It is near the palace in Old Muscat, so combine the two in a morning visit.
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Bait Al Zubair
MuseumA private museum in a traditional house with exhibits on Omani dress, weapons and daily life. Its courtyard garden has replicas of a village and a falaj irrigation channel.
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Bimmah Sinkhole
Nature · 50 mi from centreA natural limestone sinkhole filled with turquoise water, located southeast of Muscat. Bring swimwear for a dip, and take a drive along the scenic coast road there.
Things to do in Muscat by type
12 tours, tickets and experiences across 5 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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City tours 3 experiences Discover the South and Wadi Shab -
Day Trips & Excursions 3 experiences Jebel Akhdar Tour -
Art & culture 3 experiences Muscat Half-Day City Tour -
Cruise & Water Tours 2 experiences Dolphin Cruise -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 2 experiences Grand Canyon & Nizwa tour - private
- Youth 7
- Senior 7
- Couples 7
- Families 7
- Families with kids 1
- Private 5
Top experiences in Muscat
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 12 available.
Sunset Dhow Cruise
From $77 per adult
Dolphin Cruise
From $82 per adult
Grand Canyon & Nizwa tour - private
From $218 per adult
Wahiba Sands Full Day Tour
From $218 per adult
Wadi Al Abyadh Tour
From $218 per adult
Jebel Akhdar Tour
From $218 per adult
Wadi Bani Awf & Snake Gorge
From $218 per adult
Where to stay in Muscat
Popular hotels in Muscat, out of 165 properties you can book.
Grand Hyatt Muscat
From $161 per night
Ibis Muscat
From $42 per night
Mysk Al Mouj Hotel
From $116 per night
The Chedi Muscat
From $401 per night
Royal Tulip Muscat
From $75 per night
Citadines Al Ghubrah Muscat
From $73 per night
Centara Muscat Hotel Oman
From $66 per night
Amouage Al Hail Hotel managed by Centara
From $42 per night
Grand Millennium Muscat
From $100 per night
Levatio Hotel
From $91 per night
MUSCAT GATE HOTEL
From $47 per night
Golden Tulip Headington Ruwi
From $40 per night
Best time to visit Muscat
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Muscat is December to February, when average daytime highs are around 78–80°F and rain falls on about 2 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Muscat weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 93° 78° 4%
- Thu 22 Oct 94° 78° 4%
- Fri 23 Oct 97° 79° 0%
- Sat 24 Oct 96° 81° 2%
- Sun 25 Oct 92° 81° 24%
- Mon 26 Oct 92° 78° 25%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Omani rial (OMR)1 US dollar ≈ ر.ع.0.38
- Language
- Arabic
- Calling code
- +968
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Asia/MuscatUTC+4
Getting to Muscat
These are the airports closest to central Muscat. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- MCT Muscat International Airport19 mi (31 km) from the city centre
Getting around Muscat
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.
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.
By public bus
The Mwasalat company runs a few lines of public buses which cover the most important sights and the airport. Buses run every 15 to 30 minutes, are comfortable and have A/C. Enter at the front door, tell the driver your destination and pay with cash. Fares depend on distance, ranging from 300 Bzs to 1 rial. Transfers are not included in the fare: For every bus you need to buy a new ticket. Women are expected to sit in the front.
Muscat travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Muscat?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Muscat is December to February, when average daytime highs are around 78–80°F and rain falls on about 2 days a month.
What is the weather like in Muscat?
June is usually the warmest month in Muscat, with average highs of 104°F (40°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 64°F (18°C). The wettest month is typically April, with about 31 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Muscat?
Muscat International Airport (MCT) is the closest airport, about 19 miles (31 km) from the centre of Muscat.
What currency is used in Muscat?
Muscat uses the Omani rial (OMR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ ر.ع.0.38.
What time zone is Muscat in?
Muscat uses the Asia/Muscat time zone (currently UTC+4). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Muscat?
The app O Taxi is available for Muscat so you don't need to haggle for a standard taxi.
What are the best places to visit in Muscat?
Top sights in Muscat include Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Mutrah Souq, Royal Opera House Muscat and Al Alam Palace. Oman's main mosque, famous for its huge hand-woven carpet and crystal chandelier. Non-Muslims can visit only in the morning, and must dress modestly with women covering their hair.
What are the top things to do in Muscat?
Popular experiences you can book in Muscat include Sunset Dhow Cruise, Dolphin Cruise and Grand Canyon & Nizwa tour - private. Destina Holidays offers 12 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Muscat?
The most popular types of experiences in Muscat are city tours (3), day trips & excursions (3), art & culture (3) and cruise & water tours (2). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Muscat?
Popular areas for hotels in Muscat include Muscat. Well-reviewed options include Grand Hyatt Muscat and Ibis Muscat.
How many hotels can I book in Muscat?
Destina Holidays currently lists 165 properties in and around Muscat, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
