Muscat is the capital of Oman, a low-rise coastal city of white buildings set between the Gulf of Oman and the rugged Hajar Mountains. Its old harbour district of Mutrah, the vast Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Royal Opera House and a string of quiet beaches make it one of the Gulf's most relaxed and culturally rooted capitals.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Nizwa Fort and Souq
Oman's former capital and its best-known fort: a 17th-century round tower with sweeping views of the Hajar Mountains, next to a traditional souq for silver, khanjar daggers and dates. The Friday morning goat market starts around 7 am and ends by 9 am.
Highlights: Climb the 17th-century round tower of Nizwa Fort for views over the palm oasis and Hajar Mountains · Watch the Friday morning goat market, which runs from about 7 am to 9 am · Browse the souq for silver, khanjar daggers, dates and halwa · Walk the palm gardens and old town lanes around the fort
Wadi Shab and Bimmah Sinkhole
Wadi Shab is a gorge of green pools and a hidden waterfall cave reached by a 45-minute walk and a short swim; the Bimmah Sinkhole is a deep turquoise limestone sinkhole where swimming is allowed. Together they form Oman's classic Muscat day trip.
Highlights: Swim in the turquoise Bimmah Sinkhole, reached by a staircase and ladder · Cross the wadi mouth by boat for about OMR 1 return · Walk about 45 minutes upstream past palms and green pools · Swim into the hidden waterfall cave at the end of Wadi Shab
Sur and Ras al Jinz
A long but scenic day trip to Oman's traditional dhow-building port, with its lighthouse and maritime museum; extend it overnight to see green turtles nesting at Ras al Jinz.
Highlights: Watch craftsmen at Sur's traditional dhow-building yard · Visit Al Ayjah lighthouse and walk the Sur Corniche · See green turtles nest at Ras al Jinz on a guided night tour · Stop at Bimmah Sinkhole or Wadi Shab along Route 17
Jebel Akhdar and Saiq Plateau
A cool mountain plateau at about 2,000 m known for terraced orchards of pomegranates and apricots, rose water, Diana's Point viewpoint and the Wadi Bani Habib abandoned village hike. Temperatures run 10-15 degrees C below Muscat.
Highlights: Drive the 4WD-only mountain road to the Saiq Plateau at about 2,000 m · Take in the canyon views from Diana's Point · See terraced pomegranate and apricot orchards · Hike toward the abandoned village of Wadi Bani Habib
Wahiba Sands (Sharqiya Sands)
A sea of red-orange dunes up to 100 m tall in the Sharqiya Sands, where Bedouin families still graze camels. Visitors come for dune driving, camel rides and sunset above the ridges. Best as an overnight.
Highlights: Ride a 4WD over dunes up to 100 m high · Take a camel ride with Bedouin hosts · Watch sunset from a dune ridge · Visit a desert camp for tea and a meal
Nakhal Fort and Wadi Abyad
A whitewashed hill fort above an oasis town with views across date palms, paired with the turquoise pools of Wadi Abyad and Thowarah hot spring nearby.
Highlights: Walk the ramparts of Nakhal Fort above the date palm oasis · Swim in the turquoise pools of Wadi Abyad · Soak in the Thowarah hot spring · Combine with Rustaq Fort further along Route 13
Rustaq Fort and Hot Springs
One of Oman's largest and oldest forts, built over centuries as a seat of Imams, set in a market town with hot-water springs nearby.
Highlights: Explore Rustaq Fort, one of Oman's largest and oldest forts · Soak in the Kasfah and Al Hawqayn hot springs · Browse the town's market streets · Pair with Nakhal Fort on the same Route 13 drive
Wadi Bani Khalid
A perennial stream of turquoise pools and palm groves with a walk up to Muqal Cave. Swimming is allowed; modest dress is expected and facilities include a small cafe.
Highlights: Swim in turquoise pools fed by a permanent stream · Walk up to Muqal Cave · Stroll through palm groves and small villages · Pair with Wahiba Sands on a longer loop
Bahla Fort and Jabreen Castle
Bahla Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage mud-brick fortress and oasis town renowned for pottery; nearby Jabreen Castle is a 17th-century palace known for its painted ceilings.
Highlights: See the UNESCO-listed mud-brick walls of Bahla Fort · Admire the painted ceilings of Jabreen Castle · Visit Bahla's pottery workshops · Combine with Nizwa Fort and Souq on the same route
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Group and private day tours from Muscat hotels cost about OMR 40-70 per person (USD 104-182) including a driver-guide and vehicle, from operators such as Mark Tours and Zahara Tours
- Private
- A private car with driver costs about OMR 50-80 per day (USD 130-208) for up to four people
- Public
- Mwasalat intercity buses from Azaiba serve Nizwa (about OMR 1.5-3, USD 4-8) and Sur (about OMR 3-4.5, USD 8-12) but run once or twice daily and do not stop at wadis or Bimmah; see tickets.mwasalat.om
- Rental
- A compact car costs about OMR 10-15 per day (USD 26-39) and a 4WD about OMR 25-40 per day (USD 65-104); fuel is about OMR 0.25 per litre (USD 0.65)
Multi-day tours from Muscat
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
Browse multi-day tours from MuscatWe may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Start by 7 am: temperatures climb above 38 C from May to September and wadi walking is best before 10 am
Carry cash in Omani rial for boat crossings, fort entries and snacks; card machines are rare outside the city
Never enter a wadi when rain is forecast: flash floods are the leading cause of tourist deaths in Oman
Dress modestly outside the beach areas: cover shoulders and knees at forts, souqs and villages
A 4WD is mandatory for Jebel Akhdar and strongly advised for the Wahiba Sands; check rental terms before leaving the tarmac
Fuel is cheap and plentiful on main highways but top up before leaving Route 15 or Route 17 for rural roads
Police emergency number is 9999