Oman

Cost of living

What a month costs

The rial is pegged near 2.6 dollars, so prices feel firm and steady. Muscat undercuts Dubai on rent and dining, but imported goods, cars and international school fees add up fast.

The scores

How it rates for a moving family

See and do

Top 10 in Muscat

1. Sultan Qaboos Grand MosqueA vast marble mosque with one of the largest hand-woven carpets and chandeliers in the world, open to visitors most mornings.
2. Royal Opera House MuscatThe Gulf's grand opera stage, worth a tour by day and a concert by night.
3. Mutrah CornicheThe old harbour promenade under the hills, best at dusk when the dhows and forts light up.
4. Mutrah SouqA warren of covered lanes selling frankincense, silver and textiles, one of the oldest markets in the region.
5. Al Alam PalaceThe Sultan's ceremonial palace with its blue and gold columns, framed by two Portuguese-era forts.
6. Al Jalali and Al Mirani FortsSixteenth-century Portuguese strongholds guarding the old harbour entrance below Al Alam Palace.
7. National Museum of OmanA modern, well-curated museum on Omani heritage across from the palace.
8. Bait Al ZubairA family museum of Omani daily life, dress and weaponry in a restored Old Muscat house.
9. Qurum Beach and Natural ParkThe city's long sandy beach beside a lagoon park, the main gathering spot for local families.
10. Riyam ParkA hillside park above the corniche marked by a giant incense-burner monument with harbour views.

Where to go

Weekend escapes

1. NizwaThe old interior capital, two hours inland, with a round fort, a lively souq and a Friday morning goat market.
2. Jebel AkhdarThe Green Mountain plateau climbs above 2000 metres, cool and terraced with rose farms and canyon-edge hotels.
3. Wadi ShabA gorge near Tiwi with emerald pools you swim through to reach a hidden waterfall cave.
4. Bimmah SinkholeA turquoise limestone sinkhole in Hawiyat Najm park, an easy stop on the coast road toward Sur.
5. Daymaniyat IslandsA protected offshore reserve reached by boat, the best snorkelling and diving near the capital.

Coffee

Best cafes

1. Kargeen CaffeAn iconic lantern-lit garden cafe in Madinat Sultan Qaboos serving Omani coffee, dates and shisha.
2. D'Arcy's KitchenA long-loved expat cafe in the Jawharat A'Shatti complex, reliable coffee and all-day plates.
3. Cafe AmazonA widespread Thai-origin coffee chain with easy branches across Muscat for a quick iced drink.

Restaurants

Where to eat

1. Bait Al LubanTraditional Omani cooking in an old house overlooking the Mutrah Corniche, strong on shuwa and camel dishes.
2. UbharA modern take on Omani cuisine in Bareeq Al Shatti, good for a first taste of the local flavours.
3. Mumtaz MahalA hilltop Indian institution above Qurum Park, decades old with live sitar and park views.
4. The Beach RestaurantSeafood by the water at The Chedi Muscat, the city's benchmark for a special dinner.
5. Kargeen CaffeBeyond coffee, the garden setting turns out solid Omani and Arabic mains under the trees.
6. Turkish House RestaurantA dependable Shatti Al Qurum spot for grills, mezze and fresh bread from the oven.
7. Blue MarlinCasual seafood and sunset drinks at Marina Bandar Al Rowdha, popular with the boating crowd.

Morning

Best breakfast

1. D'Arcy's KitchenThe go-to for a full breakfast, eggs, pancakes and proper coffee before the heat sets in.
2. Kargeen CaffeOmani breakfast of eggs, honey, dates and flatbread in the shaded garden.
3. The Chedi MuscatA lavish resort breakfast spread for a slow, indulgent weekend morning.
4. Bait Al LubanTraditional Omani morning plates with harbour views over Mutrah.
5. Cafe AmazonQuick pastries and iced coffee when you just need a fast start.