Edits

25/25

Muscat

Unlike its flashy neighbours, the sleepy demeanour of the Sultanate of Oman's capital, Muscat, means there are no cranes filling the horizons working on the world's glitziest buildings. Instead, this Arabian town's clear blue skies are adorned with the camel-coloured Al Hajjar mountains, which become a beguiling burnt orange when the sun sets. Long stretches of clean beaches are idyllic spots for diving and swimming.
 

Printable version

We've made a version for you to print out and take with you. Simply download and print.

Download PDF


presented_rolex

Essentials

01 English is widely spoken, but a little Arabic goes a long way (especially when haggling).
02 Omanis are welcoming, polite and well-mannered. Expect to be invited in for coffee and dates..
03 The Indian Ocean does give Muscat slightly cooler climes, but the best months to head to Oman are between October and April.
04 It's the land of the Queen of Sheeba, Sinbad the Sailor and Vasco da Gama's famous navigator Ahmed Ibn Majid.
05 When introduced to a woman, wait for her to offer her hand. Some prefer not to..

Hotels

Big chain
Grand Hyatt Muscat
Shatti Al Qurm
+ 968 2 464 1234
muscat.grand.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp?null

Premium
The Chedi
North Ghubra 32 18th November Street, Al Khuwair
+ 968 2 452 4400
ghmhotels.com

Dependable chain
Shangri-La
Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa Kantab, PO Box 644, Postal Code 113
+ 968 2 477 6666
shangri-la.com

Independent and easy
Al Falaj Hotels
Ruwi
+ 968 2 470 2311
omanhotels.com


Dining

On the tiles
Sama Terrazza
Park Inn by Radisson, Sultan Qaboos Street, Al Khuwair
+ 968 2 450 7888
parkinn.com

Late drinks
Trader Vic's
Intercontinental Muscat Al Khariya Street, Al Shati
+ 968 2 468 0000
ichotelsgroup.com

Drink after dinner
Left Bank
Al Qurm, near to Mumtaz Mahal
+ 968 2 469 3699
emiratesleisureretail.com

Best barbecue/al fresco dining
The Arabian
Courtyard at the Chedi Al Ghubra
+ 968 2 452 4400
ghmhotels.com

Big dinner with friends
Shahrazad
Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Qantab
+ 968 2 477 6565

Dinner with friends
Mumtaz Mahal
Way 2601 near Qurm Nature Reserve
+ 968 2 460 5907

Dinner for two
Shiraz Restaurant
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Qurum Street
+ 968 2 466 0660
ichotelsgroup.com

Sunset cocktail
The Beach Pavillion
Al Bustan Palace Intercontinental, Muttrah
+ 968 2 479 9666
al-bustan.dining.intercontinental.com

Lunch on your own
D'Arcy's Kitchen
Jawharat Al Shatti Complex
+ 968 2 460 0234

Picnic spot
Qurum Beach
Stretches from the Crowne Plaza Hotel to Al Ghubrah

Lunch with friends
Bait Al Bahr
Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa
+ 968 2 477 6565
shangri-la.com

Mid-morning coffee
Kargeen Caffe
Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos
+ 968 2 469 9055
kargeencaffe.com

Business breakfast
The Restaurant at the Chedi
18th November Street, Al Khuwair
+ 968 2 452 4400
ghmhotels.com

Fast breakfast
Food and Juice Centre
Muttrah Corniche
+ 968 2 432 0750

Need-to-impress clients lunch
Qurum Beach
Muscat, 10 miles from Muscat's airport.

Shopping

Something for yourself
Bait Muzna Gallery
Saidiya Street, opposite Bait Al Zubair museum
+ 968 2 473 9204
baitmuznagallery.com

Something for someone you love
Amouage
Sabco Centre, Al Qurm
amouage.com

Something for the kids
Twinkle
Behind Al Qurm Complex
+ 968 2 456 4427
twinkleoman.com

Lost luggage
Gap
City Centre Muscat
+ 968 2 455 8095
citycentremuscat.com


Thank yous

Something you won't find anywhere else
Patchi
City Centre Muscat
+ 968 2 455 8032
patchi.com

Two hour tour

01
Royal Opera House Muscat Shatti Al Qurum
rohmuscat.org.om

02
Muttrah Souk

03
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque


Basics

Pharmacy
Muscat Pharmacy
Al Hail (open 24 hours)
+ 968 2 481 4501
muscatpharmacy.net


Transport

Car rental
Avoid overpriced taxis. There are several rental car companies at the airport.
omanairports.com/transport.asp

Limousine/car

Sixt Car Rentals
e-sixt.com

Fitness

Good gym
Club Olympus
Grand Hyatt Muscat.
+ 968 2 464 1234
muscat.grand.hyatt.com


Alternative diversion

Nizwa Souq

25/25

25 Business Cities
01 Amsterdam
02 Buenos Aires
03 Copenhagen
04 Dubai
05 Hong Kong
06 Istanbul
07 London
08 Los Angeles
09 Madrid
10 Mexico City
11 Milan
12 Moscow
13 Mumbai
14 Munich
15 New York
16 Paris
17 San Francisco
18 Sao Paulo
19 Seoul
20 Shanghai
21 Singapore
22 Stockholm
23 Sydney
24 Tokyo
25 Zurich

25 Resort Cities
01 Acapulco
02 Aspen
03 Bali
04 Beirut
05 Cape Town
06 Capri
07 Forte dei Marmi
08 Honolulu
09 Ibiza
10 Kitzbühel
11 Marrakech
12 Muscat
13 Mykonos
14 Nice-Cannes
15 Okinawa
16 Palm Beach
17 Palma de Mallorca
18 Phuket
19 Punta del Este
20 Rio de Janeiro
21 St Barths
22 St. Moritz
23 San Sebastian
24 Santa Cruz de Tenerife
25 Verbier