Muscat's sights are spread along the coast rather than clustered in a single old quarter. Most visitors focus on Old Muscat — the walled quarter housing Al Alam Palace, flanked by the Portuguese-built Al Jalali and Al Mirani forts — and Muttrah, the adjacent harbour district with its corniche and covered souk. Further west, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and the Royal Opera House are the city's most impressive modern set pieces.
A day or two covers the headline attractions. For a sense of the wider country, rent a 4×4 and head inland to the mountain forts at Nizwa and Bahla, or follow the coast to the turtle beaches at Ras al-Hadd.