Muscat City Sightseeing Tour - A Fascinating Capital
Badge of Excellence
Muscat, Oman
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Get to know beautiful Muscat, capital of Oman, on this 4-hour city tour, with an expert guide. Driving between the sights by air-conditioned vehicle, hear interesting commentary on Muscat’s maritime trading past, and admire the elegant, flower-lined embassy quarter and old Muttrah, with its balconied merchants’ houses framing picturesque Corniche. On route, visit the stunning Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, see the Al Alam Palace and Al Jahali and Al-Mirani forts, and explore the main souk and Bait Al Zubair Museum, with its displays on Oman’s fascinating history and heritage.
- Drive through the beautiful city of Muscat
- Visit some religiously important landmarks
- Stroll along the delightful Muttrah
- Experience some market shopping
- Learn a wealth of historical and cultural information
What's Included
- Private 04 hours tour with Professional English speaking guide
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Transport by Luxury air-conditioned coach or mini-bus
- Visit the old town of Muscat, shop at Traditional Souq
- Visit Bait Al Zubair Museum and photo stop at Al Alam Palace.
- Optional gratuities
- Food and drink, unless specified
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
• Your centrally located Muscat Hotels and Muscat Cruise Terminal. • For guests staying in any Private Residence or Villa in Muscat , the pick-up can be arranged(Location link mandatory). • Pick-up service from others locations ( which is not in the City limit) are available only at the additional cost upon request based on your location.
Operating hours.8:30 am
Itinerary
Start your experience with a pickup from your central Muscat hotel. Meet your guide, board your comfortable, air-conditioned coach or minivan, and then sit back and relax as you set off on your 4-hour tour of Oman’s charming capital.
Drive through the handsome, tree-lined embassy quarter and arrive at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the main place of worship in the sultanate. Leave your vehicle to explore this serene sandstone building, a measured ensemble of domes, minarets and courtyards. Learn how the main prayer hall houses the world’s second largest hand-woven carpet, and how it took four years to weave.
Having explored here, drive to the old quarter of Muttrah, a picturesque district of old houses, alleyways and markets clustered around a beautiful, mountain-backed bay.
Delve into the waterside fish market and stroll along the Corniche past quaint merchants’ houses fronted by carved wooden balconies. Dive into the main souk, where the passageways are lined with silver, perfume and clothes stalls.
If you wish, snap up souvenirs (own expense) here before continuing to Muscat Old Town. Leave your vehicle and admire the two Portuguese forts — Al Jalali and Al-Mirani — each gazing back at each other from two facing outcrops of the bay.
Stop to see the flamboyantly designed Al Alam Palace, the official palace of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, and finish your tour at the Bait Al Zubair Museum.
Head inside this intriguing museum, and after exploring the displays that chart Omani life and heritage through the centuries, return to your hotel where your tour concludes.
Drive through the handsome, tree-lined embassy quarter and arrive at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the main place of worship in the sultanate. Leave your vehicle to explore this serene sandstone building, a measured ensemble of domes, minarets and courtyards. Learn how the main prayer hall houses the world’s second largest hand-woven carpet, and how it took four years to weave.
Having explored here, drive to the old quarter of Muttrah, a picturesque district of old houses, alleyways and markets clustered around a beautiful, mountain-backed bay.
Delve into the waterside fish market and stroll along the Corniche past quaint merchants’ houses fronted by carved wooden balconies. Dive into the main souk, where the passageways are lined with silver, perfume and clothes stalls.
If you wish, snap up souvenirs (own expense) here before continuing to Muscat Old Town. Leave your vehicle and admire the two Portuguese forts — Al Jalali and Al-Mirani — each gazing back at each other from two facing outcrops of the bay.
Stop to see the flamboyantly designed Al Alam Palace, the official palace of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, and finish your tour at the Bait Al Zubair Museum.
Head inside this intriguing museum, and after exploring the displays that chart Omani life and heritage through the centuries, return to your hotel where your tour concludes.
1
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Dress code: A dress code is applicable to visit Grand Mosque. Ladies should wear full sleeves shirt & head should be covered with scarf. Men can wear half sleeve shirt. And both Ladies & Men should wear full pants (not allowed to wear shorts).
- What to Bring: Sunscreen, Steady shoes, Hat Please pay attention to the local customs when taking photographs
- What to Wear: Please ensure you dress respectfully. Knees and shoulders should be covered at all times. Please pay attention to the specified dress code by visiting Sultan Qaboos Mosque from inside.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 4 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.4
based on 51 reviews
Twane_M, Feb 2018
The guide was knowledgeable and friendly.
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is absolutely beautiful, just remember to cover up for this visit.
Al Alam Palace has an unusual design and not at all what I expected a palace to look like.
chiki chiki boom boom, Dec 2017
Very informative tour, Rashid, our tour guide was very nice, and smiling all the time. He took us first to the Sultan Qaboob mosque, very beautiful contemporary Islamic architecture, then we went to the fish and vegetable market, which I personally would remove from the itinerary for lack of relevance and stay more time at the Muttra souk, this place has a lot to offer in diversity. Also we visited Muscat downtown with the official palace and a museum. In general the tour was very good, it covers a lot.
Tudorjones, Dec 2017
Very informative and very capable guide who entertained us as well as conducted us. First class!
susan B, Oct 2017
Guide was poor - he only talked to my husband in the front seat and the rest of us couldn't hear anything and we had to ask lots of questions A lot of time wasting that could have been put to better use
Response from Host, Mar 2020
Dear susan B,
Thank you for sharing your valuable feedback about our Muscat City Tour that you have recently joined with us. We apologize for not having fully met your expectations. We fully understand your disappointment. We have spoken to our tourist guide to also pay more attention to the guests on the back seats on not let them feel less important than the person sitting next to him.
We would like to see you joining one of our tours/safaris soon again!
Thank you for choosing ORIENT TOURS and taking the time to review us!
Best Regards,
Sarah P. Dubke
Manager Guest Services
ORIENT TOURS LLC
Shaunte W, Aug 2017
Not a bad tour but you can find it cheaper. We paid a bit more than others going through Viator.
ROGER D, Jul 2017
The tour was nice but there was not much to see and the guide's English was very limited.
Tamara_M, Apr 2017
This was undoubtably one of worst tours I've ever been on...the guide was not knowledgeable about city or country, didn't quite understand the questions we asked in English and answered with information not ever asked for, and didn't know how to set time limits for points of interest stops. At the mosque a volunteer answered our questions and gave detailed information about the building of it while our guide Joseph had little to explain. It was VERY obvious that Joseph had not received enough training. The following day we took another tour with a MUCH more experienced guide Rasheed who was fabulous. Perhaps Joseph could shadow Rasheed for a few tours to learn how to conduct one. Shame on the company who allowed an ill-prepared guide to take clients out on a tour.
Response from Host, Mar 2020
Dear tmichae,
Thank you for sharing your valuable feedback about our Muscat City Tour you have recently joined with us. We apologize for not having fully met your expectation. We have taken your matter up with our guide Mr. Joseph who is, apart from Rasheed, who is indeed one of the most seniors, one of our guides working for us for many years. We are glad to read that you loved to tour with Rasheed.
We would love to see you soon on one of our tours/safaris.
Thank you for choosing ORIENT TOURS and taking the time to review us!
Best Regards,
Sarah P. Dubke
Manager Guest Services
ORIENT TOURS LLC
soma_d, Apr 2017
driver was late even after i called twice. he did not accompany inside museum or around courtyards. had no idea what we were looking at. when asked questions he did not know answer. i would say more of a driver than tour guide.
Response from Host, Mar 2020
Dear soma19,
Thank you for sharing your valuable feedback about our Muscat City Tour that you have recently joined with us. Please note that you were unfortunately not able to experience the multi-awarded services Orient Tours is famous far. We haven taken internal steps to avoid our future clients having similar issues.
We look forward to having you join one of our safaris/excursions soon again.
Thank you for choosing ORIENT TOURS and taking the time to review us!
Best Regards,
Sarah P. Dubke
Manager Guest Services
ORIENT TOURS LLC
Hannah F, Feb 2017
We had a great tour guide who gave us a really good tour of Muscat city provided a lot of info about the daily lives of the locals as well as info around their religion which we found fascinating.
Peter A, May 2016
A nice drive around this modern city. The Grand Mosque is the MUST visit place in Oman. It is an absolutely beautiful building, no matter what your religion or leanings, you cannot and will not be disappointed with a visit to it. Muttrah Souk is worth a visit, but not the hive of activity we had hoped for and like most souks is now more geared to the tourists rather than the locals. The fish market is being placed in a new modern building, so it too is losing its charm. A nice way to see Muscat.
Response from Host, Mar 2020
Dear Guest,
Thank you for taking the time to write us a review.
Our company values put customer satisfaction as top priority and we are committed to our customers. We have forwarded your feedback to the concerned department for corrective action.
Best Regards,
Sarah P. Dubke
Manager Guest Services
ORIENT TOURS LLC
Anthony W, Mar 2016
Our guide Mr Rasheed was excellent and shared some wonderful information about each place. The Mosque is a must see! We shared a larger SUV with another couple so it was like a private tour. We saw a lot in 4 hrs !!
Martin W, Feb 2016
The 'driver' guide we had, Racheed, was excellent a real pleasure to spend a morning with him. His knowledge was tremendous. It was the best part of our visit to Oman.
Kathryn S, Feb 2016
Our guide was experienced, knowledgeable and had great English skills. We loved him.
Chantel P, Nov 2015
A wonderful tour and a great guide Rasheed. Never felt rushed and had plenty of time to see everything listed. I highly recommend!
Jairo D, Oct 2015
very nice tour guide a gentleman with a lot of experience about muscat he was on time and was a great experience I highly recommended this tour in 4 hours you get a good idea about muscat a how the city is running great experience
Peter B, Oct 2015
Comfy 4x4 excellent guide with decent English spoken Prompt pick-up.
Grand Mosque is simply stunning, fish market and souk less so! Well worth the modest cost.
Max K, Sep 2015
Our guide Rashid was very knowledgeable and polite with perfect English. He was able to answer all our questions and we were so happy to have toured the city with him. We would highly recommend this tour and would recommend having an Omani as your tour guide if you get to choose.
UMAR T, Aug 2015
We had a lovely gentleman come pick us up from our hotel. The group was very small 2 other people besides us. We travelled in a 4x4 jeep a very nice spacious vehicle. Our guide was very friendly and informative. Gave us plenty of time at each venue we visited the whole time speaking to us and passing on very interesting details. at the end of the tour we asked for a special favour to be dropped of some other place besides our hotel and he obliged very kindly. Thanks to you all for giving us a wonderful experience and insight.
SCHMIDT R, Jul 2015
This was a fantástico tour with a great guide. The car was air-conditioned and the driver/guide had a very good level of English, he was opened and willing to explain everything with great knowledge about Muscat, Oman and Islam in general. Worth every penny!
Clint B, Mar 2015
The tour was very comprehensive and our driver from the tour company was polite and knowledgeable
Carly P, Mar 2015
A very informative and we'll paced tour. The grand mosque is particularly amazing. Our guide Eyed was very knowledgeable and a throughly nice person. Would recommend.
Junaid k, Jan 2015
The tour was excellent. The guide was friendly and helpful. It was a great sightseeing tour to all the major attractions in muscat.
Ian I, Jan 2015
Lovely!! The Mutrah was great once you got past all the crap, the mosque was gorgeous, the backstories of various parts of town were great, and I appreciated the closeness the tour guide had with various food vendors and museum personnel. Free museum entry, coffee, dates, dehydrated shark flesh. The whole bit.
ernest s, Dec 2014
A little worried at first as our driver was a little late but. This soon faded as he did his very best to accommodate all the group and the various requests made - even allowing us extra time at the cultural centre in the Muscat Mosque. All in all a fantastic trip, we'll organised and offering great value for money would have no hesitation in recommending this trip - ran by local tour oriental tours, only pity is we don't have time to take further trips around Oman with the company on this visit perhaps next time we would have no problem using them once again to go further afield.
Jason O, Nov 2014
This tour makes for an interesting introduction to the historic city of Muscat. Our guide, Rasheed, was very affable and knowledgeable.
David R, Nov 2014
Pick up from hotel was on time, we were sharing a small vehicle so there was the driver Rasheed and four on the tour. Rasheed was a very good guide who pointed out all the sights and escorted us around and even went out of his way to take me to the local Harley Davidson dealer after the others had been dropped at their hotels. Very helpful and spoke very good English. Tour was at a relaxed pace time at the Grand Mosque was good as we wanted to visit the Islsmic information centre which was on site. Had more than enough time at the fish market, about fifteen minutes then half an hour at the museum and the souk. Just enough time to have a quick look around the souk but you need to visit again to see it all. Because of Islamic new year the tour office was closed but I managed to find an email address for the tour company who run the trip and got the confirmation of pick up times from them via the email.
Zsolt J, Oct 2014
Excellent guide, great car, superb guiding MUSCAT is BEAUTUFIL, this is the best tour to know it better!
Maria N S, Oct 2014
The tour was at a great pace and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although I would have preferred the guide (Mr, Rashid) to give us more info on the sites we visited (Sultan Qaboos Mosque, Bait al Zubair, Al Alam Palace, Muttrah Souk, Fish Market, etc.). The tour is a good introduction to the City of Muscat.
Jacqui S, Apr 2014
I could not have asked for more on this tour. As I was on my own for the tour I was a bit anxious about it, but when we got going there were two lovely couples and me, and we all got on well. The guide was really lovely and knowledgable man. He had lived in Muscat and really knew and loved his city, so that the trip was full of interesting stories and information. We went to numerous locations including the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, which is beautiful. However we never felt rushed and his personal touch really made it an excellent tour. Wonderful value for money!
federico p, Mar 2014
The driver was very kind and helpful, even though he is neither a professional taxi driver nor a tourist guide.
So, buy a book and read yourself what you want to know about art and history of the place.
Apart from this, he came to visit all the sites with us (on foot after parking the car) and was flexible to adapt to all our requests. He bought water for us and even some food.
Car was absolutely new, comfortable and very clean.
From $176.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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