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Muscat with Kids: Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

ByJessica Lee Updated on

Oman was supposed to be a quick side trip from Dubai. Instead, it ended up being one of my favorite parts of our Middle East trip.

We spent two nights in Oman with our 15-month-old, flying from Dubai to Muscat, renting a car, and heading straight out to spend our first night in the Wahiba Sands desert. We returned to Muscat for our second night, squeezing in the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Mutrah Souq, Omani food and a little time to simply take in the city.

It was nowhere near enough time. If I planned the same trip again, I would give Oman several more days to explore Muscat, the desert, wadis, and places like Nizwa.

Still, our whirlwind visit gave us a great introduction to traveling in Muscat and Oman with a young child. Below are the family-friendly places, food ideas, and practical considerations I’d start with when planning an Oman itinerary.

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Our Oman Trip at a Glance

Family-Friendly Things To Do in Muscat

  • Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque– iconic mosque, limited visiting hours, conservative dress code
  • Old Mutrah Souk – long-standing traditional market/bazaar catering to both locals and tourists, gets extra busy in the evening
  • Mutrah Bay/Corniche – go all the way through the souk, and you’ll get to the water
  • Royal Opera House – lit beautifully at night
  • Mohammed Al Ameen Mosque – marble mosque perched on a hill
  • Al Bustan Palace Hotel – stay at or visit the facilities and grounds of this stunning Ritz-Carlton property, a former palace (currently closed for a major multi-year renovation)

Places to Visit Beyond Muscat with Kids

  • Stay overnight in the Wahiba Sands (Sharqiya Sands) desert
    • Play in desert dunes and watch the sunset
    • Go on a camel ride 
    • Dune bashing, sand boarding or 4×4 excursion 
    • Visit a Bedouin camp – tribes of nomadic desert people
  • Check out Nizwa – an ancient city, about 1hr 30mins drive from Muscat
    • Explore Nizwa fort
    • Shop at Nizwa souq
  • Swim in a wadi – a small valley or river of water in a desert mountain setting, similar to an oasis, but often only full of water during wet seasons, otherwise dry
    • Wadi Bani Khalid, Wadi Tiwi and Wadi Ash Shab are all great options, but there are several others – research whichever features and location will fit best for your trip

Food Ideas for Muscat, Oman

  • Ubhar Bistro – posh Omani/Middle Eastern restaurant
  • Turkish House Restaurant – casual Turkish/Middle Eastern restaurant popular with locals
  • Kargeen – traditional Omani cuisine with a great outdoor area

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Top Tips for Muscat, Oman

  • Check current Oman entry and visa requirements for your nationality before traveling. Requirements can change, so verify them through the official Oman eVisa website before your trip.
  • It is not very easy or convenient to get around Muscat. It’s not set up for walking and the different sights are spread out all over. Taxis are expensive but are the most convenient option if you do not have a car. We rented a car to drive to the desert and used it around the city too. 
  • You do not need to wear traditional Omani clothing, but you should dress conservatively to respect the local culture.
  • Consider the time of year and weather before you book a trip to Oman, summer is not the best time to visit due to the intense heat.

Is Oman Worth Visiting with Kids?

Our biggest mistake in Oman was simply not giving ourselves enough time. We squeezed the desert and Muscat into two short days, but I left wanting to see considerably more.

Even with our 15-month-old along for the trip, we were able to sleep in the Wahiba Sands, play in the dunes, meet camels, eat Omani food, visit Mutrah, and see the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Our detailed 2 days in Oman with a baby post shares much more about what that experience actually looked like with a toddler in tow.

Oman also paired really well with the UAE. We started this part of our trip in Dubai, took a day trip to Abu Dhabi, and then flew from Dubai to Muscat. If you’re already traveling this far, it’s worth considering whether you can give yourself enough time to experience more than one destination in the region.

If we return to Oman, I’d slow the trip down considerably. I’d spend more time in Muscat and the desert, plus finally make it to Nizwa and explore at least one of Oman’s wadis.

Related Reading

Continuing a Middle East trip or traveling this far with a young child? You may also want to read:

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