Things to do in Muscat

Discover the incredible oasis of Wadi Shab - one of the last places in Oman where you can chill in fresh blue water surrounded by mountains. Enjoy a rewarding full-day experience as you explore this spectacular waterfall in a cave. Start the tour with pick up from your hotel in Muscat. Hop into an air-conditioned vehicle and set off on a 2-hour scenic drive through the otherworldly landscapes of Oman. Along the route, stop at a local coffee shop to try an energizing Omani tea. When you arrive at your destination, hidden away in the canyon of the dry river Wadi-Shab, take a very quick boat ride to the other side of the bank. From here, embark on your 40-minute hike.  During the walk, experience the awesome power of nature which has forged the rock formations of this impressive canyon. Observe how the local farmers live and work, maintaining their crops in rough, rocky lands using the old irrigation system as their water supply. Be sure to bring along your waterproof cameras and shoes so that when you reach the lake you can snap some photos and walk around the magnificent site.  Admire the cascade of the waterfall and take a refreshing dip in the beautiful blue water to cool off from the heat. On the way back, stop to see a beautiful lake located in the Bimmah Sinkhole.  Finally, return to the vehicle and begin the drive back to Muscat where you will be dropped off at your hotel and the tour concludes.

Take the opportunity to watch the dolphins and discover the underwater world of Oman, complete with snorkeling masks. Your day will begin by experiencing the power, grace and speed of dolphins in their natural environment, which is a truly amazing and spectacular sight to see. Let captain help you identify the different type of dolphins, most often spotted here are the acrobatic spinners dolphin, the powerful bottle-nose dolphin and the common dolphin. After watching the dolphins, go snorkeling for around the stunning Bandar Khiran Bay. Experience the dazzling underwater world, swimming alongside turtles and other varying and unique forms of marine life. You'll love this new world beneath the water, a truly memorable and authentic snorkeling adventure.

After being picked up from your hotel, the tour will begin from Shatti Al-Qurum (next to the Intercontinental Hotel). From here, your tour will take you through the mountainous and desert landscape. Your driver will show you how to use the audio guide system to benefit the GPS enabled commentary that follows the tour. You will pass the coastal township of Quriyat before reaching Wadi Shab after an approximately 1.5-hour drive, after which your guide will take you for a 45-minute walk to reach the natural pools and cave. You will be permitted some time to swim in the area's clear, sparkling waters, before returning to the base after walking for another 45 minutes. You will spend 3 hours in the Wadi, which will include lunch at the Wadi Shab Resort. Following lunch, you will continue traveling through the village of Finns. You will discover its famous white sand beaches, as you drive the coastal scenic route to reach the dramatic Bimah Sinkhole, a miracle of nature, where you will be able to swim in its half-salted water. You will then commence your journey back to Muscat with a smooth drive after an active nature day in Oman. Your tour will later end in Shatti Al Qurum, from where you will transfer back to your hotel.

Discover one of the jewels of Oman, the Dimaniyat Islands, on a boat tour from Muscat. Snorkel in a beautiful, UNESCO-protected nature reserve and admire the abundant sea life. Begin your day with pickup anywhere in Muscat before the Al Seeb area and transfer to the marina for the 70-kilometer (43.5-mile) journey northwest to the Dimaniyat Islands. Onboard, enjoy the scenic views of Muscat and the coastline, as well as unlimited soft drinks and water. Once at the Dimaniyat Islands, explore the nature reserve and stop in two different places for snorkeling. Keep your eyes peeled for sea turtles, corals, and, if you're lucky, sharks, eels, and dolphins. Have the chance to find Nemos (clownfish) and see other different species of colored fish, too.

Cross the desert dunes of Muscat by 4WD vehicle, and experience the adrenaline rush of driving across the rugged terrain in an off-road mode of transport. Make your way to the Wahiba Sands to see the traditional homes of the desert nomads and Bedouin tribes. Keep a look-out for the nomads as they move through the desert with their camels. Visit a Bedouin home in the middle of the desert, and contrast the arid landscape with the clear, blue waters of Wadi Bani Khalid. Enjoy a relaxing siesta in the shade of the palm trees, and catch a glimpse of the pretty villages scattered across the slopes of the wadi. Marvel at how the houses cling precariously to the rugged mountain side. Bring your swimming costume to take a dip in the inviting waters! 

Wadi Shab is one of the last places in Oman where you can chill in fresh blue water surrounded by mountains. The true reward of this full-day experience is the waterfall in the cave; locals say it's an oasis. To discover this amazing destination, hidden away in the canyon of the dry river Wadi-Shab, begin the tour with a two-hour drive from Muscat. Along the way, take in the truly otherworldly landscapes of Oman.  Stop at a local coffee shop to try an energizing Omani tea before arriving to the destination. After a very quick boat ride to the other side of the bank, embark on a 40-minute hiking journey. The canyon will show you not only the power of nature, but also the lifestyle of local farmers. To this day, farmers do their rocking in rough, rocky lands, using the old irrigation system as their water supply. Bring along your waterproof cameras and shoes, because, when you reach the lake, you'll want to snap some photos and walk around through the magnificent site. On the way back, stop to see a beautiful lake located in a sinkhole.

Discover the rich blend of ancient and modern architecture of Muscat on a half-day city tour. Learn how the city has undergone dramatic development in the past 3 decades, yet managed to preserve its age-old culture and heritage. Your driver will show you how to use the audio guide system to benefit the GPS enabled commentary that follows the tour. Start with a visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, and then continue through the Ministries' area to see a number of modern buildings with a touch of ancient, Islamic architecture. Go to the fish market and explore the narrow alleyways of the Muttrah souk to soak up the scent of exotic spices, coffee beans and ancient remedies. Learn more about the history of Oman at the Bait Al Zubair Museum. Take a souvenir photo at the magnificent Al Alam Palace, flanked by the twin Portuguese forts of Mirani and Jalali. Itinerary: • 45 mins in Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque • 15 mins in the fish market • 30 mins in the Bait Al Zubair Museum  • 10 mins for a photo stop in Al Alam Palace • 10 mins for a photo stop in Mirani & Jalali • 30 mins in Muttrah Souq

A sightseeing tour around Muscat, the capital of Oman, is a great chance to soak up the Arabic atmosphere and explore the city where the ancient architecture and monuments are combined with the modern life. The first sight on the tour is Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque which is truly a masterpiece of the world architecture. It took 6 years to erect it and in 2001 it was successfully opened. This mosque is a traditional light Islamic building made from sandstone and marble. It has got 5 minarets – one main and 4 side minarets which create a special distinctive look. The internal design is rich in mosaics, huge handmade Persian carpets and chandeliers decorated with crystals. Our next stop is the Royal Opera House – the pearl of the Oman musical and stage art. The third sight we can’t avoid seeing is Muttrah Souq – the market located right at the banks of the Gulf of Oman. That’s an ideal place if you want to have a look at the ordinary life of Oman. Just go along the rows, look for the items, bargain and have fun as here you can find everything starting from spices finishing traditional rugs, vases or just souvenirs. Having seen the market, we should also look at the Mutrah fort. The fort leads its history at 1580s when the Portuguese had built it. It served as a military defense from the rivals in the past, but today it’s open for tourists. Next thing in Muscat to see is a well-known Al Alam Palace — the residence of Sultan Qaboos. From both sides the forts surround the palace, so you’ll likely enjoy the magnificent scenery. Located in the center of the city, it always attracts a lot of visitors and, although, people are not allowed to go in, they can easily go around and take cool photos.

Get picked up from your hotel and head to the Shatti Al-Qurum hotel where the tour begins. Your driver will show you how to use the audio guide system to benefit the GPS enabled commentary (available in five languages) that follows the tour. Travel towards to Nizwa, Oman’s cultural capital and home to some of its most significant structures. Along the way, stop at a charming ancestral village called Birka Al Mawz, which sits at the base of Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain). In Nizwa, admire the central fort and its giant cannon tower; walk through the traditional souq (market); and, of course, enjoy a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch, visit the unique Jabreen Castle, built in the 17th century. It has magnificent plasterwork, carved doors, and painted wooden beams. You'll also see Jebel Shams—one of the most famous mountains in Oman—and one of the oldest towns in the region, Oman Bahla, before heading back to your hotel.

This shared historical and cultural tour gives an insight into Omani life. Visit the impressive Nizwa Fort, haggle a bargain at the local souq and end the day seeing a traditional village. The tour starts with a spectacular drive through the Hajar Mountains via Fanjah for photo stop. Then, you'll arrive into Nizwa City to see the Nizwa Fort — the most attended monument of Oman. Next up is a visit Nizwa souq, the market where you can buy traditional knives, pots and other unique items. Al Hamra with Bait Al Safah museum where we get to experience how the locals create a lifestyle in the older times.