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 Nestled between the imposing Al Hajar Mountains and the salty waters of the Arabian Sea is Muscat, the cosmopolitan Omani capital. Now home to almost half the country's population, the city is an expat's darling and has a lot to offer in the way of historical sights, culture, and entertainment. Muscat has managed to remain relatively concealed from the touristic eye and retains a sense of inwardness and an unspoiled quality long lost by some of its Emirati neighbours.

currency

Omani Rial (1 Omani Rial = 2.29 Euro)

phone

Police/Fire/Ambulance: 9999

newspaper

Oman Daily Observer
Oman Tribune
Muscat Daily
TheWeek (published Wednesdays)
Times of Oman

hours

Most governmental offices and government-run facilities (including post offices and museums) open and close early (7.30am - 2.30pm). Commercial establishments and local businesses have longer working hours and often operate late into the night, but often close for mid-day break between 3pm and 6pm.

population

Wilayat: 31,409 (2021)
Governate: 1.3 million (2021)
Metro: 1.7 million (2021)

info

Ministry of Tourism
Call Centre: +968 80077799
Phone: +968 22088000
Sun - Thu 7.30am - 2.30pm

P.O. Box 200, P. C. 115
Madinat Al-Sultan Qaboos
Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

Muscat, capital of Oman A Jellema/Shutterstock.com

The City

What once was three small villages of Muscat, Muttrah and Ruwi today constitutes the modern, ever-growing and very cosmopolitan Omani capital, with each of the three areas still preserving some of their individual flair.
Old Muscat, the historic heart of the city, contains some of the finest Arabian architecture and cultural heritage sites. Old Portuguese forts and historic buildings breathe the charm of foregone ages. The opulent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, a rather new addition to the local architectural landscape, has grown to become the country's major religious centre and is open to visitors of all convictions.
The scenic, vibrant port area of Muttrah is the place to be right before sundown. A promenade along its seaside Corniche lined with stylish hotels and eateries makes for a perfect kick-start to the evening, to be continued exploring the Muttrah Souq and Muscat's somewhat hushed, but very present nightlife.
Neighboring Ruwi is, perhaps, best explored during daylight hours, when this newly emerged business districts' eclectic make up becomes most apparent.
Some distances might prove too long for walking, but commuting between Muscat's historically detached areas is made easy by omnipresent minibuses and taxis, easily hailed down from any point in the city.

The Grand Mosque Gate Permchai Phoorivatana/Shutterstock.com

Do & See

Muscat's geographical positioning in close proximity to the sea, desert and mountains provides visitors with an endless list of possible activities. With natural beauty, beach resorts, an emerging cultural scene (facilitated much by the recently constructed Royal Opera House) and historical relics, the nation's capital is guaranteed to keep travelers busy both on land (mosques, forts and souqs) and at sea (dolphin-watching tours and snorkeling, to name a few).

Ivan Pavlov/Shutterstock.com

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

Claudiovidri/Shutterstock.com

Royal Opera House

Philip Lange/Shutterstock.com

Muttrah Corniche

Step

Bait Al Zubair Museum

Philip Lange/Shutterstock.com

Qurum Beach & Natural Park

Tatiana Bobkova/Shutterstock.com

Sultan's Armed Forces Museum

Juozas Šalna

Oman Oil and Gas Exhibition Centre

ChameleonsEye/Shutterstock.com

Sultan’s Palace

Ivan Pavlov/Shutterstock.com

Al Jalali and Mirani Forts

Ivan Pavlov/Shutterstock.com

Dolphin Watching

balti dish with indian chicken biryani and curry in the background Joshua Resnick/Shutterstock.com

Dining

Omani cuisine is halal meat-dominated, with Arabian and Indian influences easily traceable. Some of the typical local dishes include grilled meats, shwarma, and biryani. Muscat's seaside location makes for a heavy emphasis on seafood in local cuisine as well. Restaurants in Muscat are often located on hotel premises and cater primarily to expats and tourists (most locals favour cafes over fine dining). The variety of cuisine choices, however, is certainly impressive and ranges from traditional Omani to Indian, Pakistani, European, and Asian.

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Bait Al Luban Omani Restaurant

f.odabasi/Shutterstock.com

Turkish House Restaurant

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Begum's

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The Beach Restaurant

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Royal House Restaurant

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Trattoria - Italian Restaurant and Café

Arabic tea and dates, Sophie James/Shutterstock.com

Cafes

Western-style restaurants are a foreign import to Oman, while cafes enjoy a much higher popularity among locals and often make for dining experiences no less tantalizing. "Shwarma" is, perhaps, the most popular local eat, and is made with roasted beef or chicken wrapped in bread with salad and vegetables. Grilled meats (or "kebabs") are another local speciality, often served with flatbread and hummus. Another dish typical of the area is "biryani", which often simply means chicken leg with rice and spices. Cafes normally offer a variety of fresh juices to go with a meal, along with coffee ("gahwa") spiced with cardamom and cloves.

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Al Makan Café

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Fast Food 'n' Juice Centre

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Mani's Gourmet Cafe

Scenic View of Muttrah Bay in the evening, Muscat, Oman Ivan Pavlov/Shutterstock.com

Bars & Nightlife

Muscat is an unexpectedly vibrant and photogenic city by night. Taking a stroll along the Corniche or wandering through the Muttrah area may offer a glance into local life hidden from sight during daytime. Those interested in smoking shisha will not find themselves at a loss - cafes that serve shisha are widely available throughout. When it comes to bars and clubs, most local nightlife is limited to hotel premises due to restrictions on the sale and consumption of alcohol in the country. However, some hotels do pack a punch, and finding a suitable venue should not pose much difficulty.

Jag_cz/Shutterstock.com

Duke's Bar

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Al Ghazal Pub

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Trader Vic's

Stuart Monk/Shutterstock.com

Club Safari

Traditional omani kuma hats for sale at the souq in Muscat Philip Lange/Shutterstock.com

Shopping

Visitors to Muscat are free to choose between an authentic shopping experience in the souqs and modern, air-conditioned shopping malls established in the recent years (primarily in central Muscat and its upmarket suburb of Qurum). The souqs in Muscat and Muttrah are a vibrant, lively experience fit for those ready to haggle and actively pursue great bargains. Clothing, leather goods, local art and handicrafts, ceramics, gold and jewelry are some of the items on sale in the city's windy souqs. Western-style shopping malls, on the other hand, sell primarily international brand clothing and accessories, and often house grocery stores, food courts and entertainment venues.

Riyadh Al Balushi

Muttrah Souq

nenetus/Shutterstock.com

Muscat Grand Mall

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Oman Avenues Mall

l i g h t p o e t/Shutterstock.com

Fish Market

kentoh/Shutterstock.com

Bateel

Grand Mosque of Muscat, Oman PlusONE/Shutterstock.com

Tourist Information

Muscat International Airport

The Muscat International Airport is the largest in Oman, and is located 32km away from the city. Some hotels in Muscat arrange courtesy shuttles for guests and offer pick-up services directly at the airport.

The most convenient way of getting to Muscat on one's own is by taxi. Fares should be agreed upon prior to departure; paying in advance directly at the airport taxi counter is also possible.

To reach the city by public transport travelers can use buses run by the Oman National Transport Company. There is a stop on Sultan Qaboos Highway, which is a short (200m) walk away from the airport.

Address: Muscat, Oman

Email:

Phone: +968 24 351234

Website: www.omanairports.co.om

More Information:

Passport/Visa

Unless you are a citizen of one of the member nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council who may travel to Oman without visa limits, you will need to obtain a visa prior to your trip.

All European Union citizens will be able to apply for a visa online, which will be valid for 30 days. The majority of these nationalities can also receive a visa on arrival in Oman.

Upon entering Oman your passport must be valid for at least 6 months.

If you hold an onward ticket, you may transit through Oman without a visa for a maximum of 6 hours if proceeding as part of the same flight.

Citizens of Israel may currently not enter Oman (as of late 2018).

Further details are available here:
evisa.rop.gov.om

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Best Time To Visit

The weather in Muscat is enjoyable and warm all year round with particularily high temperatures during the months of June to August, which you might want to avoid. The winter season, from October to March, will be the best option to visit if you are looking to relax in the sun during the day but experience pleasant temperatures during the night.

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Public Transport

Travellers can choose between several transportation options in Muscat.

The first, so-called "Baiza" buses, circulate regularly around the metropolitain area picking up and dropping off passengers at various locations. These can be flagged down anywhere, and often do not have a visible indication of the destination, so enquiring with the driver is recommended. Fare is paid on board and is usually very low.

A pricier, but, perhaps, more convenient transportation option are the white-and-orange minibuses (local taxis) that are readily available throughout. These can be shared with other passengers to decrease costs. It is customary for these minibuses to pick up passengers that are not headed for the same destination, and make several drop-off stops en route. Fares should be agreed upon before boarding.

Buses run by the ONTC (Oman National Transport Corporation) are another, less popular option for getting around. These buses stop at designated locations only, and run less frequently. The main bus depot is based in Ruwi. Bus connections are available to a variety of destinations, including Muscat International Airport, Port Sultan Qaboos, Wadi Adei, Wadi Kabir, Mabelah, Muttrah, Al Almerat and the main residential areas of Muscat.

Address:

Email: info@ontcoman.com

Phone: +968 2412 1555

Website: www.mwasalat.om

More Information:

Taxi

Taxis are widely available throughout the city of Muscat, and are easy to spot by their white and orange color scheme. Fares should be agreed upon prior to boarding.

Some local taxi companies include:

Allo Taxi
+968 24697997

City Taxi
+968 95103152

KMS Taxi
+968 99331397

Saud Taxi
+968 96600955

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Post Office

The Central Post Office is located next to Muscat International Airport, off Sultan Quaboos Highway. Other post offices are available throughout Muscat, and often do not have an exact address. Post offices can be found next to the British Bank in Muscat, in the Ruwi Commercial area near the Telecommunications Company, on the Muttrah Hospital campus and at further locations (listed on the website).
Post cards and stamps can be purchased throughout the city (at various shops in the Muttrah Souq, for example).

Address: Muscat, Oman

Email:

Phone: +968 24 738547

Website:

More Information:

Pharmacy

Pharmacies are available throughout the city.

Muscat Pharmacy
City Centre Mall (next to the airport)
+968 24558704

Al Ghobra, Nr. Al Maha Filling Station
+968 24497264
(Open 24 hours)

Al Sarooj Commercial Centre
+968 24695536
(Open 24 hours)

Ruwi (opp. Police station)
+968 24794186 / + 968 24791144 / +968 24702542
(Open 24 hours)

Address: City Centre Mall, Muscat

Email:

Phone: +968 2455 8704

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Telephone

Area code +968

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Electricity

220-240 Volts, British three-pin socket

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