If you are planning your next trip to Oman, you’ll definitely land in Muscat and make your way around the country. The capital city sure has its charm! Be sure to read this post to find the best activities for your Muscat itinerary. Unlike many other Gulf capitals, Muscat is not dominated by skyscrapers, but rather by whitewashed buildings, palm tree lined roads, and centuries-old traditions that still shape daily life.
We recommend getting a guided tour to learn more about the history of the city and its rich culture. A half day tour is a good amount of time to explore the main attractions. With more time, I would definitely recommend spending a day visiting Wadi Shab and Bimmah Sink Hole.
During our time in Muscat, we stayed at the beautiful Mandarin Oriental. You can read the full review of our stay here.
See our full Instagram stories for Muscat city here!
Visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
Commissioned by Sultan Qaboos bin Said and completed in 2001, the Grand Mosque is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture and Omani craftsmanship. With the carpets hand weaved in Iran and the stunning Chandelier studded with Swarovski crystals from Germany, the interiors are impressive. Its definitely a site to visit. Modest clothing is required. For women, they have abaya to hire for free though you have to bring your own head scarf. Men should avoid shorts and half sleeve shirts.
Try local Omani Food
Omani food has similar flavours to Indian food. Of course, if you’re a meat lover, you will have lots of options to choose from. From slow-cooked meats (Shuwa – is the traditional slow-cooked lamb) to their delicious biryanis, there is plenty of choice.
Our guide also made us try local Omani crepes with cheese along with some local Omani coffee which was delicious! You cannot miss the Omani dates. They are really popular too and we got some back as well!
We tried local food at a popular restaurant called Rozna and it did not disappoint. Would highly recommend if you’re looking for authentic local food. You do need to pre-book this and can easily do it through your hotel.
Visit the Royal Opera House
You don’t usually think of opera when you picture the Arabian Peninsula, but Muscat likes to surprise you — and the Royal Opera House is one of its most impressive surprises. Opened in 2011, it’s the first opera house in the Gulf region. They usually host short visits during the day to take you around the auditorium.
The auditorium is a mix of rich wood, plush seats, and state-of-the-art acoustics. The venue hosts everything from classical music, opera, and ballet to traditional Arabic concerts, jazz, and world music. I was really impressed by the engineering and thinking behind the design of the auditorium. The orchestra pit can be raised or lowered depending on the type of performance—opera, ballet, theatre, or concert. I would definitely recommend either going for a performance or visiting it.
Visit the Sultan Qaboos Palace
One of Muscat’s most iconic landmarks, Al Alam Palace is the ceremonial residence of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said — and even though you can’t go inside, just seeing it up close is worth the visit. It’s located right in the heart of Old Muscat, surrounded by government buildings and historic forts. The palace is not overly flashy, but its bold colours, mainly blue and gold and its modern Islamic architecture give it a unique charm.
Day trip to Wadi Shab
If you’re into adventure and waterfalls, Wadi Shab should be high on your list when visiting Muscat. About 2 hours drive from Muscat, this wadi (which basically means valley or riverbed) is one of the country’s best-known outdoor escapes — and for good reason. We do recommend doing this with a guide!
Pro Tip: You do need anti-slip rubber shoes (specifically made to swim in algae like waters) which we bought with our guide on the way and water proof mobile bags (if you want to take your phone in the water. I do strongly recommend buying these before if you decide to venture on your own as the algae is VERY slippery.
Pro Tip: Once you arrive and park the car, that’s your main chance to change into swimwear. There are makeshift changing rooms next to the Wadi, but would recommend changing at the start where there are proper rest rooms.
The journey starts with a short boat ride (just 1 OMR ~ £2) across a small river to get to the start of the hike.
Pro Tip: To enjoy the experience of Wadi Shab, I do recommend that if you’re not a pro swimmer, get a life jacket. The only place to get it is BEFORE getting on the boat. There is minimal support and the water is pretty deep. I did the mistake to think I could swim but this was scary without a jacket!
From there, you’ll walk through a narrow gorge surrounded by towering cliffs, palm trees, and natural pools. The hike itself takes about 40–45 minutes one way, depending on your pace, and while it’s not overly difficult, you’ll want decent shoes — there’s some rocky terrain and a few spots where you’ll be hopping over stones.
Pro Tip: We do recommend LOTS of sunscreen, especially in the summer months as the hike has no shade.
The real magic of Wadi Shab is at the end of the trail: a series of three turquoise pools tucked between the cliffs. You’ll need to swim through them (yes, bring a waterproof bag!). The water gets deeper and there’s minimal support from the rocks. Eventually, you’ll reach a narrow crack in the rock that leads to a hidden cave. There’s a small waterfall flowing down the stone walls – that’s if you make it that far. We didn’t feel comfortable without a life jacket.
Pro Tip: Get there early to avoid the crowds.
I would definitely recommend it but do come prepared. I don’t think I researched enough to prepare myself but regardless the views were stunning along the way.
Continue the day trip to Bimmah Sinkhole
Usually you can cover both in one way. About 20 mins from Wadi Shab back to Muscat is Bimmah Sinkhole. It’s a natural limestone crater located in a park that is filled with crystal-clear turquoise water. The sinkhole is about 20 meters deep and around 50 meters wide, with water that shifts from deep blue to emerald green depending on the light. There’s a long staircase leading down, so it’s easily accessible — no climbing or hiking required.
This is much less scary than Wadi Shab and more fun to swim. Although the water is still so can get a bit dirty.
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