The Best Day Trips From Muscat

Muscat is a wonderful city that is rich in natural and architectural beauty. There are also many trips that can be taken from Muscat, to enjoy the charm and culture of the other regions in Oman. Here are the best day trips that visitors can take from Muscat for an unforgettable vacation in Oman.

An adventurous trip through the mountains

Oman is full of mountains, the Al Hajar Mountains in the north being the most famous. They extend from Musandam Governorate in the far north, by the Arabian Gulf, to the Al Sharqiya Region in eastern Oman, by the city of Ras Al Hadd.

A trip to Jebel Shams

Jebel Shams is also known as the Grand Canyon of Arabia. A trip to Jebel Shams is an adventurous experience for rock climbers and hikers. The views over the surrounding towns and villages are marvelous, as are the sunrises from here.

A trip to Al Jebel Al Akhdar

Al Jebel Al Akhdar, which means the Green Mountain, is another famous mountain within the Al Hajar Mountain Range. It is located around 150 km (93 mi) from Muscat. As its name suggests, the mountain is famous for its beautiful green plantations. Some Omanis live on the mountain, and it’s famous for its agricultural produce and honey bees.

Sunrise on Jebel Akhdar © Robert Haandrikman

Explore the desert and the golden sand dunes

Oman has lots of marvelous deserts; most famous are the Wahiba desert in the Al Sharqiya Region in eastern Oman, and Al Rub Al Khali Desert (the Empty Quarter) in the Dhofar Region in southern Oman. These deserts have golden sands and sand dunes, and diverse and spectacular wildlife.

For a day trip from Muscat, head to the Wahiba Sands in the Al Sharqiya region, only 239 km (148.5 miles) away. Visitors can go sand boarding, or enjoy a day with the Bedouin tribes in their unique tents.

Enjoy the sandy beaches and crystal waters

Although Muscat has some of the most gorgeous beaches in Oman, other regions have amazing sea life, such as dolphins and turtles. A day trip to explore these beaches is definitely worthwhile.

Day trip to Ras Al Jinz

Ras Al Jinz is located in the city of Ras Al Hadd, at the easternmost point of Oman and the Arabian Peninsula. It is a natural reserve for green turtles, which come to the beach to lay their eggs. Local companies organize special tours for visitors to watch the turtles lay their eggs early in the morning, and the small turtles return to the sea after hatching. It is a charming experience and a must-visit place for a day trip from Muscat.

A Day Trip to Musandam

The Musandam Governorate is a peninsula at the northernmost point of Oman. It is surrounded by the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and it has several spectacular beaches, such as Khassab Beach. The waters here are full of dolphins, so boat trips here are a must.

Dolphins in Musandam © Robert Haandrikman

A walk through Oman’s history and forts

Oman’s history is rich with ancient stories and unique events that can be told through its magnificent forts and castles. A walk through Oman’s history on a day trip to its unique forts shouldn’t be missed.

A day trip to Al Dakhliya

The Al Dakhliya Region is the centre of Oman. It has some of the most unique forts and castles in the country, such as Nizwa Fort, Bahla Fort and Jabreen Castle. Visiting these forts and castles, with their traditional local souks, is unforgettable.

A day trip to Al Batinah

The Al Batinah Region in northern Oman is another spectacular region full of historical secrets. Less than two hours from Muscat, visitors can enjoy the architectural and historical beauty of Al Rustaq Fort, Al Hazm Castle and Nakhal Fort.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.