Muscat Weather in January 2026
“The kind of pleasant weather you build a trip around.”
Roughly 2 rainy days across the month, on average.
January drapes Muscat in soft golden light, with the Hajar mountains crisp against a cobalt Gulf of Oman sky. Daytime highs settle at 24.4C (75.9F) while nights cool to 17.1C (62.8F), enough to wear a light jacket along Mutrah Corniche after sundown. Rainfall stays negligible at 12mm across roughly 2 rainy days, and 10.1 daily sunshine hours flood the whitewashed lanes of Old Muscat. Locals stroll the fish souq at dawn when temperatures dip to 15C, and cardamom coffee tastes properly seasonal.
Muscat Festival typically opens in mid-January at Naseem and Al Amerat parks, staging Omani sword dances, halwa demonstrations and craft pavilions. Dhow cruises depart Mutrah nightly with calm 18C sea surface temperatures. Day trippers head to Wadi Shab for its emerald pools, which are swimmable this time of year, and the Bimmah sinkhole draws snorkelers with 22C water. The Frankincense Route from Nizwa Fort opens comfortable land tours toward Jebel Akhdar plateau, where evenings drop below 10C.
Across 11 complete years (2015-2025), January has held remarkably steady, deviating no more than 1.8C from mean. The 2020 anomaly saw 41mm rain in one week, which was an outlier. For 2026, El Nino-neutral conditions and stable Arabian Sea pressure suggest a textbook Omani winter: dry, breezy, low humidity around 55%. Long-range models from NOAA point to slightly above-average sunshine.
Travelers plotting a 2026 itinerary should book Chedi Muscat or Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah eight weeks out because January is high demand for European sun-seekers. Cruise ships dock at Sultan Qaboos Port on Tuesdays and Fridays, spiking souq crowds by lunchtime. Bookings for wadi 4x4 excursions fill fast during 2026 Eton and Charterhouse half-term weeks. Reserve early and target weekday hikes.
Mutrah Corniche at sunset walks past dhows still built by hand in Sur, three hours south. Real shuwa — lamb slow-roasted underground for 48 hours — appears at Eid only, but Bait Al Luban restaurant in Mutrah serves the closest daily version. The Grand Mosque's Persian carpet is one hand-woven piece requiring 600 women four years. Take the coastal road to Bimmah Sinkhole for freshwater cliff jumping locals do year-round.
What to pack for Muscat in January
January air feels dry and pleasantly mild by day, chilling notably at desert night camps.
- Light long-sleeve cotton shirt and linen trousers for daytime
- Fleece or packable puffer for evenings under 18C
- Modest knee-length skirts or trousers for mosque visits
- Closed-toe hiking sandals for wadi scrambles
- Wide-brim hat plus SPF 30 sunscreen year-round
What to pack for Muscat in January
- →Breathable travel pantsAmazon · shop this
- →Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50Amazon · shop this
- →Polarized sunglassesAmazon · shop this
- →Universal travel adapterAmazon · shop this
- →Compression packing cubesAmazon · shop this
- →Anti-theft crossbody bagAmazon · shop this
We may earn a small commission on any purchase — it doesn't change the price you pay.
Where to stay in Muscat
We don't review individual hotels — plenty of people do that well. What we do is send you to compare rooms in Muscat across trusted platforms.
Compare hotels on Booking.com→Estimated January trip to Muscat
Peak season prices — book early or shift by 2–3 weeks to save. Rule-based estimates from a couple based in London — actual prices vary.
We may earn a commission if you book through these links, at no cost to you. Estimates use rule-based averages; check partner sites for live pricing.
Delayed flight to Muscat?
Flights to Muscat in January can be delayed by storms. Claim up to €600 if yours is 3+ hours late. EU regulations cover flights departing from or arriving in the EU/UK.
Check compensation eligibility →Free check · Only pay if you get paid · Powered by Compensair.
Plan your Muscat trip
Handpicked services from partners we trust. One tab for everything you'll need after the flight is booked.
Compare rooms in Muscat on Booking.com.
Skip-the-line tickets, day trips, food walks and guided tours.
Compare fares with cashback on every booking.
Instant data on arrival — no roaming charges, no SIM swap.
Flexible monthly coverage for trips of any length.
Compare 900+ rental brands with free cancellation.
Book a driver in advance — fixed price, no queue.
We may earn a commission if you book through these links, at no cost to you.
Things worth doing
Wadi Shab canyoning, Mutrah Souq nightly stroll, Muscat Festival crafts village, Nizwa Fort and Friday goat market, Bimmah Sinkhole swim, dhow sunset cruise from Marina Bandar Al Rowdha.
January vs. the rest of the year
How this month compares in Muscat. Tap any month to read more.
highlighted months are among the best time to visit.
Best time to visit Muscat
January is one of the best months to visit Muscat — alongside February, March, November. 11-year climate data (2015–2025) confirms it: comfortable temperatures, manageable rainfall, and a healthy dose of sunshine.
See the full best-time-to-visit guide for MuscatOther places with a similar climate right now
Muscat in January — FAQ
Q01Should I visit Muscat in January?
Should I visit Muscat in January?
Yes — this is one of the best months of the year to visit. In January, Muscat averages a high of 24°C (76°F) and a low of 17°C (63°F), with 12mm of rainfall across roughly 2 rainy days. Muscat Festival January-February fills Naseem Park with traditional halwa makers and Bedouin horse racing; turtle nesting at Ras al Jinz peaks June through September.
Q02What temperatures should I expect in Muscat during January?
What temperatures should I expect in Muscat during January?
The average high temperature in Muscat during January is 24°C (76°F), with an average low of 17°C (63°F). These figures are averaged from 11 complete years of daily records (2015–2025, Open-Meteo Archive). January nights hit 17°C in Muscat but drop to 8°C at Jebel Akhdar mountain resort; rose harvest at Al Jabal Al Akhdar peaks April.
Q03Is January a rainy month in Muscat?
Is January a rainy month in Muscat?
Muscat averages approximately 2 rainy days in January, with a total monthly rainfall of about 12mm. This is based on daily precipitation records where days with 1mm or more of rain are counted as rainy days.
Q04How should I dress for Muscat in January?
How should I dress for Muscat in January?
For Muscat in January, pack layered clothing for changing temperatures, sunscreen and sunglasses, comfortable walking shoes. These recommendations are based on 11 complete years of weather averages for this specific month. Modest shoulder-covering clothing for both genders — Sultan Qaboos Mosque enforces strictly and refuses entry, unlike the more relaxed UAE mosques.
Q05Is January a busy travel month for Muscat?
Is January a busy travel month for Muscat?
Tourist crowds in Muscat during January are typically moderate — winter is high season for tropical destinations. Consider this when planning accommodation — prices track crowd levels closely. Mutrah Corniche at sunset walks past dhows still built by hand in Sur, three hours south. Real shuwa — lamb slow-roasted underground for 48 hours — appears at Eid only, but Bait Al Luban restaurant in Mutrah serves the closest daily version. The Grand Mosque's Persian carpet is one hand-woven piece requiring 600 women four years. Take the coastal road to Bimmah Sinkhole for freshwater cliff jumping locals do year-round.