Prelude

I am writing this blog about an ‘One Day Travel Itinerary to Muscat, Oman’ because throughout my life I felt this kind of one day travel guide is very important. During our journey across the world we often needed to take long/ short stop overs for various reasons. Beside, often we choose to take stop overs, essentially for two reasons; one is to travel cheap and the other one is explore something new en route. As you already know by now that today we are going to know about Muscat for one day tour. Let us consider that we have a full day from the morning till the night.

Every time I think of our trip to Oman I think of my friend Sufyaan. An Amazing guy. He really resembles Oman. Calm, quite, helpful and a generous man with outstanding human qualities. We always thank him from the core of our heart for his extraordinary support in Oman. Without his support our trip would not have been such nice and smooth.

Getting There/ Transportation

In muscat both public bus and taxi services are available. However, they are not always readily available. Sometimes, you have to wait for your taxi which will cost you time and for one day tour you cannot afford to waste any time. Moreover, if you rent a taxi for whole day it will cost you too much. On the other hand public buses are very minimal and may not serve your purpose. So, best thing to do to tour around Muscat is to rent a car from the airport from airportrentals or rentalcars. Few essential tips are given here:

• You have to have an international driving license for renting car in Oman. However, you may also drive car in Oman with your country’s driving license subject to renting companies accept that. As per direction of Royal Oman Police you are good to go with your own country’s driving license.

• Do not forget to carry your license with you. Because renting company will keep a copy of your license.
• If you have GCC driving license, you will not an international license.
• You will need a credit card to rent your car because beside charging the rent they will block some amount from your credit card to cover up any traffic violations. This blocked amount will be returned after 21 days if there is not violation by you.
• Always book your car ahead. I mean before travelling to Oman. Otherwise you may end up finding that no cars available with the agencies.
• I would prefer and recommend you to rent from any of the international agencies. You may get from any local agencies with cheaper price, but they are not always as professional and supportive as the international agencies are. I am saying this because I have experienced both the sides.

Places to Visit

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

This is one of the major tourist attractions in Oman. The magnificent architecture blended with Muslim heritage and modern art will mesmerise you. However, be very particular about the time. Non-Muslims can visit the Grand Mosque from 8 AM to 11 AM (Saturday to Thursday), while the library is open from 9 AM to 2 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM Saturday to Wednesday (On Thursday the library is open for the morning session only). Be respectful towards Muslim culture about your dress. Well, do not forget to come back at night to watch the spectacular view of the mosque at night with all the lighting and decoration. You may spend one hour to one and half hour here.

Royal Opera House

Royal Opera House, Muscat is the probable next destination you should go. We recommend you to go to this location after the mosque as it will be on the way to Mutrah (Check the map at the end). This is also an spectacular facility that anyone who is going to Oman should explore. There are two sides of the Opera House. One is the Box Office (main hall room) and the other part is the exhibition gallery. Gallery is situated on the other side of the road and you have to go there through the mall. You will need tickets for both the gallery and the box office.

The night view of the Opera House is also fascinating. If you want some quick bites, there are good restaurants available. Well, they are quite expensive. To cover both the places you will need approximately one and half hour. In the box office, you will get guide who will describe the facts about the Opera House.

Mutrah Souq

Mutrah souq can be your next destination if you are interested in walking through the shops with full of traditional arabian products. If you want get some staffs the first shop ‘Silver World’ is a good option for you. However, if you are not good at bargaining then you are going to lose. So, bargain. Do not be ashamed of it. Well, if you have been to already Grand Bazar of Istanbul, you know how these places run. Unlike, Grand Bazar rarely anyone will come to you and bug you to buy their staffs. You will have a decent walk along the alleys of the souq.

Mutrah Corniche

By the time you finish your tour around the Souq, I resume it will be afternoon. Depending on your time and preference you may walk along the Corniche or you may also decide to take the walk during late afternoon. Because you may not like to walk under the direct sun in hot and humid weather. However, what time you are traveling to Muscat is important in this regard. Well, you must take a walk in the evening along this Corniche.

Al Alam Palace and Forts

Al Alam palace is the ceremonial palace of Sultan Qaboos. It’s a huge property with two forts at two flanks. Neither the palace nor the forts are accessible for the tourist. However, you can have a walk around the premises of the Palace. After walking around the Palace drive/ walk to the seaside of the Palace to see the reverse view of the Palace. You will love the view I guarantee. Then drive all the way till the end of the road (see the map here). There is a parking. You may park your car and enjoy the beauty of the place.

We recommend you to come back at night at the palace and the rear side of the palace to see the night view and take photos. There are guards all around. They will not stop you for anything. But make sure you are not breaking any rules or making any chaos.

Kalbuh Park

We listed this place within one day travel itinerary because you will see a spectacular sunset from this place. Please be informed that you have option of driving to Corniche opposite to Riyam park also to watch sunset. But our recommendation is this place. You arrive here in the late afternoon but sufficiently before the sunset and enjoy your time. You can walk around and get some snacks from the food kiosk.

• 

• 

Night Photography

After the nightfall, you can again go back to the Al Alam Palace both the palace complex and the rear side to do some night photography of the palace, forts and seaside view of the whole area.

From the palace complex you may drive to Mutrah, Souq area to walk around do some night photography. Please do not miss walking all the way end of the jetty opposite to the Mutrah Fish Market (check the map at the end).

From Mutrah you may drive to the Opera House and do night photography of Opera House at Night. The view is amazing. Try to walk to all the corners and sides to have photos from different angle. It is difficult to get a photos with no unwanted people inside the frame. But well, if you wait you will surely manage to get one.

• 

• 

From the Opera House you may drive to the Grand Mosque. However, calculate your time meticulously. Depending on your place of staying the night you may alter the place and go to the Mosque before the Opera House. Well, I am not sure whether you will be able to get inside the mosque complex or not if you are non-muslim. There are securities all around. But I hope you will be able to walk around and get through the main entrance.

Food

There are plenty of options for food. For any quick bites you will find fast-food chain restaurants in all the gas/patrol station. During your visit at the Opera House you may dine in Oman Sultan Chef. They provide good turkish food. In Mutrah there are plenty of options of Arabian, Chinese, Indian, Bangladeshi, etc food. We would like to make a special mention about ‘Royal House‘. We took our lunch/ dinner number of times here and they are amazing. They have good sitting arrangements outside the building. If the weather is good you may sit outside. The interior is also fascinating.

Dress

In Oman it is better to be little concerned about your dress. The people are very friendly but they are sensitive. So depending on your destination please be respectful to the tradition and culture of the locals.

Best Time to Travel

Oman is a country in the middle east with a vast coastal line. However, weather can turn very rough with extreme heat and humidity in the summer. If you have option of traveling to this country during the winter, better take that option. Well, whenever you travel, take usually traveling precautions e.g. carry water and drink a lot of it, wear dresses considering the weather, do not expose yourself to too much sun, do not sweat too much, etc.

Itinerary Map

Hope this write up helps you in planning your trip to Oman or anywhere in the world with a long stop over in Oman. If it helps you please share and let others to be helped. Thanks for being here.