Muscat is a captivating blend of ancient Arabian heritage and modern elegance. Nestled between dramatic mountains and the Gulf of Oman, the city offers ornate mosques, traditional souks and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that sets it apart from its flashier Gulf neighbours.
What to Do in a Day in Muscat
Visit the spectacular Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, one of the largest in the world, with its stunning interior and vast prayer carpet. Explore the Mutrah Souk for frankincense, silver jewellery and traditional Omani crafts. Walk along the Mutrah Corniche with its picturesque harbour. Visit the Royal Opera House Muscat and the National Museum for insights into Omani culture.
The tours below are not organized by the cruise lines. Bookings are made directly with GetYourGuide and you are responsible for getting back to the ship on time. If you prefer the cruise line's guarantee, contact our travel advisors after booking.
Cruise Port Address
Muscat Airport (MCT)
MCT ~32 km west of Port Sultan Qaboos; ~30–40 min by road. Public bus 01 (Mwasalat) runs between MCT and Ruwi bus station (~OMR 0.50 / ~€1.20), then a taxi/bus to Mutrah is needed. Taxis between MCT and the port ~OMR 12–15 (~€29–36); negotiate fixed fare in advance (taxis are unmetered).
Mutrah Souq / Mutrah Corniche
Port Sultan Qaboos sits on the Mutrah Corniche — exit the gate, turn left, and Mutrah Souq is ~5–10 min walking along the Corniche. Cruise lines typically run a complimentary shuttle to the souq entrance. Old Muscat (Al Alam Palace) is ~3 km east — taxi ~OMR 3 (~€7) or a scenic 30-min walk along the Corniche.
Muscat Weather by Month
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. High °C | 25° | 26° | 29° | 34° | 38° | 39° | 40° | 38° | 36° | 34° | 30° | 27° |
| Rainfall mm | ☀️ 15 mm | ☀️ 18 mm | ☀️ 12 mm | ☀️ 8 mm | ☀️ 2 mm | ☀️ 1 mm | ☀️ 3 mm | ☀️ 3 mm | ☀️ 1 mm | ☀️ 3 mm | ☀️ 10 mm | ☀️ 12 mm |
Available cruises
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises and Royal Caribbean offer excursions including Grand Mosque tours, Mutrah Souk walks, dolphin-watching cruises and desert wadi trips.
Ships typically dock for 9–12 hours at Sultan Qaboos Port in Mutrah, right next to the Mutrah Corniche and Souk.
The Mutrah Souk and Corniche are walkable from the cruise port. For the Grand Mosque and other sights, taxis are inexpensive and readily available. Oman is very safe and tourist-friendly.