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Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Muscat Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
Oman – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
240 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type G
Type C:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Omani Rial (OMR) £1 ≈ OMR 0.512 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 4/5
Cashless payments are becoming more common in Oman, especially in major cities and tourist areas. Credit cards are widely accepted.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is appreciated in Oman, with 5-10% being the usual amount in restaurants. Taxis and hotel staff appreciate small tips. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is not allowed in Oman. Alcohol can only be consumed in licensed hotels, bars, and restaurants. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is allowed in designated areas, but indoor smoking is restricted in public spaces. |
| National Day (20 November) |
Celebrates the founding of the Al Busaidi dynasty, with decorations and events across the country |
|---|
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 9999 (Police, Fire, Ambulance) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Mwasalat |
| Other: | Oman offers stunning landscapes, including deserts, mountains, and beaches, along with a rich cultural heritage. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Muscat, Oman
Cyclones can hit the coast in May to June and October to November, occasionally causing flooding and closures
Ramadan: daytime food options limited, many restaurants closed until sunset
Oman is very hot from May to September, so most visitors come November to March
Don't miss
- 🕌 Visit the stunning Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
- 🛍️ Explore the bustling Mutrah Souq market
- 🌊 Stroll along the scenic Mutrah Corniche waterfront
- 🏰 Tour the historic Al Jalali and Al Mirani forts
- 🎭 Attend world-class performances at Royal Opera House
- 🏖️ Relax at beautiful Qurum Beach and park
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Muscat?
Muscat is the kind of city where you can wander from 16th-century forts to lively markets, then relax on a pristine beach or sip spiced coffee by the sea. The city’s blend of old and new is captivating: blue-domed mosques, royal palaces and Portuguese-built forts sit alongside modern cafes and luxury hotels. Outdoor lovers will find plenty to do, from dolphin-watching and snorkeling to hiking in the Hajar Mountains. Just be prepared for intense heat, especially in summer and remember that Omani culture is traditional – dress modestly and respect local customs. Traffic can be busy and distances between sights are greater than they appear, so plan your transport ahead.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
🎈Events
-
Muscat Festival
-
National Day Celebrations
-
Royal Opera House events
-
Eid Al Fitr festivities
-
Oman Food Festival
-
Oman International Book Fair
-
Oman Desert Marathon (nearby)
-
Oman Adventure Race
-
Traditional dhow races
-
International Jazz Festival
Knowledge before you go
- Dress modestly; bring a light scarf for mosque visits.
- Plan around heat: early mornings and evenings are best for walking the corniche.
- Carry some cash for souqs and taxis; cards aren’t accepted everywhere.
- Visit Mutrah Souq near sunset, then stroll the corniche for cooler air and harbor views.
How to travel to Muscat
Muscat International Airport (MCT) is about 40 km from the city center, with direct flights from Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are available at the airport. Intercity buses connect Muscat to other Omani cities, but most visitors arrive by air.
Access summary
- From Muscat International (MCT): Taxi or Mwasalat bus, about 25–40 minutes.
- From Dubai: Long-distance bus or car via highway, usually 6–7 hours.
- From Abu Dhabi/Doha: Frequent direct flights into MCT, around 1–1.5 hours.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Muscat
Muscat has a range of accommodation, from luxury beach resorts and international hotels to budget guesthouses. Most hotels are in Qurum, Mutrah or near the beach. Book ahead in winter and during festivals, as the city gets busy.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Muscat
Muscat is spread out, so taxis (orange and white) and car rentals are the best way to get around. Buses are affordable and serve main districts, but schedules can be irregular. Walking is pleasant along the Corniche and beaches, but less practical between major sights due to distance and heat.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in Muscat are around 14% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to OMR) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Muscat is very safe, with low crime rates. Take basic precautions in crowded areas and respect local customs. Traffic can be hectic — cross streets carefully and avoid driving at night if unfamiliar with local roads.
Health & Medical
Medical care is excellent, with modern hospitals and clinics. Pharmacies are widespread. Tap water is generally safe, but many prefer bottled water. Protect yourself from sun and heat and carry any medications you need.
Accessibility
Most major attractions, hotels and malls are accessible, but sidewalks can be uneven and some older sites have steps. Public transport is improving, but taxis are more convenient for those with mobility needs.
Tap water
Tap water is generally safe to drink, but many visitors prefer bottled water. Public fountains are rare — always carry water, especially in the heat.
Packing recommendations for Muscat
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
🚰
Reusable water bottle
🕶️
Sunglasses
🎒
Small rucksack
🧣
Scarf
for mosque visits
🩱
Swimwear
for beaches
🧕
Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees
👜
Anti-theft bag
🔋
Power bank
👒
Sun hat
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
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