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Travel advice for Oman
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written by Rough Guides Editors
updated 24.03.2023
Oman is a charming Arabian Gulf destination that offers a glimpse into the past with serene coastlines, mudbrick villages, date plantations, and rugged mountains. It also has vast deserts and bustling cities like Muscat, Salalah, and Sohar. Check out our list of top things to do in Oman.
This article is inspired by our Rough Guide to Oman — your essential guide for travelling in Oman.
Omani Road Trip
Take a road trip through the Mars-like terrain of the Arabian Peninsula, marvel at Muscat's Grand Mosque, get hands on Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve, experience imposing desert forts, all on this unique trip! Experience the magic of Oman with a self-drive trip through this stunning and varied country.
customize ⤍The Great Outdoors of Oman
Immerse yourself in the natural wonders of Oman’s great outdoors: sleep under starry skies in the middle of the desert just as the native Bedouins do, hike around the crater of the Grand Canyon, watching as the light changes on the Jebel Shams Mountains, and swim in the Wadi Oasis.
customize ⤍Classic Oman
Few countries in the world can match Oman's geographical diversity, which boasts palm-fringed white sand beaches, verdant mountains, rolling golden sand dunes and turquoise-watered wadis (water-filled ravines). Experience them all with this unique trip.
customize ⤍Omani Adventure: Deserts, Dunes and Turtle Watching
Explore this vast country of beautiful beaches, lonely deserts, rocky coastlines, prehistoric wildlife, huge sand dunes, Arabian culture, and luxury hotels with this exquisite package.
customize ⤍Discovering Oman: from Muscat to Salalah
Oman offers a boundless and soulful destination, full of culture, ancient trade routes and incredible landscapes. Experience it all for yourself with this unique trip.
customize ⤍A Grand Tour of Oman, from Muscat to Khasab
Discover Oman, packed with beautiful beaches, lonely deserts, rocky coastlines, undulating sand dunes, Arabian culture, and luxury hotels, on this unique trip.
customize ⤍Marvels of Oman
Beautiful Oman has plenty of highlights to offer - Wahiba Sands, Nizwa Fort, Jebel Shams and much more. Spend your nights between nicely appointed hotels and desert camps and learn more about Omani culture and traditions from your private guide.
customize ⤍Oman Beach Holiday
Arabia is a place of legend and tales. With its enchanting deserts, and cultural cities, Oman offers the kind of adventure and culture that were once confined to the pages of exotic fairy tales.
customize ⤍Essential Oman
See the essentials on this whirlwind trip to Oman. From compact Muscat city to desert dune bashing in a 4x4, there's plenty packed in. Experience Oman's famous mountain wadis, head to Turtle Beach for turtle watching, explore traditional fishing villages and get cultural at the historic Rustaq Fort.
customize ⤍The Best of Oman
Oman is known for its wonderful hospitality and warm welcome. See the best of this lovely country on a compact tour that takes in the cultural capital Muscat with its atmospheric souks and palaces, as well as wild mountain wadis, therapeutic hot springs and an unforgettable night of desert camping.
customize ⤍After sunset, you'll walk across the sands in the darkness with your guide to the edge of the waves to see ghostly silhouettes of green turtles emerging from the surf to lay eggs. This natural cycle is a magical experience that reveals the beauty of this ancient tradition that has been in existence for over two hundred million years.
Turtle watching is one of the best things to do in Oman © Marcin Szymczak/Shutterstock
It can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers in two prayer halls and the surrounding courtyard. The mosque has a walled compound with five minarets, four at the corners and one larger in the middle of the northern wall. The mosque's design features white and red-brown marble, with nods to traditional Egyptian, Omani, and Persian styles. Its latticed golden dome over the central prayer hall is a unique and impressive feature.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque — one of the most breathtaking things in Oman © Shutterstock
Most stalls are open to bartering, but there’s less wiggle-room on jewellery (which is sold by weight). If you’re a haggling novice, start with an offer of around 40–50 per cent of the vendor’s opening price, and aim to meet somewhere in the middle.
Muscat's Muttrah Souk © Shutterstock
A string of remote hamlets dots the shoreline, accessible only by boat; each is home to just ten or so families. All water has to be shipped in by boat, while children must commute to school in Khasab.
Fjords near Khasab, Musandam, Oman © Martchan/Shutterstock
Especially during the annual khareef from June to August/early September, when the rains of the southeast monsoon turn the area into a fecund riot of misty green. While rain might be overrated by most visitors from outside the region, the magical explosion of green, seasonal waterfalls and streams make up for it.
Ayn Khor waterfalls, Salalah, Oman © Santhosh kumar sundaresan/Shutterstock
The tombs are located on a narrow ridgetop that offers a stunning view of Jebel Misht, one of Oman's biggest geological wonders. With a total of 21 well-preserved tombs, the best time to visit is in the late afternoon to enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
Al Ayn tombs © MicheleB/Shutterstock
Visitors can explore the town centre's vibrant souk and seafront corniche, which stretches for 1km towards the old harbour that houses the dhow-building yard and a trio of watchtowers, before reaching the charming village of Ayjah. This beautiful area is well worth a visit and is even a great place for wild camping.
The lovely island of Sur © lkpro/Shutterstock
Despite the marked routes, it's advisable to have a specialized guide due to the inhospitable terrain. You'll also want to carry sufficient water, and warm clothing at all times due to sudden weather changes in high altitudes.
Want to experience Oman, but without the hassle of booking and planning? Our Great Outdoors of Oman tailor-made trip takes you through the natural wonders of Oman’s great outdoors.
Hiking in the Western Hajar is one of the best things to do in Oman © Kylie Nicholson/Shutterstock
Frankincense is a crucial part of traditional Omani life, used for perfuming clothes, hair, and beards, as well as in perfumes and Omani bukhoor. Although Somalia is now the main producer of frankincense, Omani frankincense is widely considered to be the finest.
Prefer to leave planning and booking to experts? Our tailor-made service allows you to travel without the hassle. Our Marvels of Oman trip will take you through the beautiful highlights Oman has to offer. All tailor-made trips can be modified together with your local expert.
Frankincense of Oman© Simon Kadula/Shutterstock
The mountains are a testament to geology, comprising large slabs of limestone tilted sideways over millions of years to form the evenly sloping mountainsides and right-angle summits visible today. The changing light casts a unique sere, green-grey hue on the mountains, contrasting beautifully with the reddish ophiolite hills below. Visitors can stop at a series of viewpoints to take in the increasingly expansive views.
Saiq Plateau ©Shutterstock
Inside, the labyrinthine interior is packed with dozens of little rooms around a pair of courtyards, each with its own story to tell. The fort also features a small mosque and a deep falaj that flows through the building, providing visitors with a glimpse into the ancient irrigation system that was once used in Oman.
Image of fort al Jabrin Fort in Oman © Wolfgang Zwanger/Shutterstock
Ready to take the trip of your dreams to Oman? Our tailor-made trip service makes travelling easy by taking care of the planning and booking. Our The Best of Oman trip takes you through Muscat with its atmospheric souks and palaces, as well as wild mountain wadis, therapeutic hot springs and an unforgettable night of desert camping. Our trips are crafted by local travel experts and are completely customisable.
Misfat al Abryeen, one of the best things to do in Oman © LUC KOHNEN/Shutterstock
Daymaniyat Islands, Musandam, and Mirbat are some of the top diving destinations in Oman, each with their own unique offerings for divers and snorkelers. Diving is one of the best things to do in Oman.
Don't miss diving in Oman's coastal waters © divedog/Shutterstock
However, the Nakhal and Al Hazm forts feature museum-style exhibits and interior decor that provide a glimpse into the lives of their former inhabitants. The loop is easily accessible via Highway 13, a fast and usually traffic-free road.
West Hajar © Shutterstock
The old town features a stunning restored fort, mosque, and traditional souqs, exuding a village-like atmosphere, particularly after dark. Visitors can witness the Friday Goat Market and see Bedu women and older men in traditional dress. Visiting here is one of the best things to do in Oman.
Nizwa, Oman © Pearl-diver/Shutterstock
Rub’ Al Khali (the ‘Empty Quarter’) is an estimated 583,000 square kilometres of uninhabited dunes. Photographers are spellbound by the play of light on these rippling hillocks of sand, solitude-seekers venture here to camp under the stars. Additionally, it’s increasingly a destination for adventure travel.
A night in the desert is one of the best things to do in Oman © Shutterstock
Visitors can explore the mountains on a half or full-day mountain safari with a local driver aboard a 4WD. Half-day safaris usually take in Wadi Khasab, Khor an Najd, Sal al A’la, A’Saye and Jebel Harim, while full-day trips continue beyond Jebel Harim to the Rawdah Bowl. The mountains are studded with fossils of ancient submarine creatures, and the view from the top is simply magnificent.
View of "the grand canyon of the middle east" at the Jebel Shams © trabantos/Shutterstock
The highway ascends steeply to the top of the plateau, offering sweeping Grand Canyon-like views. Continuing north, the highway heads inland through the desert for the 150km drive to Sawqirah. Wadi Ash Shuwaymiyah, one of Oman's remotest and most memorable sights, is lined with towering white limestone cliffs, rock pools, and palm groves, and offers plenty of camping spots and a chance to spot wildlife.
The beautiful mountain village of Balad Sayt © Kylie Nicholson/Shutterstock
However, it is worth noting that female visitors may receive unwanted attention elsewhere on the beach. At the eastern end of the beach sits the Crowne Plaza hotel atop a small rocky outcrop, while the Qurum Nature Reserve south of the beach protects a rare stretch of coastal mangrove forest.
Qurum Beach, Muscat © Shutterstock
With its picturesque setting and clear waters, the Bimmah Sinkhole offers a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors to Oman.
Bimmah sinkhole, Oman © trabantos/Shutterstock
Visitors can take part in various activities such as camel riding, sandboarding, and quad biking. The desert also provides a fantastic stargazing experience, with the clear night sky offering an unforgettable view of the stars. This is a fantastic place to catch the sun in the winter.
Wahiba Sands, Oman © Pixabay
Visitors can also take a dip in the natural pools and explore the surrounding rocky terrain, including hidden caves and waterfalls. Additionally, the wadi is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including birds, fish, and various reptiles.
Wadi Bani Khalid, Oman © Pixabay
This list could truly go on. Oman is one of the most beautiful places in the world and is well worth a visit. Ready to start planning your trip? Check out the Rough Guide to Oman.
If you prefer to plan and book your trip to Oman without any effort and hassle, use the expertise of our local travel experts to make sure your trip will be just like you dream it to be.
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written by Rough Guides Editors
updated 24.03.2023
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Oman
Plan your tailor-made trip with a local expert
Book securely with money-back guarantee
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