Travel advice for Oman
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Oman
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Oman’s climate is typical of the Arabian peninsula, with blisteringly hot summers and pleasantly mild, Mediterranean winters.
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7 days / from1450 USD
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 ⤍6 days / from1595 USD
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 ⤍5 days / from819 USD
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 ⤍12 days / from2840 USD
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 ⤍9 days / from2730 USD
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 ⤍9 days / from2148 USD
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 ⤍6 days / from1026 USD
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 ⤍6 days / from960 USD
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 ⤍5 days / from1500 USD
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 ⤍7 days / from2152 USD
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 ⤍8 days / from2068 USD
Nature Lovers' Oman
You might not think it, but Oman is a country bristling with natural beauty and fascinating wildlife. On this unique trip, you will go dolphin watching, snorkel in the Gulf of Oman, visit Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve, swim in the refreshing waters at Wadi Shab and visit a living museum!
customize ⤍7 days / from2320 USD
Wild Oman: Mountains & Deserts
Explore Oman's wild side on this adventure holiday covering the country's mountains, wadis and wide open desert plains. Visit Muscat at your leisure, then be prepared for the excitement of Snake Gorge, swimming at Wadi Bani Khalid, desert camping, historic Nizwa and much more.
customize ⤍During the summer months (March/April to September/October) almost the entire country is scorchingly hot; from May to July the thermometer can often nudge up into the 40°C. Visiting during this period is best avoided, with the exception of Salalah, where temperatures remain bearable thanks to the annual khareef which descends from June to August or early September. It’s a memorable time to visit the area, even if accommodation gets booked solid and prices go through the roof.
The winter months (October/November to February/March) are pleasantly temperate by contrast; with an almost Mediterranean climate and daytime temperatures rarely climbing much above 30°C, this is the best time to visit Oman. Evenings and nights at this time of year can be pleasantly breezy and even occasionally slightly chilly especially up on the cool heights of the Saiq Plateau and other elevated spots in the mountains.
Excepting Salalah during the khareef, the entire country is extremely arid, and rainfall is rare – although don’t be surprised if you experience a modest shower or two, most likely from December through to March.
Oman’s festival calendar is somewhat undernourished, barring the large-scale annual Muscat festival and its smaller cousin in Salalah. Alternatively, for a more traditional insight into the country’s religious culture, visiting Oman during one of the annual Islamic festivals is especially rewarding – Ramadan is a particularly interesting time to visit, assuming you’re prepared to put up with a certain level of practical inconvenience.
Muscat Festival Late Jan to late Feb wwww.muscat-festival.com. The highlight of the festival calendar, with a wide-ranging programme of events offering a mix of traditional arts, culture and heritage (including a special Oman Heritage and Culture Village in Qurum Park) along with fun events like the Muscat Fashion Show, Oman Food Festival and concerts at the Qurum Park Amphitheatre.
Salalah Tourism Festival (also known as the Khareef Festival) June 21 to Sept 21 wwww.salalahfestival.com. Held during the three months of the khareef, featuring assorted cultural attractions, sporting events, concerts and shopping promotions.
Ramadan Scheduled to run from approximately July 20 to Aug 18, 2012; July 9 to Aug 7, 2013; June 28 to July 27, 2014; precise dates vary according to local astronomical sightings of the moon. The Islamic holy month of Ramadan represents a period in which to purify mind and body and to reaffirm one’s relationship with God. Muslims are required to fast from dawn to dusk, and as a tourist you will be expected to publicly observe these strictures, although you are free to eat and drink in the privacy of your own hotel room, or in any of the carefully screened-off dining areas which are set up in hotels throughout the city (while alcohol is also served discreetly in some places after dark, but not during the day). Eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum in public, however, are definite no-no’s, and will cause considerable offence to local Muslims; singing, dancing and swearing in public are similarly frowned upon. In addition, live music is also completely forbidden during the holy month (though recorded music is allowed), while many shops scale back their opening hours.Fasting ends at dusk, at which point the previously comatose country springs to life in a celebratory round of eating, drinking and socializing known as Iftar (“The Breaking of the Fast”). The atmosphere is particularly exuberant during Eid Al Fitr, the day marking the end of Ramadan, when everyone lets loose in an explosion of celebratory festivity.
Renaissance Day July 23 Celebrating the 1970 coup which brought Sultan Qaboos to power and signalled the start of the Oman Renaissance.
Eid al Adha Estimated dates: Oct 26, 2012; Oct 15, 2013; Oct 4, 2014. Falling approximately 70 days after the end of Ramadan, on the tenth day of the Islamic lunar month of Dhul Hijja, the “Festival of the Sacrifice” celebrates the willingness of Abraham (or Ibrahim, as he is known to Muslims) to sacrifice his son Ismail at the command of God (although having proved his obedience, he was permitted to sacrifice a ram instead). The festival also marks the end of the traditional pilgrimage season to Mecca. Large numbers of animals are slaughtered during the festival. No alcohol is served on the day of the festival or on the day before.
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Oman
written by Rough Guides Editors
updated 17.05.2021
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Michal
One of the most enjoyable weekends I have spent and it was not just because of the beauty of Oman´s beaches, dunes and wadi but also because of perfect job...
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