The Best Muscat 2 Day Itinerary in Oman
Planning the perfect Muscat 2 day itinerary might sound like a tall order, but trust me—you can see a lot without feeling like you need a vacation from your vacation. My husband and I tackled this Muscat 2 day itinerary in April, and it ended up being one of my favorite adventures. Between jaw-dropping architecture, beach walks, and one seriously delicious afternoon tea, Muscat had me fully on board. Plus, it was just the right mix of adventure and chill time, which is exactly how I like my trips.
If you’re putting together your own Muscat 2 day itinerary, you’re in the right place. I’ve packed this guide with personal tips, timing suggestions, and all the little details that make a big difference. Some moments were a little chaotic, but overall, the city was welcoming, clean, and shockingly easy to navigate. Ready to dive in? Let’s get your Muscat 2 day itinerary rolling!
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Map: Muscat 2 Day Itinerary
Here is your cheat sheet for a your Muscat 2 day itinerary. I’ve included a map, as well, and you can find all of the details in the post! The red numbers correspond to day 1, the green numbers to day 2, and the blue icons to hotel recommendations.
Day 1:
1. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
2. Royal Opera House
3. Qurum Beach Walk
4. Muscat “Yiti” Viewpoint
5. Bandar al Khairan Viewpoint
6. Afternoon Tea at Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz Carlton Hotel
7. Relax by the Pool
Day 2:
1. Sunrise at Al Mouj Beach
2. Daymaniyat Islands
3. Mutrah Fort
4. Mutrah Corniche
5. Dinner at Zale Beach Lounge at Kempinski Hotel
Day 1: Mosques, Fancy Tea, and Poolside Vibes
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque absolutely lives up to the hype and should be a priority for any Muscat 2 day itinerary. It’s not only the most well-known mosque in Oman, but it’s also one of the most beautiful, featuring intricate tile work, stunning design, and the most dazzling chandelier I’ve ever seen. We spent about an hour and a half wandering the complex, taking in the architecture, gardens, and peaceful courtyards. It’s one of those places where you actually want to slow down and take it all in.
Entrance to the mosque is free, but there’s a strict dress code, so dress very conservatively or be prepared to buy something at the entrance shop. It’s open to non-Muslim visitors from 8:00 to 11:00 AM Saturday through Thursday and closed to non-Muslims on Fridays. I’d highly recommend arriving right at 8:00 AM to beat both the heat and the crowds. Park at the small tourist parking lot right by the entrance if you can; if not, there’s plenty of parking in the main parking lot (just a longer walk in the heat).
As far as getting around Muscat, you can rent a car, take half-day or full-day tours with drivers, or set up a multi-day tour around the country. We personally opted to rent a car for our Oman road trip, and the roads were pretty easy to navigate. If you do rent a car, make sure you download an eSim in advance so that you can use Google Maps; we used Airalo, which worked great. If you’re not up for driving in a foreign country, both private tours and group tours were very common and easy to book.
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Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is a quick but worthwhile stop on your Muscat 2 day itinerary. The building itself is gorgeous, and even if you’re not a big opera person (guilty), it’s worth a walk around just to appreciate the stunning architecture. If you have time, definitely check if any performances are happening while you’re in town—catching a show here would be next-level impressive. I found out that there was a Harry Potter show that evening, but it was sadly sold out…next time!
Qurum Beach Walk
After a busy morning, head to Qurum Beach for a stroll along the water. It’s laid-back, beautiful, and you’ll get a nice ocean breeze to cool you off (as much as you can feel cool in Oman). This is a great way to slow things down on your Muscat 2 day itinerary without actually “doing nothing” (an important travel skill, if you ask me).
Muscat “Yiti” Viewpoint
A quick drive from Qurum will take you to the Yiti Viewpoint, which offers some seriously panoramic views of Muscat. It’s an easy stop that only takes about 10 minutes but adds a big wow factor to your Muscat 2 day itinerary. If you’re into photos, this one’s a must!
Bandar al Khairan Viewpoint
If you’re still feeling the scenic vibe, keep the momentum going with a stop at the Bandar al Khairan Viewpoint. The water here is unreal—like, “why isn’t this packed with resorts yet?” levels of beautiful. It’s another quick stop but 100% worth it.
Afternoon Tea at Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz Carlton Hotel
For a fancy break, book yourself an afternoon tea at the Al Bustan Palace. They serve it in a stunning atrium space that feels like a little oasis of calm (and deliciousness). The food was fantastic, and we ended up hanging out for a couple of hours just enjoying it all. Make reservations in advance to snag a table—this spot is popular for a reason.
Relax by the Pool
After stuffing ourselves at afternoon tea, there was zero chance of squeezing in a big dinner. Instead, we lounged by the pool, digested our body weight in scones, and enjoyed a relaxing end to a packed first day. I highly recommend building in this little downtime to your Muscat 2 day itinerary. Plus, our hotel pool was stunning, so it would have been a crime to skip out on enjoying it!
Day 2: Beaches, Boats, and Sunset Views
Sunrise at Al Mouj Beach
Start day two of your Muscat 2 day itinerary by catching sunrise at Al Mouj Beach. Getting up early hurts a little, but trust me, it’s worth it. Watching the first light hit the water is the kind of peaceful travel moment you’ll actually remember.
Daymaniyat Islands
The Daymaniyat Islands are an absolute highlight and a must for your Muscat 2 day itinerary. Most tours depart from Al Mouj Marina, and I’d recommend booking a half-day tour that leaves in the morning. We left at 9:00 AM and returned around 1:30 PM after an amazing morning of snorkeling with turtles and a stunning beach stop.
Recommended Tour: Daymaniyat Islands Snorkel Tour
A few tips for your Daymaniyat trip: if you’re visiting from May to October, you won’t be allowed to set foot on the islands because of turtle nesting season. We went in April and were able to beach hop, which was a blast. Morning tours are way better than afternoon ones because the water is calmer (making for better wildlife viewing and a more chill boat ride) and honestly, it’s just nicer before the sun starts melting you into the boat.
Mutrah Fort
In the late afternoon, head over to Mutrah Fort. It’s a smaller fort compared to some others in Oman, but it offers incredible views of the city and coastline. We went a little before sunset, but if I could do it over again, I’d time it perfectly with the sunset—the light would be even more amazing for photos.
Mutrah Corniche
Wrap up your Muscat 2 day itinerary with a walk along the Mutrah Corniche. We visited on a Friday evening, and it was buzzing with what felt like all of the locals in Muscat—such good people-watching! The coastline views are beautiful, and the vibe is laid-back but lively in the best way.
Dinner at Zale Beach Lounge at Kempinski Hotel
To wrap up your day, head over to Zale Beach Lounge at the Kempinski Hotel for dinner with a view. We ate right by the beach as the sun set, and it was the perfect end to a full day. Good food, great atmosphere, and bonus points for being able to watch some beach volleyball!
Where to Stay in Muscat, Oman
Here are my recommendations on where to stay in Muscat, Oman:
- Kempinski Hotel Muscat for the most Instagrammable luxury hotel
- Intercontinental Muscat for the best hotel in the middle of Muscat
- Al Bustan Palace, Ritz Carlton for a hotel befitting royalty (it was built as a palace)
- The Chedi Muscat for a stylish hotel and Gulf of Oman views
- Shangri-La Al Husn for the best views & a private cove
Our Muscat 2 day itinerary was the perfect mix of sightseeing, adventure, and relaxation—and honestly, I wouldn’t have changed a thing (other than maybe grabbing more scones at tea). With a little planning, you can see so much of what makes Muscat special. If you’re looking for a Middle East destination that’s easy to explore, welcoming, and packed with hidden gems, Muscat definitely deserves a spot on your bucket list.
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