Things to do & places to visit in Muscat Governorate, Oman

The Omani city of Muscat is predominantly populated by Islamic Arabs, though it also has a sizable, non-resident Indian population, further rounded out by American, British and Dutch citizens. Muscat is a tolerant and progressive city, where English speakers are relatively common. Arrange fares beforehand if seeing the city by taxi. To explore further, consider renting a car. Don't miss the imposing Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, atmospheric Old Muttrah Souk, Al Alam Royal Palace or Al Jalali Fort.

Muscat Governorate #1 destination in Oman 2023. The average rating score is 4.46 based on 20.0k traveler reviews, of 71 attractions. Timezone: Asia/Muscat, current date and time: Friday, May 10, 2024, 7:06.

Top things to do (43)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (6.115 reviews)
- Stunning - be sure to visit (and dress properly)
Friday: Religious Sites

So happy to be able to visit - truly impressive and beautiful - photos don't do it justice. Chandeliers of Swarovski crystal, doors & ceiling of beautifully carved teak wood, piazzas of Carrera marble. Best with a tour guide and requires everyone to cover appropriately... No shorts (men or women) and women must cover head, hair, arms, legs. No surprise to me and I'm happy to do it to visit another culture. It is possible to rent (or buy) dishdasha (men) and sirwal (dress) & hijab (headscarf) for women. See more..
5.0 Pearl Dimaniyat Diving Center (170 reviews)
- Lifetime experience
Friday: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM Scuba & Snorkelling • Boat Tours • Dolphin & Whale Watching • Day Trips

Today I had a lifetime experience with Mr. Arif owner of Pearl Dimanayat diving center. I have been with my 10 years son. To be honest it is first experience for both of us. He took extra care of me and engaged an assistant for my son. I am quite impressed with his preparation from making bags on each diver name, all though he himself on fasting he ensured divers need food after diving, so very well arranged. I found Mr. Arif is quite experience guy in his field. Interesting point I learned that there is international certification course for divers and happy to know that Pearl Daminayat offers the coaching and help obtaining international certification. First time I had so many fishes, turtles and large corals at one place. I definitely recommended this place and Pearl Dimanayat diving center. See more..
5.0 Al Muhajer Marina (112 reviews)
- A trip you can’t miss!
Friday: 7:00 AM - 10:30 PM Boat Tours • Waterskiing & Jetskiing • Private Tours • Speed Boats Tours

This was such a great experience! Ghadeer waits for you at the entrance of the marina, there is enough parking space there for your car. We stopped at three snorkeling spots, at the first spot we saw about 15 turtles, wow what an experience! Ghadeer went in the water with us to make sure that everyone saw these amazing animals. At the second soort we saw about 5 black tips and a ray. At the third spot we got an other visit from a beautiful turtle. On board there was enough water, drinks, snacks and sandwiches available. It was really an amazing experience , much recommended See more..
5.0 Murtada A.K. Trading kadok (29 reviews)
- A Pleasant Surprise
Friday: Art Galleries

In 2021, Murtadha chose to open his own art studio to showcase his work, it is located in Muttrah which is known for being home to historic landmarks, the souk, and its location on the coastline. The artist chose to call his art studio ‘Kadok’, this unique name stems from his hometown Muttrah. Kadok is a nickname of a fictional character that is from Muttrah and lives there, this name is very meaningful to Murtadha because it always reminded him of his hometown. Kadok is a character that knows all the in’s and out’s of Muttrah and was chosen to be the brand name of the art studio given its location and its significance to the artist. See more..
5.0 Alia Gallery (19 reviews)
- spectacular!
Friday: Spent 1-2 hours Art Galleries

ALIA GALLERY is a private gallery that showcases artwork of artist Alia Al-Farsi. The well-known Omani artist has been awarded by different international organizations and her gallery includes more than 120 artworks in addition to a cafe, library and a gift shop. See more..
5.0 Jebel Sifah Golf Course (17 reviews)
- A superb 9 hole course
Friday: 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM Spent More than 3 hours Golf Courses

Seamlessly integrated into the spectacular scenery and natural landscapes, Jebel Sifah’s nine hole par 36 golf course is something special. Designed by Peter Harradine in his first ever seaside course Jebel Sifah will embody the variety of the Jebel Sifah surroundings. With 18 hole length measuring from 5686yds - 7268 yds with 5 tee options Jebel Sifah offers a friendly game for the developing golfer while remaining long enough to challenge to experienced lower handicap golfer. Jebel Sifah is home to the longest par 5 in the Middle East also with Hole 3 measuring in at 678 yards from the back tees. After finishing your game of golf the waterside marina is just 50 yards away from the golf shop make for convenient access to relax and enjoy many food and beverage options. Managed and operated by golf luxury experts Troon Golf. See more..
5.0 Oman Taxi Pro (14 reviews)
- Fantastic Service!
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM City Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Night Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Day Trips

I was making travelling plans to Oman under challenging circumstances. As part of the planning process, I needed taxi service in Oman. I had a positive experience from the first interaction with Mr Nasser. He was very professional and extremely helpful. I am glad their taxi company was recommended to me. I will definitely use their services when I visit Oman again. I highly recommend O Taxi services for their professionalism, value for money, local services (airport transfers), long distance (Oman to Dubai by road) and reliability. See more..
5.0 Markaz Al Bahja (10 reviews)
- A good place for shopping and fun
Shopping Malls

Shopping Mall, Muscat See more..
5.0 EagleRay Dimaniyat (3 reviews)
- Great dive.
Friday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Scuba & Snorkelling • Boat Tours • Dolphin & Whale Watching

Best diving company ever had. They are very friendly and very professional.This was my first experience ever and I loved it, instructor was so friendly and explained me every thing so nicely and clearly. I felt so safe.i saw so many fishes. Loved it. Definitely recommend eagleraydimaniyat diving center. See more..
5.0 Rabdan diving and Sea Tours (2 reviews)
- Great experience
Friday: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM Scuba & Snorkelling • Boat Tours • Water Sports • Dolphin & Whale Watching • Kayaking & Canoeing

The crew is very friendly, professional and knowledgeable of the dive sites and divers requirements. We felt very comfortable cruising to the dive site on their boat, the boat is simple and comfortable. Thank you Rabdan for a great time :) See more..
4.5 Royal Opera House (2.515 reviews)
- Royal Opera house-Great Architecture-Must visit
Architectural Buildings • Theaters

Royal Opera house has a beautiful architecture, a must visit, outside views are freely accessible, inside view is for a fee, there is a free car covered park available, there is a high end shopping mall and restaurants also attached. Did not visit inside of opera house. Views of the Opera house is stunning in day time as well as night lit view.The garden also is very beautiful. Overall an excellent site for at least a dozen photos. See more..
4.5 Bait Al Zubair (971 reviews)
- Particularly interesting ...
Friday: Speciality Museums

This Museum complex which also includes the Bait Al Bagh is the main Museum of Mascate. Said to have been founded in 1914 by Sheikh Al Zubair Bin Ali as a family home and a gathering place for the elite. The Museum rooms were very well organized providing the newcomers with a thorough understanding of what Omanis are about cultural and traditionally speaking. The written information was in English which made life easier for us. See more..
4.5 The National Museum (420 reviews)
- Beautiful Museum
Friday: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Art Museums • Children's Museums • History Museums

The National Museum - Sultanate of Oman, established in 2013, is the Sultanate's flagship cultural institution, showcasing the nation's heritage from the earliest human settlement in the Oman Peninsula some two million years ago through to the present day. As a national institution with global outreach, the museum is dedicated to ensuring Oman's cultural heritage is understood and appreciated not only within the Sultanate, but also internationally. Further, it aims to provide opportunities for cultural expression, innovation and the transfer of traditional skills and knowledge from one generation to the next. The museum is located in the heart of Muscat in a magnificent purpose-designed building. The total area of the building is 13,700 square metres (147,000 sq ft), including 4,000 square metres (43,000 sq ft) allocated for 14 permanent galleries - The Land and the People Gallery, Maritime History Gallery, Arms and Armour Gallery, Aflaj Gallery, Currency Gallery, Prehistory and Ancient History Galleries, Splendours of Islam Gallery, Oman and the World Gallery, Intangible Heritage Gallery and Renaissance Gallery, among others. A further 400 square metres (4,300 sq ft) are allocated for temporary exhibitions. The National Museum houses 5466 objects and offers 43 digital immersive experiences, a fully equipped Learning Centre, state-of-the-art conservation facilities, a UHD cinema and discovery areas for children. It features an integrated infrastructure for special needs and is the first museum in the Middle East to adopt Arabic Braille script for the visually impaired. It also houses the region's first open-plan museum storage concept, where visitors can learn about the various processes that artefacts go through before they are put on display. See more..
4.5 Wadi Arbeieen (280 reviews)
- Not to be missed
Bodies of Water

We went to see the sink hole close to sea first and then Google led our way to this magnificent place through a dirt road (a four wheel car is necessary). The scenery is incredible, the colors are dramatic, the wadi is something not to be missed if you visit Oman. This trip will be in my memory forever See more..
4.5 Wadi Dayqah Dam (254 reviews)
- Breathtaking view - Quriyat Dam
Dams

The Quriyat dam offers breathtaking views, right from the journey till you reach the top of the viewing point. Covered with misty mighty mountains you will really enjoy the journey towards the dam and then the view from the dam is extremely awesome. There is a park equipped with restrooms and shelters adjacent to the dam.The right time to visit the place is in winter when you can enjoy the weather, going there during the rains may not be a wise thing to do as the drive may be dangerous. Carry enough stuff to eat/drink as there no shops in the vicinity. See more..
4.5 Mohammed Al Ameen Mosque (208 reviews)
- Beautiful Mosque on top of the Hill
Points of Interest & Landmarks

This mosque is visible from a distant as you drive into Muscat from the airport. It is absolutely beautiful with the white marble finish and amzing 3 large dome. And the Chanderliers inside the main prayer room are amzing. the imam who led the Jum'aah prayer was not too bad either. See more..
4.5 Sultan's Armed Forces Museum (202 reviews)
- Highly recommended
Friday: Military Museums

This has to be the best 1 OMR per adult you can spend in Oman. We spent two hours being given a personal guide through the museum and to all the outdoor military machinery and ships (2) located within the grounds. It gave a fascinating insight to the history of the country and how far it has developed particularly since the 1970’s under the leadership of Sultan Qaboos. The staff were extremely polite and helpful and couldn’t do enough to answer questions. A highly recommended couple of hours for very little cost. See more..
4.5 Ghalya's Museum of Modern Art (159 reviews)
- Transfixed and transported in time up close and personal with the richness of Omani life. A MUST VISIT!
Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums • Art Museums • History Museums

Welcome to our unique collection of traditional Omani houses facing the historic port of Muttrah. Experience Oman’s life and culture of 1950 -1970’s. See more..
4.5 Al Sifah Beach (150 reviews)
- Best beach in easy reach of Muscat
Spent More than 3 hours Beaches

I've been in Oman 3 years and this is still my favourite beach. The sand is paler and the sea clearer and more turquoise than Muscat beaches or any along the Batinah plain. The waves are bigger than at Yitti and it doesn't take hours to get to from Muscat like some of the wilder beaches to the south. The rocks (at the north end) aren't bad for snorkelling and provide good shelter for bbq's. It can get crazy busy during Eid but is glorious when deserted, such as on weekdays. See more..
4.5 Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve (136 reviews)
- Wonderful place!
Nature & Wildlife Areas

Wonderful! This place is a small treasure in Oman. We spotted many sea turtles and a rich and incredible quantity of fish. The team was very professional and friendly. We had a great time and we would love to come back soon. If you love snorkeling or diving this is the place! See more..
4.5 Oman Oil and Gas Exhibition Centre (90 reviews)
- Good exhibition/museum, well worth the visit
Friday: Speciality Museums

We went here on a sunday morning and had made a reservation because we could do so at the website. But probably you can enter without reservation also. The exhibition is free. Locals (like our taxidriver) do not know this place. So we had to guide him with maps. Google maps shows the right place near gate 2. We were alone in the exhibition. The whole history and process of oil and gas is very well explained. They use movies and other methods to explain how they work. Really informative and interesting. The left part of the museum is about the gas and oil, the right part is about forms of sustainable energy. Also very well explained. For something completely different. See more..
4.5 Extra Divers Sifah (78 reviews)
- Good experience
Scuba & Snorkelling

Well organised and friendly. We spent 4 days doing our certification with they. Robert and Luna very friendly and patient and Khalifa very good capitan and attentive. We stayed in a flat 5 minutes from the resort and everything was very easy. See more..
4.5 Pebble Beach (45 reviews)
- Tiwi Beach
Spent < 1 hour Beaches

شاطئ_الحصى_الأبيض/ شاطئ_طيوي /شاطئ_بيبل: شاطئ ساحر ،لامع، مملوء بالحصى ،ويقع بين المنحدرات ، والبحر بلون الزبرجد.. يقع على طريق قريات صور الساحلي ... Pebble beach Oman is an exquisite beach sprinkled with white smooth silky pebbles. Tucked between cliffs and a long shoreline of pebbles, this spellbinding beach glistens with its aquamarine water. ... See more..
4.5 The National Museum (44 reviews)
- A Look into the Rich History of Oman
Friday: Spent 1-2 hours History Museums

Although the National Museum was secluded from the busier part of Mutrah, it is definitely worth the trip. It is right across the street from the Al Alam Palace. We were dropped off at the Palace walked across to the museum and after the museum walked to the Mutrah Souq, a long walk but worth the view. The museum provided us with more information and a different look into Oman's history, one I did not know existed. If you're visiting Oman, you must learn about the country's history from this museum. Make sure you bring your student ID as you can get a discount! See more..
4.5 Hajjar Mountains (24 reviews)
- Breathtakingly Stunning Views
Mountains

If your from Europe like us, you will be used to mountains covered in trees or snow so this was really quite a different experience - you feel like you are on another planet! The views are absolutely stunning. We stayed in a hotel near the top and the sunrise was incredible - something I will remember for the rest of my life! See more..
4.5 PDO Planetarium (21 reviews)
- More knowledge
Friday: Speciality Museums

PDO Planetarium is a wonderful discovery. Kids and adults will have a good time here. The curator of Planetarium is a passionate man that will lead you in imaginary trips between the stars. Are also available start gazing trips in Al Amerat area. See more..
4.5 Majlis al Jinn Cave (14 reviews)
- Permission Required!
Caverns & Caves

I’m not really sure why the Majilis Al Jinn is on here as an attraction, as going into the cave is not something visitors can experience without prior permission from the authorities. The site is also completely inaccessible unless you have a very good 4x4 available to make the steep off-road journey up to the Selma Plateau where you can, at best, catch a glimpse of some inky blackness from the edge of one of the cave’s entrances. That said, if you are a serious caver, the Majilis Al Jinn is something you’d very much want to try and see if you’re visiting Oman, as it represents one of the largest cave chambers in the world and is accessible only by performing a 180m free rappel from the roof. As I write this there has been talk of making the cave into a fully-blown tourist attraction, but thankfully this looks to be quite a while off yet. Incidentally, 'Majilis Al Jinn' translates roughly as the 'Hall of Spirits'. See more..
4.5 Royal Marine Tours (4 reviews)
- Miss k boat
Private Tours • Day Trips

Captain fesal what ever I said No word can describe how we enjoyed in your boat all my family was very happy Thank you too the moon and back every things were an amazing May Allah bless you and good luck all the best See more..
4.5 Oman Voyage (2 reviews)
- 10 jours en OMAN
Multi-day Tours • Cultural Tours • 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Private Tours

Bonjour Nick et Ahmed, un grand merci pour la découverte d'Oman.
Toujours de bonne humeur. Et pour les 4 septuagénaires, ils nous ont fait découvrir ce merveilleux pays.
Wadi et la nage en eau profonde, Visite de canyons vertigineux, conduite 4X4 par un chauffeur expérimenté.
Pour des grands voyageurs ils ont su nous surprendre.
Chapeau !
À recommander See more..
4.0 Mutrah Souq (1.948 reviews)
- Muttrah Souq is one of the oldest souq in Oman, and great for shopping if looking for souvenirs, spices etc
Flea & Street Markets

Muttrah Souq is located in Muscat governer, it's a type of traditional souq with magnificent interior omani design. Once you are in the souq the smell of luban and frankincense will take your breath away. The souq famous by traditional omani silver, so which you can have a souvenirs as memories of your trip and gifts to beloved one's. Befor the way out of souq you can stop for the a while and enjoy having Omani halaw (sweet) with arabic coffee mixed with cardmon, thats taste you will never forget. See more..