Around the cities
Muscat is confined between Gulf of Oman and the mountains of AI Hajr Al Sharyi. The Governorate is the most populous area of the Sultanate. The average density exceeds 24 times the average population density in the Sultanate.
The Governorate consists of six wilayats: Muscat, Muttrah,Bowshar, A’Seeb, Al Amerat and Quriyat. Muscat is the capital of the Sultanate and the headquarters and the administrative apparatus of the state.
Muscat is confined between Gulf of Oman and the mountains of AI Hajr Al Sharyi. The Governorate is the most populous area of the Sultanate. The average density exceeds 24 times the average population density in the Sultanate.
The Governorate consists of six wilayats: Muscat, Muttrah,Bowshar, A’Seeb, Al Amerat and Quriyat. Muscat is the capital of the Sultanate and the headquarters and the administrative apparatus of the state.

Wilayats
Wilayat Muscat: Muscat has nine villages attached to it, these being Sidab, Haramel, Al Bustan, Al Jussa, Qantab, Yankat, Yiti, Al Khayran Al Sifa and Sifat Al Sheikh.
Wilayat Muttrah: It is said that the name Muttrah (a place to throw something down) comes from the presence of an anchorage for ships (i.e “throw down the anchor”). Another interpretation of the name is as of a place to “unload or put down goods or merchandise.” The Wilayat of Muttrah is counted amongst the most important of the six Wilayats in Muscat Governorate, on account of its ancient historical and cultural standing; for it was Oman’s ancient trading port and its suq was the principal source of the many and diverse goods relayed from the port to the other suqs of Oman. It is said that it was once also a fertile spot much cultivated with date palms and other trees, watered by aflaj and sweetwater wells from which the citizens, orchards and visiting ships were supplied.
Wilayat A’Seeb: The Wilayat incorporates a number of sites of historical interest, the most significant of these being the citadel of Al Khodh, Jifnin, Raseel, Al Kharas and Al Saleel Towers as well as the towers of Wadi Al Haya. It has two walls, one of which, Sur Jimma, proved useful in the defence of the township of Wadi Al Lawami 200 years ago. The second, Sur Al Rawia, known as Beit Al Rawia or Al Rawia House, consists of six chambers and a liwan. It was built some 150 years ago. Beit Al Awad or Al Awad House is at Al Khodh. Founded in 1886 AD, it has a floor area of 1,200 sq. metres. Wilayat Al Seeb has around 140 mosques.
Wilayat Quriyat: The Wilayat has 29 villages and towns, including the town of Quriyat itself. These are Al Hajer, Al Wasta, Al Ma’ala, Al Jinan, AI Sahel Al Ainein, Killiat, Affa’, Al Kerib, Al Ramla, Al Makhasrat, Al Shahbari, Dhaher Muhaisa, Hail Al Ghaf, Al Masfaa and the Municipalities of Daghmar, Mazar’ia Al Abraiyeen, Al Misfa’ah, Al Hiytan and Al Abayaa.
Wilayat Al Amerat: The Wilayat of Al Amerat with its 81 mosques was known in the past as Al Fatah and elsewhere as Al Mutahadamat, until the transformations of the Renaissance period brought with them a new and more appropriate name. This Wilayat has both archaeological and tourist landmarks, the most noteworthy of which are the lead mines, the red ochre quarry, Beit Saharij, Wadi Sireen Nature Preserve, Wadi Al Meeh (Al Lajam) the Ghar Hadhadha Cave, the steep zigzag incline of Jebel Saqif and the Safah Al Bab well at the fool of the mountain
Wilayat Bowsher: Situated between the sea and the mountains south west of Muttrah, its population is 149,506 persons spread over its 43 towns and villages. The most noteworthy of these are: Al Khoweir, Sultan Qaboos City, Al Ghubra, Al Adheeba, Ghala, Al Aa’lam (Information City), Al Sarooj, Bowshar Al Qadima (Old Bowshar) Bowshar Bani Umran, Al Ansab Sanab, Al Hamam, Al Awabi and Al Misfah.
Wilayat Muttrah: It is said that the name Muttrah (a place to throw something down) comes from the presence of an anchorage for ships (i.e “throw down the anchor”). Another interpretation of the name is as of a place to “unload or put down goods or merchandise.” The Wilayat of Muttrah is counted amongst the most important of the six Wilayats in Muscat Governorate, on account of its ancient historical and cultural standing; for it was Oman’s ancient trading port and its suq was the principal source of the many and diverse goods relayed from the port to the other suqs of Oman. It is said that it was once also a fertile spot much cultivated with date palms and other trees, watered by aflaj and sweetwater wells from which the citizens, orchards and visiting ships were supplied.
Wilayat A’Seeb: The Wilayat incorporates a number of sites of historical interest, the most significant of these being the citadel of Al Khodh, Jifnin, Raseel, Al Kharas and Al Saleel Towers as well as the towers of Wadi Al Haya. It has two walls, one of which, Sur Jimma, proved useful in the defence of the township of Wadi Al Lawami 200 years ago. The second, Sur Al Rawia, known as Beit Al Rawia or Al Rawia House, consists of six chambers and a liwan. It was built some 150 years ago. Beit Al Awad or Al Awad House is at Al Khodh. Founded in 1886 AD, it has a floor area of 1,200 sq. metres. Wilayat Al Seeb has around 140 mosques.
Wilayat Quriyat: The Wilayat has 29 villages and towns, including the town of Quriyat itself. These are Al Hajer, Al Wasta, Al Ma’ala, Al Jinan, AI Sahel Al Ainein, Killiat, Affa’, Al Kerib, Al Ramla, Al Makhasrat, Al Shahbari, Dhaher Muhaisa, Hail Al Ghaf, Al Masfaa and the Municipalities of Daghmar, Mazar’ia Al Abraiyeen, Al Misfa’ah, Al Hiytan and Al Abayaa.
Wilayat Al Amerat: The Wilayat of Al Amerat with its 81 mosques was known in the past as Al Fatah and elsewhere as Al Mutahadamat, until the transformations of the Renaissance period brought with them a new and more appropriate name. This Wilayat has both archaeological and tourist landmarks, the most noteworthy of which are the lead mines, the red ochre quarry, Beit Saharij, Wadi Sireen Nature Preserve, Wadi Al Meeh (Al Lajam) the Ghar Hadhadha Cave, the steep zigzag incline of Jebel Saqif and the Safah Al Bab well at the fool of the mountain
Wilayat Bowsher: Situated between the sea and the mountains south west of Muttrah, its population is 149,506 persons spread over its 43 towns and villages. The most noteworthy of these are: Al Khoweir, Sultan Qaboos City, Al Ghubra, Al Adheeba, Ghala, Al Aa’lam (Information City), Al Sarooj, Bowshar Al Qadima (Old Bowshar) Bowshar Bani Umran, Al Ansab Sanab, Al Hamam, Al Awabi and Al Misfah.
Attractions in Muscat city
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Bawshar Sands
Not far from the beaches of Muscat with its harmonious architecture, and within walking distance of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in the heart of the capital, the visitor will find golden hills packed with drivers who enjoy sand-duning with their SUVs, or those who enjoy gliding on the sand bikes that are easy to rent in this area. -
Al Bustan Beach
Located in the Governorate of Muscat, Al Bustan Palace Hotel sprawls over the beach and overlooks the mountains that intertwine with the hotel’s sands and beaches. These mountains lend the beach an unsurpassed sense of privacy.



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Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque:
Close to the road leading to the heart of the capital Muscat stands the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Wilayat (district) Bawshar, like a radiant lighthouse attracting its visitors to interact with the spirit of Islam as a religion, science, and civilization. This mosque highlights its role as a scientific and intellectual source of knowledge across the Islamic world. -
Old Muscat Gates:
Comprise three main doors: Bab Al Mathaib, Bab Al Kabeer (The Big Door) and Bab Al Sagheer (The Little Door). Bab Al Mathaib is located in the western corner, below the Al Mirani Fort, and Bab Al Kabeer is located at the end of the western side of the walls and serves as the entrance to most roads leading to suburban Muscat and Mutrah City. Bab Al Sagheer lies in the mid-southern side and is considered one of the city’s main entrances. -
Mutrah Souq:
Every place has its distinctive flavor and every city has a market that relates its stories, embraces its history and accompanies its evolution. If you enjoy visiting public markets, you must see Mutrah Souq, the most beautiful market your eyes will ever see! Mutrah Souq is one of the oldest markets in Oman, dating back about two hundred years. Its antiquity has perhaps increased the extent of its beauty, magic, and allure. -
Mutrah Corniche:
This is near one of the most important ports in Oman, Port Sultan Qaboos in the heart of the capital Muscat. It overlooks beautiful mountainous rocky formations and is one of the most gorgeous sites in the Governorate of Muscat, ideal for picnics, watching the sea and admiring ancient buildings. -
Al Qurm Beach:
This beach lies in AlQurm Area in the heart of Muscat and extends over a large area. A number of large hotel chains are built next to it, such as Hotel Muscat InterContinental and Crowne Plaza. This beach is considered one of the busiest in Muscat due to its location near shopping centers and restaurants. Walking enthusiasts can enjoy the boardwalk along the beach and then rest on the numerous chairs and umbrellas that dot the beach. -
Riyam view:
Looking at the seas of the Gulf of Oman here it is hard to imagine this was once the scene of geologically earth shattering events. 90 million years ago, a several kilometer thick slabs of the oceanic crust slowly started to push its way over the top of Oman’s coastline. This unusual over thrusting or abduction continued for around 20 Million years, pushing rocks originating from deep within the ocean onto Oman’s crustal plate. The rugged ophiolite hills around Muscat and those stretching hundreds of kilometers inland are legacy of this. It is the largest and best-exposed fragment of oceanic lithosphere found on land in the world. It includes extensive exposure of an almost complete section of oceanic crust and uppermost mantle (around 500 km long, and up to 80 km wide).



How to get to Governorate of Muscat
By Air: Muscat International Airport, located in Muscat, is served by many international airlines such as British Airways, KLM, Kuwait Airways, Swiss Air and Emirates. The national carrier is Oman Air which flies to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India, Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, and Sri Lanka as well as performing domestic flights to Salalah, Masirah Island and Musandam.
By Car: Residents in the UAE are able to drive to Muscat by road. It is a journey of around 4 – 5 hours from Dubai.
By Car: Residents in the UAE are able to drive to Muscat by road. It is a journey of around 4 – 5 hours from Dubai.
Other important information
Weather averages for Muscat |
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Month |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Average high °C(°F) |
25 |
26 |
29 |
34 |
39 |
40 |
38 |
36 |
35 |
34 |
30 |
27 |
Average low °C (°F) |
17 |
18 |
20 |
24 |
29 |
30 |
30 |
28 |
27 |
24 |
21 |
18 |
Travelling around Muscat
Rental car / Self drive
City bus (Mwasalat)
Taxi (General Taxi, O-Taxi,Mwasalat)
Boat (Bander Al Jissar Marina)
City bus (Mwasalat)
Taxi (General Taxi, O-Taxi,Mwasalat)
Boat (Bander Al Jissar Marina)