Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Muscat is the capital city of Oman, known for its stunning landscapes and rich culture. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 1.5 million. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed is around 40 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is Omani Rial (OMR). 1 OMR ≈ 2.60 USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Tap water is treated, but it's recommended to drink bottled water. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Oman Mobile, Ooredoo, and Vodafone offer prepaid SIM cards. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International cards such as Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnbs, hotels, and local rental agencies like Muscat Home. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted widely in urban areas. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local platforms like Sohar Property. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like Nomads Hotel or budget hotels such as Al Maha International Hotel. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Mutrah and the Corniche area are popular for tourists. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | The Al Khuwair area is great with cafes and coworking spaces. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Woom – a popular coworking space, located in Al Khuwair. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Mondo – known for a great atmosphere and reliable Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | LinkedIn local events are held regularly, check local expat groups. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Join the Oman Expats Facebook Group for community events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Otaxi is a widely used app for ride-hailing in Muscat. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | No major bike rental services, but e-scooter rentals are available in some areas. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Qurum Beach is the closest popular beach, just 20 mins away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Oman Air is the main carrier for regional travel. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Oman Air, Emirates, and Qatar Airways provide international connections. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | The main highway, Sultan Qaboos Highway connects Muscat to major cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | There is limited rail service; buses are the main form of public transport. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Mwasalat bus services offer prepaid cards for frequent riders. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Bus services are available to nearby cities such as Nizwa and Sohar. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Sultan Qaboos University Hospital is the primary healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Oman offers various classes across the city. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First has branches across Muscat with good facilities. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundry services like Fresh Laundry are available for expats. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Talabat is the leading food delivery app in Muscat. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Shuwa – slow-cooked lamb marinated in spices, traditionally served. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Sundus Rotana and The Tree of Life Café offer good vegetarian options. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Karak House is known for traditional Karak tea and desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | The Mutrah Souq for local crafts and snacks. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Namshi and Carrefour Oman provide online shopping options. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Oman Foodstuff offers online grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Al Khuwair area features various bars and nightlife options. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | There are no local breweries due to strict alcohol laws; bars serve imported options. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Some hotels offer wine selections, but bars are limited. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Mutrah Corniche has various street food vendors offering snacks. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Places like Turkish Kitchen offer excellent international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and Royal Opera House are must-visit sites. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The National Museum of Oman showcases the country’s heritage. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Al Jalali and Al Mirani forts are historical landmarks worth visiting. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is an iconic religious site open to visitors. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Muscat Festival celebrates local culture and heritage every January. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Mutrah is a historic area known for its souq and waterfront. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Royal Opera House hosts a variety of performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Mutrah Souq offers traditional Omani crafts and spices. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Smaller venues host local music performances and events. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Street art can be found in various neighborhoods, adding to local culture. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Oman Cooking Class offers cultural experiences through cooking. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Bait Al Zubair showcases Omani arts and culture. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Royal Palace, while not open to public, is a notable architecture piece. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The khanjar, Oman's traditional dagger, symbolizes the heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Wadi Shab and Wadi Bani Khalid are stunning nearby natural reserves. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | The Al Hajar Mountains offer hiking trails and scenic views. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Corniche promenade is popular for walking and cycling. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Mutrah Fort offers panoramic views of the city and coastline. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Al Qurm Nature Reserve is great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Some designated areas along the beaches allow bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Oman Post and DHL offer reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Al-Fahd Electronics provides gadget repairs across the city. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Fitness clubs often have table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | The Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center offers Arabic language classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Muscat Library has a decent selection of books and study areas. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The British Council hosts various cultural and community events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gamer HQ is a popular venue for video gaming. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Gambling is not allowed in Oman; there are no casinos. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. OMR 1,600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = OMR 64,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. OMR 1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = OMR 48,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. OMR 1,400 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = OMR 84,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. OMR 1,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = OMR 60,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. OMR 1,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = OMR 104,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. OMR 1,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = OMR 80,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 15% standard corporate tax rate. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 0% on dividend distributions. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Tax system is territorial; tax is only on income sourced in Oman. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 0%; Oman has no personal income tax. |
| 🧾 VAT | 5% standard Value Added Tax. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Oman does not have strict CFC taxation rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | No annual property tax on ownership. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Applicable for property transactions is 3%. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | 0% tax on worldwide income for non-residents. |