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Guide to Muscat, Oman
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Muscat
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MuscatLying along the Gulf of Oman, Muscat, the countrys capital city, is a destination of enchantment and beauty. World famous sites do not stand among the citys streets, but youll become enthralled in old port area where views are spectacular throughout the year. Muscat has somewhat of a white-washed image, with mosques and residential buildings taking up most of the space; within Omans other coastal cities lay the centers of commerce. But, without a doubt, Muscat is the most beautiful, intricate and welcoming of them all, and was the center of ancient civilization in the region, offering access to a great number of historic sites.
When to go:
Travel to Muscat is optimal in both spring and autumn. The weather is temperate, the skies are clear more often than not, and is quite low. The closer you get to summer, the hotter it gets, but the nuisance is exacerbated by the great influx of humidity. The crummy weather reaches its peak in both June and September, when the city and rest of the coast encounter nothing short of monsoons. Since the rainy season can often slip further than expected, your best bet to avoid the bad weather is to visit Muscat in spring. You get a chance to see the public gardens in their full splendor too!
Getting there and around:
Muscat Airport receives quite a number of international flights despite its obscurity among the worlds premier destinations. Oman Air, of course, offers access to locations in and around the country, but surprisingly, most international flights to Muscat are done by foreign carriers. The terminals location is not as convenient, however. At 40 kilometers, travel between the airport and the city takes quite a while, so give yourself ample time both ways to counter any issues you may come upon in the future. The airport does have car rental agencies on-site, but wed prefer a taxi ride. Drivers know their way, and the fare isnt far-fetched. You may have to negotiate a price beforehand.
The transportation services that most frequent the citys roads are service taxis and microbuses. The microbuses are comfortable, but chances are you will have to share space with locals and/or fellow travelers. Taxis travel to more destinations (any destination for that matter) and drivers will be more than happy to show you around the city for an acquaintance-tour.
Attractions:
At first glance, Muscat seems like an ordinary city with nothing much to go for it except a few prominent buildings, but its attractiveness lies inside. Most travelers opt to go to Al-Alam Palace first, because it is the Sultans palace (though the Sultan rarely visits). It is mostly utilized for ceremonies, and besides its grand presence, the only truly enticing aspect is the view of the harbor.
A few of the former-embassies in the city, such as the French and British Embassies, have been converted into museums. The Beit al-Franzi (French Embassy), and the Beit al-Zawawi (British Embassy) bring curious foreigners to their doors, but nothing quite noteworthy exists inside either.
The area of the city known as Muttruh is where the splendor lies. The Corniche is the highlight of the district, and attracts thousands of people a day. Most of the people who spend time here end up taking a stroll behind the Corniche and are surprised to come upon one of the greatest souqs (markets) youll ever find. The market is not established in any conventional means (i.e. in a square), but its outfit among the maze of narrow streets and alleys makes for an experience true to the citys ancient ways. Youll find anything and everything here; the streets will eventually bring you to more sites sure to spark your interest.
A walk along the coast will most-likely bring you upon the grounds of the Riyam Public Gardens. The Gardens are near the Corniche, and they also offer excellent views of the harbor as well as a great little childrens park. Another noteworthy public park is the Qurun Natural Park, where boating is possible. Another childrens attraction exists here in the form of Funworld.
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