Oman
Muscat in May
🔥 Hot dry seasonVery hot and mostly dry. Watch for extreme heat risk.
🎒 Pack: light, breathable clothes & sunscreen · sunglasses & hat
Why May scores 6.0What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort5.6
- !Very hot (40°C highs / 29°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point 12.5°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~7 mm rain)
- Air quality6.6
- !Elevated (PM2.5 ~28 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards7.0
- !Extreme heat: Average daily high 40°C
- Safety baseline5.0
- ·High caution
| May | Dec | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 6.0 Fair | 9.2 Excellent |
| Season | 🔥 Hot dry season | ☀️ Dry season |
| High / low | 40° / 29° | 27° / 19° |
| Rain | 7 mm | 13 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 13° | dew pt 12° |
| PM2.5 | 28 µg/m³ | 15 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Muscat weather-station normals. Rainfall: Muscat weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsMay 2027
Holiday weekA long local holiday falls this month. Expect crowds at sights, fuller trains and flights, and higher hotel prices on those dates. Book ahead.
- Eid al-Adha 14–18 May · 5 days off in a row
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore MuscatEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyOman's capital, stretched between rocky mountains and the Gulf of Oman, known for its grand mosque, traditional souq, forts and nearby wadis and beaches.
No major events on our calendar for May.
Coming up later
Muscat NightsDate variesUsually January to February
A winter festival of entertainment, food and cultural shows.
Why go: Coincides with the most comfortable weather.
Where: Parks and venues across Muscat
Ramadan and Eid al-FitrDate variesIslamic lunar calendar — moves about 11 days earlier each year; around February to March in 2026–2027
The month of daytime fasting, with Eid celebrations at its end.
Why go: Eating and drinking in public during daylight is not allowed and hours change.
Where: Nationwide
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
Oman's main mosque, with a huge hand-woven carpet and chandelier.
💡 Non-Muslims can visit in limited morning hours outside Fridays; modest dress covering arms and legs is required, and women must cover their hair.
Mutrah Corniche and Souq
A waterfront promenade beside one of the Arab world's oldest souqs, selling frankincense, silver and textiles.
Royal Opera House Muscat
A modern opera house in Omani architectural style hosting international performances.
Al Alam Palace and the forts
The Sultan's ceremonial palace in Old Muscat, flanked by the Portuguese-era Al Jalali and Al Mirani forts.
💡 The palace and forts are viewed from outside.
Bait Al Zubair
A private museum of Omani heritage, weapons, costumes and jewellery in Old Muscat.
Wadi Shab
A canyon with turquoise pools and a cave waterfall along the coast road to Sur, a popular day trip.
💡 Avoid wadis when rain is forecast because of flash floods.
Shuwa
Spiced lamb or goat slow-cooked for a day or more in an underground pit, mainly made for Eid.
Omani halwa
A sticky sweet made with sugar, rosewater, saffron and nuts, served with coffee.
Kahwa and dates
Omani coffee flavoured with cardamom, offered with dates as a gesture of welcome.
Mishkak
Grilled skewers of marinated meat sold at evening street stalls.
Qabuli
Spiced rice cooked with meat or chicken.
Frankincense
Aromatic resin from Dhofar in southern Oman, sold by grade along with burners.
💡 Mutrah Souq
Omani halwa
Packed in tubs or decorative bowls.
💡 Specialist halwa shops
Silver jewellery
Traditional Omani silverwork, including old Bedouin pieces.
💡 Mutrah Souq
Dates
Many varieties of Omani dates, plain or filled.