I’ve heard good things about Muscat but I didn’t think know it was actually so good it came second in the must visit city list for 2012. Pretty cool accomplishment and they’re right next door. Must add it to my to do list.
Top 10 cities
1. London
2. Muscat, Oman
3. Bengaluru (Bangalore), India
4. Cadiz, Spain
5. Stockholm
6. Guimaraes, Portugal
7. Santiago, Chile
8. Hong Kong
9. Orlando, Florida, USA
10. Darwin, Australia
[Source]
Thanks Yousuf
Photo by momentaryawe
32 replies on “Muscat, a 2012 Top City”
Wait really? I have a friend who studied in Muscat and thought it was boring 😛 I’ll have to look into it
With all due respect, Muscat is a nice quiet city but to rank it #2.. why?
I can’t believe London is #1.
Read the article, it’s because of the olympics in 2012
Me too! I mean it’s a death sentence for people who get depression bouts when the sun’s not around for a few days plus all the concrete and crime?… It’s fun, but I don’t wanna stay there for more than a week.
Why didn’t they add Singapore?
obviously who wrote this article has no taste.. this is more like worst 10 cities except Orlando,FL
Orlando sucks, humid and hot and trashy
who cares about the weather when its fun and you have a lot to do ?
people have nothing to complain about but the weather
Ha, I can’t believe that Orlando made this list…. Not what I would call one of the “ten best”…..
Muscat is an outdoors/relaxation spot that is mellow and historically preserved. There aren’t that many attractions and thats why some might deem it boring, and also why some would consider it a must see city. It’s most appropriate to call this destination the anti-Dubai.
I’ve been to Muscat once. It’s very quite and relaxed compared to a place like Dubai. It also has an interesting landscape compared to other Gulf countries. They actually have mountains and monsoon season in the summer. The beaches are also nice and the people are very friendly. It’s definitely worth a visit. I recommend driving to Muscat from Dubai so you can see how the landscape changes and all the interesting little villages on the way. It’s a very smooth and scenic drive. That’s how I went there.
This is only the opinion of a few Lonely Planet authors. Other travel sites like TripAdvisor & VirtualTourist will give you a better idea of which cities to visit.
how did muscat reach there,i thought i wuold be dubai.
bangalore india!! its worth a visit!
spend a week there and had an amazing time with all the pub hopping and clubs and malls to hang out at!
more to it than just pubs. probably the onlt place in india, where you find all the cuisines of india
Apparently most people here associate best places to visit as the most well developed. As someone who has traveled the world its those small pockets of authenticity which are the best places to visit. I would rather visit Old Sanaa Yemen or Salalah, Oman rather than Plastic Dubai or man made wonderland Orlando Florida.
hear,hear
Typo.
” I didn’t think know “
I have heard good things about Muscat. It might not be the best city for all people, and a lot of it would depend on people’s taste. If one is looking for quiet, relaxing and friendly atmosphere, Muscat is the place
“Everyone should go to Orlando!” -SPONSORED BY DISNEY
I agree. The natural beauty of Oman is what you experience and the Omanis are the nicest people in the GCC.
blore is the place to be 4all ages. ! ! !
🙂 Bangalore is amazing!!!!
Bangalore……..only because it has more pubs than hospitals!!!!
+5
It’s all about the nature for me. Well done Muscat!
Muscat desrves no. 1 hands down..that city has everything..I just LOVE it!
Lots of focus on Muscat…:-)
As for “attractions” – to each his own. I have stayed in Oman for 3 years and still miss it even after six years in Kuwait. Very few countries in the GCC, where you can go dune bashing, bbq on a white sandy beach, freeze at a cliff face 10,000 foot high, all within a few hours driving of the capital city….. and all without getting hassled by the local population….. Attractive enough for me !!
You mentioned;
“Very few countries in the GCC, where you can go dune bashing, bbq on a white sandy beach, freeze at a cliff face 10,000 foot high, all within a few hours driving of the capital city….. and all without getting hassled by the local population…..”
I don’t think there is any other country in the GCC you can do that.
Haven’t been to all of them. So you may be right!! Cheers!!!
Dear Mark,
First of all I am a big fan of your blog, I read it daily on my phone. I dont miss one day. Let me just say, U r gr8 and yr posts r always very interesting… I am a quiet reader – i don’t comment, but yeah i got to comment on this one. I just came back from Muscat on friday. I spent 4 days inthere and let me just say it was not enough. I miss it so much. I was mesmerized by the country and people. Muscat is trully beautiful and a must see place. I am from Europe, living in Kuwait, but let me just say, I have propably never seen such a clean city. It is just spotless. There are so many attractions, like boat trips – dolphin watching, snorkling, turtle beach, wadi(s), desert and sooooo much more. I had the chance to experience only some, but I am already planning for another trip, so I can enjoy some more… I saw dolphins, in the sea, snorkled with turtles, the beaches are clean and sand is soft (like shamoa). Oh and the weather….amaaaaaaaaaaaazing…Old souq is beautiful, there r museums and forts and so much more to see. I visited Sultan Qaboos mosque and was astonished, I might have even dropped some tears when i entered the main prayer hall. People r smiling all the time and r very friendly. When u go to a mall, u see families, with children, dads holding the kids hands, carrying baby, no maids like in Kuwait. It was suprising and nice picture to be seen. Well, let me stop here…all what I wanted to say is…Yes Thumbs up and huts down for Muscat, Oman… It is a number 1 must see place…
I love u Muscat… :-)))
Bangalore rocks everyday, anyday of the year… 🙂
Life is awesome there… 😀
Its the Silicon valley of the world with dutyfree cheaper than dubai…
Kingfisher Baaby! Aight!
Muscat is a good but quiet place….
London is fun, but rude…
uhhh bangalore is shit. noisy, smoggy, garbagey, crowded. it used to be good but has gone rapidly downhill. the clubs dont even stay open late.
muscat gets my vote