Backpacking to Muscat as a Solo Traveler

Backpacking in Oman

When compared to wartorn Yemen to the South West and the UAE to the North West, Oman is the best place to go in the Gulf to experience authentic Arab culture. While Oman lacks all the glamour and pizazz of the towering metropolis of Dubai, you will find that the Omani are more in touch with their traditions and heritage. With ancient cities tucked into the sand dunes of the desert and dhows rocking in the waves in front of sleepy fishing villages, there is more than enough to captivate the imagination of a budget backpacker to travel to Oman.

After you book your ticket or are getting ready to hop on the bus from Dubai to Muscat, your heart will drop when you see the hotel prices in Oman. The Omani government made a point to shut down practically all guesthouses in the country in order to promote luxury tourism. Let’s say you decide to bite the bullet and still travel to Oman. You will also find that the country and even cities are not pedestrian-friendly, making it very hard to get around without a set of wheels.

When all is said and done, is it easy to backpack to Muscat as a solo traveler?

Wanting to explore more cities in Oman? Be sure to check out Nizwa!

Exploring Downtown Muscat: Muttrah

Oman is not a centralized city. The entire capital stretches along the Omani coast nestled in between the sea and the sea. Before you start worrying about buses and how to get to each and everything on the list of best things to do in Muscat, you will want to kick-off your adventure in Oman by exploring Muttrah Corniche and Souq. It is important to know that during the day you will not see a soul wandering the markets or strolling along the coast. Especially during the summer months, life does not begin stirring until after the sunsets.

As a backpacker in the Middle East, you will probably want to trooper on through the blazing sun and explore what you can during the day. Muttrah has a bit of everything with a lively market selling everything from traditional Omani antiques and food, a harbor with dhows keeping their eyes on the bay, and looming minarets of mosques peaking out behind the crowded white houses sandwiched between the mountains and the water.

There are loads of small countries dotting the Persian Gulf. Read all about these city-states here!

Al-Riyam Park

If you are continuing down the corniche following the coastal walk, you will eventually come across Mutrah Fort. Although there are many castles and medieval towers erected throughout Muscat, very few of them are open to the public. Only recently has Mutrah Fort finally cracked open its doors to tourists. From the fort you will not only be diving into traditional Omani culture and traditions, but you will also be given stunning views of the capital from atop the mountain.

In front of the centuries-old castle lays Riyam Park. In contrast with the barren rocky mountains lining the sea, the park offers a stunning splash of green to Muscat. Other than taking a nap on the grass in the shade to get a break for the blazing sun, Riyam Park doesn’t have a whole lot to offer backpackers. The only place of interest would be the Riyam Incense Burner which gives tourists sweeping views of the bay.

Looking for a real adventure in the Middle East? Don’t miss out on visiting Tyre in Lebanon!

Al-Alam Palace

After starting from Muttrah and passing Al Riyam Park, you will finally reach the political center of the country. The walk from the souq to this neighborhood may take at most 2 hours. Although there are tons of different government agencies and bureaus in this district, you will also find loads of palaces, forts, and museums. Unlike Mutrah Fort, Mirani Fort and Al Jalali are still closed to the public. You can however get up close to these castles and view the walls and towers from the outside.

The highlight of this neighborhood is the colorful Al-Alam Palace. Although the sultan no longer resides in this gated mansion, it still holds many of the traditional ceremonies and inaugurations in Muscat. Tourists won’t be able to get past the walls of the palace but can take pictures from the gate. Right across from Al-Alam is the newest addition to Muscat: The National Museum of Oman. For foreign nationals, it costs 5 OMR (13 USD) to visit the museum.

If you are not wanting to walk all the way back to Muttrah Souq you can grab bus number 4 in front of the National Museum and ride the service to Hayy Al-Mina for 0.20 OMR (0.50 USD).

Are you wanting to see authentic Arab culture? Be sure to visit the weekly livestock market in Nizwa!

Sultan Qaboos Mosque

The crown jewel of Muscat is the Sultan Qaboos Mosque. This stunning pinnacle of Islamic architecture is located on the other side of Muscat in the commercial center of the capital. Being practically impossible to walk to, especially in the summer heat, you will have to grab Bus 1 from Ruwa Station for 300 Baisa (0.75 USD) and get off at Al Azaiba A. Even from this bus stop you will still have to walk 2km to the mosque.

The strenuous trek out from Muttrah will be worth it once you bask in the beauty of the Sultan Qaboos Mosque. The marble courtyard and sandstone colored bricks are almost blinding in the scorching Arabian sun. But the intricacies and details carved out into the structure makes this one of the most breathtaking mosques in the Middle East. The visitor center also makes this masjid special with volunteers who are open to sharing Omani culture and Islam with travelers.

Want to read more on the Sultan Qaboos Mosque? You can check out more here!

Backpacking to Muscat

Despite being one of the safest countries, not only in the Middle East but also in the world, Oman is still considered adventurous and an off the beaten path destination. Although Muscat is a modern city in every respect, you will find little to no tourists in the capital. Backpackers will find it hard to get around the city. Even the coastal walk from Muttrah to the palace will take several hours. Even more if you factor in the blazing sun beating down on you from overhead.

The beauty, culture, and unique landscape of the country is more than enough to have backpackers braving the Arab summer, expensive hotels, and lack of public transportation. Even though Oman is a leader in the Middle East with its economy and standard of living, it is still an adventure for backpackers to simply get across the city. If you are up to the challenge, Oman and its capital of Muscat will give you an experience and memories that no other country in the gulf can compare with.