Muscat is a thriving city in Oman that offers a holiday filled with every fun and thrill. While the city can be intriguing for the tourists, there are many things to do in Muscat that are especially advised for the locals for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. As the city has a lot to offer, you can surely plan tours with something that can leave you stunned and excited. From shopping to historical experience and adventure that goes beyond the thrill, Muscat can be one of the most magnificent places for vacationers to indulge in every fantasy.
Top 8 Things To Do In Muscat For Satisfying The Wanderlust
Holidays are great with adventure and entertainment, and when you are in Muscat, you have no dearth of things you can enjoy for a life-long experience. Let us find out some top recommended activities by a local in this capital city.
- Shop Like a Local From The Mutrah Souq
- Admire The Architectural Beauty of The Grand Mosque
- Discover The Scrumptious Taste of Omani Delicacies
- Spend a Day at the Royal Opera House
- Adventure at Wadi Sands
- Desert Safari At The Wahiba Sands
- City Tour Of Muscat For Historical Glimpse
- Beach Adventures and Activities
1. Shop Like a Local From The Mutrah Souq
When you are in Muscat, ditch the malls for once and experience the fun of local shopping. Mutrah Souq is a potential shopping place in the city where you can find everything, from antiques to handicrafts, home décor, and more. The place has a chaotic vibe, resembling a traditional Arabian market filled with colors that also makes it a perfect place for some shopping activity in Muscat. Shops are all lined up along the street, displaying colors that are too engaging to be missed. You will find jewelry stores too with an exquisite collection of gems and jewels. Make sure you have enough cash as many local vendors do not accept cards.
Mutrah is one of the famous places in Muscat and an attraction for all locals and tourists. The marketplace has a charm that will take you on a voyage of ancient wonders.
2. Admire The Architectural Beauty of The Grand Mosque
The Grand Mosque is an architectural wonder and quite a famous place in Oman, luring travelers from every corner of the world to be stunned by its charm. Taking a tour of this heritage can be one of the fun things to do in Muscat that not only will take you on a heritage tour but will let you delve deeper into its cultural beauty. The mosque is a perfect example of Islamic art and architecture, which also houses the largest Swarovski crystal chandelier. It also has the second-largest hand-woven carpet in the world, which makes the place quite a piece of art. This Persian carpet measures 70 m by 60 m in dimension. History states that Sultan Qaboos gifted the mosque to the people of Oman, marking the 30th year of his reign.
Discover its vast premises that can allot praying space to more than 20.000 worshipers. The rich design of the interiors and exteriors makes the place worth a tour.
3. Discover The Scrumptious Taste of Omani Delicacies
Muscat, being the most happening city in Oman, is surely the best place to discover the rich taste of Omani food. Going on a food tour is one of the best things to do in Muscat to explore every local color of the city. Oman has a rich history and culture that includes a variety of food and taste which is still included in every festivity and occasion. There are fancy cafes and local street food joints that serve every desired taste in the city. The Begum’s Restaurant, Al Angham Restaurant, and Bait Al Luban Omani Restaurant are some of the best eating joints in the city.
Apart from the local and traditional zest, you will find cafes and restaurants serving some refreshing zest of international spices. The Tuscany Restaurant, China Mood are some famous spots.
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4. Spend a Day at the Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is one of the best places in Oman you can visit for some entertainment. Discovering the highlights of the place can be one of the best things to do in Muscat to admire its art and culture. Both travelers and locals enjoy its magnificent beauty and performances that are hosted here on some occasions, like opera and ballet.
The place was inaugurated in 2011, and since then it has been a gem in the collection of Omani architecture. While events are hosted only on some special days, the place is open for locals and tourists, letting them shop, and stroll around for some entertainment. The interiors are well designed with intricate art and lights and more. There are cafes too, that offer a variety of dishes and a rich taste.
5. Adventure at Wadi Sands
Hiking to the Wadi Sands can be one of the best adventure activities in Muscat for tourists. If you are looking for something breathtaking and feel that adrenaline rush, you can plan a hike to Wadi Sands and admire the magnificence of nature at its best. Locals find this place, best for weekend fun, and for tourists, it is an exceptional experience in Muscat and the best thing to do in Oman.
Wadi Sands is a few miles outside of Muscat and is surrounded by nature's unique splendor. There is an oasis nearby, which adds to the ambiance. The hike leads to various turquoise water ponds and the natural surroundings. You can swim and pass through the cave to see a beautiful cascade. The Wadi Sands is just 1.5 km from the city.
6. Desert Safari At Wahiba Sands
Desert Safari can be a fun thing to do in Muscat with family and friends. Just like Wadi Sands, Wahiba Sands is another natural wonder where you can enjoy desert safari and some amazing adventures. The place is perfect for overnight camping, camel rides, dune bashing, sandboarding, and other desert adventures in Muscat. As the entire region is deserted, covered with soft gleaming sand, it can be best to enjoy some 4x4 off-roading experience. As the temperature is quite high, winters can be the right time for our camping and safari experience. Tours are organized from Muscat to Wahiba Sands with all activities, camping, and meals.
Enjoy stargazing, the delicious Arabian food, and hospitality with some best adventures in Muscat at Wahiba Sands.
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7. City Tour Of Muscat For Historical Glimpse
Muscat city tours are best to discover the beauty and witness its historical amusements. As Muscat is the capital city, it houses the best museums and galleries, displaying the art and culture of the bygone era. The National Museum of Oman is not only the largest Museum but also one of the most stunning places with a rich collection of artifacts that are depicting tales from the past. The pre-Modern Islamic architecture of the place is the major highlight of the place.
The Land and the People Gallery, the Maritime Gallery, Oman, the World Gallery, and the Renaissance Gallery are some highlighted sections of the museums that offer a glimpse of different eras. Spending an entire day here can be the best thing to do in Muscat.
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8. Beach Adventures and Activities
Beaches in Oman offer every adventure and fun you want for your exciting holiday. As Oman has a long and scenic coastline, you can enjoy a day with the best water activities and adventures. The Qurum Beach in Muscat is one of the best leisure spots for some beach leisure and fun. You can relax and stroll around, admiring the scenic beauty of the place. The Yiti Beach is another paradise, lying near Muscat, where you can plan a picnic, camping and fishing, and other activities in Muscat.
Well, if you need a day to rejuvenate and relax, the private beach in Muscat, Al Bustan is a perfect place. You can admire the beauty around while sitting under an umbrella and enjoying a cocktail. You can also go snorkeling.
Your holiday in Muscat can be thrilling and leisurely. While these are some common things you must not miss, there is a lot you can add to the list. Be it water games or history tours, there are many things to do in Muscat that can keep you enthralled on your vacation. Plan your vacation in winter to enjoy the city tours, adventures, and beach vibes for the best experience. The city offers an ultimate holiday with endless fun and thrill for all. And if you want to experience it all at once, there are Muscat tour packages that include the top activities and tours to make it a memorable visit.
Things To Do in Muscat - FAQs
The best things to do in Muscat are:
- Shopping in Mutrah Souq
- Camping in the Wahiba Sands
- Historical tours
- Beach activities
Muscat is the best place for a holiday where you can enjoy the best activities and adventures. On your holiday in Muscat, you can plan tours like cruises, camping, desert safari, city tours, museum tours, and more.
You can plan a holiday in Muscat in the winters, from October to mid-march. The temperature drops and it becomes pleasant to spend a vacation in the city.
Yes, a desert safari is the best thing to do in Muscat. You can plan a visit to the Wahiba Sands to enjoy desert safari and some amazing adventures. The place is perfect for overnight camping, camel rides, dune bashing, sandboarding, and other desert adventures.
Mutrah Souq is the best shopping place in the city where you can find everything, from antiques to handicrafts, home décor, and more. The place has a chaotic vibe, resembling a traditional Arabian market filled with colors that also makes it a perfect place for some shopping.
There are many museums in Muscat that are preserving the rich heritage and art of Oman. You can visit-
- Bait Al Zubair
- Bait Al Baranda
- Omani French Museum
- National Museum of Oman
The Grand Mosque is famous for its Islamic art and architecture. It also houses the largest Swarovski crystal chandelier. It also has the second-largest hand-woven carpet in the world, which makes the place quite a piece of art.
Yes, the Royal Opera is one of the most beautiful entertainment centers in Muscat where you can enjoy opera and ballet. There are shopping stalls and kiosks installed for shopping and dining.
