Top things to do in Muttrah, Oman – Muscat’s old city

Muttrah is the poster child of Muscat. Its sweeping corniche, mountain-hugging forts and Arabian architecture are what people typically imagine when they think of Oman’s capital. So discovering a sprawling, neon city with bumper to bumper rush hours can be a bit of a shock. This is why a visit to Muttrah is a must for anyone starting or ending their adventure in northern Oman.

It’s where to discover the history of Muscat and what made this port city such an important seat of power for the Sultanate’s native and occupying rulers. In this post I am going to share my top tips for exploring and the best things to do in Muttrah.

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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About Muttrah

Muttrah, or Mutrah as you’ll also see it spelt on some maps and road signs, is a popular sea front destination with plenty of Omani charm. Along the harbour you’ll see the modern fish market and port, juxtaposed with traditional pastel and white-washed town houses with balconies overlooking the Corniche.

A maze of homes and shops weave inland from the port, squashed in between the mountains and a wadi that floods when it rains. The hours after a downpour bring chaos to the historic souq in Muttrah, which straddles the gully down which water flows to the sea.

This may not sound ideal as a location for the heart of an old city, but Muttrah’s position, nestled between the sea and rocky peaks of the Hajar Mountains, is what protected it from invasion over millennia.

Along with the difficult landscape, the city gates safeguarded the harbour from land invasion, while the foreboding forts protected it from maritime assaults.

Why visit?

Muttrah is the best place in Muscat to immerse yourself in Oman’s history and culture. Escape the hubbub of the modern districts and find out about life and trade in Oman before oil became its biggest source of income.

Muttrah was and continues to be an important trading hub, particularly for the Sultanate’s fishing industry. It is also where you can buy frankincense, spices and beautifully crafted jewellery in one of the oldest souqs in the Arab world.

If your itinerary allows, it would be easy to spend a full day or more exploring the old city’s forts, sea front and museums. Two days would allow you to enjoy Muttrah without rushing. Keep scrolling for suggestions on where to stay.

Want to combine Muttrah with seeing the sights of the rest of Muscat? Check out my suggested three day Muscat itinerary.

Tips for visiting Muttrah

Here’s a few handy things to know ahead of spending time in Muscat’s old city:

The best time to visit

The best times to visit Muttrah are early morning and from late afternoon into the evening. At dawn you can see the fish market in full swing and then continue your explorations before the souq closes at lunchtime and it becomes too hot to be outside for long.

Or visit after 4pm when the souq and the the corniche come alive with locals enjoying the cooler temperature.

We often visited early in the day as our children weren’t accustomed to late nights.

Parking in Muttrah

Muttrah is one of a growing number of places in Muscat where you can be charged for parking. You will spot bright orange signs along the Corniche and in some car parks with details about paying by SMS at peak times from Sunday to Thursday.

I’ll be very honest and say that in all my time living in Oman I was never able to get this to work. I think it’s something to do with needing an Oman bank account linked to an Oman SIM card. Hopefully that will change in the future.

In the meantime, rather than get a parking fine, find the free places to park pinned on the map below.

Please note: parking was free in these places at the time of publication. Always check for parking restrictions before leaving your vehicle.

For more tips about visiting Muttrah including what to wear, currency and how to get around see my Muscat travel guide.

Things to see and do in Muttrah

Now that Muttrah is firmly on your list of must-visit places in Oman, here is what I can recommend seeing in and around Muttrah in Muscat.

I’ve listed these highlights from north to south as you journey through the old city.

Drive through the city gates

Unless you are visiting Oman on a cruise ship, driving through Muttrah’s impressive city gates is unavoidable.

The tan and white castle-like arches are a modern representation of the original gates that had huge wooden doors that were locked every night.

There are gates at the northern end of Muttrah and at the southern end before the ministries district where you will find government buildings, the royal palace and National Museum. There is a Gate Museum here too.

See the catch of the day at Muttrah fish market

As you arrive in Muttrah you can’t miss the futuristic fish market building to the north end of the Corniche.

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.

Visit early in the morning to see the day’s catch. Be prepared for plenty of raw fishy whiffs. 

In the same building you can find a food market selling lots of locally grown and traditional Omani foods. This is a great place to refresh you supply of drinks and snacks.

Tip: The best day to visit the fish market is Friday, which is the first day of the weekend in Oman. You’ll see plenty of local people buying fish for that day’s family meal.

Stroll along Muttrah Corniche

The Corniche follows a 3km route along the waterline from Sultan Qaboos Port to Kalbuh Park. Along the red granite walkway there are domed seats offering shaded places to appreciate the sea view and statues paying homage to Muttrah’s fishing industry.

Muttrah Corniche is a popular place for locals to walk and meet friends during cooler evenings.

Spot the Sultan’s royal yachts

Sultan Haitham bin Tariq moors his royal yachts in Muttrah Harbour. Al Said, the primary yacht, was built in 2008 by the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said who ruled Oman between 1970 and 2020.

You would have to be royalty or a head of state to get an invite onboard to appreciate its palatial interiors. But Al Said can often be seen in Muttrah along with it’s equally impressive support vessel Fulk al Salamah.

You can get a good view from the Corniche or from the battlements of Muttrah Fort.

Barter at Muttrah Souq

The most famous of Oman’s souqs and one of the oldest on the Arabian Peninsula can be found in Muttrah.

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.

To the right of the main entrance, further along the Corniche, you can find the Gold Souq. This is where Omanis buy ornately designed jewellery to wear on special occasions. It’s a great place for window shopping, just don’t expect any bargains.

While today’s shops have modern signs and card readers, the sellers still haven’t overcome the problem that the souq has a wadi running through it.

When it rains, water pours off the nearby mountains and runs through the souq to an outlet at the main entrance. Even the step up into most shops on the main thoroughfare fails to save them after a particularly bad downpour.

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. You may find shops stay open longer if a cruise ship is in port.

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 Fort Cafe. When we have had 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.

In contrast, inland you can see 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. Buy tickets from the guard house in the parking area before climbing the steps to the entrance. You don’t need more than half an hour to look around.

Tour the Place and People Museum

This small museum on the corniche below Muttrah Fort is often overlooked, but it is a treasure-trove of Omani history.

The museum is a heritage house with rooms decorated in the style they would have been between the 1940s and 1970, when Oman was on the cusp of modernisation.

Highlights are a new bride’s dowery room, beautifully carved Omani doors and household items not dissimilar to what you might have found in 20th Century Europe, introduced as Oman strengthened its ties with the wider world.

If you have time, climb onto the roof terrace for a different view of the Corniche.

Entry to the Place and People Museum costs 2 OMR per person and can be paid on the door.

Relax in Riyam Park

Continue along the corniche from the Place and People Museum and you will find Riyam Park on the right. This is a good spot for families to visit as there are shady spots for a picnic and playgrounds for children.

There are small cafes in and around the park that open in peak periods.

You can also get a view of the Riyam Censor. Entry to the park is free.

Admire the Riyam Censer

At the centre of Muttrah Corniche 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 great view of it from the corniche. There’s a car park on the sea side of the road opposite the censer and outside of Riyam Park, just off the corniche.

You can also drive round to Kalbuh Park to look back across the bay. Be aware that the park may be shut during the construction of the new Muttrah Cable Car (expected to open in 2026).

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

The Big Bus operates from the Muttrah 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.

Things to do near Muttrah

There’s plenty to add on to your Muttrah experience just outside the old city bounds:

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. Keep your eyes peeled and you may see turtles in the water.

Buy tickets into the fort for an even better view from above.

See an exhibition at Al Mirani Fort

This fort beside the royal palace reopened to the public in 2024 after a long period of renovation.

There has been a defensive tower here for hundreds of years and everyone from the Portuguese to Oman’s 19th Century leaders has had a hand in rebuilding it.

Today you can explore a maze of rooms and battlements overlooking Al Alam Palace, the Sea of Oman, government buildings and the Omani and French Museum (the former French Consulate).

There isn’t a lot to see inside the fort – a few guns and cannons – unless there is a temporary exhibition or event. Visit in January and you may find the fort is a venue for the Muscat Nights cultural festival.

Something handy to know about the fort is that some areas are accessible to people in wheelchairs. There is a lift to take you up to the Fort Cafe from where you can enjoy the views. However not all levels or rooms in the fort are accessible.

The fort is open daily from 8am until 11am in the week and until midnight on Oman’s weekends. You can buy entrance tickets in advance or from reception when you arrive.

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.

This is the perfect place to visit before exploring more of Oman as it gives you an introduction to the Sultanate. Don’t have time? Try to visit Oman Across the Ages Museum near Nizwa instead.

The National 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 when you arrive or online in advance.

Cooking and crafts with Sidab Women 

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If you would like to meet some of old Muscat’s residents for an immersive cultural experience then Sidab Women is a community initiative I’ve recently come across.

You can visit their home in Sidab to the south of Muttrah, experience traditional Omani hospitality and try a cooking lesson. The ladies also sell homemade crafts, so this is the ideal place to pick up a meaningful souvenir of your time in Oman.

Book a visit via the Sidab Woman Instagram profile.

Dhow and dolphin watching boat trips

Marina Bandar Al Rowdha to the south of Muttrah is the starting point for dhow and dolphin watching trips along the coast, including the dramatic and stunning coastline at Bander Khayran.

You can find companies offering sunrise, sunset and full day boat trips on small boats, yachts and traditional dhows.

Compare boat trip prices on Get Your Guide.

Al Bustan view point

After spending time in the shadow of the Hajar Mountains, it is easy to drive up from Al Bustan to appreciate the view back towards Oman’s parliament and ministry district, as well as the coast.

Here is where to find the Al Bustan view point (Google Maps location).

Where to stay

Want to base yourselves near Muttrah? Here are some suggested places to stay in and around Old Muscat:

• The Fort Guesthouse – a traditional guesthouse at the centre of Muttrah that gets great reviews for its location and hospitality.
• Nassem Hotel – this sea view hotel on Muttrah Corniche is a top choice for visitors, including families, who want somewhere central but not fussy where they can rest in-between exploring. Cafe Anna below serves excellent coffees, cakes and light meals. Their cookies are one of my guilty pleasures.
• The Sheraton Hotel – a very reasonably priced 5 star international hotel with pool, restaurant and bars a short drive from Muttrah. It is in an urban location but we have stayed a few times and enjoyed the stunning lobby, mountain views and excellent dining facilities
• The Al Bustan Palace – a decadent 5 star beach-front international hotel with plenty of Oman history. It was built by the late Sultan Qaboos as a home away from home for special guests and still hosts foreign leaders. It is now a Ritz Carlton Hotel with pool rooms and a private beach located a five minute drive from Al Alam Palace and the National Museum.
• Hilton Muscat Al Bandar Resort – this 5 star beach resort in home to three Hilton hotels including the family-friendly DoubleTree by Hilton Muscat and Al Husn adults-only hotel. The resort located about 20 minutes to the east of Muttrah. It has its own private beach with a range of restaurants.

More places to visit in Muscat

Where next?