Is Muscat safe?
Very safe and welcoming, with low crime. Iranian strikes also reached Oman in July 2026; check airspace news. Roads, heat and wadi flash floods are the real risks.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 3: Reconsider travel, updated 2026-04-08.
- Homicide rate in Oman: 0.1 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Oman: 10.6 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: All emergencies 9999.
Safety in Muscat at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Petty theft is uncommon; occasional theft from cars and unattended items at beaches. Violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | Streets are quiet and safe. Alcohol is limited to hotels; avoid being drunk in public. |
| Solo women | One of the easier Gulf cities for solo women; cover arms and legs outside resorts. Stares happen; late-night walking alone is not advised. |
| Other risks | Flash floods in wadis after rain; Heat above 45 °C in summer; Fast driving and speeding trucks |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Taxi drivers quoting high flat fares instead of using a meter
- Overcharging at Muttrah Souq without agreeing a price first
Take care
- Swimming at remote beaches with strong currents
- Driving at night; camels and speeding trucks on roads
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drinking or being drunk in public, including on beaches, is illegal; drink-driving tolerance is zero.
- Unmarried couples sharing a hotel room is illegal under Omani law.
- Swearing or rude gestures, including in traffic, are criminal offences.
How Muscat compares in Oman
Quick answers
Is Muscat safe for solo female travelers?
One of the easier Gulf cities for solo women; cover arms and legs outside resorts. Stares happen; late-night walking alone is not advised.
Is Muscat safe at night?
Streets are quiet and safe. Alcohol is limited to hotels; avoid being drunk in public.
What is the crime rate in Muscat?
Petty theft is uncommon; occasional theft from cars and unattended items at beaches. Violent crime against visitors is rare. Nationally, Oman records 0.1 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Muscat?
All emergencies 9999.
More about Muscat
Going to Muscat solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Oman Airports
- ROP eVisa
- Mwasalat
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.