Muscat Sightseeing: Mosque, Forts and Souq

October 20, 2026

Travel advisory: Oman is drawn into the 2026 conflict between the United States and Iran. At the time of writing, the UK Foreign Office does not advise against travel to Oman, but it reports strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran in locations across the region, Oman included, since 8 July, and warns that terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out. The US State Department rates Oman Level 3, “Reconsider Travel”, with the Yemen border area at Do Not Travel. Muscat, its airport and its main sights are open, and no strikes on the capital have been reported, but flights and airspace can change at short notice. Stay away from security or military sites, and note that photographing some government buildings and military sites is illegal. The UK FCDO advice and the US State Department advisory are the pages to read before you book and again before you fly.

Muscat is a long coastal city and its sights fall into three zones: Old Muscat and Muttrah in the east, central Muscat around Bawshar and Qurum, and the western suburbs. Only Muttrah’s Corniche and Old Muscat are comfortable on foot. The Grand Mosque is about 20 km or more by road from both, so travel between zones by taxi and never plan a walk between them. Fees are in Omani rials (OMR, about US$2.60 each).

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

The mosque stands in Bawshar, in central Muscat. It was inaugurated in 2001, with a dome 50 m above the floor, five minarets and room for about 20,000 worshippers. The prayer hall carpet is a single hand-woven Persian piece of about 4,200 square metres. It is a working place of worship, so keep your voice low and follow the staff. Non-Muslim visitors are admitted every day except Friday, from about 8:30 to 11:00 am, and the Ministry of Tourism gives 8:00 to 11:00 am Saturday to Thursday, so arrive early. There are no afternoon or evening visiting hours. The Ministry lists an admission fee of OMR 8, introduced in January 2025, so check the price before you go. Cover shoulders, arms and knees, and women cover their hair, with abayas and headscarves available at the entrance. The mosque website has the details.

Muttrah Fort and the waterfront

Muttrah Fort is open daily from 8 am to 11 pm. Non-resident adults pay OMR 3 and non-resident children OMR 2. The Portuguese built it in the 1580s and the Al Ya’rubi rulers rebuilt it between 1624 and 1742. It has three circular towers, and the views over the harbour are the reason to climb. The Ministry of Tourism page has current details.

Below it, the Corniche runs along the harbour. The Muttrah Fish Market is a modern waterfront building designed by Snohetta, with a canopy shaped from Arabic calligraphy, and early morning is the time to go. The souq nearby has morning and evening sessions with a midday break, and many shops close on Friday morning.

Old Muscat

Old Muscat is compact and flat. Al Alam Palace is the Sultan’s ceremonial palace, and visitors see the gates and forecourt only, with no interior tours, tickets or shows. The National Museum stands opposite, and Bait Al Zubair is on Al Saidiya Street. Two Portuguese forts overlook the bay. Al Mirani Fort is open daily from 8 am to midnight, with tickets at the on-site reception and a reported foreign price of about OMR 10. Al Jalali Fort has no public interior, so look at it from the harbour.

Royal Opera House Muscat

The opera house opened in 2011 and its exterior and gardens are open for a stroll. Interior tours are listed on the attraction tours page.

Practical tips

Summer highs often pass 40 degrees C, so visit outdoor sights at dawn or dusk from May to September. Dress modestly everywhere, including malls, and carry cash for taxis and small shops. During Ramadan, do not eat, drink or smoke in public in daylight, and expect shorter opening hours.

For a guided circuit, browse Muscat sightseeing tours .