Muscat travel guide
Oman
A low-rise capital strung along the coast between rocky mountains and the Gulf of Oman. Muscat is calm and courteous, with old forts, a working souk and wadis within easy reach.
Essentials
- Language
- Arabic; English is widely spoken
- Currency
- Omani rial (OMR)
- Plugs
- Type G, 240 V
- Emergency number
- 9999
- Tipping
- Not obligatory; around 10% is appreciated where no service charge is added.
Rough daily budget
Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:
- Backpacker: $45-70, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
- Mid-range: $110-180, with a private room and restaurant meals.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Where to stay in Muscat
- Mutrah: the corniche, the fish market and the souk.
- Old Muscat: the Al Alam Palace and the Portuguese-era Jalali and Mirani forts.
- Qurum: a long beach, a large park and plenty of cafés.
Getting around Muscat
Muscat is spread out and built around the car: taxis, ride-hailing apps and public buses cover the city, and many travellers rent a car for the mountains and wadis.
Best time to visit Muscat
October to March; summer temperatures are extreme.
Top things to do in Muscat
- Visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and its vast hand-woven prayer carpet
- Walk the Mutrah corniche and lose an hour among the frankincense and silver stalls of the souk
- Learn the country's story at the National Museum in Old Muscat
- Take an early boat trip to watch dolphins along the coast
- See a performance at the Royal Opera House Muscat, or tour the building by day
What to eat in Muscat
- Shuwa: lamb or goat marinated in spices and slow-cooked in an underground pit, traditionally for Eid
- Mashuai: whole spit-roasted kingfish served with lemon rice
- Omani halwa: a sticky, glossy sweet made with sugar, rosewater and saffron
- Kahwa: cardamom-spiced coffee served in small cups with dates
Day trips from Muscat
- Wadi Shab: a hike and a swim through turquoise pools to a cave waterfall, about two hours south-east
- Nizwa: a historic fort and the Friday livestock market, about two hours inland
- Bimmah Sinkhole: a limestone hollow filled with swimmable water, about an hour and a half along the coast
Local etiquette
Dress modestly in public, covering shoulders and knees, and avoid public displays of affection. Friday is the day of prayer, and some sites keep shorter hours.
Staying connected
Omantel, Ooredoo and Vodafone SIM cards are sold at the airport with a passport, and Wi-Fi is standard in hotels and cafés.
Staying safe
Crime is low; the real hazards are heat, fast roads and wadis, which can flood suddenly after rain in the mountains. Carry plenty of water and stay out of wadis when storms are forecast.
A local tip
Visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in the morning, any day but Friday, with arms and legs covered and, for women, hair too.
Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.
Meet people in Muscat on Waypacker
Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Muscat for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Muscat, you could be one of the first hosts.
Questions about Muscat
- What currency is used in Muscat?
- Muscat uses the Omani rial (OMR).
- What is the emergency number in Muscat?
- In Muscat, call 9999.
- When is the best time to visit Muscat?
- October to March; summer temperatures are extreme.
- How much does a day in Muscat cost?
- Roughly $45-70 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $110-180 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
- Is Waypacker free to use in Muscat?
- Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
- Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?
- Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
- Can I meet locals in Muscat without staying with anyone?
- Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
- Will anyone see my exact location?
- No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.