Wedged along a relatively narrow strip of land between mountains and sea, Muscat comprises a long string of suburbs. The city spans a distance of 50 km or so from the airport to Al-Bustan, but there is plenty of public transport. Despite its length, Muscat feels more like a collection of small towns than a busy metropolis.

Muscat is sometimes referred to as the three cities: Muscat, Mutrah, and Ruwi. Muscat proper, s small area with few shops and no hotels, is given over to the palace administration. Most travellers stay in the neighboring port of Mutrah, and shopping centers and transport terminals are located in the commercial district of Ruwi.

Giant sculptures of coffeepots and miniature forts in the middle of Muscat’s roundabouts make good navigational aids. A clock tower with a mural marks the Rusayl roundabout, an important transport hub.