How to Experience Muscat & Oman as a Local Would – Useful Tips for First-time Visitors

The vibrant nation of Oman is sure to capture the imagination of the discerning visitor including its capital, Muscat, which may be counted amongst the most culturally varied capitals within the Middle East. Naturally, to make the most of your stay in Muscat you would have to experience this city as a local would; provided below are some tips for enjoying authentic local experiences in this Omani city.

Drive as the locals do or consider public transport

Almost certainly the optimal way of getting about in Muscat would be to rent a car and take the opportunity to drive yourself. In fact, this city is considered to feature a selection of the world’s finest roads. However, you should keep in mind that the locals drive fast, so drive with care and avoid being too slow. On the other hand, you can also make use of Muscat’s public buses to head to key tourist attractions which will be convenient and will not cost much as well.

Stroll through the Lovers Road

You will find that the well-known Lovers Road situated in the area of Qurm Al Shatti would be an appealing beachfront boulevard featuring an attractive collection of restaurants and cafes. Many Muscat residents take the opportunity to enjoy a pleasant stroll here after having dinner. If you happen to be a car enthusiast, make sure to visit this locality in the evenings during weekends when the locals show off their lavish and impressive vehicles. You will also have the chance to dine at a restaurant on the beachfront here whilst enjoying the appealing views of the picturesque Arabian Sea. 

Savour Turkish foods

Many of the locals of Muscat have a great liking for Turkish cuisine, and one of the best places to try it out would be the Turkish food zone of the Al-Khuwair locality. Here, you would encounter several Turkish restaurants with the identical name of ‘Istanboly’. All these restaurants compete with one another to serve delectable Turkish foods with shawarma meat being grilled creating a mouth-watering aroma too. An accommodation choice to consider from which you could easily visit these restaurants would be Avani Muscat Hotel & Suites which may be regarded as one of the pleasingly located Muscat, Oman hotels. 

Image via pxfuel

Dress modestly and avoid PDAs

As Oman happens to be a nation with a Muslim culture, it would be important to respect the local norms by dressing modestly. Accordingly, women would be expected to attire themselves in clothes that cover the body from the shoulders to the knees, whilst men must not go about shirtless.Similarly, public displays of affection would be unacceptable in public settings in Oman. In fact, there would be stringent penalties for engaging such displays in public. 

Enjoy karak chai

Your visit to Oman wouldn’t be complete without enjoying the local favourite, some refreshing karak chai which happens to be a sweet strong milk tea. Probably the favourite beverage of Muscat residents, this drink would be available in every tea or coffee shop in the city. Usually enjoyed in small portions, karak chai can be consumed at any hour of the day. You will find that a cup of this refreshing beverage would have a pleasant flavour while being invigorating as well. 

Ask for permission when taking photographs

The people of Muscat will generally be friendly and hospitable, willing to help and assist foreign visitors when needed, often even without being requested for help. However, people may take offence if they happen to be photographed without first being requested for permission. Further, you should avoid photographing Omani ladies as they could find it unacceptable, even if the person taking the photograph happens to be a woman.