Muscat Travel Guide, Muscat, Oman

Ever since I moved to Qatar, everyone around me repeatedly told me that I have to go to Oman as it is the jewel of the Gulf. Oman is quite big, but the places that seem to interest visitors most are Muscat and the surrounding area and Salalah in the south (which seem to be really beautiful during the rain season). Muscat as the capital of Oman and a city with good flight connections makes a rather nice city break, so I’ve added tons of information in this complete guide to Muscat for first timers.

Surrounded by desert and mountains, with access to a sea, it gives quite a few interesting options for visitors. If you want to know what to do in Muscat, especially if it is your first time, keep on reading.

I’ve been trying to find words to describe Muscat, but somehow I find it difficult. Most of the cities I have been to have a main square or area, which is commonly called a city centre and which is usually a place where all the attractions can be found. Muscat, however, is a big city with places of interest spread over a large area.

While we expect and are used to (well, I’m talking for myself being from Europe) having most of the attractions in one place, in Muscat you need to travel from one end to another. I’m not sure if I have ever mentioned it, but on my travels, I walk as much as possible only taking transportation if I am too tired or the distance is too big to walk. We did the same in Muscat. With a lot of optimism, we walked one day from Mutrah to the Sultan’s Palace hoping for a lovely walk. It was hot, but the walk along the sea shore was picturesque, which in my hopeless positive thinking should be rewarding. This area is taken care of with lots of flowers and green areas, quite pleasant to look at. If only my new shoes did not start killing me! Anyways, as much as you love walking, it can be tricky in Muscat. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).