Things to do · Muscat · Oman
16 best things to do in Muscat
16 sights and experiences ranked for a first visit, with honest notes on time, cost and crowds.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Izeberg007, CC0
Quick answer
The essential sights in Muscat are Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Mutrah Souq and Al Alam Palace and Old Muscat. Of the 16 picks below, 9 are free, 3 work on a rainy day and 6 suit children. Allow about 4 days to see the highlights without rushing.
Key facts
- Top sight
- Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
- Free sights
- 9
- Good on a rainy day
- National Museum of Oman
- Time to see the highlights
- 4 days
At a glance
| Sight | Area | Time needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque | Al Khuwair | 1–1.5 hours | Free |
| Mutrah Souq | Mutrah | 1–2 hours | Free |
| Al Alam Palace and Old Muscat | Old Muscat | 1 hour | Free |
| Mutrah Corniche | Mutrah | 1–2 hours | Free |
| Mutrah Fish Market | Mutrah | 45 minutes | Free |
| National Museum of Oman | Old Muscat | 2 hours | Low cost |
| Bait Al Zubair | Old Muscat | 1 hour | Low cost |
| Royal Opera House Muscat | Qurum and Shatti Al Qurum | 1 hour for a tour | Mid-priced |
| Bait Al Baranda | Mutrah | 1 hour | Low cost |
| Muscat Gate Museum | Old Muscat | 30 minutes | Low cost |
| Riyam Park and incense burner monument | Mutrah | 1 hour | Free |
| Qurum Beach | Qurum and Shatti Al Qurum | 2–3 hours | Free |
| Qurum Natural Park | Qurum and Shatti Al Qurum | 1–2 hours | Free |
| Dolphin-watching boat trip | Coast | 2 hours | Mid-priced |
| Bandar Khayran snorkelling | Al Bustan and Qantab | Half a day | Mid-priced |
| Mutrah Fort | Mutrah | 30 minutes | Free |
The 16 best things to do
Religious site · Al Khuwair
1.Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
Completed in 2001, Oman's largest mosque is built of Indian sandstone, with a main prayer hall covered by one of the world's largest hand-woven carpets and lit by a huge crystal chandelier. Marble courtyards, arcades with tile panels and gardens surround it. Entry is free for non-Muslim visitors during limited morning hours.
Arrive soon after visiting time begins; women must cover hair, arms and legs, and men need long trousers and covered shoulders.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Market · Mutrah
2.Mutrah Souq
A centuries-old trading market, Mutrah Souq is a maze of covered lanes behind the Corniche selling frankincense, silver khanjar daggers, pashminas, Omani halwa, lanterns and spices. The main lane is touristy, but the side alleys still serve local shoppers.
Visit in the late afternoon or evening when it is cooler and busiest; prices are open to polite bargaining.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Shopping
- After dark
Palace · Old Muscat
3.Al Alam Palace and Old Muscat
The Sultan's ceremonial palace, with its blue-and-gold columns, faces a formal plaza in Old Muscat's walled cove. It is not open inside, but visitors can walk up to the gates, and the 16th-century Portuguese-era forts of Al Jalali and Al Mirani stand on the rocks either side of the bay.
Visit with the National Museum across the plaza, then walk to the small waterfront viewpoint for the forts.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Photo spot
Waterfront · Mutrah
4.Mutrah Corniche
A 3-km seafront promenade curving around Mutrah harbour, with traditional merchant houses on one side and dhows and fishing boats moored on the other. Watchtowers and Mutrah Fort crown the rocky hills behind.
Walk from the fish market towards Riyam Park at sunset, when the hills turn pink and families come out.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- After dark
- Photo spot
Market · Mutrah
5.Mutrah Fish Market
At the western end of the Corniche, the fish market occupies a wave-roofed building opened in 2017, where fishermen sell tuna, kingfish, shark and lobster from early morning, alongside a fruit and vegetable section.
Go early in the morning to see the catch arriving; it winds down by late morning.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Photo spot
Museum · Old Muscat
6.National Museum of Oman
Opposite Al Alam Palace, the national museum covers Oman's history from prehistoric sites and frankincense trade to seafaring, arms, jewellery and the modern state, with well-labelled galleries in English and Arabic. It is air-conditioned and a good first stop.
Spend time in the maritime gallery, which explains how Omani sailors traded across the Indian Ocean as far as East Africa.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
Museum · Old Muscat
7.Bait Al Zubair
A private museum in a restored family house showing Omani daggers, swords, traditional dress, jewellery and household objects, with a garden containing a model village and a falaj irrigation channel.
Combine it with the National Museum and Al Alam Palace in one morning.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
Architecture · Qurum and Shatti Al Qurum
8.Royal Opera House Muscat
Opened in 2011, the opera house combines Omani and Islamic architectural motifs with carved wood and marble interiors, and stages opera, ballet, orchestral concerts and Arabic music. Guided tours run on many days, and the attached Opera Galleria has shops and restaurants.
Even if you do not attend a performance, take a guided tour to see the auditorium.
- Time needed
- 1 hour for a tour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Book performances in advance through the official site, especially in the main winter season; there is a dress code.
- Architecture
- Art
- After dark
- Couples
Museum · Mutrah
1.Bait Al Baranda
A small museum in a restored early 20th-century house in Mutrah tells the story of Muscat from its geology and early settlement to the modern city, with interactive displays suitable for older children.
A good short stop on a hot afternoon before walking the Corniche.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Museum · Old Muscat
2.Muscat Gate Museum
Housed in the gateway over the road between Mutrah and Old Muscat, this small museum covers the history of the city's walls and wells, and its rooftop looks over the old town.
Stop on the drive between Mutrah and Old Muscat; parking is next to the gate.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Off the beaten path
Park · Mutrah
3.Riyam Park and incense burner monument
At the eastern end of the Corniche, Riyam Park has playgrounds and lawns below a hill crowned by a giant sculpture of an incense burner, a landmark visible from much of Mutrah.
Come in the evening when families picnic and children use the play areas.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Views
- Outdoors
Beach · Qurum and Shatti Al Qurum
4.Qurum Beach
Muscat's main city beach is a long stretch of sand where locals play football, jog and gather at sunset, with cafés and hotel beach clubs along Shatti Al Qurum.
Go for a late-afternoon swim and stay for sunset; dress modestly away from hotel beaches.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Couples
Park · Qurum and Shatti Al Qurum
5.Qurum Natural Park
One of the city's largest parks, with a lake, fountains, gardens and play areas, next to the protected Qurum mangroves where wading birds feed at low tide.
Walk the edge of the mangrove reserve at low tide to spot herons and crabs.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Experience · Coast
6.Dolphin-watching boat trip
Morning boat trips from Muscat's marinas regularly meet pods of spinner and bottlenose dolphins along the coast, often combined with views of the cliffs and coves south of Old Muscat.
Choose an early departure, when the sea is calmer and dolphins more active, and pick an operator that keeps a respectful distance.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Couples
Nature · Al Bustan and Qantab
7.Bandar Khayran snorkelling
A sheltered bay of islets and coves about 25 km south of Muscat, with clear water and coral reefs; boat trips from the city or from Qantab stop at several snorkelling spots and small beaches.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a rash vest; there is little shade on the boats.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Active
- Kids
Castle · Mutrah
8.Mutrah Fort
Built by the Portuguese in the 16th century on a rocky outcrop above the harbour, Mutrah Fort is one of the defining views of the Corniche, with round towers looking over the port.
Photograph it from the Corniche in the late afternoon; access to the fort itself varies.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
- Free
Pick by interest
| Interest | Best picks |
|---|---|
| Art and museums | National Museum of Oman, Bait Al Zubair, Royal Opera House Muscat and Bait Al Baranda |
| History | Al Alam Palace and Old Muscat, National Museum of Oman, Bait Al Zubair and Bait Al Baranda |
| Views | Mutrah Corniche, Muscat Gate Museum and Riyam Park and incense burner monument |
| Outdoors and nature | Riyam Park and incense burner monument, Qurum Beach, Qurum Natural Park and Dolphin-watching boat trip |
| Food and markets | Mutrah Souq and Mutrah Fish Market |
| After dark | Mutrah Souq, Mutrah Corniche and Royal Opera House Muscat |
| With children | Bait Al Baranda, Riyam Park and incense burner monument, Qurum Beach and Qurum Natural Park |
| On a rainy day | National Museum of Oman, Bait Al Zubair and Bait Al Baranda |
What to book ahead
- Royal Opera House Muscat: Book performances in advance through the official site, especially in the main winter season; there is a dress code.
Plan the rest of your trip
Questions travellers ask
+What is the number one thing to do in Muscat?
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Completed in 2001, Oman's largest mosque is built of Indian sandstone, with a main prayer hall covered by one of the world's largest hand-woven carpets and lit by a huge crystal chandelier.
+What can you do for free in Muscat?
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Mutrah Souq, Al Alam Palace and Old Muscat, Mutrah Corniche and Mutrah Fish Market. More free things to do.
+What is there to do in Muscat when it rains?
Head indoors to National Museum of Oman, Bait Al Zubair and Bait Al Baranda.
+What is there to do in Muscat at night?
Mutrah Souq, Mutrah Corniche and Royal Opera House Muscat are best after dark.