I have never imagined calling myself a solo traveller, but over the past 10 years or so I found that most of my travels have been done as a ‘solo traveller’, definitely more often than any group trips I would have done, making me think that perhaps the phrase would be an apt one to describe me. I got my first experience travelling solo probably back in 2006 when I travelled to Japan alone and gained an experience that I probably did not fully appreciate or realize until years later: that you don’t actually need to wait on or rely on anyone but yourself to make a trip or a long-held dream of a travel destination happen – and visiting Japan had been a dream of mine ever since I was a kid.
This was a very liberating feeling, and ever since then I have not thought twice about not travelling due to not having a group or friends to join me – and have used this experience to travel to destinations ranging from the Great Ocean Road in Australia to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and Pripyat in Ukraine, and the stunningly gorgeous Caucasus mountains of Tusheti in Georgia. Despite all of this, I do not consider myself a ‘loner’, on the contrary, I believe I am a sociable person who enjoys meeting people. To me, solo travelling allows me to have the freedom to make (as well as adjust, and readjust) plans and destinations, while also being able to meet some wonderfully fascinating people whether they are locals or fellow travellers in the destinations I visit.
For those who are considering a trip, my advice is ‘have a plan’ – a good plan doesn’t have to be detailed and should be flexible to adjust or fill details as you travel – but have a big goal or thing you want to do (i.e. to visit a certain national park or visit a monument or museum) and fill the details around that. Plan a portion of your solo travel trip in a group activity – this could be visiting family/friends or booking a group activity such as a hike or group tour, for a first timer this will help make you more at ease and hey you combined a great experience with meeting your family or friends. Buy a local SIM card with data wherever you go. Have an open mind and don’t stress if you don’t make a plan or target!
If you're planning a trip to Muscat, here's a great guide to making the most of your time while you're in Oman's beautiful capital.
Muscat in a Day Omani Breakfast (1 hour)
Forget about your hotel buffet, if you have the time, you need to try a traditional Omani breakfast at many of the different cafes and restaurants that offer it. Depending on where you are staying, good options include Rozna, which has an epic building worthy of a visit just to see, Dukanah Cafe, and Nana’s. If the restaurant offers a breakfast platter, just go for it and come back to our website afterwards to thank us. All the options mentioned here open at 8 am.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (1 to 2 hours)
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is the number one most visited tourist attraction in Muscat, and that is not surprising. This timeless masterpiece is one of the most magnificent and extravagant mosques in the whole world and beautifully showcases contemporary royal Omani architecture while giving homage to a variety of Islamic architectural styles. Non-Muslims can only visit this mosque from Saturday to Thursday between 8 am and 11 am, so you need to plan for this as an early activity for the day.
Royal Opera House Muscat (1 to 2 hours)
The Royal Opera House Muscat is another one of Muscat’s architectural masterpieces and offers a completely different experience from that of the Grand Mosque. You can come here for a very quick stop to take photographs outside the building and walk through the Galleria, or you can go on a guided tour of the Opera House. We are no longer sure of what the current timings are, but it is likely that tours are available from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.
National Museum (1 to 2 hours)
If you do not want to visit the Royal Opera House Muscat, your alternative must-see attraction is the National Museum. It is located in the heart of Old Muscat directly facing Al-Alam Palace. This state-of-the-art museum is perfectly curated to give you a glimpse into the ancient civilization of Oman and showcases clothes, weapons, and artefacts from all over Oman.
Contemporary Omani Lunch (1 to 2 hours)
Depending on whether you end up going to the Royal Opera House or the National Museum, you have several options for unique Omani contemporary lunch places, namely, Ubhar, Bait Al-Luban, and Majlis Al-Luban (the new-ish branch of Bait Al-Luban at the museum). You can’t go wrong with any of these places. Do not trust anyone who recommends that you go anywhere else.
Souq Muttrah and the Corniche (1 to 2 hours)
Souq Muttrah is the most traditional attraction that you can see in the heart of the capital without having to travel to the interior. Be ready to be engulfed in fragrances and spices, haggle with no shame, and come back with fun Omani trinkets and souvenirs. Most of the shops in the souq close between 2 pm and 4 pm, so make sure that you time your trip so that you do not arrive too late or too early after your lunch.
Al-Alam Palace (30 minutes to 1 hour)
The Sultan invites heads of state and monarchs to Al-Alam Palace when they come to visit, and even though you can’t go inside, it is still one of the most iconic buildings in the country and a favourite to all Instagrammers. You can come here during the day or at night for a walk on foot from around the front of the palace all the way to the back to see the two castles, Jalali and Mirani, overseeing the coastline.
Stroll by the Beach (1 to 2 hours)
Depending on the time of sunset, you can go to Qurum Beach or Athaiba Beach to stroll by the beach and watch the locals play football and exercise.
Dinner
If you did not get to try Ubhar or Bait Al-Luban, this is your final chance to do so. If you would like to go somewhere with a variety of stylish eating options, not necessarily Omani, you can go to Al-Mouj Muscat and try one of the many restaurants by the marina.
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