The Rocky Landscape of Muscat

In Muscat, you notice the blue of the water, the white of the buildings and, above all, this constant brown backdrop. True to the idea of living discreetly, the city seems tucked into its landscape, with the western slopes of the Al Hajar Mountains rising just to the north. These are the most important mountains on the Arabian Peninsula, and they give Oman’s capital its dramatic, rugged character. For centuries, this terrain was an advantage: changes in elevation made it easy to build forts, walls and lookout points to control access and movement. The hills and mountains around Muscat are made largely of volcanic and ophiolitic rocks rich in iron, which explains their dark colours and the near absence of vegetation. This stark mineral scenery contrasts sharply with the nearby Sea of Oman, whose deep natural coves encouraged the early creation of sheltered ports. The harsh climate, with extremely hot summers and low but sometimes intense rainfall, has also shaped the city. Rather than growing upward, Muscat developed lengthwise, following the coastline and the natural valleys known as wadis. This geography explains the city’s open, low-rise appearance, where nature is never far away and mountains, sea and urban life seem to be in constant conversation. Some even say that the name Muscat itself reflects this geography, linked to the idea of a hidden or enclosed place, almost invisible from the open sea, where sailors once needed to know the exact entrance to reach the harbour.