Top Things to See, Do & Eat on Your Cruise Visit to Muscat, Oman

Muscat, the capital of Oman, offers a quieter, more traditional Arabian experience than nearby Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Nestled between mountains and the Arabian Sea, this low-rise city is rich in heritage, easy to explore, and feels safe and welcoming — the perfect stop for a relaxed day in port.

🇴🇲 Oman at a Glance

Language: Arabic (English widely spoken in tourist areas)
Currency: Omani Rial (OMR). £1 ≈ 0.51 OMR | $1 ≈ 0.38 OMR | €1 ≈ 0.45 OMR
Time Zone: GST (UTC +4)
Head of State: Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said
Accessibility: Moderate – the city is very spread out, transport required
Safety: Very safe; but respect local customs. Muscat views tourism as very important for the country but the Government is very strict – no criticism of the Sultan is allowed, the press is largely controlled and homosexuality is illegal so, as with many countries in the area, it is best to behave sensibly, dress respectfully and avoid any overt displays of affection while visiting.

🚢 Cruise Port Basics

Port: Port Sultan Qaboos, in berths 4 or 5
Facilities: Wheelchair-accessible terminal with tourist info, maps, toilets, WiFi
Shuttle: Free shuttle to port gate (walking inside the port is prohibited). cruise excursion buses wait by the ship.
Transport: Non-metered taxis (negotiate fare), HOHO buses, or pre-arranged drivers outside port gate.
Walking: the Mutrah area is accessible on foot elsewhere requires transport

👉 Because Muscat stretches across several areas separated by mountain passes, distances are longer than they appear. The HOHO circuit takes around two hours, and many passengers don’t get off. For a full sightseeing experience, a private driver or guided tour is more practical.

👟 Exploring Muscat by Area

Mutrah (closest to port)

Fish Market – fascinating but a bit graphic!
Mutrah Corniche – a scenic seafront promenade lined with cafés.
Mutrah Souk & Gold Souk – traditional covered markets; haggling essential. Quieter (and cheaper) deeper inside. Closed mid-day.
Mutrah Fort – Portuguese fort with sweeping harbour views; magical at sunset with the call to prayer echoing in the hills around.
Place and People Museum – small but engaging museum with Omani costumes and art.
The Muscat Censer - viewing platform, shaped like a traditional Omani incense burner is located in Riyam Park, with great views. 50 min walk.

Old Muscat (6.5 km from port)

Qasr Al Alam Royal Palace – viewable from the beautiful gardens.
Bait Al Zubair Museum – extensive cultural collection plus outdoor village reconstruction (closed Fridays).
Portuguese forts Jilali & Mirani – over the years they have functioned as royal residences, jails and garrisons but currently are not open to the public.
Natural harbour – crystal waters framed by mountains.

Al Bustan (10 km from port)

Bandar Al Rowdha Marina – dhow cruises, dolphin watching, snorkelling (check if transfers are included).
Bustan Beach – limited facilities. Resort day passes available at Al Bustan Palace Hotel for beach access with amenities.

Qurum (13 km from port)

Royal Opera House – striking polished white marble and wood interiors; free tours (not Fridays).
Qurum Beach – long, clean public beach, popular for walks and swimming.
Restaurants & cafés – lively modern dining scene.

Al Ghubrah (21 km from port)

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque – vast marble-clad complex, home to a 50m dome and world’s second-largest Persian carpet.

Open to non-Muslims 8–11am, Sat–Wed.
Free entry but strict dress code (women must cover fully, including hair).

Muscat Grand Mall – large shopping centre with global brands and food courts.

🌍 Excursions & Day Trips

Wadi Shab & Bimmah Sinkhole – combine hiking, swimming, and spectacular natural scenery.
Nizwa – historic fort, Friday market, and Jabreen Castle (long day; cruise line excursion recommended).

🛍️ Shopping

Mutrah Souk – best for spices, pashminas, leather, frankincense, brassware.
Modern malls – less relevant for cruise visitors, but handy for food courts and international brands.

🍴 Eating & Drinking

Explore cafés and restaurants along the seafront in Qurum, in the malls and along the Corniche - only non-alcoholic drinks served.
Local treats: shawarma, halwa sweets, dates, Arabic coffee.

🌦️ Climate & Packing

Best season: cruises visit in winter when theOctober–April are a temperate 24–32°C.
Summer highs: 40°C+
Pack: Light clothing, sun protection, modest attire for mosques, comfy shoes.

💡 Cruise Addicted Tips

Muscat is calm, traditional, and refreshingly different from the glitzy UAE ports. Expect souks, mosques, mountain views and some of the most memorable sunsets of your cruise.

Walk along the Mutrah Corniche to soak in the atmosphere.
Explore the Souk later in the afternoon when it’s livelier and cooler.
Climb Mutrah Fort for an unforgettable sunset and call-to-prayer experience.
For big sights like the Grand Mosque or Royal Palace, a driver or tour is more reliable than HOHO buses.
Always negotiate taxi fares in advance, or pre-book to save time.

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Muscat, Oman – Cruise Port Guide