Car hire Muscat

Introduction

For more than two thousand years, Muscat, the capital of Oman, has played an important role as trading center between the East and the West. The city was captured by Portugal at the beginning of the sixteenth century. The Bahla Fort at the harbor, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a relic of those days. After the colonial days, the sultans of Oman went looking for adventure themselves and drove away the Portuguese from Zanzibar and East Africa. They even made Zanzibar their capital. This ended when two of the sultan's sons became rivals. The conflict was resolved by British mediation: one son got Zanzibar, the other Oman.

Population

The city has over 1 million inhabitants.

Location

Muscat is located on the north coast of Oman, a country in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula. The old part of this Arabian city is a popular tourist destination, but the rest of the country also draws many visitors. Especially since, contrary to other countries in this region, the wadis (small rivers) contain water almost all year round creating many green oases in Oman's desert. The country also has beautiful beaches. Oman borders with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Economy

Oil extraction and export play an important role in the economy, but Oman's oil reserves are limited. Therefore the country (and the capital) aims at attracting other industries, mainly IT and telecommunication. Agriculture and fishing play a minor role. Tourism is of increasing importance for the city and the country. The old city of Muscat and the fortresses, castles, deserts, oases and sandy beaches draw more and more visitors.

Airports

The airport of Oman's capital, Muscat International Airport (before: As Seeb Airport), is situated 30 kilometers west of the old city center. The more modern districts are located closer to the airport. The airport is easily reachable by rental car via Al Sultan Qaboos Street.

Public Transport

Minibuses, so-called baiza, are the most popular form of public transport. They run everywhere in Muscat, between the old city and the airport, and can take you to various destinations. It may sometimes be difficult to find out the destination of a baiza. There are also larger buses in Muscat, but only on the main roads.

Traffic and Parking

The main roads in and around Muscat are excellent. If you not only want to drive in the city, but also in the rest of the country, it's best to rent a 4WD. The signposting in Muscat can be confusing. Prepare yourself by buying a good road map. Parking isn't a problem in Muscat, but the narrow alleys in the old city aren't accessible for cars.

Hotels

Muscat has a large choice of luxurious four- and five-star accommodations. This doesn't mean there aren't any cheaper options. The midrange and budget categories are also well represented, especially near the Corniche, the boulevard along the sea. There are basic guesthouses for budget travelers (isteraha in Arab), but the quality differs. Check your room before booking it.

External Sources

For more information about Muscat, we recommend Google and the following sources:

• Wikipedia, Muscat
• Official website Muscat
• Tourist Information Muscat