Muscat, the capital of Oman, is a coastal city stretched between the arid Al Hajar Mountains and the Gulf of Oman, blending traditional Omani architecture — low white houses and domed mosques — with modern tourist infrastructure. Before booking, here are the essentials.

Entry: no visa, ID card only

Saudi nationals, like all GCC citizens, enter Oman without a visa — a national ID card is enough at Muscat International Airport or any land border, with no advance registration. This extends to GCC family members, though children traveling with only one parent should carry proof of relation or a valid ID. Non-GCC residents of Saudi Arabia need a separate Omani e-visa arranged in advance.

When to go

Unlike Salalah, Muscat doesn't benefit from Khareef — its summer (May-September) is notably hot and humid. The best time to visit is October to April, when days are pleasant and evenings cool — also the peak tourist season, so expect higher prices and book early, especially for December and January. If you don't mind the heat, summer brings near-empty hotels and steep discounts.

Currency and cost

Oman's currency is the Omani Rial (OMR), fixed to the US dollar since 1986 at roughly 1 OMR ≈ 2.6008 USD. Muscat runs somewhat pricier than Salalah for accommodation and upscale dining, though still reasonable compared to a city like Dubai. A mid-range restaurant meal runs 4-7 OMR, and a 4-star hotel room starts around 40-55 OMR a night.

Getting around

Muscat is a very spread-out city (more than 50 km from the old eastern end to modern Qurum and Al Mouj), so getting around without a car is genuinely difficult. Renting one at the airport is the best option, though ride-hailing apps like Uber and Mwasalat are also available as a comfortable alternative if you'd rather not drive. A local SIM (Omantel or Ooredoo) is easy to buy right at the airport with your ID.

One last tip: schedule your visit to the Grand Mosque (Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque) for the first day of your trip — non-Muslim visiting hours are limited to mornings, Saturday through Thursday only (roughly 8-11am), and it's closed Fridays, so building day one around this slot saves you from clashing with the rest of your itinerary.