Discover Muscat
Hotels, halal food, prayer spaces, things to do, and itineraries in Muscat.
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Must-see attractions in Muscat
From headline landmarks and heritage icons to parks, waterfronts, and major museums, discover 21 standout sights to build into your time in the city.
Muscat is the capital and largest city in Oman, with a population slightly exceeding one million people. The city has a rich history and is located on the eastern coast of the Sultanate of Oman. The city has long-been a trading outpost, largely due to its geographic location near the Strait of Hormuz; this has had a large impact on the development of the city to its modern day form. Today, Muscat’s port still drives much of the economy of the city. Muscat lies tucked in the rolling hills and mountains of Oman, and retains much of the historical charm the city acquired during its time as a military outpost and trading post during periods of bo
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Muslim travel planner
Plan a Muslim-friendly trip in Muscat
Halal restaurants in Muscat
Muscat’s food scene is part of the city experience. Choose from 17 restaurants and food districts with location notes and planning tips.
muscatTuscany
Though expensive, the food served at Tuscany certainly lives up to the bill. The restaurant has won numerous awards and is considered to be the best Italian restaurant in Muscat. The menu changes with the season, but all dishes are prepared fresh and in classic Italian style. You will not regret dinner here!
muscatCapri Court
Capri Court is another excellent destination for those seeking Italian food during their stay in Muscat. Fresh ingredients are used to churn out these high quality dishes, and you will always find a range of choices on the menu. Starters include poached lobster and other salads, main courses include a variety of risottos, lamb, chicken and beef dishes and dessert includes tiramisu, whipped mascarpone cream and blackberry cream caramel.
muscatAl Tanoor
This lovely, sophisticated restaurant serves delicious Middle Eastern cuisine. The food is pricey but worth it. Customers can choose to be seated inside or outside, but either way, you should make reservations in advance. The décor is wonderful with Arabian tents and pottery, and you can see the chefs as they prepare your meal. A wide range of Arabian, Turkish, Mediterranean and Persian dishes are offered at this scenic restaurant, which is located twenty minutes outside of the city by car. Dessert includes traditional baklawa and the fresh juices are particularly delightful.
muscatBait al Bahr
Bait al-Bahr is known for their seafood dishes. The restaurant looks out onto the beach providing a breath-taking view of the sea; the seafood also has a distinctly Omani taste, which adds to the unique experience of dining here. Starters include poached crab and tamarind dumplings,while main courses include dishes such as sautéed kingfish and prawns in tomato stew and fried squid. Desserts include date pudding and bitter chocolate cake with bruleed Omani honeycomb.
muscatSultanah
For the ultimate fine dining experience, tourists should stop at this extravagant restaurant. The interior is beautifully decorated in a contemporary style, and the service is fit to match. The dishes served here include grilled shari and seafood risotto starters and beef tenderloin, lime glazed duck breast and seared kingfish as main courses. Dessert is not to be missed- the triple chocolate truffle is fantastic.
muscatRestaurant
This simply named eating establishment is one of Muscat’s better known restaurants. It is no wonder, as mouth-watering dishes are served here- both international as well as local. The sampling of local seafood is particularly excellent-ask for the “hamour” dish. Also, don’t miss out on dessert; the French chef makes some wonderful pastries and other delights.
Muscat masjids and Muslim travel
Landmark masjids and prayer-aware notes for visitors planning salah, family movement, and halal-friendly days.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
This is one of Muscat’s most famous landmarks. Islamic architecture at its best, this edifice is magnificent from the outside and even more spectacular from the inside. The mosque took nearly ten years to construct and is one of the largest mosques in the world. Inside, the mosque boasts the world’s second largest single-piece carpet and the world’s second largest chandelier, which help make the interior as breath-taking as the building's exterior. Tourists planning to enter the mosque should keep in mind that entering in short-sleeved shirts, dresses and in skirts is prohibited. Female tourists must also keep their heads covered inside the premises.
Al Falah Mosque
Ruwi Village, Muscat, Oman
Said Bin Taimur Mosque
Muscat, Oman
Al-Zawawi Mosque
Muscat, Oman
Where to stay in Muscat
Choose where to stay by trip style, from landmark luxury and family bases to central, airport, and neighborhood-led stays.
muscatThe Chedi Muscat
The Chedi Muscat, a member of “The Leading Hotels of The World” and Oman’s first contemporary hotel, opened its doors in 2003. The resort offers understated elegance and a perfect mix of Omani architecture and a profound Asian Zen-style.
muscatInter-continental Hotel Muscat
A 35-acre oasis in the diplomatic quarter of Muscat, the InterContinental Hotel is a luxury hotel close to many of the city’s famed attractions. The spacious and beautifully decorated rooms all have stunning views of the beach, gardens or Hajjar Mountains. Six restaurants located within the hotel and by its pool offer a range of cuisines and serve everything from fresh seafood to Mongolian barbeque and traditional Omani food. For recreation, the Palm Beach Club has two swimming pools, a Jacuzzi, sauna, gym, tennis court, squash courts and an aerobics studio. Families traveling with young children have playgrounds and convenient babysitting options. With its world-class amenities, location and service, InterContinetal Hotel is an excellent choice for business travelers, vacationers and families.
muscatGrand Hyatt Muscat
This lavish hotel has a delightful interior. The décor takes into account Omani culture and the hotel also sheds light on Muscat’s history with a bar named after a ship that was found here containing within it sunken silver treasure. The view from the bed rooms is breath taking. Tourists are treated to beautiful views of the surrounding beach. Tuscany the Italian restaurant located within the hotel serves delectable culinary delights. Hotel facilities are plentiful and include a restaurant, a nightclub, a bar, a sauna, swimming pools including one for children, dry cleaning/ laundry services, babysitting services, a business centre, currency exchange, an ATM machine, wireless internet, a health club, a library and 24 hour room service.
muscatAl Bustan Palace Hotel
This lavish hotel is world famous. The rooms, the restaurants and the service are excellent. The view from the bedrooms is stunning, as these look out onto the surrounding bays and mountains; the hotel also comprises of beautiful gardens an excellent place for visitors to unwind. Many world leaders and delegations have stayed at this hotel, which was originally built in 1985 for the Gulf Cooperation Summit. The only drawback for those wishing to stay close to the city’s main attractions is its distance from the city centre. However, the location is much more peaceful and serene. Hotel facilities are plentiful and include restaurants, bars, swimming pools, including one for children, a children’s playground, a fitness centre, a private beach, water sports and dry cleaning/ laundry services. The lobby will also dazzle you from the moment you walk in.
muscatShangrila’s Barr al Jissah Resort & Spa
Tucked into Al Jissah Bay and right on the beautiful beach and sparkling waters, Shangri-La’s three hotel resort provides the perfect getaway. The hotels are integrated into 124 acres of nature against a unique mountain and desert backdrop. The date trees by the swimming pools evoke an oasis, the theme of Al Waha. Al Bandar is the central hotel, with spacious guest rooms, 11 meeting rooms and a 1,056 square meter ballroom. For the most luxurious facilities the resort has to offer, stay at the Al Husn, with its infinity pool and private beach. The elegant hotel decor incorporates beautiful Omani art and design and lives up to the impeccable standards of the Shangri-La name.
History and today in Muscat
Read the city today, its history, residents, culture, and character before planning your route.
Annual Temperature
January: High 25 °C Low 17 °C February High 26 °C Low 18 °C; March: High 29 °C Low 20 °C; April: High 34 °C Low 24 °C
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Public Holidays
1st January- New Year; March- the Prophet’s Birthday *: April- Easter 23rd July- Renaissance Day September- Eid-ul-Fitr * 24th November- National Day 25th November- HRH Sultan Qaboos’ Birthday December- Eid-ul-Azha * December- Hijri (Islamic) New Year * 25th December- Christmas Day 26th December- Boxing Day (* moveable, subject to sighting of the moon)
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Fast Facts
-Location: Muscat is located in the North East of Oman. To the North and the West of the city lies the Arabian Sea. To the south lie the plains of the Dakhiliya Region. To the East lies the Ash Sharqiya Region.; -Dialing code: +968; -Emergency numbers: Police- 999
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When to go
The best time to visit Muscat is from November to April, when the weather is perfect for a nice vacation. Winters in Muscat are not cold, but comfortable-the summer, on the other hand, can be unbearable. During the summer, temperatures balloon to 45 degrees Celsius (and occasionally more), which is only exacerbated by the humidity of the city.
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Visa Information
There are a number of different visas available for those wishing to travel to Muscat; these include the express visa, the single entry visa and the multiple entry visa. The government of Oman has categorized countries into 2 types: those included in list 1; and those included in list 2.
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Muscat’s Residents
Muscat has a population of almost 600,000 people. Locals constitute only 60 percent of the population whilst expatriates account for a sizeable 40 percent of it. Muscat’s residents have experienced improvement in their standards of living and have shared in the wealth the city has generated as a result of the numerous construction and development projects, as well as the burgeoning tourism industry. The majority of the residents are Muslims, although there are many Christians as well as Hindus. The city boasts of a number of Mosques, churches as well as two Hindu temples and minorities are allowed to practice their religion without the interference of the state. A number of languages are spoken in Muscat including Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu and Swahili. The population is truly a salad bowl of various nationalities. The residents are hospitable and friendly, as well as tolerant.
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Muscat History
The roots of Muscat’s seafaring heritage run all the way back to the 6th millennium BCE, when fishermen inhabited its rocky coast on the Arabian Sea. Already established as a well-known port in the 1st century CE, the port of Muscat was referred to as Cryptus Portus by Ptolemy. For much of its history, the valuable port has been conquered by invading empires and reconquered by local tribes. The port was invaded by Sassanid Empire in the 3rd century and the city converted to Islam in the 7th century. After Persian rule, warring local tribes within Oman allowed the Abbasids of Baghdad to gain control before they were driven out by the Yahmad tribe. Power continued to shift as the Portuguese arrived in 1506, attacking, pillaging and massacring as they went. The Turks and the Portuguese waged battles over Muscat until 1650, when the Portuguese were driven out definitively by the army of the Imam.
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Muscat today
Muscat is the capital and largest city in Oman, with a population slightly exceeding one million people. The city has a rich history and is located on the eastern coast of the Sultanate of Oman. The city has long-been a trading outpost, largely due to its geographic location near the Strait of Hormuz; this has had a large impact on the development of the city to its modern day form. Today, Muscat’s port still drives much of the economy of the city. Muscat lies tucked in the rolling hills and mountains of Oman, and retains much of the historical charm the city acquired during its time as a military outpost and trading post during periods of both Persian and Portuguese rule. Since the ascension of Sultan Qaboos bin Said to the throne in 1970, the city has developed rapidly into a more modern city. Large malls and city centers are a common sight, and while there are very few high rise buildings within the city (an attempt to retain the cultural heritage of the country), buildings are modern and the city has become a sprawling metropolis with plenty to see and do. The city also lives its culture-the fish market is still a daily staple of the local diet, and the Mutrah Souk mixes old and new in a classic Arabian market. With beaches, amazing natural destinations nearby, and a lively populace, Muscat has painted itself as a vibrant place to visit or live.
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Shopping in Muscat
Explore 16 shopping stops, from malls, markets, and book bazaars to fashion streets and souvenir finds.
muscatAmouage
With some of the world’s most finely crafted perfumes, Amouage brings together the exotic and the artistic. Their beautiful scents use rare and valuable frankincense and musk and the distinctly Arabian perfumes make a thoughtful, though expensive, gift.
muscatOmani Heritage Gallery
Omani handicrafts, including baskets made from desert palm and leather, indigo dyed products, pottery, silver, frankincense burners and weavings are available here. Prices are excessive but the products are of good quality.
muscatBait Muzna Gallery
This shop is famous its traditional and contemporary Omani goods. While the larger pieces of furniture such as wooden carved chests and doors would be difficult to transport back home, tourists are sure to find fabulous pieces of Bedouin jewelry here. These high quality products are expensive but make great souvenirs. Address: Al Saidiya Street, Old Muscat
muscatKhimji Megastore
This is a famous shopping center in Muscat that sells a diverse range of products. Both international and local brands are represented here, including leading names in fashion, accessories, footwear, perfumes, and cutlery and more. These include Chanel, Jaeger, Nina Ricci, Noritake, Edinburg crystal, Rolex, Cartier, Piaget and Chopard.
muscatAl Araimi
This is a famous shopping arcade in Muscat which sells a diverse range of products. Both International and local brands are represented here. Leading names in fashion, accessories, footwear, sports gear, electronics furniture, perfumes, music and electronics are located here. These include Versace, JC Penny, Giordano, Mexx, Bata of Italy, Rolex, Kenwood, Bose, Bosch, Carlton Cards and Acer.
Signature sights in Muscat
A curated pick of the city's standout sights, led by the strongest editorial recommendations.
Festivals and events in Muscat
Plan around 12 festival seasons, public events, Ramadan/Eid periods, book fairs, art cycles, and winter food activity.
muscatMuscat Festival
This event is held annually in the month of January and February and is the best known of Muscat’s Festivals. The basic objective of this festival is to celebrate the culture and heritage of Muscat and Oman. A massive heritage village is set up to showcase Oman’s rich traditions and heritage, and light is shed on Muscat’s history and its various arts and crafts. There are parades, seminars, poetry readings, literary gatherings, theatrical performances and much more. Local and international artists come to Muscat to perform during this festival, which helps add to the fun and educational aspect of this festival.
muscatMuscat International Book Fair
his fair has been a staple of the Muscat calendar for the past 15 years. The ten-day festival takes place in the Oman International Exhibition Center. Over twenty countries participate in this book fair, representing hundreds of publishing houses from around the world. You will find many publications in English, as well as those in other languages---any and all bookworms will love this festival!
muscatGHEDEX Festival
This is a huge event in Muscat’s calendar. It has been held annually in the Oman International Exhibition Center for the past nine years. The objective is to enlighten the public about educational opportunities both in Oman and abroad. Many youngsters, students and their parents flock here to learn more about options for pursuing higher education.
muscatInternational Property and Investment Expo
This event is held annually in the Oman International Exhibition Center and lasts three days. Oman’s rapidly expanding property market is a draw for potential investors, who come to learn more about the market and other investment opportunities. In addition to highlighting investment opportunities in Oman, organizers provide a synopsis of the opportunities throughout the world, which helps add to the attraction of this event.
muscatOmani Products Show
This event is held annually in the Oman International Exhibition Center and lasts three days. Oman’s rapidly expanding property market is a draw for potential investors, who come to learn more about the market and other investment opportunities. In addition to highlighting investment opportunities in Oman, organizers provide a synopsis of the opportunities throughout the world, which helps add to the attraction of this event.
Muscat tours and experiences
Heritage walks, food crawls, coastal trips, museum circuits, family days, and guided ideas for an easier day out.
muscatMark Tours
Mark Tours provides all-inclusive services with visa assistance, hotel reservations, transportation between airport and hotel, guided tours, chauffeur service and car rentals. Day excursions include a half day or full day in Muscat, a day in either Jebel Akhdar, Wahiba Sands or Wadi Shaab or Nizwa, Bahla and Jabrin and some of the other ancient cities. The unforgettable Dazzling Dolphins tour takes you on a three hour boat ride along the coast of Oman, where you can see Omani dolphins up close in their natural habitat.
muscatZahara Tours
These tour operators are famed for the wonderful tours and excursions that they arrange for tourists in Muscat. As with other tour operators, Zahara offers a wide range of trips and packages that tourists can choose from. The Mystical Muscat tour lasts about 4 hours and includes visits to the Grand Mosque, the fish market and Mutrah Souk, the Bait al Zubayr Museum and the Al Jalali and Mirani forts. Other half day tours entail visiting the coast of Muscat to partake in whale and dolphin watching. Tourists can also opt for the dhow cruise which allows them to view the beautiful sunset on board the dhow.
muscatArabian Sea Safaris
With Arabian Sea Safaris, tourists can partake in a boat tour of Muscat. View Muscat Harbor, Mutrah and the Corniche from the water with the historic tour or take pictures of the forts, the Sultan’s palace, the beaches and the fishing villages like Qantab and Sidab with a photography tour. For geology enthusiasts, there is a geology tour where tourists are taken to the beautiful black mountains surrounding Muscat. These tours, which usually last around 4 hours and are led by an English speaking guide, cost 20- 25 Omani Riyals and above per person. The company also offers dhow and dinner cruises, wildlife safaris and fishing trips.
muscatOman World Tourism
Oman World Tourism These operators have a variety of guided tours that visitors can choose from, ranging from a day long to up to six days long with prices varying accordingly. Many areas of Muscat are covered by the tours and some excursions are planned to surrounding areas like Nizwa and Jabrin. Other activities are more adventurous and involve camping, fishing, boating, sand surfing, snorkeling and trekking, while others are focused on sightseeing. The Muscat city tour, which is a day long and costs 25 Omani Riyal per person, will take you to the Grand Mosque, the fish market in Mutrah, Mutrah Souk and the Oman Museum.
muscatUnited Tours
United Tours offers a variety of packages both in Muscat and surrounding cities in Oman. In the half day tour of the city, tourists are taken to the Grand Mosque, Bait-ul-Zubayr Museum, the fish market in Mutrah, Mutrah Corniche, the Mutrah Souk and the Al Jalali and Mirani forts. In the full day tour visitors are taken to Seeb and to areas outside of Muscat such as Rustaq and Al Hazm as well as the Al-Hajjar mountain range. There are also packages for those who want to experience Oman’s breathtaking natural beauty in the form of the wadis, beaches and mountains.
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Muscat travel guide sections
Focused sections for articles, directories, maps, and trip planning.
