If you’re searching for things to do in Muscat, you may come across contradictory information. Although there’s plenty of great sightseeing available, both within the city limits of Oman’s capital and just a short drive away, Muscat simply isn’t a well-liked destination, which leads many travelers to dismiss it entirely.
Over the next few paragraphs, I’ll give my opinions of Muscat attractions, and also discuss the merits of the hate some seem to have for Oman’s largest city. It was far from a highlight of my trip to Oman, but I wouldn’t recommend skipping it—necessarily.
Muscat Oman after Dusk
Is Muscat Worth Visiting?
Most Google searches don’t paint a rosy picture of Muscat tourism. Although some travelers are more or less harsh in their assessments, the general consensus seems to be that Muscat is not a place worth spending very much time, particularly if you only have a short amount of time to explore the rest of Oman.
My experience likewise pulled me in different directions. While I was impressed by what to do in Muscat, both in terms of the quantity of destinations and the extent to which I enjoyed them, the city just didn’t feel very special outside of a couple places, which stood in stark contrast to how I felt about Oman as a whole when all was said and done.
Top Things to Do in Muscat City
Mutrah Corniche
The waterfront promenade known as the Corniche is one of the top places to visit in Muscat, which won’t surprise you if you’ve traveled elsewhere in the Gulf region. From Abu Dhabi, to Doha, and most other major cities in this part of the world, heading toward the coast always ensures you a picturesque experience.
Mutrah Fort
Mutrah Fort, which towers above the eastern end of the Corniche, is one of the best tourist places in Muscat—and not just because of its historical importance and architectural splendor. The vantage point it offers of the Corniche is priceless, particularly if you visit around sunset on a day with a few clouds in the sky.
Mutrah Souq
Like the other activities I’ve mentioned thus far, Mutrah Souq is located in Mutrah, which is essentially Muscat’s Old City. If I’m honest, I don’t find this traditional shopping area to be as interesting or picturesque as those I’ve seen elsewhere in the Middle East and North Africa, though you could just take a brief stroll through it before sitting down by the water for a shawarma and a juice.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
The Grand Mosque in Muscat at night
Towering Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is another popular contender for the best things to do in Muscat, but there is a caveat. The mosque, which is named for Oman’s well-respected leader, is only open to non-Muslims during certain hours of the day—not, notably, at night, when it’s arguably the most beautiful. Thankfully, you can photograph it from the outside, which is precisely what I did.
Day Trips from Muscat
Wadi Shab
Most lists of what to do in Oman will include hiking or swimming in a Wadi. Although many wadis are dry river beds, Oman’s tend to be lush and filled with water, including Wadi Shab, which is only a couple of hours from Muscat by car. This was one of the first places in Oman whose beauty stopped me in my tracks. You should definitely come here if you get the chance!
Bimmah Sinkhole
Even if you aren’t as impressed by things to do as I was, you can still have an outstanding experience without going too far outside the city. In some ways, I’d argue that the gorgeous Bimmah Sinkhole is the most beautiful place I saw in Oman, certainly if we’re talking about clarity and color of water. This place does get crowded, however, so I’d recommend heading out early if you can.
White Sand Beach
Muscat nearby beaches are beautiful
Although there are a few beach options close to the city center, it isn’t until you travel down the coast a couple of hours that you get to a truly amazing place to swim. Located approximately halfway between Bimmah Sinkhole and Wadi Shab, the “White Sand” Beach is listed as such in Waze (NOTE: Google Maps doesn’t work in Oman), so just select it and start driving.
Nizwa
Some people might argue that there’s a limit to how far outside the city you can travel, once you’ve finished your Muscat sightseeing, to still be considered a day trip. Oman’s ancient capital Nizwa, to be sure, is more than two hours from Muscat, even when you take the Sultanate’s liberal speed limits into account. The fact remains, however, that you can see Nizwa Fort and the souq and still sleep in a hotel in Muscat.
Where to Stay in Muscat
Speaking of which, when it comes to the best hotels, most travelers seem to agree that the super-high end property The Chedi Muscat is the place to stay. However, if you’re not obsessed with luxury for the sake of luxury, and simply want a clean and convenient place to stay, I have a couple of recommendations.
As its name suggests, Mutrah Hotel is close to the old city of Mutrah, where many of the top Muscat attractions are. City Park Hotel Apartments, meanwhile, is convenient both to Muscat International Airport, as well as the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
The Bottom Line
Whether within the city limits or just outside them, the list of things to do in Muscat is more extensive than you might imagine at first glance. With this being said, I can definitely empathize with people who feel disappointed, even if that’s simply because it fails to reach the high bar the rest of Oman sets. No matter how long you plan to spend in Muscat, or Oman in general, I have a feeling the recommendations I’ve made here will improve your trip.
Read more about the Middle East here.
Robert Schrader is a travel writer and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications such as “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” along the way. His blog, Leave Your Daily Hell, provides a mix of travel advice, destination guides and personal essays covering the more esoteric aspects of life as a traveler.
