18 things to do in Muscat – culture, outdoor fun & were to cool down

So many adventures in Oman start and end in Muscat. It’s worth dedicating two or three days of your itinerary to exploring the top attractions and must-see sights in this most understated capital on the Arabian Peninsula. But what’s worth visiting? Read on for my guide to the best things to do in Muscat including where to find culture, amazing outdoor places and the best spots to cool off.

But before the good stuff, I’d like to thank you for visiting Oman Wanderlust and also encourage you to join our Facebook group Oman Unpacked. It’s a community to get even more personal recommendations from visitors and expats who love Oman.

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Oman’s top tourist attraction

So how and where can you get to know Oman’s capital better? If you don’t have much time in Muscat, visiting this top attraction is a must:

Be dazzled by Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

The number one thing to do in Muscat is visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Its architecture, scale and atmosphere are a heady mix that leaves a lasting impression on worshippers and tourists alike. It’s also an easily accessible place to visit if you are not worried about a few steps.

You should allow yourself at least one hour to explore the gardens and prayer halls. It’s easy to get caught up in the details and spend even longer. 

Within the main prayer hall, the central chandelier is eight meters in diameter and 14 meters high – that’s as big as a two-storey house. It has to be seen to be believed.

If you want to find out more about the mosque, borrow an audio guide for 2.5 OMR. These are available from the shop outside the main entrance.

You can also hire one of the registered tour guides just inside or check out my post about visiting Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque to find out more before you go including what to wear.

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is open to visitors from 8am to 11am, Saturday to Thursday. Entrance costs 8 OMR.

Things to do in Muttrah and the old city

Muttrah, or Mutrah as you’ll also see it spelt, is the oldest part of Muscat. It is nestled within a cluster of rocky hills that protected it from land invasion. City gates were added to safeguard the harbour and you can still drive through these (or their modern equivalents) today.

Here are the places to visit in and around Muttrah in Muscat:

Climb Muttrah Fort

Muttrah Fort dates from the 1700s and was improved over the centuries by the Portuguese and Oman’s Al Busaidi Dynasty. It was restored and opened to visitors in the 1980s.

It is easiest to look around at the start or end of the day as the towers and battlements are very exposed. The only places where you can find shade are in the entrance and the tiny cafe. When we have visitors I usually head here first thing in the morning before going to the souq when it gets hotter.

The main attraction of this small fort is the panoramic views. From the traditional ramparts you can see the decorative corniche curving towards the souq and iconic fish market and, in contrast, the higgledy-piggledy residences that seem to flow from the mountains into any available gap.

The fort is open seven days a week from 8am to 11pm. You don’t need more than half an hour to look around.

Stroll along Muttrah Corniche to Riyam Censer

Muttrah Corniche runs along the harbour and is lined with fish-themed statues, gazebos and seating. From here you can sit and admire the Sultan’s private yachts and see cruise ships in Sultan Qaboos Port.

At the promenade’s centre is Riyam Park where you will spot the Riyam Censer – a huge incense burner-like structure. 

This hasn’t been open to visitors for a while but you can get a good view of it from the Corniche. There’s a car park on the opposite side of the road to Riyam Park and you can also pull into Kalbuh Park to look back across the bay.

Muttrah Corniche is at its busiest in the evenings.

Barter at Muttrah Souq

The most famous of Oman’s souq’s can be found on the Corniche.

Muttrah Souq is a maze of shops selling perfumes, clothes, Arabic lanterns and all kinds of trinkets. Be aware that lots of products are imported. If you want an Omani-made souvenir look for frankincense, woven baskets and pottery.

Step off the main thoroughfare and you’ll find the shops used by Omanis with prices a little easier on the pocket. I have picked up kaftans here for 3 or 4 OMR and spices for a few 100 baiza.

Visit the souq after sunset to see it at its liveliest. Morning visits are less frantic and better suited to people visiting with young children.

The Souq is open from 9am to 1pm and from 4pm to 11pm Saturday to Thursday, and from 9am to 11am and from 4pm to 11pm on Friday.

See the catch of the day at Muttrah fish market

You can’t miss the futuristic fish market building to the north of Muttrah Corniche but come prepared for plenty of raw fishy whiffs. 

Fishing is one of Oman’s historic industries. Boats go out every night along the coastline bringing an eclectic catch back to markets at Muttrah, Seeb and Al Hail in Muscat.

The busiest day to visit is Friday, which is the first day of the weekend in Oman.

See Al Alam Palace 

Al Alam Palace is Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said’s official residence. You can’t go in but you can walk up the parade ground in front of it and take a peek thorough the gates. 

The palace is surrounded by government buildings and higher up on the hills you’ll spot historic forts.

For a different view, walk to the left of the palace and then take a right at the T junction. This will lead you to the seafront below Al Mirani Fort from where you can see the back of the palace and the sea.

For a more unique view, buy tickets for Al Mirani Fort and see the back of the palace and it’s views over the Sea of Oman from the battlements.

Explore the National Museum

At the opposite end of the parade ground to Al Alam Palace is Oman’s National Museum. This opened in 2015 to showcase the Sultanate’s heritage and culture. 

There are 15 galleries taking you on a journey through Oman’s natural history, its maritime past, its Islamic faith and its relationship with the world. It’s an easy place to visit with children and older family members with translations and some interactive displays for kids.

The museum is open from 10am to 5pm Saturday to Thursday and from 2pm to 6pm on Fridays. It closes on national holidays. You can buy tickets at the entrance or book a tour in advance online.

Short on time? Take the Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour

The Big Bus operates from the Corniche during the peak tourist season. The service is hop on hop off only when cruise ships are alongside in Sultan Qaboos Port.

Find out more and get tickets for the Big Bus in Muscat.

I’ve got even more suggestions in my full guide to Muttrah, the oldest part of Muscat.

Things to see outdoors in Muscat

October to March is my favourite time in Oman because it’s when the daytime temperature drops and we’re able to get outside more. Find out more about the best time to visit Oman.

Here’s some of the places in Muscat that are much better enjoyed when it’s cooler:

Try snorkelling at the Daymaniat Islands

One of the most special days out from Muscat has to be a snorkelling trip at the Daymaniat Islands. This archipelago is 42km off the coast of Muscat and renowned for its marine life.

You can see green turtles, dolphins and even whale sharks slipping through the tropical waters at the right time of year.

And this is an all year round activity. Just make sure you wear plenty of marine-friendly sun cream and drink loads of water. A rash vest, sun glasses and hat are also a really good idea to help avoid the sun.

Find boat trips running from Al Mouj Marina, Seeb Port and Muttrah Marina.

See Oman’s tallest flagpole

Officially opened in 2025, this eye-catching flagpole is the centre-piece of Al Khuwair Square where you will also be able to walk, cycle and relax on cooler days and evenings. 

The pole reaches up 126m making it taller than the highest minaret at Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and the tallest manmade structure in Oman.

Find out more about visiting Muscat’s flag pole plaza.

Free parking, a cafe and bathrooms are available in the park.

Relax and play at Qurum Natural Park

If you are looking for somewhere to stretch your legs at the start or end of the day then Qurum Natural Park is the largest park in Muscat. 

There are grass lawns, covered seating and water features including an artificial waterfall. You can also find a fun fair, playgrounds and events happening during the cooler winter months.

The park is free to visit and is open from 8am to 11pm every day.

Stroll along Qurum Beach 

This is one of Muscat’s easiest beaches to visit for a sunset walk on the corniche or sand. You can also find some lovely shells when the tide is out. 

The public beach stretches for 4k from the Crown Plaza Hotel to the Mandarin Oriental. There’s free parking all along the corniche on Al Shati Street and at a cluster of restaurants and shops on Way 2817. The beach is busiest in the evenings. 

There are no sun beds for hire. You can find shady spots at the Mandarine end where there are also play parks. Be respectful of local customs on what to wear when enjoying the beach. Bikinis and speedos are a no-no.

If you are looking for a bite to eat, we can recommend D’Arcy’s Kitchen which is set back from the beach in a small mall.

Splash out on a hotel pool pass

Muscat has several international hotels that offer pool passes to day guests. 

Our favourite pool days are at the Hilton Al Bandar, Al Bustan Palace and JW Marriott. But lots more are on offer, with different food and beverage deals included as well as access to the hotel’s facilities.

I always use the Muscat Where To app to find the latest deals.

Cafe culture at Al Mouj

Al Mouj is a modern residential and hotel complex built around a marina. There are high end cafes and restaurants along the pedestrianised waterfront where you can enjoy a meal while watching luxury yachts and tourist boats sailing by.

We can recommend breakfast at Manis, Café Bateel or Cafe One at the Kempinski, and dinner at Huqqa by the marina or Hakkasan at The St Regis. Looking for somewhere for sundowners? Cafe Zale at the Kempinski is fabulous.

Hire a bike on Seeb Corniche

A lesser explored part of Muscat’s seafront is Seeb to the north of the city. The 3km corniche beyond the fish market is lined with cafes, play parks and access to a sandy beach.

At the northern end you can hire bikes in the evening. The corniche and beach are busiest at dusk and into the night.

Conquer Jabel Khoneh and the Sa’al Steps

Nor far outside Muscat you can climb a mountain and be back at your accommodation in time for breakfast. Jabel Khoneh rises 545 metres above sea level and is a great view point for the city and surrounding Hajar Mountains.

While the hike is only 1.8km, the ascent is steep, so come prepared for a challenge. There’s a staircase for a large section of the climb – the Sa’al Steps – which you might hear the hike named after.

Find out more about about the Sa’al Steps hike.

Things to do indoors in Muscat

When the heat gets too much, these indoor activities and places to visit in Muscat will add some chill time to your itinerary:

Chill out at Snow Oman

Muscat is home to the Middle East’s largest snow park, which is the perfect place for families to cool down.

Modelled on Oman’s landscape, Snow Oman has more than 20 activities set amongst a light house, forts and even a frozen treasure ship in homage to Oman’s seafaring legend Sinbad. There’s ringo runs, zorbs, icy slides, an ice rink, an arial ride and snowy play areas.

Snow Oman can be found in the Mall of Oman and is open seven days a week.

Find out more about visiting Snow Oman.

Meet local marine life at Oman Aquarium

Another indoor activity for families is Oman Aquarium which is located in the Mall of Muscat.

It was the biggest aquarium in the Middle East when it opened in 2018. But things change quickly here and a few years later the National Aquarium in Abu Dhabi became the largest.

It’s still an impressive sight with a 5,600 square meter main tank and more than 200 species swimming in 1.8 million litres of water.

The whole experience is themed around the adventures of the 15th Century Arabic explorer Ahmed Bin Majid. The creatures you see in the tanks are said to be ones he saw during his travels from the mangroves of Salalah to the reefs of the Gulf of Oman and beyond. 

The aquarium is an education and conservation facility as well as an attraction. It teaches visitors about the impact of plastic waste on the ocean – a topic we’ve found talked about much less in the Middle East than in the UK. Turtles are also brought here for rehabilitation.

The Aquarium is open from 10am to 10pm Saturday to Wednesday and 10am to 11pm Thursday and Friday. 

Tour the Royal Opera House

Muscat’s beautiful Royal Opera House is Oman’s largest theatre and showcases regional and international opera, ballet, concerts and family shows. 

You may not have time to see a performance at the Opera House but you can still take a tour of the stunning building and see the Museum of Musical Arts. The architecture and interiors have been inspired by creative arts and spaces from around the globe.

The museum is open from 10am to 5pm, Saturday to Thursday, and you can book a tour from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Saturday to Thursday. The museum and tours are closed on public holidays.

Shop at the Mall of Oman

Oman’s largest shopping mall opened in 2021 with hundreds of local and international retailers as well as a massive food court, 15 screen cinema with IMAX, creative play spaces and arcades.

Oh, and there’s Snow Oman.

If you’re looking for things to do in Muscat for shop-a-holics, this is the place to head.

On hot days you can spend whole day keeping cool here.

The Mall is open from 10am to 10pm Saturday to Wednesday and 10am to midnight on Thursdays and Fridays. Some cafes and restaurants are open from 8am to midnight, seven days a week.

Where to find these things to do in Muscat

Here’s a map showing all of these tourist attractions and points of interest in Muscat:

Not going to have internet when you visit Oman? Make sure you download Google maps before you travel.

Day trips from Muscat

If you are basing yourselves in Muscat and want to take day trips to see more of northern Oman here are some places I suggest you go:

• Oman Across the Ages Museum – about 1 hour 40 minutes from Muscat
• Bimmah Sinkhole – about 1 hour 30 minutes from Muscat
• Wadi Shab – about 1 hour 50 minutes from Muscat
• Wadi Tiwi – about 1 hour 50 minutes from Muscat
• Wadi Hoqain – about an hour from Muscat

More tips for travel to Oman

Here’s some more guides to help you ahead of your visit:

• Things to know before you holiday in Oman
• Tips for families visiting Oman
• The top things to do in Oman
• Things to know about visiting Oman in Ramadan