24 Hours in Muscat: A PERFECT One-Day Itinerary for First Timers

Spending 24 hours in Muscat and looking for the perfect itinerary? You’ve come to the right place! 

Muscat in Oman is a very charming capital city and quite unlike all the other major cities in the Gulf Region. Muscat isn’t flashy or fast-paced, but a Middle Eastern city that has very much held on to its traditional roots. 

The best bit? You won’t find a single skyscraper here; in fact, you can truly get a glimpse of Oman’s natural beauty directly in Muscat, as no buildings are blocking the stunning mountain range that surrounds the city. 

Muscat is a fairly spread-out city, but rest assured, there are a lot of incredible things you can see in just one day. In this itinerary, you’ll wander through ancient forts, explore vibrant souqs, admire grand mosques, enjoy traditional Omani cuisine, and maybe even catch a sunset by the sea (all in a day’s work).

I’ll be very honest with you when I say Muscat isn’t my favourite city in the world, so I think 24 hours in Muscat is definitely enough time to get a good feel for the place, and it’s certainly all I needed. To be completely frank, your time is much better spent exploring the rest of Oman. 

In this post, I’ll discuss all of the best things to do in Muscat, how to get around the city and where to eat in Muscat in one day. 

So, what is there to do during one day in Muscat? Read on below to find out! 

⬇️Muscat At A Glance⬇️

⛵WHAT TO DO⛵
– Visit the Sultan Qaboos Mosque 
– Explore the Muttrah Fort & Souq 
– Enjoy a Sunset boat cruise in Muscat
– Enjoy a Muscat City Tour 

🛌🏻WHERE TO STAY🛌🏻
– Fraser Suites Muscat 
– Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah 
– Remas Hotel Suites

🍕 WHERE TO EAT 🍕
-Dukanah Cafe
-Aram Cafe
-Rozna Restaurant
-Ramssa Omani Restaurant

✅Travel Essentials For Muscat✅
– Book flights with Skyscanner 
– Download the “Otaxi” App
– Stay connected with an eSIM from Airalo
– Get covered by SafetyWing – My favourite Travel Insurance provider

_{Prices and opening times mentioned below were accurate as of my visit, but may vary. Always double-check closer to your travel date.}

About This One-Day Muscat Itinerary 

This one-day itinerary for Muscat follows the exact route I took during my own time in the city, which was part of a longer 1-week trip to Oman. I tried to create a strategic loop around Muscat, so you’re not constantly doubling back and can make the most of your time in the City. 

Your 24 hours in Muscat will look like this: 

• Stop 1 – Sultan Qaboos Mosque
• Stop 2 – Breakfast at Dukanah Cafe 
• Stop 3 – Royal Opera House Muscat 
• Stop 4 – The Corniche 
• Stop 5 – The Muttrah Souq 
• Stop 6 – Lunch at Aroos Al Bahar or Bait Al Luban
• Stop 7 – The Muttrah Fort 
• Stop 8 – Old Muscat 
• Stop 9 – Sunset at Qurum Beach or Sunset Boat Cruise 
• Stop 10 – Dinner at Rozna or Ramssa Omani Restaurant

Arriving in Muscat

Flight

Oman is really well-connected, with loads of direct flights into the country. You can fly straight in from places like London, Istanbul, Qatar, India, Malaysia, the UAE, and plenty more. I booked my flight to Oman through Skyscanner and flew directly from London Heathrow to Muscat with Oman Air.

Bus 

You can also travel to Muscat by bus from other cities in the Gulf, including Abu Dhabi in the UAE. There’s one bus from Abu Dhabi to Muscat, which takes around 10 hours and costs about $30 (click here for more info).

How To Get Around Muscat

Muscat is one of the most unwalkable cities I’ve ever been to. Things might look close on the map, but most major attractions are at least 20 minutes apart by car. Walking around isn’t really an option unless you’re up for spending hours trekking along the side of a highway (which I definitely wasn’t).

Car Rental

Renting a car is one of the best ways to get around Muscat. The roads are in great condition, signage is clear, and having your own set of wheels gives you the freedom to explore the city and the surrounding areas at your own pace. Plus, parking is usually pretty easy to find. If you’re interested in renting a car, I recommend using Discover Cars to find the best prices. 

Taxi

If renting a car isn’t your thing, the next best option is to download the Otaxi App, which is basically Oman’s version of Uber. There are also regular taxis you can flag down, but they’ll almost always charge more than the Otaxi App, since a lot of drivers will try their luck.

One thing I learned on day one is that a lot of taxi drivers you hail down will ask something like “how much do you want to pay?” instead of giving you a fixed price, which usually means you end up paying more than you should. Before I discovered Otaxi, I was paying 5 Omani Rial for a short 10–15-minute ride.

Here’s what a typical taxi fare should look like in Muscat:

• 10–15 minute journey: 1–2 OMR
• 15–30 minute journey: 2–4 OMR
• 30–45 minute journey: 5–7 OMR
• 45–60 minute journey: 8+ OMR

Where To Stay In Muscat

Muscat is pretty spread out, so no matter how central you think your accommodation is, you’ll still be a drive away from most other attractions. Here are two main areas I’d recommend staying in:

Azaiba

Azaiba is a super convenient area right between the airport and downtown Muscat. Whether you’re landing, exploring, or heading to the beach, it’s a great all-around base. (This is where I stayed during my trip, and I found it really handy.)

Top picks in Azaiba:

• Fraser Suites Muscat 
• Movenpick Hotel
• Citadines Al Ghubrah 
• The Chedi Muscat

Seeb/Al Mouj

If you want to stay closer to Muscat International Airport and the city’s main port, Seeb/Al Mouj is a solid choice. It’s especially handy if you’ve got early flights or want easy access in and out of town.

Top picks in Seeb:

• Season Inn Hotel 
• Remas Hotel Suites
• Boulevard Hotel Oman
• Mysk Al Mouj Hotel 

Muttrah

Want to be close to the top tourist spots? Then Muttrah will be the best place for you as you’ll be just a stone’s throw from the iconic Muttrah Fort and Souq.

Top picks in Muttrah:

• Riyam Hotel
• Al Falaj Hotel
• Fort Guesthouse
• Naseem Hotel

Luxury Hotels In Muscat

If you’re after a more luxurious stay, most of Muscat’s high-end hotels are located in the Al Jissah area. This is a little more remote—about a 40-minute drive from the airport—but it’s seriously beautiful and perfect if you’re looking for a bit of seclusion and beachfront luxury.

Top luxury hotels:

• Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah 
• Jumeirah Muscat
• Al Bustan Palace Ritz-Carlton 

If there is one place you cannot miss during your trip to Muscat, it’s the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, and you’ll start your day in Muscat right here.

This mosque is one of the most impressive places to visit in Muscat and not just because of its size (it can hold up to 20,000 people), but because of how beautifully it’s been designed. The details are incredible, everything from one of the largest chandeliers in the world to polished marble floors and hand-woven carpet throughout. 

If you’re wondering why I’ve slotted the mosque visit in before the all-important first meal of the day, it’s because the mosque is only open to non-Muslims from 8 am to 11 am (Monday-Thursday). 

The grounds are massive, and you’ll need at least 90 minutes to properly explore (and take it all in). I’d hate for you to miss out because of a leisurely breakfast! Besides, breakfast is stop 2 on this itinerary, so you won’t be going hungry for too long.

Just a note for women visiting: make sure your head, arms, and legs are fully covered, otherwise you might not be allowed in. They do offer abayas to borrow if you don’t have the right clothing. 

Even if religious buildings aren’t usually your thing, this one’s worth a visit. It’s peaceful, beautifully built, and gives you a great sense of Omani culture and craftsmanship. 

Stop 2 – Breakfast at Dukanah Cafe 

Dukanah Cafe is somewhat of a “viral” breakfast spot in Muscat (and one that I found whilst browsing TikTok), but in this case, it very much deserves the hype as it was some of the best food I had whilst I was in Oman. 

Dukanah Cafe is one of the best places in Muscat to try traditional Omani food in an authentic setting (think stone walls, wooden furniture, and shelves lined with ceramics and woven baskets). 

The food is what really makes it, though. The menu is packed with traditional Omani dishes, especially breakfast options, things like balaleet (a sweet saffron vermicelli dish), Omani-style shakshuka, and these delicious little pancakes called qurous that come with date syrup. Everything’s made to share and super filling, so make sure that you come hungry. 

And when it comes to drinks, you have to try the lemon and mint juices (I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s one of the best juices I’ve ever had). In fact, I loved Dukanah so much I even dedicated a mini-vlog to it, which you can check out here.

It’s open every day from 7 AM to 11 PM, so if you really love the food here, you can come back for lunch and dinner too! 

Stop 3 – Royal Opera House Muscat 

Even if opera or classical music isn’t usually your thing, the Royal Opera House in Muscat is still well worth a visit. It’s easily one of the city’s most beautiful buildings. Here they put on a wide range of performances, from ballet and orchestras to regional music nights and international acts. 

As you’ll be visiting during the earlier hours of the day, there won’t be a show on, but it is still a great place to explore during the day. You can wander around the gardens, browse the small shops nearby, or if you are in need of a caffeine hit, I highly recommend stopping by the beautiful ARAM Cafe located on the grounds (I loved it in here and ended up staying for 2 coffees). 

This area is also a great photography spot, and I may or may not have spent a while here trying to get some selfies with my tripod. 

If you are interested in watching a show, be sure to check out their schedule, as you can always return here in the evening (there will be plenty of time on this itinerary to do so). 

Stop 4 – The Corniche 

After your visit to the Royal Opera House, you’ll want to head down to the Corniche in Muttrah, which (in my humble opinion) is one of the most scenic parts of the city. It runs alongside the harbour, with the sea on one side and a backdrop of the mountains and older buildings on the other. 

Here you’ll be able to admire traditional wooden dhow boats docked along the water, which is probably what makes the Corniche so magical. 

It’s not just the views here that I loved, but also the fact that it’s just a stone’s throw from the Muttrah Fort and Souq  (some of my favourite spots in the city, and the next stops on this itinerary). 

You don’t need to spend too long here, just long enough to soak up the landscape (and you’ll also get an even better view of the Corniche from the top of the Muttrah Fort). 

Stop 5 – The Muttrah Souq 

Just across from the Corniche, you’ll find the Muttrah Souq, one of the most popular spots in the city. This place can feel a little chaotic at first if it’s busy, but that’s definitely all part of the fun. 

Here you will find lots of traditional market stalls selling frankincense, spices, traditional Omani silver, lanterns, and so much more. 

It’s a place where you can pick up a souvenir (or five), and even if you don’t plan on shopping, it’s honestly so worth just wandering through and exploring the small alleyways. 

I do have to warn you, though, you will probably be called over by every store owner that sees you to “come and take a look,” which can get a bit overwhelming at times, but you just have to politely decline (most likely more than once) and they will eventually stop. I lost count of the number of times I got asked if I wanted to buy a dress.

I found that the deeper into the souq you go, the quieter it gets, and that’s where you can actually hear yourself think and consider whether you want to buy something without feeling rushed. Prices are often negotiable, so don’t be shy about haggling (it’s expected here). 

Stop 8 – Old Muscat 

Just a short drive from Muttrah is Old Muscat, which is one of the most historic parts of the city and a lot quieter than Muttrah. This area is home to some of Muscat’s most important landmarks, including Al Alam Palace and the National Museum of Oman. 

Even if you just do a quick walk around the area, Old Muscat is a peaceful, photogenic stop and a nice way to wind down before the end of the day.

TIP: If you find yourself running slightly behind on this itinerary and are in danger of missing the sunset, I would skip Old Muscat and head straight to watch the sunset. 

Stop 9 – Sunset at Qurum Beach or Sunset Boat Cruise 

To wrap up your one-day adventure in Muscat, you’ve got two options depending on how tired and/or adventurous you’re feeling. 

If you’re after a slower end to the day, then I recommend heading to Qurum Beach (which was one of my favourite places in the whole city) to watch the sunset. It’s a beautiful beach that’s super popular with locals in the evening, and there are even lots of small beach football matches taking place. You can grab a coffee or fresh juice from one of the nearby cafés, stroll the promenade, or just sit on the sand and watch the sunset (it’s totally up to you). 

If you’re after something a little more memorable, then I recommend booking this sunset dhow cruise, where you’ll get to sail on a traditional Omani Dhow boat and watch the sunset on the Gulf of Oman and maybe even see some dolphins! 

I actually ran out of time for the sunset cruise so opted to watch the sunset on Qurum Beach instead, but I was a little gutted that I missed it because I am a sucker for a boat cruise. 

Stop 10 – Dinner at Rozna or Ramssa Omani Restaurant

After a full day of exploring, it’s time to finish off the day with a delicious dinner. Again, I have provided you with two options as I was able to visit both places during my week in Oman. 

Rozna is a beautifully designed restaurant that has been built to look like an Old Omani fort, and you definitely get that “wow factor” when you walk in. The food here is good and covers all the Omani Classics, but it’s worth knowing that it does feel like a place that was built for tourists, and I’m someone who much prefers more local, traditional spots. 

If you’d rather keep things simple (which I recommend), then Ramssa Omani Restaurant is a really good option. Here you’ll find straightforward, traditional and well-priced food that is a hit with the locals (which is always a good sign in my opinion). Whilst the food is good, you can expect a bit of a wait for it (it seems like no one is in a rush here). 

Looking for something a little different?

Hiking In Muscat 

If you’re more of a nature person than you are a city dweller, you’ll be pleased to know that you don’t even have to leave the city to get your nature fix, as Muscat is home to a couple of very scenic hikes. The C38 hike from Muttrah to Riyam Park is one of the most popular and only takes around 90 minutes one way. If you’re keen to hike in Muscat, then I recommend checking out this website. 

Luxury Hotel Day 

Depending on how your Oman itinerary is planned, you might find yourself with a free day in Muscat before flying home. If you’re not in the mood for more sightseeing, I’d highly recommend getting a day pass for the Shangri-La resort  (especially if you’re not already staying there). For 30 OMR, you’ll be able to get private beach access, multiple pools, and it’s also one of the only places where they can serve alcohol in Oman. Check out my TikTok video to see the full experience of a resort day here. 

Final Thoughts on 24 Hours in Muscat 

I know 24 hours in Muscat might not feel like a lot of time, but I genuinely do think it’s enough to get a good feel of the city. I truly believe this itinerary allows you to experience the best of Muscat, from the local markets to the stunning sunsets and everything else in between. 

What I loved most about Muscat is how laid-back it felt in comparison to other capital cities I have been to. Whether you’re squeezing this into a stopover or wrapping up a longer Oman trip, I hope this guide helps you make the most of your time during your one day in Muscat.

If you do have any questions about anything I have mentioned in this post, please do not hesitate to reach out!