[2025 Muscat Stay] Travel Guide for DoubleTree by Hilton Muscat Qurum (Updated May)

Getting There - We stayed at DoubleTree by Hilton Muscat Qurum. The mosque is roughly 20 minutes drive from the hotel. Attractions - Inaugurated in 2001, this is Oman's biggest mosque. It houses the world's largest hand woven Persian carpet, a masterpiece that took 600 weavers 4 years to complete. The mosque also features a colossal Swarovski crystal chandelier that illuminates the main prayer hall. An architectural marvel, the mosque complex is distinguished by its five minarets, symbolizing the 5 pillars of islam, with the main minaret soaring to an impressive height of 91.5m. #cityplaybook #sultanqaboos #sultanqaboosgrandmosque #grandmosque #oman #muscat #travel

Getting There - Fanja village is located approximately 1.5hr drive from Muscat the capital. Attractions - Fanja village was a great stop! The village offers stunning panoramic views from it's hilltop location, with old mud houses hunting at its history. The Fanja Souq was a vibrant experience with a lot of local crafts, spices and traditional Omani goods. Hotels - DoubleTree by Hilton Muscat Qurum. The staff are very friendly and pay a lot of attention to detail. Food & Restaurants and Shopping - Fanja Souq has a lot of shopping options available. #fanja #fanjavillage #fanjasouq #oman #culture

Getting There - Nizwa is approximately 1.5hr drive from Muscat the current capital. Attractions - Nizwa is the old capital of Oman. It's known for its iconic 17th century fort with a massive cylindrical tower. Its bustling traditional souq is famous for silver and handicrafts. It offers diverse goods from fresh produce to traditional Omani daggers reflecting Nizwa's rich cultural heritage as a former capital. Hotels - We stayed at DoubleTree by Hilton Muscat Qurum. Food & Restaurants and Shopping - There are small locally owned shops and restaurants around the area. The items are priced reasonably and the food from whenever we tried was delicious. #nizwa #nizwafort #oman #shopping #culture #middleeast

Getting There - Wahiba Sands is about a 2hr drive from Muscat the capital. Attractions - Stepping into the Wahiba Sands felt like entering another world. The vast expanse of undulating dunes, stretching as far as the eye could see, was truly awe-inspiring. The silence was profound, broken only by the whisper of the wind. Exploring the desert landscape and experiencing the simple beauty of this natural wonder was an unforgettable and deeply peaceful experience. If you plan on staying for the night, it's important to choose a camp that suits your needs. There are many camps available and some are not in the dunes. Accommodation: We stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Muscat Qurum. A very friendly team provides excellent service here and they have a pool on the top floor. Food & Restaurants - We visited a bedouin camp in Wahiba Sands for a traditional lunch. The food was delicious and fresh cooked and served by the locals. #wahibasands #sharqiyasands #desert #oman