What to do in Muscat, Oman

Hello

We will be in Muscat from 8am- 5pm. What can we do there and are there any tourist attractions? Are there any tour companies anyone can recommend?

Thanks

Hello

 

We will be in Muscat from 8am- 5pm. What can we do there and are there any tourist attractions? Are there any tour companies anyone can recommend?

 

Thanks

FANTASTIC trip, the Sultanate of Muscat is stunning, really clean and beautifully maintained. Must dos include the Beautiful Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque which has one of the biggest chandeliers in the world and the most stunning carpets and more marble that you have ever seen in your life. A drive along the coast to see the Various palaces and outstanding 5 star hotels, and I can thoroughly recommend the Intercontinental Hotel for lunch. The story is that a few years ago, the Sultant had his 4 Palaces in Muscat full of guests and needed more room, so he turfed out all the paying guests who were staying there and took it over with half a dozen of his favourite friends. Once you see the hotel, you'll see why he considered it to be palace-like and in keeping with his other homes here.

There is a really good souk within walking distance to the port, plan it in the afternoon as it is nice and cool and a relief from the heat of the city.

Have a great trip, I would love to go back.

Your time in port is a little challenging.

Decide what is more important. The Grand mosque is open for non-Muslim visitors only Saturday to Wednesday 8am to 11am if you want to look inside.

Muttrah Souk (by the harbour) is the main souk (and most interesting for tourists) in Muskat. Official opening times are 09.30 to 13.00 and then 16.30 to 22.30. (Fridays only in the afternoons). The souk times can vary up or down a little and some shops may open earlier, close later, don't close in the middle of the day. One would think that, when ships are in town, that they would keep the place open. This is a project in progress.

To the left of the souk entrance (looking at it) is a small (well, tiny) showcase of REAL Omani craft and art work. (there are a few steps up to the shop). Some very cute gifts for low prices.

a few hundred meters further along and set back a little is a museum / shop of MODERN Omani / arabic art. Not cheap, but unique. Can'r miss it. It has modern paintings on the outside.

A SIMPLE lunch can be had at any of the small cafes along the outside of the souk.

There is a more fancy restaurant (quite nice actually) just as you exit the harbour. It is called"Bait al Luban" (basically "Frankincense house"). Can't be missed. It has lovely brown balconies. They have a Facebook page...

There will be some HoHo buses waiting by the port and/or the souk. Be a bit careful with these. They are expensive and with not all that many stops (compared to London/Paris even Dubai). For a stay of more than one day they are OK, but because they do NOT run very often, be mindful of your timings.

There will be taxis waiting by the port or at the souk as well.

You should be able to get a 3 or 4 hour tour with a driver (find one you like and that you can communicate with) for about 20 to 25 OMR.

As to be driven along the water front to the Al Alam Royal Palace. Very nice complex and immaculately kept. Some very nice scenery along the way.

Wow thanks so much for the detailed feedback- I think we will take a short taxi tour and then maybe the souk

Wow thanks so much for the detailed feedback- I think we will take a short taxi tour and then maybe the souk

.....and don't forget a stroll alongbthe corniche before you head back into the port

Hello

 

We will be in Muscat from 8am- 5pm. What can we do there and are there any tourist attractions? Are there any tour companies anyone can recommend?

 

Thanks

Visit the Bait al Zubair Museum-time well spent on both the exhibits, cafe and gift shop

http://www.baitalzubairmuseum.com/

There are numerous small museums and art galleries sprinkled throughout Muscat. Most are open Sat-Thur from 9:30-one pm and then again from 4-6pm. Closed on Fridays.

http://omanpocketguide.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=66&Itemid=80

You can also tour the opera house in the morning

http://www.rohmuscat.org.*****/venue/royal-opera-house-muscat

You can also arrange a tour at the Amouage Perfumery-(the favorite scents of royals and celebs alike) or see their display in the gift shop at Bait al Zubair.

Need help. Our cruise ship docks in Oman from 12 noon to 8 pm. Not sure how to handle the tour here. It doesn't look like there will be too many places open to see, such as mosque and opera house. Can someone advise? Thank you. Helen.

Need help. Our cruise ship docks in Oman from 12 noon to 8 pm. Not sure how to handle the tour here. It doesn't look like there will be too many places open to see, such as mosque and opera house. Can someone advise? Thank you. Helen.

What day of the week are you there?

What day of the week are you there?

I believe it's Tuesday or Wednesday.

I believe it's Tuesday or Wednesday.

In addition to suggestions in previous posts in this thread, you could also check out taking a tour with "Tours by Locals" though the suggested tours for cruise ship guests appear quite booked. There are a couple of full day tours offered. If your date is available, contact the guide. I have found you are able to make adjustments in the itinerary if there is something you want to add or omit. Pricing is for the tour, not per person. If the tour specifies up to 4 people, see if others on your roll call want to join you to keep the price pp down.

https://www.toursbylocals.com/TBL/WebObjects/ToursByLocals.woa/1/wo/XKxhZthJjOoxtIS3LAArnw/12.19.3.1.15.1.1.1.0

Muscat can also be done on your own. If you wish to visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque that must be done in the morning. Taxis are available at the port gate. Be sure to negotiate a price beforehand.

A stroll along the corniche is rewarding in itself. You can also walk over to the souk. Further down the corniche you will find the Bait al Zubair Museum which is interesting. I have posted a link a few spots prior to this one.

Great information on this thread. Thank you.

It will be our first trip to Muscat this coming December. We plan to bring maps and a list of places we plan to visit. In most ports, we prefer to DIY.

It's been said that there are HOHO buses and taxis available at or outside the port...is there a metro/train we can use that is walking distance from the cruise port?

Negotiating with a taxi driver can be challenging for us...perhaps someone can give us a clue as to how much a "fair" price would be for a cab ride to the Grand Mosque? or a "fair" price for a day tour with the taxi drivier?

Lastly, are there interesting sites walkable from the cruise port? Thank you. :)

There is no Metro or train service in Oman. Its taxis or walking.

you can stroll along the water front for miles.

After a while you will see (on the right) a giant Frankincense burner on a hill.

This is a lookout in a public park that may or may not be accessible. these things are random in the Sultanate. Nevertheless, its a nice walk around the area.

Find a taxi driver you like and ask him to show you the sights.

You will work out pretty quickly if the driver can converse in English. Usually its easier to converse with the younger guys.

Payment in OMR is preferred. Some may take AED you may have left over from Dubai / Abu Dhabi. Exchange rate is basically 10 AED for 1 OMR.

There are plenty of ATM around to draw cash.

At the port gate in Muscat there used to be a large sign with typical taxi fares posted. The souk is walkable from the port gate as well. Depending on how far you like to walk and the temperature, if you walk along the corniche you will see points of interest to stop at and definitely take pictures.

There is no Metro or train service in Oman. Its taxis or walking.

you can stroll along the water front for miles.

After a while you will see (on the right) a giant Frankincense burner on a hill.

This is a lookout in a public park that may or may not be accessible. these things are random in the Sultanate. Nevertheless, its a nice walk around the area.

Find a taxi driver you like and ask him to show you the sights.

You will work out pretty quickly if the driver can converse in English. Usually its easier to converse with the younger guys.

Payment in OMR is preferred. Some may take AED you may have left over from Dubai / Abu Dhabi. Exchange rate is basically 10 AED for 1 OMR.

There are plenty of ATM around to draw cash.

Thank you for the information.

Just a side note seeing that you're also from Sydney.....we were in Sydney last December and walked all over the city until we discovered the "OPAL" card. The Opal card gave us access to the buses, trains, and ferries. What a great value because the most it will charge you is $15 for the day...no matter how many times you use it. :)

At the port gate in Muscat there used to be a large sign with typical taxi fares posted. The souk is walkable from the port gate as well. Depending on how far you like to walk and the temperature, if you walk along the corniche you will see points of interest to stop at and definitely take pictures.

Thank you...we love to walk. It will be an option instead of having to use the treadmill on the ship. :)

Our problem is that we arrive in port at noon, which means that some sights will not be open. That's the reason I asked for suggestions how to handle it. Thank you.

Our problem is that we arrive in port at noon, which means that some sights will not be open. That's the reason I asked for suggestions how to handle it. Thank you.

Except for visiting the Grand Mosque which is only open to the public in the morning, you should be able to visit the souk and a couple of the small museums. The Bait al Zubair is open 9:30-6:30. Some of the museums close in the afternoon but reopen around four or 5 pm for a couple of hours (Omani French or National Museum.) If you are in port late or overnight, see if there is a performance at the Royal Opera House. World class performances of classical music, jazz, theater. There are also restaurants and shops near the Opera House.

http://www.triphobo.com/places/muscat-oman/things-to-do

Thank you, Lilybob. You seam to be so knowledgeable. We are in port till 8, so I wonder if we can get into the opera house. I am a huge opera fan, so it would be great if we can. It sounds like in our case it would probably make sense to go on our own. I will still look into some tours. Thanks again. Helen.

check out the website of the Royal Opera House:

http://www.rohmuscat.org.*****

the side lobby and box office are open most of the time.

There will be guards on duty, but they will let you in the building at least.

Sometimes the box office people will let you in the main foyer to sneak a peak.

There are also some public tours available, but times are quite random.

Has anyone used a company called Oman last Minute Tours in Muscat

looking for reference or feed back on companies tours

you can contact me direct ann dot thompson at century21 dot ca