Busy Ruwi often surprises travelers who encounter it after Oman’s largely peaceful interior. This is where Muscat gets on with its daily life and work, and where many in its expat Asian communities live. The epicenter is Ruwi High Street, with shopping arcades and supermarkets. Nearby is Little India, an enclave of older apartments, shops, and Indian and Pakistani eateries. Further east is Muscat’s central business district, whose wide streets brim with banks, hotels, and touristy restaurants.
Most Muscat tours skirt around Ruwi, so many travelers only see it on route to other sights. But it’s worth visiting to experience its hubbub, browse its shops, and view local landmarks such as its mosques, the minaret-like Ruwi Clock Tower, and niche museums. Muscat hop-on hop-off buses stop at Al Farahidi Street, near Little India, and next to the Sri Krishna Temple, which serves its Hindu community.