This guide is designed to help you decide where to stay in Muscat during your trip depending on your budget, areas of interest, and priorities.
Over the 4 years I have spent in Oman, I have lived in different parts of Muscat. I feel that this has given me a really good idea of the pros and cons of each district. As a result, I have selected a few hotels/hostels in each district based on recommendations and my own experience.
(No affiliate links)
Hostel: Legacy Hostel
Budget-friendly: Swiss-Belinn Airport Muscat
Mid-range: Naseem Hotel and Intercity Hotel Mucat
Luxury: The Chedi Muscat
Unless you absolutely want to have breakfast in the hotel/hostel where you are staying, my advice is to have a traditional breakfast in a specialised place. See my blogpost on traditional Omani breakfast and check out my recommended places.
This is my favourite part of Muscat. Muttrah (also called Matrah) is one of the oldest parts of Muscat. It carries a beautiful name as it comes from the Arabic “مطرح’ meaning ‘place of rest’. For centuries, it played this role for the many sailors and travellers who arrived here.
It includes Muttrah Corniche, Muttrah Souq (the marketplace), Port Sultan Qaboos. It also covers the area called Riyam – Riyam Park and the Incense Burner Monument – as well as a residential network of narrow, winding lanes.
Bustling and historic. To me, this is the most emblematic part of Muscat as its beautiful arc-shaped corniche appears in all guides. I love its whitewashed houses built in traditional Omani style with their carved wooden doors, elegant balconies and Mashrabiya screens.
When I wander around Muttrah, I can feel that this has been a trading area for centuries. A key port for merchants who arrived from India, Persia and East Africa and sold their goods in exchange for frankincense, dates, and textiles.
One of its most famous landmarks is still the Souq, a maze of small vibrant shops selling all kinds of items such as perfumes, spices, and fabrics. Just walking around it will make you feel like you are travelling around the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Peninsula!
If you can, I recommend that you set yourself up in Muttrah at least for one night during your trip. It will give you the opportunity to wake up and go for an early morning stroll along the Corniche.
I always find it invigorating to see – and hear – the tens of seagulls flying around. It will also give you a chance to wander into the Fish Market and see local people haggling and joking together over a good deal.
The downsides are that Muttrah is far from the airport and the traffic along the Corniche gets very busy in the evening. There are also very few hotels that I would recommend in the area. Fortunately, in recent years, some AirBnB places have opened, giving visitors the extra option of renting full apartments which may be a better option for some.
Budget-friendly: Mutrah Hotel
Mid-range: Naseem Hotel – Small and friendly. Right on the Corniche, it offers great views on the sea and the mountains.
This is the administrative and ceremonial district of Muscat as it features Alam Palace (Arabic: قصر العلم Qaṣr al-ʿAlam, “Palace of the Flag”), the Sultan’s royal palace. The first time I saw it, I was amazed by its striking blue and gold colours. It is not open to the public but you can see it through the surrounding gates. The area around it is also very impressive and the National Museum is worth a visit.
On the Eastern side of the palace, you will find Al Jalali Fort and on the Western side of the palace, you can see Al Mirani Fort. Both are perched on rocky hills and overlook the Gulf of Oman. They date back to the 16th Century when the Portuguese controlled the area and needed to protect the trading routes.
The whole area is serene and feels very historical.
Unfortunately, there are NO HOTELS in this part of Muscat.
Located about 25 kilometres from the centre of Muscat, Al Bustan (meaning ‘the garden’ in Arabic) is a stunningly beautiful area. It is actually in the Al Amerat province of Muscat governorate.
Al Bustan is a fisherman’s village with small white houses ideally situated close to the beach.
Apart from this, Al Bustan’s main feature is Al Bustan Palace Hotel, which was originally built to host a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit and was later converted into an exclusive five-star hotel. It is located in a little piece of paradise, away from noise and traffic.
On site, you will find a private beach as well as a spa, swimming pools and a fitness centre. If you are looking for a luxury, secluded holiday in a place of outstanding natural beauty, this may be a good option.
However, the biggest downsides are that it’s far from Muscat’s city centre and, of course, it is extremely expensive. If you are looking for authentic experiences of Omani culture, this is not the place I would recommend as you will feel quite detached from local Omani life.
.Luxury: Al Bustan Palace Hotel
Ruwi has a buzz about it. It is one of the liveliest and most culturally diverse areas of Muscat. It has strong expatriate communities from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Philippines.
Nowadays, it is defined as the commercial hub of Muscat. I strongly advise you to visit Ruwi Souq to get a feel for a traditional Omani market (less touristy than Muttrah Souq). It also has the Ruwi bus station which is practical seeing that many coaches arrive from other cities (such as Dubai).
The large expatriate population in Ruwi led to the establishment of places such as Sri Krishna Temple (built in the early 1980s) and Christian churches nearby. It also has Ruwi Mosque which is an important Islamic landmark.
Ruwi has a limited number of tourist attractions compared to other districts. It is also more of an urban setting (no sea views here) and can get very busy/noisy.
If you decide to stay in Ruwi, I am sure that it will give you a taste of Muscat’s international culture. You will be able to enjoy a large choice of restaurants and cafés from very diverse origins.
One of the biggest advantages of staying in Ruwi is that some of its hotels and guesthouses offer good value for money. It’s also close to Muttrah and Old Muscat.
Mid-range: Al Falaj Hotel
High-range: Sheraton Oman Hotel
Like many other parts of Muscat, this was originally a fishing village. It also was a mangrove swamp (actually, the word ‘qurum’ in Arabic translates to ‘mangrove’). Then in the 1970s and 1980s, when Sultan Qaboos bin Said came to power, things changed radically. Al Qurum became synonym with luxury living in Muscat. These days, you can still see some splendid villas and upmarket hotels.
Shatti Al Qurum, with its trendy restaurants and cafés, has become a popular beach spot for both locals and expats. During my first visit to Muscat, an Omani friend took me here and I loved its relaxed atmosphere.
Not far from there, you’ll also find the Royal Opera House where you can watch a performance of traditional and world music. Next to it is the elegant Opera Galleria. In it, you’ll find some luxury boutiques, cafés and restaurants. I must say that it’s very pleasant to enjoy a coffee with some friends at one of the café terraces during the winter months.
If you are looking for a beachfront location, this may be a good choice. However, prices of hotels tend to be higher here.
High-range: Crowne Plaza Muscat.
Are you looking for a centrally located spot? Al Khuwair curves along Sultan Qaboos Street (the city’s main highway). This makes it a very convenient place to stay as everything is easily accessible. If you want to explore a range of neighbourhoods, it may be a practical choice.
Less touristy, it will give you a glimpse of everyday life for Omanis as they go to work, go shopping or enjoy time with family and friends.
Here, you will find a choice of malls: Grand Mall, Avenues Mall, and Panorama Mall. You will also be able to sample a wide range of cuisines as the district has many Arabic, Indian, Pakistani, and international restaurants.
Less of an up-market area, Al Khuwair offers a good choice of clean, comfortable and affordable mid-range hotels.
The downside is the traffic. Rush hour traffic can be a nightmare in this part of Muscat!
Mid-range: Intercity Hotel Muscat – One of my favourite hotels in Muscat. I have stayed there twice. Excellent service, small but comfortable rooms, and situated in a quiet location while being central.
Another Mid-range hotel: Rozana Hotel – Good value for the service you get. Beautiful rooms that are very clean.
When going round al Ghubra, you will feel that it is ‘grounded’ in ‘real life.’ Streets filled with shops, restaurants and small companies. Students going to school or university. Calm parks where locals go for a stroll and to have a picnic with their families.
One of the key landmarks of Ghubra is Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Every time I visit it, I marvel at its breath taking architecture. Its symmetrical gardens, remarkable carpet (one of the largest hand-woven carpets in the world!), and serene atmosphere all contribute to making it memorable.
Al Ghubra will offer you a practical and modern base and allow you to go for cultural exploration in other parts of Muscat and elsewhere. On the other hand, you won’t find here the kind of cultural immersion that is connected with places such as Matrah.
Hostel: Legacy Hostel. Male and female dormitory rooms (3 bunk beds per room). A 3-minute walk away from Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Very friendly and welcoming. It even has a garden.
Luxury: The Chedi Muscat Sophisticated elegance with a private beach. Very central.
Al Mouj is a luxurious and cosmopolitan district. It is popular among expats and wealthy Omanis for its modern houses and apartments, easy access to a marina, and high-end restaurants and shops.
It offers a wide range of sophisticated and expensive hotels with spas, gyms and guaranteed comfort.
High-range: Mysk Al Mouj
If you are looking for a quieter option, staying in Seeb may be a good choice.
Here, you will find an easier access to local Omanis, in particular in places such as Seeb Souq (an excellent place to buy local products such as incense, spices and dates). This will definitely give you a more authentic and easy-going experience of shopping in Oman.
Seeb will give you access to more budget-friendly options compared to central Muscat. It is also close to Muscat International Airport.
On the other hand, Seeb is far from places such as Matrah or Old Muscat (30 to 40 minutes away by car without traffic).
Mid-range: Season Inn Hotel Al Hail
Have you visited Muscat? Share your favourite neighbourhood and accommodation in the comments below!
WELCOME to JOUSSOUR to OMAN
Hello and welcome to Joussour to Oman! I’m Christine van den Hogen, a Franco-British writer, teacher and watercolourist. I’ve been living in the Middle East for 7 years and 4 years in Oman.
I’m passionate about helping independent travellers interested in cultures create immersive journeys.
Joussour to Oman is my cultural travel blog and it’s my hope to share my first-hand experience as someone who lives here as well as insights from local people. I want to share insiders’ tips with you so you can plan your trip to Oman efficiently and truly EXPERIENCE Omani culture when you come.
.
Christine is a Muscat-based writer, watercolourist and teacher. She's been living in Oman for 4 years and she's also lived in Jordan and Dubai. She shares resources and stories to help independent travellers plan creative trips and truly experience Middle Eastern cultures.
