As the capital of Oman and the country’s largest city, it is no wonder this Middle Eastern gem attracts visitors year-round, who come to explore its mystical Arabian treasures.
As the city is so extensive, this also means that distances between accommodation centres can be long. With the city divided into three main districts - Muscat, Matruh and Ruwi – it is important for holidaymakers to choose wisely as to which area they wish to stay in, with each district offering plentiful accommodation options. In addition, the Sultan Qaboos Highway, which heads northeast towards the airport, also has many hotels. The coastal road from Qurum to Seeb, which stretches over 50kms, is where you will find many of the larger international hotel chains and is a popular place for those wishing to take advantage of the nearby stunning beaches.
 Accommodation tends to be in the mid to upper range, with cheap guesthouses and hotels largely unavailable. Among the most luxurious hotels in the city are: Al-Bustan Palace Hotel, known as the most luxurious hotel in Oman, and the Grand Hyatt Muscat – a hotel that is nothing short of an Arabian palace. Hotel standards are usually excellent, with cleanliness and service being top-notch.
While not a traditionally popular tourist destination, Oman has done a lot in recent years to open its doors to tourists and to promote its heritage and locations of natural beauty. Now more accessible than ever before, visitors can enjoy a hassle-free stay in Muscat while taking in the city’s diverse attractions; however, it should be noted that tourism in Oman is primarily aimed at wealthier travellers, with budget accommodation and tours hard to find. A plus side of this is that visitors to Oman avoid the tourist hordes that flock to many other Middle Eastern destinations leaving the few who come here to explore the city, which is largely unspoilt by tourism.
 The first settlement around Muscat was as early as the 2nd century, when it was an important export point for frankincense being transported to Greece and Rome. Once Vasco da Gama set foot in the area on his way to India, the area was later invaded and occupied by the Portuguese in the 16th century, evidence of which can still be seen in the city’s architecture today. The settlement’s impressive natural harbour became a busy port, with two medieval fortifications and a stunning palace being built to overlook the shoreline.
 It wasn’t until 1649, when the Imam Sultan bin Saif defeated the Portuguese, capturing many of their warships in the process. The Imam Empire soon stretched from Gwadar in Pakistan to Zanzibar to the south; however, when the sultan died in 1679, unrest broke out until the arrival of the Persians 50 years later. Despite the Persians being a mighty power at this time, they were defeated by Admad bin Said, who was then elected as the new Imam.
The years that followed were fairly prosperous until the capital was transferred to Zanzibar in 1853, which led to a decline in Oman’s development. The arrival of the British saw Oman become unified; however, six years of fighting in the Dofar War led to the expulsion the British and a new leader, Prince Qaboos bin Said, who has pursued policies of social development through autocratic rule. The modern day city is in fact made up of three towns – Muscat, Matruh and Ruwi - which have amalgamated over the past fifty years to form the huge metropolis of Muscat.
Weather
 Mid-March to October is the most unsuitable time of the year for people to visit Muscat, unless they are accustomed to extremely hot and humid conditions; those that aren’t will find the heat exhausting. Temperatures during this period are on average between 31 to 38°C, making the risk of sunburn and dehydration quite serious.
 A more popular period to visit is from December to March, when the weather is still hot, but temperatures are more moderate, making conditions pleasant rather than unbearable. The city of Muscat is mostly dry year-round, with the lowest humidity being from April to June.
| 
