Travel advisory · OmanSome governments advise against all but essential travel to Oman.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice

Areas with warnings

Yemen border area · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, US
Duqm · avoid non-essential travel · France, US
Musandam · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France, US

Also named by one government: Strait of Hormuz and other sensitive maritime areas (New Zealand), High seas of the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea (Ireland), Salalah (France)

Government	Advice	Updated	Read the advice
United Kingdom (FCDO)	Regional tensions	–	Read the advice
United States (State Dept)	Reconsider travel	Oct 23, 2026	Read the advice
Canada (Global Affairs)	Avoid non-essential travel	–	Read the advice
Germany (Auswärtiges Amt)	No advice against the whole country (regional advisories)	Oct 29, 2026	Read the advice
New Zealand (SafeTravel)	Exercise increased caution (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice
Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs)	High Degree of Caution (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice
France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)	Increased caution across the whole country (zone de vigilance renforcée) (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice

Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.

Muscat

Oman's capital and largest city, on the Gulf of Oman, with a grand mosque, a harbor corniche and the Hajar Mountains behind the skyline.

Find a room in Muscat Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Muscat

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Muscat is Oman's capital and largest city, on the Gulf of Oman, relatively close to the Strait of Hormuz. The Hajar Mountains rise behind much of the view, and low white buildings with a traditional look shape the skyline. The city has two natural harbors, at Muttrah and at Muscat, and it has been a trading port between east and west since at least the 1st century CE. Trade, petroleum, liquefied natural gas and port activity drive the economy.

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is one of the city's main landmarks and a major visitor site. Muttrah's corniche runs along the harbor, and its souk sells dates, mother-of-pearl, fish and traditional Omani artifacts. The National Museum of Oman is among several museums here. The Portuguese took Muscat in 1507, and the Al Jalali and Al-Mirani forts still stand from that era. Summers are very hot, reaching 45 °C, and rain is scarce, with about 10 cm a year mostly from mid-November to mid-March, so winter suits outdoor walks.

Muscat in five

Visit the Grand Mosque in the morningNon-Muslim visitors are admitted only in set morning hours and not on Fridays; check the mosque's official page before you go. Cover arms and legs; women also cover their hair.
Walk the Mutrah Corniche and souqThe waterfront and souq are best in the late afternoon and evening, when the heat drops.
Rent a carMuscat is spread out and public transport is limited. Roads are good, and a car reaches the wadis and Nizwa.
Respect dress in publicCover shoulders and knees away from beaches and hotel pools.
Check flight status and travel advice before bookingGulf airspace can close at short notice when regional tensions rise. Read your government's advice for Oman and choose flexible fares for Muscat connections.UK travel advice for Oman

Things to do in Muscat

See all attractions in Muscat

Grand palace facade with ornate details and flag

Museum · MuscatSultan's Armed Forces Museum

Landmark · MuscatMarina Bandar Al Rowdha Viewpoint

a large building with a tower and a clock on it

Mosque · MuscatSultan Qaboos Grand MosqueGo early in the morning, during the visitor window, before the heat builds.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to MuscatPut the places you like in Muscat on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Muscat International (MCT), about 20–30 min to the center
Getting there: Flights from Europe, Asia and the Gulf
Getting around: Rental car or taxis booked by app
Best base: Qurum or Mutrah for the sights, the coast for beaches
Time needed: 2–3 days

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear3 rainy daysHigh25°Low18°Warm, clear
FebruaryClear1 rainy dayHigh27°Low19°Warm, clear
MarchClear2 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Warm
AprilClear1 rainy dayHigh34°Low27°Hot
MayClear1 rainy dayHigh38°Low30°Very hot
JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh39°Low32°Extreme heat
JulyClear1 rainy day1 day with stormsHigh38°Low31°Hot, humid
AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh37°Low30°Hot, humid
SeptemberClear0 rainy daysHigh36°Low29°Hot, humid
OctoberClear1 rainy dayHigh34°Low27°Hot
NovemberClear1 rainy dayHigh30°Low23°Warm
DecemberClear1 rainy dayHigh26°Low20°Warm, clear

Average daily high and low in Muscat, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Muscat

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 31°
Humidity: 54%
Wind: 19 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Muscat

12:36 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+4

Today34°25°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 34°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed35°25°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 35°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu34°25°2%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 34°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 2%.
Fri32°25°8%Friday: Clear. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 8%.
Sat32°24°0%Saturday: Clear. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun32°24°0%Sunday: Clear. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 0%.

Updated 09:04 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.3845 OMR

Amount

Converted to

OMR · Omani Rial

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Wadi Shab and Bimmah Sinkholeabout 1.5–2 hours by carSwimming in a canyon pool and a turquoise sinkhole.
Nizwaabout 1.5–2 hours by carFort, souq and the Hajar mountains.Read the guide

Before you go to Muscat

Car hire in MuscatFor wadis, the coast and NizwaCompare car hire

Muscat tours and cruisesDhow cruises and wadi day tripsCompare day trips

eSIM for OmanData for maps on desert roadsRead the guide

Travel insurance for MuscatCover for flight disruption in the GulfRead the guide

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Rules for Muscat, checked

Check Oman entry requirements with your nearest Omani embassy or consulate before you fly, since rules differ by passport.
Dress modestly in the souks, old town and mosques. Non-Muslim visitors to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque must follow its posted dress and conduct rules.
Non-Muslims may practice their faith in Oman but may not proselytize in public or hand out religious literature.
Orange-and-white taxis and Baiza buses have no meters. Ask your hotel or host for the usual fare before you get in.
Taxis to Sohar, Buraimi and Dubai also leave from the city, so agree the fare before you set off.

Plan around Muscat

All of Oman

Regions, entry basics and money

Read the guide Nizwa and the Hajar Mountains

Fort, souq and canyon rims inland

Read the guide Musandam

Fjords in the northern exclave

Read the guide Salalah

Dhofar coast and the khareef, a domestic flight south

Read the guide Dubai

The nearest big Gulf hub for onward flights

Read the guide Visas and entry

Check the rules for your passport

Read the guide Car hire and transport

Why a rental car matters here

Read the guide

Muscat FAQ

What should I wear to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque?

Long sleeves and long trousers or skirts for everyone; women also need a headscarf. Shoes come off inside.

Do I need a car in Muscat?

It helps. Taxis cover the city, but the wadis, beaches and Nizwa are much easier with a rental car.

When is the best time to visit Muscat?

November to February, when highs are in the mid 20s °C. Summer is extremely hot and humid.

How do I get from Muscat airport to the city?

Taxis and ride apps take about 20 to 30 minutes to Qurum or Mutrah; Muscat has no metro. Agree the fare or insist on the meter, and book a car if you arrive at night.

How many days do you need in Muscat?

Two days cover the Grand Mosque, Mutrah and a sunset on the Corniche. Add one or two days for Wadi Shab and Nizwa, which need a car or a guided tour.