A straggle of whitewashed low-rise building stretching almost 25km along the Omani coastline, recent years have seen Muscat engulf its suburbs in a Dubai-style building frenzy. Unlike the Emirati city, however, most of the newcomers are less than three storeys high, while the historic Muttrah district retains all of its old-world charm.

Telephone/Mobile Telephone

Dialing code: +968

Telephone

Public telephones use phonecards which are available from petrol stations, supermarkets and some smaller shops. They are available in denominations of 1.5, 3 and 5 Rials. It is cheaper to make outgoing international calls between 2100 and 0700.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Coverage is variable.

Key Areas

Like the rest of the Gulf, Muscat is fond of its mega malls but there are plenty of traditional shopping spots to browse. As you’d expect for a nation built on trade, Muscat’s ancient Mutrah Souk is a treasure trove of colourful babouche slippers, silverware and spices, including local favourite frankincense. Just as unique is the oudh-heavy output of Muscat’s Amouage perfume factory, while Shatti al-Qurm is home to a gallery selling beautiful handmade crafts.

Markets

Mutrah Souk is the main market and sells everything from traditional silver daggers to filigree jewellery and beautifully crafted metal tea sets.

Social Conventions

Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting. A small gift, either promoting your company or country, is well received. Dignity and respect are key in Omani culture and public criticisms are rare. As far as dress is concerned, it is important that women dress modestly beyond the hotel grounds, ie long skirts or dresses (below the knee) with covered shoulders; men should wear trousers and shirts with sleeves. Tight-fitting clothes should be restricted to hotel restaurants to avoid giving offence, although this is not strictly followed by some Westerners. Shorts should not be worn in public and beachwear is prohibited anywhere except the beach.

Food & Drink

While tap water is generally safe to drink, most Omanis drink bottled water and this is widely available. You can safely drink carbonated drinks in cans and bottles. Outside the capital area and main towns, you should boil or sterilise water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice. Use iodine tablets and portable water filters to purify water if bottled water is not available. Avoid ice cubes in your drinks.

Food bought in the main supermarkets can be regarded as safe. Outside the capital area, milk may be unpasteurised and if so, should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurised. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

It is advisable to avoid food and drinks bought from street vendors. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before eating. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand gel.

IATA Travel Centre

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