Top Things to Do in Muscat for an Unforgettable Trip Experience

The capital city of Oman, Muscat, is a picturesque city of scenic coasts and incredible sites. Located along the Gulf of Oman, the city offers everything to cater to the diverse travel requirements of different travellers. Surrounded by majestic mountains and desert, with access to a blue ocean, Muscat offers many interesting sightseeing spots and activity options for visitors. With a rich and thousands of years-old history, the city makes an enchanting blend of natural exquisiteness, modern architecture, and ancient culture. With a variety of attractions and activities, spending a good time in Muscat is not a problem.

Best Things To Do in Muscat

Here is the list of top things to do in Muscat to experience a vacation like never before.

• Visit Royal Opera House
• Pray at Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
• Explore Daymaniyat Islands
• Visit Al Jalali and Al Mirani Forts
• Visit Mutrah Corniche
• Enjoy Water Sports Activities
• Visit Amouage Perfume Factory
• Shop at Muttrah Souq

Visit Royal Opera House

One of the best places to visit in Muscat, the Royal Opera House is a premier site for arts and cultural shows. One of the most advanced opera houses in the world, the Royal Opera House consists of an auditorium, an art centre, landscaped gardens, a theatre, and cultural markets. Opened in 2011, this opulent venue has intricate Islamic designs, wood carvings, and marble inlays, creating a visual spectacle for visitors. The Opera House can accommodate around 1100 people, keeping them engaged with concerts, operas, upscale shopping experiences, and more. The overall ambience of the building is nothing short of royal, making every event or show a memorable experience. Whether you are an art or culture lover or an architect enthusiast, the Royal Opera House should be a part of your trip package and to-do list in Muscat.

Pray at Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

The largest mosque in Oman, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, is amongst the most revered and renowned historical places in Muscat. A masterpiece of modern Islamic architecture, the mosque is adorned with minarets, marble courtyards, and a prayer hall crowned by a golden dome. With an expansive area of 40,000 square meters, the mosque has a capacity of more than 20,000 worshippers. The entire complex consists of a huge prayer hall for men, two large archways (Arabic - Riwaqs), a prayer hall for women, an Islamic information center, five minarets signifying the five Islamic pillars, and a library. A beautiful place with a blend of spiritual and sensory indulgence, this mosque is an emblem of a rich cultural tapestry in Oman. So, visiting and praying at this mosque is one of the best things to do in Muscat, Oman.

Explore Daymaniyat Islands

The next on the list of the top things to do in Muscat is to experience the magnificence of the Daymaniyat Islands. Located in the north of Muscat, about 18 km off the coast of Barka, striking islands are a paradise for nature lovers. Also known as the Ad Dimaniyat Islands, Daymaniyat Islands offer excellent dive sites to both beginners and advanced-level divers. The islands are home to many fascinating sea creatures, including endangered sea turtles, green turtles, stingrays, exotic fish, etc. Also famous as the Jewel of the Middle East, Daymaniyat Islands include nine small islands waiting to be explored by tourists.

Visit Al Jalali and Al Mirani Forts

These twin forts are for those who want to visit the best historical places in Muscat. Both Al Jalali and Al Mirani Forts are ancient citadels, standing like guards, protecting the entry to Muscat’s harbour. These magnificent structures are the testimonies of Oman’s rich history. The fort Al Jalali is also known as Ash Sharqiya Fort, a renovated 16th-century fort looking over the Gulf of Oman. It was constructed by the Portuguese in the 1580s and used to serve as an Omani fortress to safeguard the harbour or any threat coming by sea. The other fort, Al Mirani, is also fascinating to tourists but offers totally a different experience. It is a site to witness the Omani architectural style, robust fortifications, and intricate carvings. This striking fortress gets a mystic glow and soft illumination during the sunset, creating a perfect moment to be captured in your camera. The entry to these forts requires permission from the Ministry Of National Heritage.

Mutrah Corniche

A picturesque waterfront promenade, Mutrah Corniche, is one of the best things to see in Muscat city. Stretching for 3 km along the waterfront, the Corniche offers striking sights of the surrounding mountains, harbour, and the city skyline. Built by Portuguese forces in the late 16th century, Mutrah Corniche is now lined up with traditional cafes, international restaurants, and vibrant markets. Situated between the balconied houses on one side and the Gulf of Oman on the other, Muttrah Corniche used to serve as the major port in Oman during the medieval maritime spice trade. Here, you can stroll on walkways, relish delicious food in restaurants, and soak in the old-time Arabian atmosphere. Also, you can visit the enigmatic Old Quarter, Muscat’s historic walled city centre, located just behind the Corniche.

Enjoy Outdoor Activities

Muscat is home to a range of fulfilling and adventurous activities to make your vacation extra special and unforgettable. Whether you are a nature lover looking forward to exploring the stunning landscape or an adventure lover willing to have an adrenaline-pumping experience, Muscat’s mountains and valleys have more than just good sights and a good time. The country is blessed with amazing biking trails, making it the perfect spot for enjoying mountain biking. The desert landscape of Muscat provides a lifetime sandboarding experience to adventure souls. Moreover, the scuba diving and snorkelling sites are spectacular, allowing you to enjoy water sports activities.

Visit Amouage Perfume Factory

Known as the scent of Oman, the Amouage perfume factory is famous for making the most exotic fragrances in the world. While they are an international luxury perfume brand, Amouage invites the general public to its factory to experience and preserve Oman's centuries-old tradition of perfume-making. During this tour to Amouage Perfume Factory, you will get to see the entire process and procedures that go into making signature products for the brand, starting with flower essence collection from in-house staff and continuing through the filtering and packaging of perfumes. Visiting Amouage Perfume Factory is one of the most special things to do in Muscat.

Shop at Muttrah Souq

One of the oldest marketplaces in Oman, Mutrah Souq, dates back around 200 years. It is a vibrant market known for its old-world charm and winding lanes. Mutrah Souk, or Al Alam Souk, is lined with shops selling a variety of things like pashmina shawls, the local turban wraps or mussars, frankincense, T-shirts, and souvenirs. Traditionally, Omanis used to travel to this market from other surrounding regions to buy their required daily use items, including kitchenware, clothes, perfume, incense, etc. However, today the souq is mainly focused on tourism, and tourists often start their visit to the city with a tour of Muttrah Souq. A trip to Muscat is incomplete without visiting and shopping at Mutrah Souq.

When it comes to listing the sightseeing spots and things to do in Muscat, the city boasts a number of attractions for tourists. The city attracts solo travellers, families, group travellers, and even couples, capturing their eyes and soul with unlimited activities and fun. When planning a trip to Muscat, check out our Muscat tour packages and book the best one to make your trip hassle-free and memorable.