Oman: two days exploring Muscat

Prior to departure

I have always been somewhat frugal, so when I saw flights that were cheap, I knew I had to book them. Wizz, sadly, no longer has a hub in Abu Dhabi, but flights to Oman can still be found at very reasonable prices.

Having only two days, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to see everything I wanted to, even limiting myself just to the Muscat area.

Honestly, there is so much to see in Oman, and two days is not nearly enough!

I travelled to Oman in October and it was still very humid. While the temperature had reduced to the mid 30’s, the humidity made it sticky and hard work to walk around in.

I booked a hire car for the trip because I had read that taxis can be slightly more on the pricier side, plus I knew that my transport costs were fixed. In Oman, driving is on the right-hand side of the road.

Muscat View

I picked up the hire car from the airport and headed east. The roads weren’t too busy coming out of the airport, so I was able to ease nicely into driving in a new country.

The first place I visit is Muscat Viewpoint. It is a vantage point looking over the city and a switchback road that climbs into the mountains. I picked this as the first location as it is on the way into the city, as the airport is a little way out of the centre.

I drive up the switchbacks, which are so easy to traverse, and find the track to the viewpoint. It wasn’t signposted when I visited.

The view from the top is incredible and I am so excited to start exploring this city.

I go back to the car and realise that I need to travel over the mountain to get back to Muscat. No problems. Except, the road back up the mountain was closed for roadworks at the time! (It is open again now, though.) Luckily, there is another route I can take!

The National Museum

I finally make it back over the mountain and I head straight to the National Museum. The museum is rich in cultural information dating back to when Oman was first inhabited, and right through to present-day Oman.

Right from the entrance, this museum is thoughtfully curated. The museum was officially opened to the public in 2016, so accessibility is great in the building.

My favourite display is the recreated beehive burial tombs. In locations, such as al-Ayn, these are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and they date as far back as 3000 BCE.

Mutrah Corniche and Lunch

I check out Mutrah Corniche and the area where the mountains reach the sea. There isn’t much to see or do, so I decide it’s time to find somewhere to have lunch.

Mutrah Fort

It’s a short walk from the corniche to the entrance to Mutrah Fort, so I make my way there to explore it more closely. By now, the afternoon is becoming quite humid and I groan a little when I see the giant set of stairs I need to climb to reach the fort.

As I am walking up the stairs, prayers start to sound across the city. It is such a beautiful experience to hear the words echoing across the corniche and mountainside.

The fort is very well preserved. It was built in the 1500’s CE in a strategic location to avoid being attacked by either the sea or the mountains. There are turrets across the mountains that you can see from top of the fort.

There isn’t much to do here, as there are no exhibitions. There is a place to grab a drink and sit and relax and take in the view though, so I recommend sitting and taking in the sights while up here.

Mutrah Souq

The Mutrah Souq is high on my list of places to visit because I do love a good souvenir. When I first passed by here earlier, everything was still closed, so I have been patiently waiting for all the stores to open again.

The atmosphere in the souq is lively and fun. If you are early, the store holders will try to entice you in because they are keen to make their first sales. Store owners can be a little pushy, but I didn’t let that stop me enjoying looking around.

I picked up a magnet, some Christmas decorations made from wood with a carved Santa sitting on top of a camel, and a glass evil eye. I wish I had also bought an incense burner. Maybe next time…

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is about a 25 km drive from Mutrah, but I really wanted to visit it, so I didn’t mind the drive.

Unfortunately, the mosque looks to be closed all weekend to visitors. But that’s ok, because it is beautiful enough to view it from the outside. I arrived on sunset, which made the mosque look even more beautiful.

Hamriyah Petroglyphs Hike

UPDATE: Google Maps is saying that this hike is now permanently closed!

First thing this morning, I go to the Hamriyah Petroglyphs hike where I am hoping to see some amazing rock carvings. It isn’t a very long drive from the hotel I am staying at, which is good, maybe a 15 minute drive. There are almost no other cars on the road and the area feels quite isolated.

I arrive at the trailhead and start the hike. The path is a dry river bed which is quite rocky and very dry with no shade. It requires a bit of concentration not to slip.

The only instructions I can find is a reference to a ‘short hike’ and some arrows painted on some rocks. I walk for a little bit before I decide that my search for the petroglyphs is fruitless. And also because I didn’t take water and I am getting thirsty, I think it’s time to head back.

On the drive back, I stop at the Yiti Viewpoint which overlooks the village of Hamriyah. It’s such a pretty viewpoint, looking down the valley.

I make it to the supermarket to get myself some drinks. Don’t forget to take water or other drinks with you if you choose to go on a hike!

Sultan’s Armed Forces Museum

After rehydrating after the hike, I make my way to the Sultan’s Armed Forces Museum. I park the car and admire the grounds where there are tanks and cars and other armed forces vehicles.

I go inside and purchase my ticket, but unfortunately, I am here a bit late, so I don’t have a lot of time to visit the museum.

I am escorted around the museum by a security person, who I assume is a member of the forces. The guard doesn’t explain anything, but does keep an eye on me.

The displays are very informative and I learn a lot here, especially about the Portuguese occupation of the country. After I have finished inside, I head outside where there are more displays set up.

It’s unfortunate that I need to rush through this museum because I am really enjoying it and I am learning so much about Oman.

Bait Al Zubair Museum

I do love a good museum, so of course I was going to check out the Bait Al Zubair Museum! This is a private museum that was opened in 1998.

I actually liked this one better than the main national museum because it is more of a cultural museum, as opposed to just artefacts. There are amazing displays and information about the Omani culture and society. I spent about 2 hours in the museum.

There is so much to learn about all things Oman, like traditional dress, and the traditional daggars, the khanjar. I leanred about how to forts were constructed and of course, about true frankensence.

Outside is like a little oasis with a refreshing stream running through the grounds. I loved the diorama outside with the forts and traditional irrigation systems. Honestly, I really enjoyed my time here.