Walking in Muscat: Muttrah and Old Muscat

October 20, 2026

Travel advisory: Oman is involved in the 2026 conflict between the United States and Iran, so keep up with the news while you are out on foot. 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 across the region, Oman included, since 8 July, and says terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out. The US State Department rates Oman Level 3, “Reconsider Travel”, and the Yemen border area Do Not Travel. Muscat and its airport are operating and no strikes on the capital are reported, but flights and airspace can be disrupted at short notice. Keep away from security or military facilities and do not photograph them. Read the UK FCDO advice and the US State Department advisory before you book and again before you fly.

Muscat is a coastal city more than 60 km long, with wide roads between its districts, so it does not work as a single walking destination. Guided walking tours are limited, so walking here mostly means a few compact areas that you cover on your own and link by taxi. Each walk below can be done in a morning or an evening, and none of them connects to another on foot. Fees are in Omani rials (OMR, about US$2.60 each).

Muttrah Corniche, souq and fort

Muttrah is the best area for an unplanned wander. Start on the Corniche promenade beside the harbour, then turn inland into the souq alleys, where frankincense, silver and textiles are sold. The souq works in a morning session and an evening session with a break at midday, and many shops are shut on Friday morning, so check locally. The Muttrah Fish Market on the waterfront is a modern building, and you should go early in the morning. Above the town, Muttrah Fort is open daily from 8 am to 11 pm. Non-resident adults pay OMR 3 and non-resident children OMR 2. Late afternoon into evening is the most comfortable time for this walk.

The Old Muscat quarter

Old Muscat is compact and flat. Bait Al Zubair on Al Saidiya Street, the National Museum and the gates of Al Alam Palace sit close together, and the bay views take in Al Mirani and Al Jalali forts. Al Mirani Fort can be entered with a ticket, while Al Jalali has no public interior, so look at it from the harbour. Al Alam Palace allows visitors only at the gates and forecourt. Museum fees and hours are on the National Museum site .

The C38 trail from Riyam Park to Muttrah

The C38 is a marked, rocky trail between Riyam Park and Muttrah, with yellow, orange and red striped blazes, passing the ruins of an abandoned village. Sources give its length as anywhere from 1.7 to 4 km, and it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. It is steep and exposed, with no shade and little help if you are hurt, so do it only on cool mornings, carry plenty of water, and tell someone your plan. The trail is one-way, so arrange your return by taxi. Riyam Park, where it starts, has a giant incense burner monument. Route notes are on Hiking Project .

Qurum and Shatti Al Qurum

The beach boardwalk at Qurum has cafes along it and is an easy evening stroll. Qurum Beach and the nearby Qurum Natural Park are free to enter.

Walking basics

Summer highs often pass 40 degrees C, and the FCDO notes that extreme heat has caused deaths in Oman, so from May to September walk only at dawn or dusk. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, and ask before photographing people. During Ramadan, do not eat, drink or smoke in public in daylight.

If you would like a guide, look at Muscat walking tours .