The Best Things To Do In Oman

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The Sultanate of Oman nestled along the southern coast of the Arabian Peninsula invites intrepid travellers to explore its cultural traditions, historic cities, fortified towns, and enchanting natural landscapes. The third largest country may not be as glitzy as its neighbours in the Gulf, but its panoramic beauty with stunning scenic vistas can surprise and delight you at every step.

Lose yourself in the turquoise hues of the rugged coastline, picnic at picturesque wadis, and oases dotting the rocky mountains, see mirages at the vast expanse of sandy deserts peppered with date plantations, shop at vibrant souks, visit forgotten mudbrick villages and abandoned ghost towns, explore forts and castles, sail away in a traditional dhow, swim with dolphins and watch turtles, go scuba diving and dune bashing or just embrace the slow pace of life and soak in the warm hospitality of the Omanis.

While the port capital of Muscat lures you with its charm, Musandam, Salalah, Sur, and Nizwa are some of the fascinating towns that need to be on your itinerary. Oman is a perfect holiday destination, be it for adventure or leisure, and here is a list of the best things to do in Oman for that epic vacation.

Best time to go to Oman

Winter followed by spring is the best time to visit Oman, especially from October to April when the weather is pleasant enough to go outdoors, but it can get crowded during the peak season. It is also the season for festivals as the Muscat Festival kicks off at the start of the year followed by others like the Tour of Oman and the Sultan Camel Race Cup, Oman World Folk Music among others.

The best time to see nesting green sea turtles is however during the shoulder season in September, while summer is best avoided for the extreme heat unless, of course, you head to Jebel Akhdar to see rose gardens or to Salala and the Dhofar Region which is relatively cooler. Summer is also better than winter for scuba diving while September and October are the season for whale sharks.

Best free thing to do in Oman

Get mesmerised by the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, Muscat

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Dominating the skyline with a towering 91.5 metres (300 feet) tall minaret, Sultan Qaboos Mosque is majestic, opulent, and larger than life. Over 20,000 worshippers including women gather here in the prayer hall of the Grand Mosque, built in the contemporary Islamic style of architecture. Get awed by the glittering chandeliers with over 600,000 Swarovski crystals as you walk on the massive Iranian handwoven carpet that took 600 women four years to weave. While entry is free for everyone, there is a dress code that requires you to cover your head, arms, and legs as well. Hospitable local women may offer you coffee and dates while you can also head to the cafe and gift shop as well.

Best fun thing to do in Oman

Experience dune bashing at Wahiba Sands Desert

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Experience the mighty golden deserts of Oman with a hair-rising adventure as you tackle the untamed, undulating, ever-shifting and menacing dunes, some towering over 300 feet. Go dune bashing in a four-wheel drive at Wahiba Sands, named after the Bani Wahiba community which is barely a couple of hours by road from Muscat. Now known as Sharqiyah Sands and stretching over 10,000 sq km, the ancient sandy deserts are centuries old and home to the Bedouins. Join them on a caravan, buy local arts and crafts, have a cup of coffee with them, and experience their traditional way of life. You can even camp in the oases, under the starry nights, and wake up to the golden hues of dawn.

Best thing to do in Oman for nature lovers

Swim in the wadis and sinkhole

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Oman’s wadis are stunning valleys and ravines that transform in monsoon into one of the most magical landscapes. You might suddenly stumble upon emerald-tinged pools of water gushing out of crevasses in a rugged landscape, fringed by plantations and orchards. Elsewhere you might find breathtaking canyons and gorges where you can hike as well.

While there are several of them, Wadi Bani Khalid located between Muscat and Sur is one of the most beautiful Wadis, where tourists can swim, picnic, or lose themselves, gazing at the rock formations amidst the perennial splash pools. Don’t miss Wadi Tivi and Wadi Shab as well, and you can even hike amidst the rocks or take a river cruise to reach the latter. You can also swim in the turquoise waters of the Bimmah sinkhole, plunging to the depths of 65 feet which is believed to be caused by a meteorite.

Book your stay at Shangri-La Al Husn, Muscat via Booking.com

Book your stay at Shangri-La Al Husn, Muscat via Agoda.com

Best thing to do in Oman for Culture

Visit Nizwa – Oman ‘s ancient capital

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Ringed in by the imposing Hajar Mountains, the dramatic Al Dakhiliyah Region is steeped in history with fortresses and castles looming over the towns and villages while vibrant souks and pottery markets add a cultural flavour. Become a time traveller at Nizwa, Omam’s ancient capital filled with ochre-tinged buildings and towering minarets and is less than a couple of hours by road from Muscat. Climb the 17th-century Nizwa Fort with its 40-metre-tall circular watch tower and gaze upon the date plantations dotting the mountains.

Soak in the atmospheric vibe at one of the oldest souks here, buy ceramics and handicrafts and feast on Omani halwa while sipping Arabian coffee. On Fridays, there is a bustling cattle fair as well. Other fortified outposts in the region include the World Heritage Site Bahla Fort, known for its tryst with the mystical djinns and located in the City of Magic. Don’t miss the grand three-storeyed Jabreen Castle and the lesser-known Bait Al Radidah fort as well and visit some of the traditional pottery workshops in Bahla, which take you back in time. You can also visit Al Hoota Caves and the ghost villages of Al Hamra with its abandoned mud villages in your itinerary.

Best thing to do in Oman for adventure

Hike around Oman’s Grand Canyon or Trek to the summit of Jebel Shams

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Oman’s Grand Canyon or Al Nakhur Canyon and Wadi Ghul, located near the Ghul village is the playground for adventure enthusiasts with several ancient hiking trails, camping sites, and mountain safari routes. You can head to the Wadi Ghul Viewpoint, at the edge of a cliff from where you can take in the spectacular scenery of the “canyon” flanked by rugged limestone cliffs.

But what is more daunting and demanding is the two-day hike to the summit of Jebel Shams, or Sun Mountain which is the highest peak of Oman towering at 9900 feet However, there are several other shorter and popular hiking routes with jaw-dropping routes as well including the Balcony Walk also known as the Al Nakhur Rim Hike that takes you to the abandoned village of Saab Bani Khamis and the Al Khitaym to Wadi Ghul Hike. Located 250 km from Muscat you can also do a full-day or a half-day mountain safari on a four-wheel drive with a guide. You can camp here or relax in the fabulous Jebel Shams Resort.

Book your stay at Jebel Shams Resort via Booking.com

Book your stay at Jebel Shams Resort via Agoda.com

Best things to do in Oman for couples

Lose yourself in the secluded Damaniyat Peninsula

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Sail away from the urban sprawls of Muscat to a pristine uninhabited archipelago at Damaniyat, which is a cluster of nine islands teeming with birds and marine life.

Pristine beaches, lagoons and coves greet you as your eyes get used to the azure shades of blue. Rugged and remote, these enchanting islands, cut off from the mainland are nature reserves that are ideal for a romantic adventure. Fondly dubbed as “The Aquarium,” the rocky islands with a plethora of birds are teeming with marine life and are a haven for divers with coral reefs thronged by sea turtles, moray eels and colourful shoals of fish. If you are here between September and November, you can even spot whale sharks here. A permit is however required to visit these islands, which can be facilitated by your dive centre.

Best thing to do in Oman at night

Turtle watching in Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve

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Tread silently on the sands of the moonlit beaches of Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve which is one of the largest turtle nesting sites in Oman. Head out for a night walk in small groups with a naturalist to see the nests of the endangered green turtles which look like circular pits. The drama unfolds as you can see mother turtles digging their nests in the sands and laying eggs.

If you are lucky you can even see tiny hatchlings emerge from these pits, crawling towards the beach, making the first journey of their lives. It is a surreal experience not to be missed. Stay at the lodge at Ras Al Jinz which is on the eastern coast of Oman, part of the Ras Al Hadd Nature Reserve, and is about three hours by road from Muscat. The nesting season starts in summer from May to August, while the hatchlings can be spotted from July to September. Oman is also home to five different species of sea turtles and the coastline is their nesting site, along the beaches of Musandam to Salala and the islands of Masirah and Daymaniyat, offshore from Muscat.

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Best thing to do in Oman in Summer

Lose yourself in the Land of Frankincense

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While Muscat and its environs are blazing hot in summer, head to the wild Dhofar region in the southernmost part of Oman, also known as the Land of Frankincense. Besides the pleasant fragrance of the aromatic resin, the land is cooled by the arrival of the monsoons, referred to as Khareef in June-July, that transform the parched landscape into a verdant paradise with gushing streams filling wadis and oases.

Head to the capital Salala which is sandwiched between the turquoise Mughsail Beach and the lush plateau of Wadi Darbat. Soak in the perfumed landscape at Wadi Dawkah, one of the UNESCO Heritage Sites where you can the frankincense groves as well. And while you enjoy the idyllic weather, you can visit mosques and museums, souks and beaches at Salala and enjoy the colourful Salala Festival.

Best thing to do in Oman in Winter

Snorkel, dive or just enjoy the sun and sand

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With over 3000 km of coastline, the beaches of the Arabian Peninsula are pristine with golden stretches of sand that beckon tourists, beach bums, divers and water sports enthusiasts. Head to Al Qurum Beach or Qantab Beach in Muscat or Tiwi with its white sands between Sur and Muscat or go further south to Salalah and lose yourself in the turquoise waters of Al Mughsail and Al Haffa. But if you are looking for some secluded beaches with spectacular scenery then the coasts of Musandam Peninsula, Masirah and Daymaniyat islands are breathtakingly beautiful. While beaches are stunning throughout the year, the sun, sea and sand create magic in winter.

Book your stay at Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel via Booking.com

Book your stay at Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel via Agoda.com

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Related: Bookmark This: 20 Awe-Inspiring Stays In The Middle East

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– What are the best cultural places to visit in Oman? Mutrah Souk, Al Alarm Palace, Sultan Qaboos Mosque, and Royal Opera House are some of the best cultural places to visit in Muscat. However, the cultural heart of Oman is in Nizwa the ancient capital where you can see the Nizwa Fort and Souk and also the UNESCO Heritage Bahla Fort close by along with Jibreen Castle.

– Are there any beaches in Oman? With over 3000 km of coastline, the beaches in this Arabian Peninsula are not just tourist destinations but are pristine and are great diving sites. Some of the best beaches include Qurum Beach in Muscat, Al Mughsail in Salalah, Tiwi Beach, Abu Rasas in Masirah Island, Sur Beach, Mirbat Beach and the beaches in Daymaniyat Islands for diving

– Is there any dress code in Oman? You need to dress modestly when visiting the Sultan Qaboos Mosque and other religious places in Oman. Besides covering your head, arms and legs, tight clothing is not preferred.

– What are the best things to buy in Oman? Dates, coffee, spices, ceramics, pottery, frankincense, rose perfumes and other handcrafted items from souks and markets can be bought in Oman.

– What are the best festivals to celebrate in Oman? Some of the festivals in Oman are the Muscat Festival, Salalah Festival, Sultan Camel Race Cup, and Oman Sailing Festival besides other religious festivals that are celebrated in Oman.

– What are the best adventures to take in Oman? Dune bashing, desert and mountain safaris, scuba diving, hiking and trekking through the mountains, and cave exploration are some of the best adventures to take in Oman.

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