Muscat is an adventure in itself. Fronting the Arabian Sea and set against a backdrop of the Al Hajar Mountains, it’s home to friendly locals, world-class hotels, royal and Islamic wonders, labyrinthine souks and a slew of attractions both ancient and modern.
Traditional yet progressive, calm yet vibrant, Oman’s capital has many facets to explore.
Omani people are renowned for their generous hospitality and a personalised tour with a local guide is a great way to get under the skin of the city.
Muttrah was the city’s original commercial centre and is home to the beguiling Muttrah Souq, a maze of streets lined with traders and craftspeople.
Wadi Shab is an easy drive from Muscat, where a 1.5-mile hike leads to limpid, emerald pools where you can take a dip and duck into a hidden waterfall.
Consider a day trip to Bandar Al Khairan, a stunning natural harbour renowned for its rugged sandstone cliffs, mangrove-fringed lagoons and crystal-clear turquoise waters.
Muscat was a merchant port as early as 5000 BC and retains a lingering medieval charm. The skyline is dominated by the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, a dazzling affair home to one of the world’s largest chandeliers. The nearby Sultan’s Palace forms the heart of Old Muscat and is guarded on both sides by a pair of 16th-century forts. While the historic Muttrah Souq is a tangle of backstreets offering gold, silver, fragrances and textiles.
Muscat may be free of soaring skyscrapers but it’s by no means stuck in the past. Its modern marvels are as impressive as its old, including the spectacular Royal Opera House, the Stal Gallery of modern art and high-end hotels offering every modern comfort imaginable.
Outside of the city you can dive and snorkel off the pristine Daymaniyat Islands, swim in the blue-green waters of the Bimmah Sinkhole along the coast road to Sur, shower under waterfalls at Wadi Al Arbeieen, enjoy a range of watersports by the white sands of Qurum or test your head for heights at Majlis Al Jinn, one of the largest underground caves in the world.
Jumeirah’s first resort in Oman is a serene retreat in a private cove between the Al Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Sea. It feels blissfully remote yet is just 30 minutes from the centre of Muscat.
Framed by rugged mountains and the Gulf of Oman, Al Waha at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah is a family-friendly coastal retreat offering spacious sea-facing rooms, a winding lazy river, world-class dining and easy access to Muscat’s cultural sights and golden beaches.
Set between dramatic mountains and the sparkling Gulf, Al Bandar at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah blends Omani elegance with 5-star flair, offering refined rooms, a private beach, the indulgent Chi, The Spa, diverse dining and a perfect base for exploring Muscat’s rich heritage and coastline.
Perched high above the shimmering waters of the Gulf of Oman, Shangri-La Al Husn is an adults-only clifftop sanctuary offering breathtaking views, a private beach, spacious sea-facing rooms and a huge infinity pool.
Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Al Hajar mountains with an outlook over the glittering Gulf of Oman, the Al Bustan Palace paints a spectacular picture.
The Chedi Muscat may be just 10 minutes from the airport but step through its gates and you enter a world of resplendent elegance: a 21-acre garden oasis between the Al Hajar Mountains and the Gulf of Oman.