Muscat walking tour & city guide

Mutrah, Old Muscat and the new city

Mutrah is the liveliest part of the city for walking. Its corniche curves for about three kilometres around the harbour, lined with traditional houses, mosques and fish stalls, and Mutrah Souq, one of the oldest markets in the Arab world, sells frankincense, silver, textiles and Omani halwa under carved wooden ceilings. A small Portuguese-era fort watches over the bay.

A few kilometres east, Old Muscat is a quiet walled town around Al Alam Palace, framed by the 16th-century forts of Al Jalali and Al Mirani on the rocks above. To the west lie the Royal Opera House, the beaches of Qurum and the Al Mouj marina district, and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, with its vast prayer hall and huge chandelier.

A classic walk: Mutrah Corniche and the souq

Start in the late afternoon at the fish market at the western end of the Mutrah Corniche, then walk east along the waterfront past the old merchant houses as the light turns golden on the mountains. Turn inland into Mutrah Souq and lose yourself in its lanes, following the scent of frankincense.

Come back out to the corniche for sunset and continue towards the fort at the far end of the bay. A short climb to the viewpoints above the corniche gives a view over the harbour and the lights of Mutrah.

Good to know

October to April is the best time to visit; summers are very hot along the coast. The city is spread out, so taxis or a rental car link the districts, but Mutrah and Old Muscat are best explored on foot. The Grand Mosque welcomes non-Muslim visitors on weekday mornings, with modest dress required. Popular trips inland lead to the old fort town of Nizwa and the green wadis of the Hajar Mountains. Check current travel advice before you go.