Cathys Muscat Cruise Diary: Forts, Sunsets & Souks

Cruise DiaryExcursions & Port DaysMiddle East Ports

10 Nov

A Sunset Stroll Through Muscat: Our Second Visit

Have you ever docked somewhere for just six hours and wondered how much you can really see? That was our situation in Muscat on our repositioning cruise from Dubai to Singapore . We docked at 14.00 and were scheduled to leave again at 20.00. A lot of people were very unhappy at having such a short stop on such a long cruise. We felt very lucky to have spent a day there the previous year too!

We really like Muscat - it feels so different from its glitzy neighbours Abu Dhabi and Dubai — low-rise buildings, clean streets, and a calm atmosphere definitely set the tone for a relaxed visit.

After a relaxed lunch on board, we let the rush of people heading for cruise excursions go ahead of us and then strolled through the port gate

This area is called Mutrah, its the original town and is the area closest to the cruise terminal. The Corniche, a flat and scenic waterfront promenade, is a flat an easy walk. It was very quiet, while shops aimed at tourists were open everything else was closed

We wandered through the Grand Souk and Gold Souk, soaking up the local atmosphere. The narrow lanes, colourful stalls, and aroma of spices and incense made it easy to forget the clock. The markets aimed at locals were closed, but that didn’t matter — there was enough open to justify a leisurely exploratory stroll and I bought a beautiful mother of pearl evening bag! Then we treated ourselves to some fresh coconut water for less than 50p a glass— the perfect fuel for the next stop of our little adventure.

Following some excellent advice from Cruise Addicted group member David Innes, we made our way to Mutrah Fort at the far end of the Corniche. Built by the Portuguese in 1580, the fort sits perched above the port with spectacular views over the city and harbor. The 300 steps to the top were well worth it, but even the lower levels offered breathtaking vantage points.

There is a ticket office but it was closed (apparently it usually is!) although the fort itself was open so we didn’t pay anything at all for a really lovely experience.

Easy climb with solid handrail, well maintained steps

The coastline of Muscat is dotted with these forts - it was very well defended, and we enjoyed spotting the other forts perched high above us in the mountains too

It was a popular sunset spot so we were not alone but it was magical nonetheless. As the sun dipped behind the mountains, the call to prayer echoed across the city, bouncing off the hills — an incredible 360° surround of sound that added to the magic of the moment.

Even with such a short stop, Muscat delivered a relaxed, immersive, and utterly memorable experience. For anyone with a few hours in port, it’s a city that rewards those who wander and pause to enjoy the sunsets.

Cruise Addicted Tips:

Mutrah is within easy walking distance from the cruise gate – flat and scenic along the Corniche.
Souks aimed at tourists open later in the afternoon; local markets open much later or close midday.
Fresh coconut water and local snacks are inexpensive and refreshing. Alcohol only available onboard and in some hotels
Head to Mutrah Fort for sunset views and the call to prayer experience.
Comfortable shoes recommended for wandering cobbled streets and climbing fort steps.

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