We broke up our long journey from Europe to Bangkok with a full-day stop in Muscat, Oman. We booked a private tour through Withlocals. One of the best things about it is that that the itinerary is completely customisable. It costs around $150 AUD per person for a 7–8-hour tour, which we thought was pretty reasonable for a private experience.
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| They handed out some halwa (Oman traditional sweet) at the airport |
Our driver picked us up directly from the airport. Since our flight landed very early in the morning, we had some time to kill, so we grabbed a light breakfast and coffee at Caffe Nero while waiting.
One place I specifically requested was Rozna Restaurant for breakfast, and I'm so glad we went. The restaurant is absolutely stunning. It feels more like a palace than a restaurant. The main dining hall is huge, and there are also plenty of beautiful private dining rooms.
We ordered two breakfast trays, the Mom's tray and the Rozna tray, along with two rakhal breads, one with egg and another with cheese and honey. The breakfast tray came with a variety of small dishes, including different protein options, lentils, potato balls, fresh roti and other traditional sides. As with most mixed platters, some dishes were better than others, but overall there were far more hits than misses.
My favourite was definitely the cheese and honey rakhal. It wasn't as crispy as I expected, but the combination of the slightly chewy bread, creamy cheese and sweet honey was so good. I could honestly eat this for breakfast every week. The whole meal was also incredibly filling and kept us going for the rest of the morning.
After breakfast, our driver showed us around Muscat, stopping at the Grand Mosque, the local market (souq) and a museum. One thing I noticed throughout the city was how most of the buildings are painted in white or earthy tones. This is actually intentional, not only does it reflect Oman's traditional architectural style, but lighter colour also helps keep buildings cooler under the intense desert sun.
Another thing that caught my attention was the architecture. Many of the buildings have a fortress-like appearance, with high walls, tower and strong, simple designs. Our driver explained that this style is inspired by Oman's historic forts. In the past, these buildings were designed with defence in mind, providing protection during times of conflict while also helping people cope with the harsh desert climate. Combined with the city's signature white and earthy colour palette, the architecture gives Muscat a unique character that feels both elegant and deeply connected to its history.
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| The Grand Mosque |
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| Port Sultan Qaboos |
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| Muttrah Souq |
We also spent some time wandering through the local market. I found so many souvenirs and cloths a little expensive. If you are willing to explore the smaller side alleys, you might find the same items at better prices. And don't forget to bargain. It's quite common here, so there's usually a bit of a room to negotiate. Just be polite and friendly, and you may walk away with a much better deal.
Before heading back to the airport, we made one request, a quick stop at McDonald's. We always like trying McDonald's in different countries whenever we travel. This time we got the McArabia chicken which is basically a grilled chicken wrap with lettuce and mayonnaise. Nothing too fancy, but it was simple, fresh and tasty. A fun little way to end our short visit to Oman before continuing our journey to Bangkok.
Before our flight to Bangkok, we spent some time relaxing in the airport lounge to freshen up after a full day of sightseeing. The lounge at Muscat Airport was pleasantly quiet, with plenty of comfortable seating and a good selection of food and drinks. One thing that really stood out was the dedicated playroom, which would be a huge plus for families travelling with young kids. It was the perfect place to unwind, recharge and get ready for the next leg of our journey.
Hope you all enjoy this post! Octie Appetie...
