Local’s Advice Of Best Day Trips From Muscat You Cannot Miss

Muscat is a vibrant port city along the long coastline of Oman. The topography of the city is highly unique and diverse in its own ways. From being surrounded by rocky Al Hajar mountain range from west to the shores of the Arabian Sea in the northwest, Muscat is a natural marvel.

The city also encompasses architectural beauty representing the Arabian heritage and culture through monuments such as the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Royal Opera House of Muscat and centuries-old Muttrah fort which guarded the port harbor of the city.

Knowing the city of Muscat have so much to offer, the perfect way to explore is to take the best day trips from Muscat.

Living in Muscat for all of my life and knowing the city from inside and out, I have summed down some of the best day trips from Muscat which you should definitely try! The city and its surroundings have so much to offer to make your stay in Muscat a memorable experience to cherish.

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Don’t have time to take a day trip from Muscat? Check out these 10 Awesome Things To Do In Muscat

Here is a list of all the best day trips from Muscat you can take…

Best Day Trips From Muscat – Half Day City Tours

Big Bus Muscat – Hop On Hop Off Bus

Just like many modern metropolitan cities, Muscat also has its own version of a hop on hop off bus, the ‘Big Bus Muscat’. To get a complete touristy experience of a city’s vibe, a hop on hop bus is the best option to take! The Big Bus Muscat is a double-decker bus with an air-conditioned section (which you should definitely opt for during the summers) and an open seating area on top to get a better view and understanding of Muscat’s major landmarks and historic sites. Also, this tour is available 24hrs, so you can hop on and hop off as per your convenience. Best day trip from Muscat for a reason!

You can check the full details of the Big Bus Muscat tour with prices here

Sight-Seeing Tours

Muscat is home to some of the most incredibly stunning monuments in the Arabian world. Most of the sightseeing tours half day tours are roughly four to five hours long. It is a guided tour, ideal for anyone who wants to explore the city’s charm and culture. The short duration of these tours leaves ample time for the visitors to enjoy other activities for the night that makes it one of the best day trips from Muscat.

Highlights: Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muttrah Souq, Muttrah Fish Market, Al Alam Palace, Royal Opera House, Bait Al Zubair

You can check the full details of Sight-Seeing tours package with prices here.

Highlights: Mangrove Lagoon, Qurum National Park, Ruwi Clock Tower, Al Minari Fort, Majlis Oman (Parliament building), Watchtower

Night City Tours

You will be amazed to know that the beautiful city of Muscat looks more stunning as soon as the sun goes down. After the sunset, the beautiful roads and monuments are all lit up; this gives a unique charm and perhaps a different yet still incredible look to all of the major monuments in Muscat. Night City Tours are a great option if you are visiting Muscat during the peak summer months when day heat can (and it possibly will) ruin your sightseeing experience.

Highlights: Free cycling at Muttrah Corniche, Muttrah Souq, Ruwi Souq, all major landmarks

You can check the full details of Night Sight-Seeing tours package with prices here

Book These Tours Before They Sell Out!

Best Day Trips From Muscat – Full Day Tours

I have already mentioned it quite a lot of times of how amazing and diverse the city of Muscat is. But have I told you that the neighboring cities around Muscat are equally mesmeric if not more than Muscat! Here is a list of best day trips from Muscat for a full day, which you should definitely try to get an extended Oman exploring experience.

Note: Full day tours are 8 to 10 hours long, so book it only if you have enough time on your trip

Muscat To Nizwa Tour (Castles, Forts, UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Nizwa in the west of Muscat is the biggest city of the Ad Dakhiliyah governorate of Oman. The city is just a short 2-hour drive from Muscat. Nizwa is the regional center of history and culture in Oman. As one of the best day trips from Muscat, it is highly recommended to visit Nizwa for experiencing the centuries-old traditions which are still practiced in the region.

Highlights: Nizwa Fort, Nizwa Souq, Bahla town, Jabrin Fort

You can check the full details of Muscat to Nizwa tour package with prices here

Muscat to Jebal Shams Tour

Jebal Shams is the world’s second largest Grand Canyon and the second highest mountain peak within the Arabian Peninsula. What makes it more amazing is the fact that it is merely at a 3-hour drive away from Muscat. The guided tour also comprises visits to the nearby villages where people are still living in houses built from rocks.

Highlights: Off-road drive in Wadi Ghul (Grand Canyon), hiking or mountain bike riding (optional), visit mountain villages

You can check the full details of Muscat to Jebal Shams tour package with the price here

Muscat to Wahiba Sands & Wadi Bani Khalid

Muscat to Wahiba Sands & Wadi Bani Khalid is undoubtedly the best day trip from Muscat. This is a highly recommended tour for anyone wanting to take a break from the hustle bustle of the city life. Wahiba Sands desert lies in the Sharqiyah region of Oman accessible by a four-hour drive from Muscat. The golden sand of the desert and Bedouin tribes still living in the area makes it a unique place to explore. The Wahiba Sands is also very popular for having some serious dune bashing experience! The tour further leads to Wadi Bani Khalid, which is a beautiful oasis of freshwater streams and waterfalls, where you can relax and rest before heading back to Muscat.

Highlights: Dune bashing, meet and greet with the Bedouin tribes of the desert, picnic at Wadi Bani Khalid

You can check the full details of the Wahiba Sands & Wadi Bani Khalid tour package with prices here

Book These Tours Before They Sell Out!

Best Day Trips From Muscat – 4WD Drive Tours

Oman has some of the best roads in the world. To get the best experience of Oman roads it is mandatory (not literally though!) to have a road trip in a 4WD drive. It is much of a big deal that there are dedicated 4WD drive tours around the outskirts of Muscat.

Amouage Perfume Factory, Fanja Village & Wadi Tayin Tour

This tour will take you around the outskirts of Muscat where you can enjoy a pleasant drive in a four-wheeler with beautiful mountains in the backdrop. The tour starts with a stop at the Amouage perfume factory, which is Oman’s very own perfume brand. The tour then continues to the old town of Fanja, around an hour drive from the factory. Explore the old abandoned houses in the town, some of which being 400 hundred years old! The final stop of the tour is at Wadi Tayin, which is a natural water spring. Here you can take a dip in the water or just sit back and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings.

Highlights: Visitor center tour at Amouage Perfume factory, Fanja town, Wadi Tayin

You can check the full details of Amouage Perfume Factory & Wadi Tayin tour package with prices here

Wadi Abyadh & Wakan Village Tour

This tour will take you to an exotic getaway away from the chaos of the city life. Wadi Abyadh is an extremely picturesque oasis lying in the heart of mountains. The spring water oasis surrounded with dates trees plantations will give you a perfect vibe to rejuvenate within nature. After having a quick swim in the cool waters of the Wadi, the tour then continues to the agriculture village of Wakan. The Wakan Village sits at an altitude of 1700 meters and it can be reached by a small hike of 700 steps. The main viewpoint of the village gives a wonderful panoramic view of Al Hajar mountain range in a distance and streams of freshwaters flowing down from the mountains.

Highlights: Barka camel breeding farm, date plantation farm, Wadi Abyadh, Wakan village

You can check the full details of Wadi Abyadh & Wakan Village tour package with prices here

Muscat To Bilad Sayt Tour

Bilad Sayt is an extremely picturesque terraced mountain village in the northeastern slopes of Al Hajar mountain range of Oman. Sitting in the laps of the mountains, Bilad Sayt is a fairytale village famous for its plantations in the middle of barren land. The surrounding mighty mountains block the sunlight reaching the village in midday. The villagers are extremely hospitable and welcoming to the tourists. It is a rare experience to witness people still living in clay clad houses since centuries and still prioritizing their humble lifestyle over the modern-day life, which makes it the best day trip from Muscat.

Highlights: Wadi Bani Awf, Bilad Sayt, Nakhal spring

You can check the full details of Bilad Sayt tour package with prices here

Book These Tours Before They Sell Out!

Best Day Trips From Muscat – Coastal Tours Around Muscat

The waters of Oman are blessed with highly diverse and unique marine life, which is nowhere to be found in the Arabian Gulf. The pristine coastline of Muscat offers an ideal beach getaway to every visitor.

Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling Tour

The Bandar Al Khairan Island near the coast of Muscat harbor is a famous place for spotting bottlenose dolphins throughout the year. The tour starts from Marina Al Rowdha, which is a twenty minutes speedboat ride that eventually reaches the dolphin watching spot. After dolphin watching, the captain takes the boat to the main snorkeling site of Bandar Al Khairan. Vibrant and healthy coral reefs, shoals of clownfishes and even turtles can be very easily spotted. (Note: spotting a turtle highly depends on the turtle nesting season).

Highlights: Dolphin watching, snorkeling, island tour

You can check the full details of Dolphin Watching & Snorkeling Tour package with prices here

Dhow Cruise Sunset Tour

Muscat has undoubtedly the most mesmerizing topography in the Arabian Peninsula. Beautiful blue waters of the Arabian ocean surrounded by mighty mountains are an ideal setting to witness a magical sunset. The two-hour sunset dhow cruise sails from Marina Al Rowdha around the limestone cliffs with rocky mountains in the background. You will get the opportunity to sail in a traditional wooden vessel giving you the perfect Omani authentic experience.

Highlights: sail across the Omani waters while witnessing the sun setting behind the mountains

You can check the full details of Dhow Cruise Sunset Tour package with prices here

Wadi And River Swimming in Muscat

Muscat is a wonder world for every water lover. From long stretches of beaches to freshwater wadis flowing from the mountain, there are plenty of places to take a dip and enjoy a swim in the beautiful crystal clear waters of Muscat. This tour will take you to the famous wadis of Wadi Tiwi and Wadi Shab. There you can witness freshwater streams surrounded by lush green plantations and date palms around. Wadi Shab also offers a motorized boat ride to reach the other side of the wadi, from where you can hike to different water pools for swimming.

Highlights: Wadi Tiwi, Wadi Shab

You can check the full details of Wadi and River Swimming Tour package with prices here

Book These Tours Before They Sell Out!

Best Day Trips From Muscat – Desert Safari Tours

To live your ultimate Arabian Nights dream – a camping tour in the golden sand Wahiba Sands desert of Oman is a definite must! Exploring Muscat and its gorgeous surroundings with desert camping makes it one of the best day trips from Muscat.

Wahiba Sands Arabian Desert Tour

As the name suggests, this tour will directly take you to the Wahiba Sands desert in the Sharqiyah region of Oman. You will get an opportunity to visit a Bedouin family and understand their centuries-old lifestyle more closely. From there, your trip will get adventurous as you will go for dune bashing with an experienced driver. An authentic desert experience is incomplete without a camel ride and that’s what you will be doing next!

Highlights: Wahiba Sands tour, visiting a Bedouin house, Wadi Bani Khalid tour

You can check the full details of Wahiba Sands Arabian Desert tour package with prices here

Empty Quarter & Ubar Lost City Overnight Two Days Tour

The best of Oman two day tour is ideal for anyone on a week-long visit to Oman. It is one of the best trips to take from Muscat as it will take you to the remote and untouched places in the governorate of Dhofar for two days. The cherry on the cake you may ask? Sleep under the stars next to a campfire in the Empty Quarter desert, which is the largest unexplored desert in the Middle East!

Highlights: Stargazing in the desert, overnight camping, barbeque and smoking sheesha (smoke pipe)

You can check the full details of Best Of Oman Two Days tour package with prices here

Book These Tours Before They Sell Out!

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This Oman Travel Guide by National Geographic sums out all the reasons to visit Oman!

More Adventures To Do In Oman:

• Guide To The Best Hiking Trails In Oman
• Guide To The Best Diving Sites In Oman
• Guide To The Best Beaches In Oman

Disclaimer: Some of the links in the article are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. However, I only recommend products and services I trust.

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