Shatti Al Qurum: opera, hotels and beach living in Muscat

Shatti Al Qurum ("Qurum beach") runs along the coast just west of Qurum. It is the most cosmopolitan part of Muscat's seafront, with beach hotels, embassies, villas and the city's cultural landmark.

Character

The Royal Opera House Muscat, opened in 2011, is the area's centrepiece: a white palace of a building with a busy season of opera, ballet, concerts and Arabic music, plus the Opera Galleria shopping arcade next door. Along the beach, hotels and cafés make the promenade one of the liveliest places in the city on winter evenings.

Living there

• Spacious villas on quiet streets, many leased to diplomats and senior professionals.
• Walking distance to the beach and the opera.
• Restaurants and cafés along the beach road and around the hotels.
• Quick access to Al Khuwair's offices and Madinat Sultan Qaboos.

Homes and prices

Shatti Al Qurum is among the most expensive rental areas in Muscat, with large villas dominating. Apartments are fewer and generally in small low-rise buildings.

Can foreigners buy?

Shatti Al Qurum is not a designated area for foreign ownership. Foreign buyers who want a similar beach-and-culture lifestyle usually look at Al Mouj or Qurum's approved projects.

How R2LUX helps

Three homes with a comparable seafront lifestyle are listed below.