Muscat
Oman · 23.59°, 58.38°
Oman's capital is one of the most beautiful cities in the Arab world — a low-rise city of white-washed buildings, dramatic mountain backdrops, a working fishing harbour, and the magnificent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Where Gulf opulence meets authentic Arabian tradition. Safer, more welcoming, and less constructed than Dubai, Muscat offers the real Arabia.
La Grande Mosquée Sultan Qabus
Son tapis persan d’une seule pièce pèse vingt et une tonnes et a demandé quatre ans à six cents tisseuses ; le lustre de Swarovski fait quatorze mètres. Ouverte aux non-musulmans le matin.
L’Opéra royal de Mascate
Le premier opéra de la péninsule arabique, inauguré en 2011 : marbre, bois de teck et une acoustique réglée par les mêmes ingénieurs que la Scala.
Le souk de Mutrah
Un labyrinthe couvert au bord de la corniche, où l’on vend l’encens du Dhofar, les khanjars d’argent et les tissus indiens — le souk vivant, pas la reconstitution.
La corniche de Mutrah
Trois kilomètres le long de la baie, entre les maisons blanches, le port des dhows et les forts portugais du XVIᵉ siècle.
Les forts Jalali et Mirani
Deux forteresses portugaises de 1587 qui encadrent le palais Al Alam ; elles gardaient l’entrée du port sur des rochers à pic.
Le palais Al Alam
La résidence de cérémonie du sultan, avec ses colonnes évasées bleu et or — on ne visite pas, on photographie depuis la grille.
Le musée national d’Oman
Ouvert en 2016 face au palais : quatorze galeries sur cinq mille ans, de l’âge du bronze de Bat à l’empire maritime omanais de Zanzibar.
Le Wadi Shab
À deux heures au sud, un canyon d’eau turquoise que l’on remonte à pied puis à la nage, jusqu’à une cascade enfermée dans une grotte.
Le Jebel Akhdar
La montagne verte, à 2 000 mètres, où l’on cultive en terrasses les roses de Damas dont on tire l’eau de rose omanaise, en avril.
Les tortues de Ras al-Jinz
La réserve de la pointe est de l’Arabie, où les tortues vertes viennent pondre toute l’année — on les observe de nuit avec un garde.
Bait Al Zubair Museum
Oman's finest private museum in a beautifully restored traditional house in Old Muscat. Extraordinary collection of Omani costumes, silver jewelry, antique weapons (khanjars), household artefacts, and historical documents covering 400 years of Omani culture. One of the best small museums in the Arabian Peninsula.
Qurum Beach
Muscat's most popular public beach — a long stretch of clean sand backed by the Qurum Natural Park and fronting the Arabian Sea. Safe swimming, beach volleyball, sunset walks, and dozens of cafés and restaurants along the adjacent Qurum strip. Free and extremely well-maintained.
- The Chedi Muscat
Vingt et un hectares de jardins et la plus longue piscine du Golfe ; l’adresse de référence du sultanat.
- Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel
Un palais de 1985 entre montagne et plage privée, avec un atrium de trente-huit mètres.
- Shangri-La Al Husn
Sur un promontoire de Barr Al Jissah, réservé aux adultes.
- Alila Jabal Akhdar
À deux mille mètres, au bord du canyon de la montagne verte.
- Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort
Le plus haut hôtel de luxe du Moyen-Orient, sur le rebord du wadi.
- Kempinski Hotel Muscat
Sur la plage d’Al Mouj, avec marina et golf.
- W Muscat
Une adresse contemporaine sur la corniche de Shatti Al Qurum.
- Mysk Al Mouj Hotel
Au bord de la marina, plus simple et bien situé.
- Muscat Hills Resort
Sur une plage privée entre Mutrah et l’aéroport.
- Sundus Rotana
Adresse confortable dans le quartier d’Al Khuwair.
- Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort
A sprawling three-hotel beach resort complex on a dramatic rocky bay 10km from Muscat. Al Husn (adults only, clifftop), Al Waha (family), and Al Bandar (couples). The private beach, snorkelling, watersports, nine pools, and multiple restaurants make this Muscat's most complete resort experience.
- Grand Hyatt Muscat
The centrepiece luxury hotel on the Muscat seafront — large, reliable, with excellent pools, multiple restaurants including Tuscany, a spa, and beachfront access. The most business-convenient luxury hotel in Muscat with direct sea views from most rooms.
- Crowne Plaza Muscat OCEC
Well-run IHG property adjacent to the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. Reliable 5-star quality, large pool, multiple restaurants, and excellent value compared to the top-tier properties. Good choice for business travellers and those wanting comfort at mid-luxury prices.
- Mövenpick Hotel Muscat
Comfortable Swiss hotel chain property in the central business district of Muscat. Pool, multiple restaurants, good breakfast, and professional service. Convenient for both the Royal Opera House and the main tourist districts. Reliable and good value.
- Vision Hotel Apartments
Excellent-value serviced apartments in the Qurum area with kitchen facilities, spacious rooms, a pool, and gym. The best value option for families and longer stays. Walking distance to Qurum Beach and the main restaurant strip.
- The Restaurant at The Chedi
Quatre cuisines ouvertes — arabe, indienne, asiatique, méditerranéenne — dans une salle de bois sombre.
- Kargeen Caffe
Sous les arbres de Madinat Qaboos, la cuisine omanaise servie sur des tapis : shuwa, harees, mishkak.
- Bait Al Luban
Dans un entrepôt du XVIIIᵉ siècle face au port de Mutrah, cuisine omanaise et vue sur les dhows.
- Ubhar
La cuisine omanaise revisitée, avec les épices du Dhofar, dans le quartier de Bareeq Al Shatti.
- The Beach Restaurant
Au Shangri-La, poisson du golfe d’Oman les pieds dans le sable.
- Al Angham
Sous l’Opéra royal, la table omanaise la plus cérémonieuse du pays.
- Turkish House Restaurant
Une adresse familiale d’Al Khuwair, kebabs et pide.
- Bin Ateeq
On mange assis par terre dans des salons privés, comme chez l’habitant omanais.
- Zahara Grill Al Mouj
Grillades et vue sur la marina.
- Mumtaz Mahal
Cuisine indienne du nord, sur une colline au-dessus du parc Qurum, depuis 1990.
- The Beach at W Muscat
Muscat's most glamorous beach dining — the W Hotel's beachfront restaurant serving fresh Arabian Sea seafood, sushi, and international cuisine with your feet virtually in the sand. Excellent cocktails, outstanding lobster, and some of the best sunset views in Muscat.
- Tuscany at Grand Hyatt
The finest Italian restaurant in Oman — housed in the Grand Hyatt with outstanding Italian wine list, hand-made pasta, and authentic Northern Italian cuisine. Special occasion dining at its best in Muscat.
- Copper Chimney
Long-established Indian restaurant in Ruwi serving reliable North Indian cuisine at moderate prices. Excellent lamb dishes, dal, and tandoor cooking. Popular with South Asian expat community. One of the best value proper Indian restaurants in Muscat.
- Automatic Restaurant
A Muscat institution across multiple locations — the most popular Lebanese restaurant chain in Oman. Excellent mezze, shawarma, grills, and fresh juices at honest prices. Packed with Omani families and expat workers. The chicken shawarma and hummus are outstanding value.
These addresses are surveyed one by one. The automatically generated lists — a “Grand Hotel” and a “Table de” in every city — have been removed: they did not exist.
73 out of 100 on the Nomad Score. 6 working hours shared with Western Europe.
The eight criteria in detailOctober–April. Wadi Shab and outdoor activities only October–March to avoid extreme heat.
169 addresses in this city, 20 of them cafés.
Half-Day Private Muscat City Tour - Top Landmarks in Just 4 Hours
We will take you through the gorgeous city of Muscat where we will first visit the grand mosque is one of the biggest 1-piece handmade Iranian carpet in the world and can comfortably accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers.
Daymaniyat Islands Snorkeling Sharing Trip
Touring and snorkeling the Daymaniyat Islands are one of the most surprising trip to Muscat. Nine small islands make up this snorkeling hotspot, with its brightly colored fish, sea turtles, and clear beautiful water. The islands are a natural preserve, uninhabited, completely natural, and protected by a marine reserve. Trip includes snorkeling gear, snacks and refreshments.
Wadi Shab and Bimmah Sinkhole Group Full Day Tour
Discover the incredible oasis of Wadi Shab - one of the last places in Oman where you can chill in fresh blue water surrounded by mountains.
Full Day Private Nizwa/Jebel Akhdar
Tours are especially helpful for travelers, who want to see what Muscat can offer Tours are cultural and historical and you can had fun either. You can also build your confidence in trying new things.
Snorkeling in Daymaniat Island
Our boats are new and spacious hence move faster and comfortable
Full-Day Private Wahiba Sands Desert and Wadi Bani Khalid Tour
Wadi Bani Khalid is a stunning oasis surrounded by dramatic mountains and golden desert landscapes. Spend the day exploring scenic trails, hiking through the valley, relaxing by the water, and swimming in crystal-clear natural pools. It’s the perfect place to experience Oman’s breathtaking nature and enjoy a refreshing break from the desert.
Tours offered by Viator. Booking through these links earns us a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Also surveyed: 6 shops and 7 means of transport.