Muscat tours and excursions

Muscat tours

Activity tours

Oman is blessed with a varied landscape that lends itself well to outdoor activities, from hiking, climbing and mountain biking to exploring the coastline. Muscat Diving and Adventure Center can organise such pursuits within and beyond Muscat, while Oman Diving Centre can enable you to explore the beneath the waves.

Tel: +968 2454 3002; +968 2482 4240.
Website: http://www.holiday-in-oman.com

Driving tours

Driving tours are usually tailor-made to each customer's interests and consist of a saloon car with air conditioning and a driver who often doubles as a guide. National Travel & Tourism has considerable experience in arranging city tours, while Mark Tours has a good reputation for adventure trips in and beyond Muscat.

Tel: +967 2466 0300; +968 2478 2727.
Website: http://www.nttoman.com

Muscat excursions

Nizwa

100 minutes from Muscat by car is Nizwa, at the base of the Hajar Mountains. Formerly the Omani capital, it sports a spectacular 17th-century fort and has a lively animal market on Thursday mornings. It also has a craft souk with some fine silver artefacts. It's a great base for exploring Jebel Akhdar, Jebel Shams and the Grand Canyon of Oman.

Tel: +968 2452 4400.
Website: http://www.nizwa.net

Bandar Khayran

An hour's drive southeast of Muscat, the coast becomes sharply indented in a series of sandstone fjords known as khors. The calm Bandar Khayran inlets provide many places to swim and the surrounding cliffs turn molten gold at sunset. To reach them, drive to the coastal town of Seifa. Alternatively, take a boat and enjoy the accompanying flotilla of dolphins.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Featured Hotels

Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa

Though just a short drive from the city centre, you'll feel a world away from the hustle and bustle of Muscat at this secluded 5-star gem. Actually encompassing three luxurious hotels, it's an oasis of calm, beauty and fantastic fine dining. Its tastefully decorated rooms are huge and come with air-con, Wi-Fi and flash TVs. A real treat.

Grand Hyatt Muscat

With exotic marble flooring, indoor palm trees, stained glass windows, Bedouin tents and a revolving Arab on horseback, the decor of this luxurious and quirky beachside Hyatt was the inspired by its owner, a Yemeni sheikh. It offers some quality Arabic and Italian dining, along with the elegant ambience of the John Barry bar.

The Chedi Muscat

The Chedi is the original luxury hotel in Muscat, and arguably still the best. A true icon of the city, it combines traditional Arabic design elements with Asian-inspired minimalism, so a stay here feels like a true escape from the city. It also boasts the longest (and one of the loveliest) swimming pools in the Middle East.

Crowne Plaza Muscat

With cliff top views over the Gulf of Oman, this 4-star resort is popular with holidaymakers intent on working on their tans – and no wonder, given the sparkling swimming pools, private beach and sun-soaked terraces. Its fitness centre has tennis and squash courts as well as a sauna and steam room.

Hotel InterContinental Muscat

Tastefully decorated and festooned with luxury extravagances like swimming pools, tennis courts, sauna and Jacuzzis, this 5-star beachside hotel offers the upmost luxury without breaking the bank. Just a short hop from the Grand Mosque, the InterContinental is set among a glorious garden of palm trees. It also has five excellent restaurants and numerous bars.

Ibis Hotel Muscat

By far the best budget accommodation option in Muscat, you can count on the Ibis chain to deliver a cheap stay to a decent standard. This 3-star hotel might be no frills, but the rooms are modern, clean and comfortable, and have all the necessary amenities, including decent Wi-Fi.

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