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Muscat is essentially a collection of small cities and towns separated by serrated ridges.
In total it stretches along perhaps 25 kilometres of the coastline.
Exploring Muscat
At its heart is old Muscat, a walled city with a natural harbour watched over by the twin fortresses of Jalali and Mirani, where the Sultan has his palace. Nearby, the historic commercial district of Muttrah spreads along the shore of a wide bay and it is here that you’ll find the old souq and the fish souq.
The houses have delicately styled balconies that betray the influence the Portuguese once had in the area. Qurm is a largely residential area where most of the hotels can be found.
Centred on the sculpted contours of Qurm Natural Park it has a long stretch of beach to enjoy. Between Qurm and the airport at Seeb is a long ribbon of residential suburbs, one of which is home to the modern Sultan Qaboos Mosque, a beautiful piece of architecture combining traditional Arab and Persian influences with a dash of modernity.
who's been there
Start planning your tailor-made trip to Muscat by calling one of our Oman specialists on 01993 838 430
Suggested itineraries featuring Muscat
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Muscat, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Map of Muscat
Places & hotels on the map
Places near Muscat
- The Batinah Plain 64 miles away
- Nizwa 80 miles away
- Jebel Akhdar 87 miles away
- Sur 95 miles away
- The Wahiba Sands 100 miles away
- Ras Al Jinz 116 miles away
- The Musandam Peninsula 221 miles away
Photos of Muscat
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![Muscat]()
Muscat -
![Men's caps in souq, Muscat]()
Men's caps in souq, Muscat -
![Muscat, Oman]()
Muscat, Oman -
![Muscat, Oman]()
Muscat, Oman -
![Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat]()
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat -
![Arabian Lamps at Muscat Souk, Oman]()
Arabian Lamps at Muscat Souk, Oman -
![Al Alaam Palace, Muscat]()
Al Alaam Palace, Muscat -
![Portugese Forts, Muscat]()
Portugese Forts, Muscat
Accommodation choices for Muscat
We’ve selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Muscat. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
The Chedi
Set on the beach, yet close to the centre of the city, The Chedi provides a truly luxurious option from which to explore Muscat. The hotel is set apart by its world class facilities and its beautifully modern accommodation.
Grand Hyatt
Smart and comfortable with spacious rooms and a good location in central Muscat, the Grand Hyatt hotel is a great place to relax and soak up the Arabian sun.
Radisson Blu
Based in the heart of Muscat, the Radisson Blu's rooms are contemporary and colourful, with modern facilities and good levels of comfort.
Al Bustan Palace
Featuring one of the grandest lobbies you'll ever see, the Al Bustan Palace in Muscat also offers lovely gardens, pools and a private beach.
Shangri-La Al Waha
With a wide range of restaurants, attentive staff, children's pool and club, the Shangri-La Al Waha at Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah resort is great for families.
Shangri-La Al Bandar
The Shangri-La Al Bandar in Muscat offers world-class service and facilities, and good views of the Arabian Sea.
Park Inn
The Park Inn in central Muscat is a great choice for those who are not too concerned about staying on the beach. Its rooms are bright and modern, and the staff are attentive and friendly.
Shangri-La Al Husn Resort & Spa
The most exclusive of the hotels at the Shangri-La Al Jissah resort, the Shangri-La Al Husn Resort & Spa has sweeping views of the Gulf from its commanding location overlooking the bay below.
Crowne Plaza
The rooms of the Crowne Plaza in Muscat offer a good degree of comfort and enjoy views over the Arabian Gulf. It also features its own private beach and a range of cafes and restaurants.
Ideas for experiencing Muscat
Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting Muscat, and which use the best local guides.
Muscat City Tour
Begin at Sultan Qaboos Mosque, completed in 2001, it is an enormous place of worship. With a large men's prayer hall, an adjacent women's prayer hall and further space in the courtyards and passageways, a total of 20,000 worshipers can gather at one time, making this one of the largest mosques in the world.