6 Day Itinerary in Muscat, Oman by Mikela Nicole
(See more of my travels here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackariel31_/ )
Day 1: Arrival- If you like being in the center of it all strongly suggest W Hotel Muscat. Close to pretty much all things nightlife and day activity related, it’s the perfect place dead in the center of Muscat. It also boasts several different in-house restaurants and bars. Super aesthetic-y.
Ease your jet lag at the W deck pool. On the weekends there’s typically a DJ, and day party at the pool every Friday. Try to get a room with a nice view.
Family Friendly Score: 7/10 While W boasts a huge pool, with the bars and sexy aesthetic, this hotel is very much geared towards the grown ups.
Pro-tip: Best views are on the corner suites, or rooms on the 3rd or 4th floor.
Cost: A stay at the W ranges between $200-$400 per night, including breakfast. Another alternative is Crowne Plaza Muscat Qurum, which is about $110-$120 on average. (AMAZING ocean views, especially at Sunset. Definitely try the Edge restaurant for Sundowners.)
Day 2: Wadi Shab- Def a must! Wear comfortable clothes and shoes because you will be on a hike! Also bring a swimsuit. Popular activities there include cliff diving and a beautiful waterfall and water hole for swimming.
Family Friendly Score: 8/10. (If you have very small ones, the hike may be a bit much for their little legs, and strollers are not very easy to haul as the walk is rocky/rough terrain. Additionally, if you want to reach the cliff areas, swimming or knowing basic water skills is a MUST as you will wade through a lot of water areas.
*For quick swimming lessons in a day, visit here: https://www.metropolitanswim.com/
Night: Trust me, you’ll be too tired to do it up, but you WILL be very hungry.
Waterfront Shatti Al Qrum – Beach front open mall area with lots of options for dining and a great place for a lovely day or nighttime stroll on the beach. Highly recommend Savanna BBQ if you like east African cuisine, and Farzi Café, which has lovely breakfast and dinner options.
Family Friendly Score: 8/10. Amazing, picturesque area but a little bit limited in terms of play areas for children.
If you want happy hour vibes: Trader Vics is a short walk from W/Short drive from Crown Plaza. Trader’s is a Hawaiian themed restaurant with fun, laid back vibes. It’s located at the Intercontinental Hotel. Sun/Wed/Thur nights there’s salsa and bachata with a live band. (Los Hildalgos Cuban Band.)
Pro-tip: Try the Tika Puka or “Make my day” cocktails
Day 3 Day trip to Sifah. Al Sifah is A MUST. The drive up is one big curvy adventure. Go for the views, and stay for the vibes!
Family Friendly Score: 10/10. This place is the perfect mix with loads of things to for both kids and adults!
Day/Night Sifah
Dunes Beach Club-If laying by the beach is your thing, with a view is your thing, then strongly suggest here. Entry is 10 OMR per person, ($26) with the amount being redeemable for food.
Bank Beach Club for the infinity pool views, and cocktails. Grab a cabana and take in the sights and sounds. On the weekends there is typically a DJ. Depending on the day, the entry is either free, or 5-10 OMR ($13-26) entry for men, free for women. The entry is usually redeemable for drinks and food.
You can also do a day pass at Sifawy Boutique Hotel. (Day passes range 20 OMR to 25 OMR depending on weekend.)
Alternative Dining Options- Bateel for lunch and breakfast.
If you are going to overnight it, strongly suggest Airbnb rental specifically the villas. Most villas will only cost between $80-$125 or so a night. Highly recommend the Beach House villa. Contact: +968 9506 9943/ Instagram: @sifah_townhouses
Day 4 Muttrah Souk- Good for a half day tour. Get local trinkets, fresh seafood, and explore the historical fort and museums. Def try the Karak tea, which is an GCC staple, but Oman perfected. For lunch head over to the Marina Bandar, Al fresco restaurant.
Family Friendly Score: 9/10. Beautiful spot, but def make sure to bring strollers for the little guys as the Walk around the corniche is long.
Night– Caramel Restaurant and Lounge for happy hour, and dinner options. Average cost $30-40 for dinner.
*Day 5-6 If you like a little switch up, strongly suggest a couple of days at the Kempinski Hotel which is located in the quiet and chill Seeb neighborhood of Muscat.
Alternative day/hotel option: Chedi Muscat. A lil’ steep (Most rooms start at the mid $300’s.) But the experience is worth it! You can also do a day pass for 30 OMR (roughly $80) or pop in for the INCREDIBLE Friday Brunch. (29-40 OMR/$70-$100 pp) depending on package)
Family Friendly Score: 10/10 Kempinski conveniently Anchors the Wave. So accessibility to activities for kids crosses a wide range.
Day 5 Daymaniyat Island Day Tour. Lovely, raw Islands. Leave from the Al mouj marina port. Snorkeling, sea turtles, black sharks, dolphin and Whale shark sightings, and the most gorgeous views, and clear water you’ll ever see!
Family Friendly Score: Solid 10/10! Lots of core memory potential!
Tour Guide/Contacts:
Royal Marine Tours: +968 9392 5130/ Instagram: RoyalMarinetours
Vitamin Sea: +968 9135 6885/Instagram: @vitamin_sea_oman
Once you get back from the tour you will be hungry. If you are staying nearby at Kempinski or Mysk, try Huqqa, Shakespeare and co., and or Zale for dinner.
Day 6: Al Mouj, aka The Wave. Popular expat location. Huge marina, with a ton of activities, shopping and dining.
Family Friendly Score: 10/10. The best part the wave is that is was made specifically for families and it shows! There’s live shows, lots of parks, a huge beach and loads of kid friendly activities.
Day– Explore the Walk. Try lunch at Shakespeare and Co.
Night– Countdown Sports Bar, or Zale. Countdown has a popular Karaoke night on Mon/Tuesdays. Zale has an amazing live band on Wed/Thur.
For additional local activities: the cooking classes at Fresco. Or local Yoga classes with Yamas Yoga studios, Seeb Branch. On Fridays you can also visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque from 8-12 pm
Late Late Night Itinerary
If you like getting your club/dance on, here’s a night time itinerary just for you!
Sundays
- Underground Latin Night-Turbines and Taps/Sheraton Hotel
Mondays
- Pavo Real Mexican Restaurant, Karaoke Night
Tuesdays
- Ladies night at W Living Room bar
Wednesdays
- NV nightclub Afro beats/Amapiano Night,
- Buddha Bar at the W,
- Dolphin Village Wine Down Wednesdays
Thursdays
- Caramel Restaurant and Lounge, (DJ), Hip Hop/House/Amapiano,
- Rock Bottom-Live band, top 40 hits
Fridays
- Liquid Sky Club Hip Hop/Afro Beats night
Saturdays
- Afro Move Oman-Afro Beats party, PDO
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