Muscat rewards visitors who venture beyond the city itself — much of what makes Oman distinctive is in the wadis and mountains a short drive away. Here are ten things worth your time. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is one of the few mosques in the Gulf open to non-Muslim visitors outside prayer times — the marble courtyards and Persian carpet inside are genuinely worth the modest dress requirements. Mutrah Souk, one of the oldest markets in the Arab world, sits just behind the harbour and rewards slow, unhurried browsing over quick sightseeing. The Mutrah Corniche at sunset offers views back toward Mutrah Fort on the cliffs — one of the most reliably good photo opportunities in the city. Wadi Shab, about ninety minutes from Muscat, combines a hike with a swim through narrowing canyon pools — bring a dry bag, as parts of the route involve wading through water. A morning boat trip from Muscat regularly spots wild dolphins, often combined with snorkelling stops along the coast. Old Muscat's Al Alam Palace and surrounding forts give a sense of the city's older, more compact core before its more recent expansion. Nizwa, about two hours inland, has a well-preserved fort, an active souk, and surrounding date palm oases — worth a full day if your itinerary allows it. The Royal Opera House Muscat, architecturally striking even for visitors with no interest in attending a performance, is worth a look from outside if not inside. Qurum and Shatti Al Qurum beaches give an easy, relaxed contrast to the more active wadi and mountain excursions — useful for balancing an itinerary that's otherwise activity-heavy. Finally, the Bait Al Zubair museum offers a compact, well-curated overview of Omani culture and history if you want context before heading further afield. There's no metro system in Muscat, so a rental car is genuinely useful for reaching wadis and mountain routes — budget for this rather than relying solely on taxis.