Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
The country's largest mosque, with a vast prayer hall, a huge chandelier and a very large hand-woven carpet. Visitors of all faiths may enter at set times, with modest dress and a headscarf for women.
Muscat
Lying between mountains and sea, the capital has Mutrah Souq, a seafront corniche and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
Attractive locations
Royal Opera House Muscat
A modern performing arts centre in Omani architectural style, with marble halls, gardens and a main auditorium. It hosts opera, concerts and ballet, and the building is worth seeing in its own right.
Al Alam Palace
The ceremonial palace of the Sultan, with a blue-and-gold facade facing a wide plaza in Old Muscat. Visitors view it from the gates, and the old forts of Jalali and Mirani rise on either side.
National Museum of Oman
A museum in Old Muscat that tells the story of Oman from early times to the present, through archaeology, weapons, jewellery, maritime trade and daily life.
Bait Al Zubair Museum
A privately founded museum in a traditional Omani house, showing costumes, jewellery, weapons and household objects. It gives a good introduction to the country's customs and craftsmanship.
Muttrah Fort
A fort with walls and towers on a rocky ridge above Muttrah harbour, built in the late 16th century. It is a landmark of the Muttrah waterfront and is best seen from the corniche.
Muttrah Souq
A covered market of narrow lanes behind the Muttrah corniche, selling frankincense, silver jewellery, textiles, spices and souvenirs. It is liveliest in the cooler evening hours.
Airports
Muscat International Airport MCT
It is about 31 km in a straight line from Muscat.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan20.8 °C15 mm
- Feb22.0 °C13 mm
- Mar24.8 °C19 mm
- Apr29.0 °C12 mm
- May33.1 °C5 mm
- Jun34.2 °C12 mm
- Jul33.8 °C8 mm
- Aug32.7 °C6 mm
- Sep31.5 °C3 mm
- Oct29.4 °C4 mm
- Nov25.6 °C8 mm
- Dec22.4 °C9 mm
Driest months: May, Sep, Oct. Wettest months: Jan, Feb, Mar.
Costs
Prices here are about 47% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
festival
Muscat Nights
In Muscat's parks, this winter festival offers lights, shows and food.
festival
Muscat Nights
In Muscat's parks, this winter festival offers lights, shows and food.
Who can help
Emergency
9999 for police, ambulance and fire.
local government
Ministry of Heritage and Tourism
Helps with: Oman's tourism ministry. Its headquarters contact page lists phone numbers and email for inquiries, and the ministry's website has a suggestions and complaints section.
Who qualifies: Anyone visiting Oman or planning a trip there.
Phone: +968 22088000
Email: info@mht.gov.om
Address: P.O. Box 200, P.C. 115 Madinat Al-Sultan Qaboos, Muscat, Al Khuwair, Thaqafah St
local government
Royal Oman Police
Helps with: Oman's national police. Its website has a general email, a phone directory page and a map of police stations. No tourist police unit is shown there.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Oman who needs police services.
Phone: 9999
Email: info@rop.gov.om
embassy
Foreign embassies and consulates in Oman (Ministry of Foreign Affairs list)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy. This official list gives each mission's email, phone and address; some missions are based in other countries.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy or consulate.