Things to Do in Muscat

Muscat is one of the oldest capitals in the Arab world, with a history of trade dating back to the Bronze Age.

The city is home to the opulent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, which took 6 years to complete and can accommodate over 6,500 worshippers.

Muscat's natural harbour made it a crucial port for Arab, Persian, and European traders for centuries, and the Portuguese occupied it from 1507 to 1648.

The city is surrounded by the dramatic Hajar Mountains, which plunge directly into the Arabian Sea and create a striking coastal landscape.

Omani frankincense, historically traded through Muscat's souks, was considered as valuable as gold in ancient times and features prominently in the region's cultural identity.

Muscat has no traditional downtown; instead it sprawls across 30km of coastline as a series of distinct neighbourhoods and coves separated by rocky headlands.