A simple and practical guide covering the main things to do in Muscat, including places to visit, food to try, transport options, and flight details from India. Useful while planning an Oman 4 day itinerary or searching for the best things to do in Oman.
Introduction
Most travellers who enter Oman start with Muscat, mainly because it’s easy to figure out and doesn’t rush you the way some big cities do. If you’re trying to plan your things to do in Muscat, this guide puts everything together in one place food, transport, places to visit, and flight info.
I’m keeping it simple and practical, more like something you’d read on a traveler’s blog rather than a perfect textbook-style guide. Moreover, this also helps when you’re planning the bigger list of things to do in Oman.
Why Muscat Is Worth Visiting
Muscat has a calm, steady feel. You’ll see the sea, old markets, wide roads, and clean public areas. Nothing feels chaotic. Most people fit it into their Oman 4 day itinerary because it combines culture, markets, and coastline in a very manageable way. Since flights from India are frequent, the city becomes an easy starting point before exploring the rest of the country.
What to Eat in Muscat
Food here is simple and filling. You won’t struggle to find the common dishes because almost every restaurant serves them.
- Majboos (rice with chicken, meat or fish)
- Shuwa (slow-cooked meat with spices)
- Grilled fish from the local catch
- Harees
- Karak tea
- Omani bread with cheese or honey
You’ll come across these dishes naturally while roaming around, so no need to search too hard.
Things to Do in Muscat: Places to Visit (Expanded Details)
1. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
This is one of the first places most travelers visit. The mosque is spacious, clean and very peaceful. The design is detailed and you can walk around the corridors, prayer halls, and open areas at your own pace. Mornings are usually quiet, so if you prefer fewer crowds, going early helps. However, tourists should visit the mosque in morning hours only.
2. Muttrah Corniche
The Corniche is a straightforward seaside walkway. Nothing complicated — just a long stretch with views of the water, small cafés, and fishing boats. It feels good especially around sunset when locals come for a walk. You can sit on the benches, sip tea from a roadside café, or simply walk till the fort area.
3. Muttrah Souq
This is a covered market, and one of the oldest in the region. You’ll find incense, fabrics, lamps, spices, and other small things you might want to take back. You may need to navigate slightly narrow lanes, but that’s part of the charm. The shopkeepers are used to tourists, so browsing is easy.
4. Royal Opera House Muscat
Even if you’re not planning to watch a performance, the building itself is worth seeing. They offer short tours during the day where you can walk inside, see the main hall, and learn a bit about how they run the events. If you happen to visit during a show week, you can check the schedule and decide if you want to catch something.
5. Qurum Beach
This is one of the simplest stops but also one of the most relaxing. People come here to walk, jog, or just sit by the water. If you’re travelling with kids or want a slow, quiet evening, it’s a good place to fit in between your sightseeing plans. The beach stretches quite long, so it never feels crowded.
6. Al Alam Palace
You can’t enter the palace, but the surrounding area is open for visitors. The walkway leading up to the palace looks neat, and you can take photos from outside. Since it’s located near the historic forts, many people include it as part of a short walking route around that neighborhood.
7. National Museum of Oman
If you’re someone who prefers understanding a country through its culture and history, this museum makes it easy. The displays are laid out in a simple and clear manner. You’ll find sections on daily life, old traditions, maritime history, and a few interactive pieces. It’s a good addition to your list of best things to do in Oman if you want context before visiting the interior regions.
8. Marina or Harbour Area
Many travellers overlook this, but the marina area near Muttrah is a nice stop. You can see cruise ships, local boats, and sometimes dolphins a little further out if you’re lucky. Some short boat tours operate from here too, especially in the evenings.
9. Old Muscat Area
This area has government buildings, old architecture, and clean walking paths. It’s a quiet part of the city. If you prefer exploring on foot, this area lets you move around easily without traffic noise.
10. Mohammed Al Ameen Mosque
This mosque is slightly away from the main tourist areas, so it feels quieter compared to the Grand Mosque. The white and gold structure stands out, especially in the evening when the lights come on. We got scared to see that the entry for tourist is only in morning till 11 am. However, one person came asked me to wear their traditional outfit and cover head and go inside.
11. Muttrah Fort
Muttrah Fort is a beautiful fort on a hill above the Corniche. You need to climb some steps to reach the top, but the walk is not very long. From up there, you can see the sea, the market area, and the whole Corniche. The fort itself is simple, but the view makes it worth visiting.
Modes of Transport in Muscat
Since Muscat doesn’t have a metro system, moving around depends mainly on a few options.
- Taxis: Very common and easy to book through apps.
- Public buses: Mwasalat buses run on fixed routes and work well for longer stretches.
- Car rental: Useful if you want to explore outside Muscat.
- Local tours: Available in half-day and full-day formats.
Distances inside the city are reasonable, so taxis remain the most convenient for short trips.
Flights From Major Indian Cities
You can reach Muscat easily from India because several cities have direct flights. Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, and Hyderabad all have flights that roughly take between two-and-a-half to four hours. Kolkata usually has a connecting option and takes a bit longer. The timings vary slightly depending on the airline, but overall, Muscat is one of the quicker Gulf destinations for Indian travellers.
Conclusion
Muscat is simple to explore, and you can cover the main places without feeling rushed. With this list of things to do in Muscat, along with food ideas, transport guidance, and flight details, planning your trip becomes much easier. The city is a good starting point before you move toward the rest of the best things to do in Oman, especially if you’re thinking of building a short Oman 4 day itinerary.
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you can also refer to below blog to know about Indian history about one of the famous tombs of hyderabad.
