Muscat Oman Holidays
Muscat
Holidays
The most beautiful and authentic capital city in the Arabian Gulf — a low-rise city of whitewashed buildings, the magnificent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Mutrah Souq and a stunning natural harbour framed by dramatic black mountains
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Flight Time
7.5h direct from UK
Best Time
October to April
Country
Oman
Suppliers
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Muscat Holiday Guide
Muscat is the finest city in the Arabian Gulf for visitors — the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Mutrah Souq, the Al Bustan Palace and the dramatic mountain-backed coastline make it the most beautiful and authentic capital in the region. More genuine and less commercialised than Dubai.
7.5 hours direct from the UK. October to April is ideal.
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Popular Areas in Muscat
Average Temperatures
Jan
22°C
Feb
23°C
Mar
27°C
Apr
32°C
May
37°C
Jun
38°C
Jul
36°C
Aug
35°C
Sep
34°C
Oct
31°C
Nov
27°C
Dec
23°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Muscat
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Mutrah Souq, Al Bustan Palace and the dramatic mountain-backed coastline that make Muscat the most beautiful capital in the Gulf.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is one of the finest mosques in the world and the most important building in Oman — a magnificent structure of white Indian sandstone with a 90-metre main minaret, a prayer hall that can accommodate 20,000 worshippers, the second-largest hand-woven carpet in the world (covering 4,343 square metres) and a chandelier of Swarovski crystal. The mosque is open to non-Muslim visitors in the morning and is an essential visit. The architecture is extraordinary and the atmosphere is deeply moving.
Mutrah Souq
The Mutrah Souq is the most authentic and atmospheric traditional market in Oman — a labyrinth of narrow alleyways lined with frankincense vendors, silver jewellery shops, textile merchants, spice stalls and antique dealers, set in a beautifully preserved historic building on the Mutrah Corniche. The souq is the finest traditional market in the Gulf and is significantly more authentic than the souqs of Dubai or Doha. The frankincense and silver jewellery are the best purchases.
Mutrah Corniche
The Mutrah Corniche is the most beautiful waterfront promenade in Oman — a sweeping arc of seafront walkway along the ancient harbour of Mutrah, with extraordinary views of the dhow harbour, the Mutrah Fort, the mountains and the old city. The corniche is lined with traditional buildings, fish markets and coffee shops and is the most atmospheric place in Muscat. The corniche is best walked in the early morning or evening when the light is beautiful and the temperature is cooler.
Al Bustan Palace
The Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, is the most magnificent hotel in Oman — a vast, palatial resort built in 1985 for the Gulf Cooperation Council summit, set in a private bay between the mountains and the sea south of Muscat. The hotel has 250 rooms and suites, multiple pools, a private beach, an extraordinary spa and several excellent restaurants. The atrium lobby is one of the most spectacular hotel interiors in the world. It is the finest hotel in the Arabian Gulf.
Beaches & Bays
Muscat has several excellent beaches — Qurum Beach is the most popular public beach, a long stretch of sand with calm water and good facilities. Shatti Al Qurum is the most upscale beach area, with the finest beach hotels and restaurants. Bandar Jissah (south of Muscat) is the most beautiful bay, with crystal-clear water, excellent snorkelling and the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah resort. The beaches are significantly less crowded than those of Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Restaurants & Dining
Muscat has an excellent and diverse restaurant scene — a mix of Omani restaurants (serving shuwa, machboos and halwa), Lebanese mezze, Indian cuisine and international fine dining. The restaurants at the Al Bustan Palace, the Shangri-La and the Chedi Muscat are the finest in Oman. The Kargeen Caffe is the most atmospheric local restaurant, set in a beautiful garden with traditional Omani decor. The dining scene is significantly more authentic and less commercialised than Dubai.
Royal Opera House & Culture
The Royal Opera House Muscat is one of the finest opera houses in the Middle East — a magnificent building opened in 2011, hosting world-class opera, ballet, orchestral and theatrical performances throughout the season (October to May). The building is a masterpiece of contemporary Omani architecture and is the finest cultural venue in the Gulf. The Old Muscat area (Al Alam Palace, Mirani and Jalali forts) is the most historically significant part of the city.
Practical Tips
Muscat International Airport is 35km from the city centre — approximately 30 minutes by taxi. The city is spread along 60km of coastline and a car or taxi is essential for getting around. October to April is the best time to visit — the summer heat (May to September) is extreme. Dress modestly in public. The Mutrah Souq is best visited in the evening. Friday is the main day of rest and many attractions are closed in the morning.
Explore Muscat on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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