oman travel blog

Oman Travel Guide: Ultimate 10-day Travel Itinerary

Oman is a country at the border of the United Arab Emirates. It’s a 1-hour flight from Dubai or a 9-hour flight from Amsterdam and brings you a real Arab experience. Oman has countless sand dunes, green ravines filled with palm trees, huge mountain ranges, emerald green natural pools, and a massive part of the country is located on the seaside. Read this complete Oman travel guide.

Oman is really well developed; the majority of the people speak English and are modern in their way of thinking. Infrastructure is one of the best out there, but they don’t want to be the next Dubai. The buildings that are built have the original Arab look with a modern touch. If that wasn’t convincing enough, the country is voted as one of the cleanest and safest countries in the world. This 10-day route will take you around the best highlights of Oman.

Oman Route Guide

Oman is a huge country, and to see the entire country, you will probably need 2-3 weeks. We narrowed it down to a 10-day self-driving route. This is one of the best countries to drive around yourself. The infrastructure is perfect, the people are super friendly, and petrol is affordable.

We recommend to rent a car in Oman through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here .

Day 1 – 2: Explore Muscat

Muscat is Oman’s capital city and home to many expats. It hosts the impressive Sultan Qaboos Mosque, Muttrah Souq, and the Royal Opera House.

Sultan Qaboos Mosque

The Sultan Qaboos Mosque is Oman’s most important spiritual site. This architectural masterpiece opened in 2001. It’s required for both men and women to wear long sleeve tops and long pants to the ankle. For women, bring a scarf to cover your hair.

The mosque’s entrance is free. It is open to non-muslims every day from 8 AM to 11 AM except Friday. Friday is prayers day.

Book a Muscat City Tour .

Muttrah Souq

Oman citizens are a big mix of Omani, Indian and African people. You can notice this at Muttrah souq where many shops are selling Omani and Indian items. But also everyday items you use in your kitchen.

Tip: Fridays and Saturdays are weekend days and some parts of the souq will be closed.

Read more: Best things to do in Oman

Lunch at Kargeen

The restaurant Kargeen is a small great hideout in the middle of the city. Escape from the heat of the sun and have a great lunch at this well-decorated place.

In Muscat, we stayed at the beautiful Kempinski Hotel Muscat .

Hotels in Muscat 😴

Go on a dolphin-spotting trip

Spend the morning on a boat spotting dolphins just out of Muscat. It is almost guaranteed that you will see dolphins. A morning tour should cost OMR 17 (45 USD).

Here are all your hotel options in Muscat.

Day 3 – 4: Muscat to Sur

After those first two days, drive down the perfect route towards the coastline. This is an easy 90-minute drive, all highway.

Tip: Wear or take swim clothing on this day.

Bimmah Sinkhole

After a good 90 minutes of driving, you will reach Bimmah Sinkhole. This is probably one of the most incredible natural swimming pools you will ever see. The water is a beautiful turquoise color and one of the best cooldowns during the heat of the day. The story lives that a meteor created the hole.

Find day trips to Bimmah Sinkhole

Wadi Shab meaning gorge between the cliff is a must-visit! From Bimmah Sinkhole, drive about 20 minutes to reach the parking spot.

Make sure to buy some extra water and head to the river. Pay 1 OMR to cross the river, from there it’s a 45 min walk to the swimming point. You will need about 3 – 4 hours here. Book a day trip here or find more information in the link down below.

Read more: 7 best things to do in Oman

Sur is formerly known as a trading point where the harbor did a lot of business with East Africa. Because of this, you will see a larger population of people of African ethnicity in this area.

Sur is a beautiful town surrounded by old architecture, visit the lighthouse, fort and see some of the real local life. Sur is also a good place to spend the night.

Tip: Have a good lunch at Zaki Restaurant .

Turtles nesting ground

At Ras Al Jinz, which is about 35 minutes from Sur, there is a protected turtle nesting area. You can visit the museum and join the turtle spotting tour during sunrise or after sunset. If you don’t want to drive back and forward to Sur, you can also spend the night here .

Hotels in Sur 😴

Day 5 – 6: Desert days

From Sur, follow your way to the desert and stop in between at Wadi Bani Khalid. Take a refreshing dip and drive to your desert camp in the Wahiba Sands. Most of the camps can be reached by driving a 4×4 yourself but do ask your host, they might arrange a pick-up. If you are planning to drive yourself, deflate your tires a bit at one of the local shops.

Plan to stay two nights in the desert, explore the area by car or by foot, go stargazing, and experience living between the dunes

Find all:   Desert Camps to stay

Hotels in Oman Desert 😴

Day 7 – 8: Nizwa

On day 7 you will drive the longest distance. Follow your journey to Birkat Al Mouz, one of the old villages surrounded by green banana plantations. Use around 1 hour to explore the ruins here. The drive from the desert takes about 2 hours.

From Birkat Al Mouz, drive to the historical town called Nizwa. See one of Oman’s oldest forts, Nizwa Fort, and wander around at Nizwa Souq. Read more about the fort in the link down below.

Book a Nizwa City Tour

The next morning, hop back in your car and drive to the Al Hamra region. Set course to Misfat Al Abriyeen, where you can spend the night at a homestay in a beautiful area. Make sure to be early, to fully experience the magical sunset.

Day 9 – 10: Cool down in the Mountains

One your last days, drive up to Jabal Akhdar and spend the night at 2000 meters above sea level. To drive up here you are required to have a 4×4 car. Same as Al Hamra, make sure to be there early to fully experience the sunset.

The next morning, enjoy a lovely breakfast before driving back to Muscat to catch your flight.

Getting around in Oman

Oman is probably one of the best countries to get around by yourself. Infrastructure is very, very good and fuel is cheap. To follow this 10-day Oman route guide you will need a 4×4 in the desert and up in the mountains. Renting a 4×4 costs around $950 for 10 days.

Google Maps turn-by-turn navigation doesn’t work in Oman, but on iOS, there’s another app called ‘Here we go’ which works perfectly.

Best time to visit Oman

Oman is best to visit during their winter, which runs from October until March. The temperature will be between 20 and 30 degrees. Summer temperatures go anywhere from 35 to 50 degrees.

If you’re planning to visit the mountains like Jabal Akhdar, you should plan a visit in summer when temperatures rise from 0 in winter to 30 in summer.

Food in Oman

The food in Oman is a mix of Arabian and Indian kitchens. You will mostly find delicious bread, curries, dates, and kebabs.

Oman Route Guide: Oman Visa

Getting a visa in Oman is super easy. E-visa can be requested online . It will cost you around $45 per visa, depending on the country you are from. It takes anywhere from 2 days to 1 week to receive your visa via email.

Order your Visa online here

What to wear in Oman

Oman is very modern and open in what you wear. They don’t give you a set of clothing rules once you enter the country. It is respectful to always cover up your upper body, shoulders, and wear shorts or skirts over your knees.

Again, Omani people are very modern and they will only really ask you to cover up when you are on a religious site.

Costs of traveling in Oman

Oman is not a budget travel country. Prices change depending on the kind of comfort you would like.

Costs of Traveling in Oman

Travel on a budget in Oman, from $230 − $140 USD weekly per person, mid-range $830 − $1950 USD, and high-end from $1860 − $2580 USD. However, costs depend on factors like accommodation, transportation, and activities. We did not include flights. Check flight prices here

• Hotels: $50 − $120 USD Check available hotels
• Car Rental: $65 − $140 USD Book a rental car
• Food: $20 − $60 USD
• Activities: $10 − $40 USD See tickets & tours
• Sim: $1 − $3 USD Get an eSIM or SIM here
• Travel Insurance: $2 − $6 USD Get Travel Insurance

Be advised: Drones in Oman are not allowed without a license.

By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support. ♥️

• Find Hotels via Booking.com
• Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
• Find Cheap Flights via Skyscanner
• Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
• Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
• Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go

7 Best Things To Do in Oman

Renting a car in oman in 2024: all you need to know.

Looking for more travel information? Plan a chat with us for personalised travel advice or get an answer from the Salt in our Hair Travel Community on Facebook.

Hello, I’ll be visiting Oman. Your guide said that drones are not allowed without a license. Is that a license from Oman’s authorities l? I have a mavic 3 pro

Hi Hansle, unfortunately i’m not sure about the license. We had an Omani local with us for the drone shots we have.

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The Ultimate Oman Travel Guide

Updated March 2024,  The Ultimate Oman Travel Guide was originally written in April 2018

Oh Oman, the gem of the Arabian Peninsula. Easy to travel, overwhelmingly safe, absolutely beautiful sceneries, and a strong culture. Oman is often overlooked by most travelers to the region who typically head to more glitzy destinations like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. 

For those that have never visited a country in the Middle East, I highly recommend Oman as it’s clean, safe, friendly, and gorgeous. As many of you know, I traveled in  Yemen  and fell in love with the country in 2014 (and again in 2019 and 2020) which was what initially sparked my interest in visiting Oman.

The countries are drastically different, yet share many similarities, so for those interested in getting to Yemen (I get several emails about it per week), and have concerns about safety, I highly recommend travel in Oman for the time being.

If you’re starting to plan your Oman travels, I recommend picking up a copy of Bradt’s Oman guidebook .

Need Travel Insurance and Evacuation Services for Oman?

Start shopping for travel insurance plans over at  IATI Insurance . Readers of the Adventures of Nicole get a 5% discount off your plan.

The Adventures of Nicole partners with Global Rescue to offer the world’s leading medical evacuation and security advisory services. To travel with peace of mind, shop evacuation coverage at Global Rescue .

The currency of Oman is the Omani Rial. The current exchange rate is 1 OMR = $2.60 USD as of February 2024 .

The official language of Oman is Arabic. With that said English speaking travelers will have no problem getting around the country without knowledge of Arabic as many Omanis speak English quite well. Many road signs are written in English and Arabic.

The government of Oman doesn’t keep official stats on religion in the country. With that said most Omanis follow the Ibadi sect of Islam. The remaining population is mostly Muslim of Sunni or Shia sects with a small number of Hindus and Christians.

What To Wear In Oman

Conservative dress is recommended out of respect to the locals.

Women : Long trousers and shirts that at least cover the shoulders are recommended. Always carry a headscarf with you for the impromptu mosque visit. If you want to swim somewhere, swimming in clothing is what local women do. Of course, if staying at a western resort anything goes.

Men : Long trousers and covered shoulders are best. Make sure knees and shoulders are covered when entering mosques.

View this post on Instagram Some photos don’t need too many words, but if you have a spare 1000 read on … I’ve teamed up as a judge with @TravelexUK and @PenguinBooksUK as they hunt out the ‘Next Great Travel Writer’ – Do you have an awesome travel tale? Enter in the bio link and you could win £1500 + a mentoring session *UK/USA only #NGTW A post shared by Daniel James (@danflyingsolo) on Jan 22, 2017 at 1:51am PST

How Long To Visit Oman

1-2 weeks is a common amount of time to visit the country for travelers. 2 weeks is a good amount of time for those wanting to quickly explore both the north and south of the country. A month will offer you the flexibility to hit the highlights and see some off the beaten path destinations in Oman. 

Check out my one week in Oman itinerary and travel guide

When To Visit Oman

Oman can get unbearably hot in summer. It is not recommended to visit in June, July, and August. The best months for visiting are November-April.

Getting around in Oman is easiest by renting a car and self-driving. Driving in Oman is quite easy unless you want to go off the beaten path which will involve off-roading. For those wanting to explore the Wahiba Sands and the mountain roads of the country, you should rent a 4×4.

Compare car rental prices on Expedia

• It is illegal to drive around with a dirty car in Oman. Fines are 10 OMR, but usually police will just tell you to get it washed.
• There are speed cameras all over the place. Always try to stay at or under posted speed limits.
• Public buses connect most major cities in the country. Those wanting to travel by bus will have difficulty reaching most places of interest for visitors.
• You can get around in cities by taxi.

You can enter Oman by flight or by road.

Flights : Most international flights arrive in Muscat. There are a few international flights that arrive at Salalah Airport as well.

Road : There are several border crossings with the UAE which is how virtually all tourists arriving by road will come from.

There is a border crossing with Yemen in western Oman. It is difficult to get across, and you’ll need to arrange this trip well in advance and it is not unheard of for border officials will turn you around, even if you have a valid visa.

Travel to Yemen is not recommended right now for obvious reasons at this time. There are intrepid travelers that have managed to cross here more recently. Note that solo females travelers have been denied to cross this border in the past.

Oman does share a long border with Saudi Arabia. There are no official crossings and it’s not advisable to enter Saudi Arabia from Oman as it requires you to cross the Empty Quarter.

• Leave your drugs, guns, and porn at home- they’re all prohibited in Oman.
• You can bring in 2 liters of alcohol per person if flying into the country, though you cannot bring in alcohol if you enter the country by road.

Several countries are now eligible for an e-visa to enter Oman. You can apply for your e-visa  here . Most single entry, 30-day e-visas will cost 20 OMR.

There is a loophole to get into Oman for free without a visa, it’s called the  Dubai-Oman Common Visa . You will be eligible to travel in Oman for up to 21 days so long as you have a valid visa or stamp from the Dubai Airport in your passport and are one of the eligible nationalities.

You must travel directly from Dubai to Oman via Al-Wajajah land crossing, Muscat airport, or a seaport. It will not work with other border crossings or at other (Salalah) airports. Read more about to Dubai-Oman Common Visa  here .

Note that Israeli passport holders will be denied entry.

Omani food has a lot of Arabic influence from its neighbors, however, it is a lot less spicy. Thanks to Oman’s long coastline there’s plenty of seafood to eat.

The dates in Oman are among the best in the world and Omani halwa (a delicious sweet) is one of their best-known sweets. With that all said, Omani food is hard to come by in restaurants but if you look hard enough you’ll find it. Some local dishes to try are:

Otherwise, you’ll find dishes served up from other parts of the Arabian Peninsula, Lebanon, Turkey, India, and Pakistan. In bigger cities, you’ll be able to find the typical American fast-food restaurants.

Omani Qahwa ( coffee ) and sweetened shai ( tea ) accompany most meals.

Accommodation

This is where you’ll either blow your budget or save heaps. Most accommodations geared toward tourists are high-end and come with a high price tag. With that said you can find budget-friendly options around the country. Better yet- you can camp freely in many parts of Oman.

If you’re planning to free camp in Oman, don’t f*** it up for everyone else. Don’t leave waste behind ( human, rubbish, or otherwise ), and do not camp in places where it is prohibited such as Ras al-Jinz.

Use the search box below to find accommodations in Oman!

Things To Do In Oman

Oman is blessed with rugged mountains, massive sand dunes, stunning coastline, historic fortresses, and a vibrant culture.  Click here to check out my One Week In Oman Roadtrip Itinerary  for ideas. Here are just a few highlights of the country:

Bustling City Souks : Souks are a great place to head to get a taste of Omani culture, and get some shopping done as well. Spice souks are always a fave with the exotic smells filling the air. Nizwa Souk, Muttrah Souk in Old Muscat, and Ibri Souks are some of the most well-known and interesting ones.

Trekking In The Jebel Shams : Jebel Shams is a 3,009m peak situated in the Al-Hajar Mountain Range, located about 240km from Muscat. There are a number of treks that can be done in the area, and it’s spectacular at sunrise.

View this post on Instagram ‘Camping on top of Jebel Shams, the highest mountain in #Oman was an adventure in itself. Often referred to as the Grand Canyon of Arabia, this popular destination sits within the Al Hajar Mountains range. As soon as we arrived local campers called us to join them for fresh fruit, dates and coffee as goats milled around by the cliff edge precariously. The hospitality, warmth and kindness we experienced that day summarises the Omani people and culture to me; it was one of the safest and most welcoming countries I have visited.’ – @danflyingsolo, #lpInstaTakeover. #travel #BestinTravel A post shared by Lonely Planet (@lonelyplanet) on May 28, 2017 at 3:08am PDT

Cruise The Musandam Fjords : The word  fjord  doesn’t usually come to mind when you think of a country on the Arabian Peninsula. Sure enough, Oman has fjords! At the northern end of the Oman Peninsula, not far from the UAE exists such a place. Take a dhow boat and go explore the beautiful landscapes for a day or three.

Visit The Desolate Masirah Island : With a desolate interior and a rugged coastline, Masirah Island is begging to be explored. It’s only recently been open to tourists, and in the few short years, it’s attracted mainly kitesurfers. Reach the island by ferry from Shannah, check out the ferry schedule  here .

Get Historical At Fortresses & Ruins : If you manage to visit Oman without seeing a single fortress I’d be impressed, but more confused than anything else. There are heaps of historic fortresses scattered all over the country. Some well maintained, and some in ruin, but either way they’re completely fascinating. Some will have entrance fees while others do not.

Explore The Wadis : Oman is home to more wadis than you’ll know what to do with. To fill you in- wadi is the Arabic word for canyon. Some of Oman’s most beautiful wadis are filled with crystal clear turquoise water and the occasional palm tree oasis.

Experience The Hospitality That Knows No Bounds : I know I say this about many places in the Middle East and Central Asia, but I wouldn’t keep repeating it if it wasn’t true. Omani people are incredibly welcoming and friendly. From the group of coworkers out enjoying an afternoon at Wadi Ghul inviting us for qawa and snacks, the troop of friends having lunch on a beach who completely took over our tire change and sent us for a swim, halwa, tahini & date given to us Nizwa Souk, a keffiyeh wrapping lesson in the middle of a busy market, to those Bedouin ladies who stopped to make sure we were okay and to offer us sweet shai in the Wahiba Sands- Omanis will be the biggest and best-lasting impression of your trip.

Where To Go In Oman

Northern Oman

Delightfully authentic for a change from the over-the-top capital cities of its gulf neighbors. Muscat is the capital of Oman and likely your first stop in the country.

With a backdrop of rocky slopes and buildings required to reflect traditional Arabian architecture you really feel you’re in Arabia. Muscat is actually three towns that seem to have overgrown and connected over time.

The area referred to as Old Muscat is the walled city, home to the royal palaces. Mutrah, which is home to the famed Mutrah Souk and was originally a fishing village. And finally, Ruwi which is where commercial things go on, and is the main transport hub for the city.

With that said, Ruwi is a good area to head for cheaper eats and shopping.

Top sights recommend to visit in Muscat

• Sultan Qaboos Mosque
• Mutrah Souk
• Muscat Royal Opera House
• Al-Jalali Fort & Al-Mirani Fort
• Mohammed Al-Amin Mosque
• Sultan’s (Al-Alam) Palace
• Oman National Museum

Where To Sleep In Muscat

• Budget:  Mutrah Hotel |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Midrange:  Levatio Hotel Muscat |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Luxury:  Shangr-La Al-Husn Resort & Spa |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |

Muscat Tours

Check out this  half-day guided tour of Muscat . Want to see the city by night? Have a look at this  Muscat by Night tour . Want to see both Muscat and the surrounding areas such as Seeb and Quriyat?  Click here  to read about this full-day tour.

If you want to experience an Omani town without trailing too far from Muscat, head to Seeb. It’s about a 30 minute drive northwest of Muscat, not far from the airport. There isn’t much in way of attractions in Seeb, but for those looking to get a feel for Omani culture without much travel time, this is the place to go.

View this post on Instagram The past weekend I took over the @LonelyPlanet Instagram account to share some of my favourite times in #Oman – if you haven’t considered visiting head over and take a look, I think it will surprise you… Have you been? #BestInTravel #arabia #Mosque A post shared by Daniel James (@danflyingsolo) on May 30, 2017 at 2:06pm PDT

Recommended Sights In Seeb

• Al-Zulfa Mosque
• Seeb Beach & Cornich Park

Where To Sleep In Seeb

• Budget:  Muscat Royal Suites |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Midrange:  Remas Hotel Suites | Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Luxury:  There are no luxury hotels in Seeb, but you can head to Muscat for them.

A lovely little fishing village an hour’s drive headed east from Muscat. Quriyat was once an important Omani port but now is just a sleepy village. Makes for a great day trip from Muscat with a stop at Mazara to check out the Wadi Dayqat Dam. There are no accommodations in Quriyat.

Sights To See In Quriyat

• Quriyat Fort
• Quriyat Beach
• Quriyat Watchtower

Bandar Khayran

Bandar Khayran also makes for a good day trip from Muscat, or as a stop for those headed south along the coast. Comprised of a series of Khors ( inlets ) it’s a great place to check out beaches, snorkel, watch fisherman casting for catches, and watch the sandstone reflections in the water in the late afternoon. There are currently no accommodations in Bandar Khayran, there are places you could wild camp.

Bandar Khayran Tours

Take a day trip from  Muscat by boat to explore the Bandar Kharyan area  and to view wild dolphins.

The gateway to the Jebel Shams, Wadi Ghul, and Jebel Akhdar, and home to one of Oman’s best fortresses and souks. During the 6th and 7th centuries Nizwa was the capital of Oman.

Make sure to tour around the Nizwa Fort ( 0.500 OMR admission ) and make a lap around the Nizwa souk in search of antiques and delicious halwa.

What To See In Nizwa

Where to sleep in nizwa.

• Budget:  Bait al Aqr |  Booking.com  |  Agoda.com  |
• Midrange:  Nizwa Heritage Inn |  Booking.com  |  Agoda.com  |
• Luxury:  Sama Hotel Jabal Al Akhdar |  Booking.com  |

Tours In Nizwa

There are a number of tours in and around Nizwa, and even ones that include surrounding areas such as Jebel Shams, Bahla, and Jebel Akhdar.  Click here to shop tours to Nizwa .

Jebel Shams, Wadi Ghul & The Al-Hajar Mountains

Jebel Shams is Oman’s Highest Mountain at 3,075 meters situated in the Al-Hajar Mountain Range. With that said, Jebel Shams isn’t well known for the peak itself, but the sometimes nerve-wracking views down into Wadi Ghul. Wadi Ghul is known as the Grand Canyon of Arabia.

Several treks can be done in the mountains and wadis, but do come prepared with enough water. Jebel Shams can be visited as a day trip from Nizwa or even Muscat, but it’s highly recommended to camp up here for a night especially for those wanting to catch the sunrise over the rugged landscape.

What To Do At Jebel Shams

• Purchase a locally made carpet

Where To Sleep In Jebel Shams

Sleeping up in Jebel Shams itself is not a cheap endeavor if looking to stay at a hotel. I highly recommend wild camping at Jebel Shams. Sama Heights Resort has a great lunch buffet available for a fee to those not staying there.

• Sama Heights Resort |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Jebel Shams Villa |  Booking.com  |  Agoda.com  |
• Jebel Shams Resort |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Sunrise Camp |  Booking,com  |  Hotels.com  |
• There are more and cheaper accommodation in nearby Al-Hamra,  shop rooms here

Jebel Shams Tours

For those not wanting to drive themselves and dedicate a night out in the mountains, you can take day tours to Jebel Shams from Muscat. Check out this Jebel Shams day tour  here .

Jebel Akhdar

The ‘Green Mountain’. This area isn’t known for the mountain itself but for the plateaus around it. With cooler weather and more rainfall its home to fruit gardens all over the upper and lower plateaus. You’re only allowed to make your way to Jebel Akhdar in a 4×4.

What To Do At Jebel Akhdar

• Diana’s View Point
• Wadi Bani Habib

Where To Sleep

• Budget:  Salassel Al-Jebel Al-Akhdar Guesthouse |  Booking.com  |  Agoda.com  |
• Midrange:  Jebel Akhdar Hotel |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Luxury:  Alilia Jebel Akhdar |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |

Tours To Jebel Akhdar

Click here  to book a tour of Jebel Akhdar and Nizwa in one day.

Bahla & Jabrin

Known for it’s fort of the same name and it’s pottery. The Bahla Fort is one of the best walled cities in the world to explore. You can combine a visit to Bahla with nearby Jabrin to explore the less impressive yet well preserved fort. Admission to both Bahla Fort and Jabrin Castle is 0.500 OMR.

What To Do In Bahla

• Shop For Pottery
• Visit The Old Souk
• Jabrin Castle

Where To Sleep in Bahla

• Budget:  Jibreen Hotel |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Midrange:  Bahla Hotel Apartments |  Booking.com  |  Agoda.com  |
• Luxury:  Go to Nizwa

Bat & Al-Ayn

Nearby to the Buraimi border crossing with the UAE and worthy of a stop for those entering or exiting Oman here. Bat and Al-Ayn are home to strange beehive tombs that dot the hilltops.

What To See in Bat & Al-Ayn

• Check out the beehive tombs
• Go off-roading to the nearby mountain villages

Search Al-Buraimi Hotels here

Musandam Peninsula

The Norway of Arabia because of its stunning Khors ( fjords or inlets ). Separated from the remainder of Oman by the UAE.

Khasab is the capital of the tiny province and exclave. Khasab is where you’ll want to base yourself for trips around the Musandam Peninsula. Be sure to explore the Khasab Fort, Khmazera Castle, and souk while back in the city.

What To See Around Khasab

• Khasab Fort
• Khasab Souk
• Khmazera Castle
• Organize dhow boats to explore the Khors

Where To Sleep In Khasab

• Midrange:  Khasab Hotel |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Luxury:  Atana Musandam Resort |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |

Khasab & Musandam Peninsula Tours

From city tours in Khasab to dhow boat trips around the khors, there’s probably a tour to suit just about everyone.  Click here  to check out Khasab city tours and dhow trips.

The Musandam Khors

Hop on a dhow boat or organize a tour of the Musandam Khors and explore this fascinating area. Visit the fishing villages with inhabitants so remote that they speak a dialect that those from Muscat cannot understand, eat freshly caught seafood cooked up on your dhow, and take in the amazing scenery.

What To See & Do In The Musandam Khors

• Visit Telegraph Island & Khor Ash-Sham
• Camp on the bay of Khor An-Najd
• Cruise the sea by dhow boat
• See wild dolphins
• Visit remote villages

Musandam Peninsula Tours

Check out this  2 day tour of the Musandam Khors  including a night on a dhow boat. Just looking for day tours? Shop dhow day trips from Khasab  here . You can also book a 4×4 day trip to Khor An-Najd as well as Jebel Harim  here .

Jebel Harim

A great day trip by 4×4 from Khasab to Jebel Harim, the ‘Mountain of Women’, littered iris and geranium flowers and views of the Rawdah Bowl Below.

Jebel Harim Tours

You can visit Jebel Harim along with the beautiful Khor An-Najd by 4×4 Day Tour,  click here to read more .

The believed home to Sinbad and Ahmed bin Majid- two very famous sailors. Most come to enjoy the sandy beaches and archeological fixtures such as the Sohar Castle.

What To Do In Sohar

• Sohar Castle
• Sohar Beach
• Fish Market

Where To Sleep In Sohar

• Budget:  Atlas Hotel Apartments |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Midrange:  Radisson Blu Sohar |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Luxury:  Crown Plaza Sohar |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |

A popular day trip from Muscat as it’s only an hour’s drive from the city. Home to a nice sandy beach and a scattering of islands. Visiting the watchtower on Sawadi Island and snorkeling is what most who do visit come for.

What To Do In Sawadi

• Sawadi Beach
• Island hopping
• Sawadi Watchtower and Sawadi Island

Central Oman

Sur & ayjah.

Nice beaches, two castles, and a corniche are the attractions in Sur, just southeast of Muscat. It’s also a great base or jumping-off point for adventures into  Wadi Shab , Wadi Tiwi, Ras al-Jinz, and Ras al-Hadd.

Admission to castles is 0.500 OMR. Ayjah, which can be seen just across the water from the Sur Corniche is worth a trip to explore the tiny village’s fort and lighthouse. Ayjah and Sur are connected by Oman’s only suspension bridge.

What To See & Do In Sur

• The Corniche
• Sunaysilah Castle
• Ayjah Lighthouse
• Suspension Bridge

Where To Sleep In Sur

• Budget:  Al Jumhour Hotel Apartments |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Midrange:  Resort Sur Beach Holiday |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Luxury:  Head to Ras al Hadd, or back to Muscat

Bimmah Sinkhole (Hawiyat Najm Park)

Just off the highway as you make your way down the coast from Muscat to Sur.  Bimmah Sinkhole  is most definitely worthy of the stop.

Local legend says the sinkhole was created by a meteor strike- hence the local name of Hawiyat Najm, meaning falling star. But in reality, it’s believed to just be a depression that fills with seawater as the ocean is only 600m away and freshwater that collects in there.

Bimmah Sinkhole is incredibly beautiful with its crystal clear vibrant turquoise waters. It’s easy to access as Bimmah Sinkhole was designated a park and they’ve built a staircase down into it. If visiting in the more popular months ( November-March ), I recommend visiting early in the morning if you want to beat the other tourists to it.

You can visit Bimmah Sinkhole along with nearby Wadi Shab by day tour from Muscat for those not interested in making the journey on their own,  click here  to read more about the tour and book.

Plan your visit:  Everything you need to know to visit Bimmah Sinkhole

Steep canyon cliffs, turquoise pools, and even a secret waterfall await those who make the trip to  Wadi Shab , one of Oman’s easiest to reach and most beautiful destinations. Wadi Shab is located right off the Muscat-Sur Highway. From the parking lot under the highway bridge, you’ll need to take a boat across to the other side ( 1 OMR roundtrip ).

Once across, follow the path and prepare to be amazed. You will eventually reach the upper pools where you are allowed to swim. From here you can swim through a narrow slot a little further up the river to enter a giant cave where you can cliff dive into the waters below from the edge of a gushing waterfall.

• It is possible to hike even further to reach villages higher up the wadi.
• Camping and fires are not allowed in Wadi Shab.

Check out my  ultimate guide to Wadi Shab

Just a short distance from Wadi Shab, Wadi Tiwi is a must-see especially in the springtime when the bottom of the canyon is carpeted in lush green foliage. It’s preferred by locals for travelers to visit the 9 villages in the wadi on foot. A two day trek can be done from Wadi Tiwi to Wadi Bani Khalid.

Ras Al-Jinz & Ras Al-Hadd

Ras al-Jinz is the easternmost point of the Arabian Peninsula famous for the thousands of female green turtles that return to this beach year after year to lay their eggs.

Green turtles are endangered and Oman is dedicated to their conservation and has strict punishments for those that harm turtles or their eggs. I’ve learned that the only way to visit Ras al-Jinz for turtle viewing is by organized tour, however, when I visited Oman we were given permission by the men working at the reserve to go in search of turtles.

We did find a massive female laying eggs in the sand which was a great experience. The workers at the reserve even gave us a brief tour of their facilities and let us watch them at work ( finding baby turtles that were confused and heading away from the ocean and putting them in a small kiddy pool that they would take down to the water to set free into the ocean when it got too crowded ).

Ras al-Hadd is the nearby fishing village in which it is possible to camp ( camping is not permitted at Ras al-Jinz for obvious reasons ).

• If you do plan to come to Ras al-Jinz to see the turtles either don’t bring a flashlight/headlamp or bring a headlamp with the red light on it. The red light doesn’t stress and confuse the turtles, but the normal lights will.
• Turtles don’t come to the beach during the day, so the best time to see them is on a night tour.

What To Do In Ras al-Jinz

• Visit Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve in search of the endangered green turtle
• Spend the night just back off the beach at the Ras al-Jinz Turtle Reserve Hotel

Where To Stay In Ras al-Jinz

• Ras al-Jinz Turtle Reserve , with rooms starting at 40 OMR per night

Where To Stay In Ras al-Hadd

• Budget:  Ras al-Hadd Guesthouse |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Luxury:  Turtle Beach Resort |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |

Ras al-Jinz Tours

Join a 4×4 tour down from Muscat and back to view the green turtles at Ras al-Jinz,  click here  to read more and to visit the booking page. A cheaper option is to book a visit to the reserve through your hotel in Sur or Ras al-Hadd.

A small fishing village with two beaches on either side of it that are nice for a picnic in the afternoon. Al Ashkara is the jumping-off point to the Wahiba Sands and also the main supply point for the communities that live out there.

One of the nearby beaches is where we stopped for lunch and to change a tire and a group of friends hanging out at the beach quickly took over the task.

Bani Bu Hassan & Ali

Worth a stop for those bound for the Wahiba Sands, Wadi Bani Khalid or Ibra from Al Ashkara or further south. Bani Bu Hassan and Bani Bu Ali sit side by side and are home to forts, ancient plantations, and watchtowers.

What To See In Bani Bu Hassan & Ali

• Bani Bu Ali Fort
• Bani Bu Hassan Fort
• Jami Al Hamoda Mosque
• Explore the plantations

Wahiba Sands (Sharqiya)

At the village of Al-Ghabbi on Highway 23 ( not far from Bani Bu Hassan & Ali and Ibra ) turn off and you’ll quickly arrive at the village of Al-Mintirib that sits right on the edge of  Wahiba Sands .

Al-Mintirib is the gateway to exploring the wild desert of Oman. Carefully follow the jeep tracks out of town and into the great abyss. There are a number of desert camps out here, but it’s entirely possible to camp on your own.

For those wanting to interact with Omani women, Wahiba Sands is your best bet as the local Bedouin women have a more outward role in their society than in other parts of the country. They are also expert drivers and often rescue tourists stuck in the sands.

Whether you camp on your own or you head out to a luxury camp, make sure you look up at night and catch the stars under the clear dark sky.

• It’s advisable to bring shovels and sand mats if you self drive, in case you get stuck out here.
• Make sure to have plenty of water if driving yourself out here.

What To Do In The Wahiba Sands

• Haul ass down desert jeep tracks and up and down through orange sand dunes
• Camp under the stars
• Keep your eyes peeled for camels and Arabian Oryx running around
• Meet Bedouin women and watch their driving skills

Read my guide to  spending the night in the Wahiba Sands

Where To Stay In The Wahiba Sands

• Desert Wonders Camp |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Arabian Oryx Camp |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Desert Bedoua House |  Booking.com  |  Agoda.com  |
• Safari Dunes Camp |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |

Tours To Wahiba Sands

Don’t want the stress of driving a 4×4 yourself through mountains of sand with the fear of getting stuck in the middle of nowhere? There are several tours offered to the Wahiba Sands ranging from day trips to overnight trips and more.  Click here  to browse different desert tours to the Wahiba Sands.

Wadi Bani Khalid

Beautiful emerald and turquoise pools await at Wadi Bani Khalid. You’ll wind high-up in the Eastern Hajar Mountains to eventually arrive at a parking lot.

From here it’s a short walk to the pools and a little further to Moqal Cave. This is about as touristy as it gets in Oman as well- there’s a restaurant at the lower pools and there is a concrete path there from the parking lot.

You can swim in the pools here, but you should swim in clothes like many Omanis here visit here do as well. For those not claustrophobic, continue along the trail past the restaurant ( the trail quickly turns to rocks ) and you can climb inside the cave. There are spots where you’ll find local boys cliff diving as well.

Tours To Wadi Bani Khalid

Some tours that visit from  Muscat to the Wahiba Sands include a stop at Wadi Bani Khalid . You can also self drive here, or contact local Omani tour agencies to arrange trips here.

Ibra is an ancient city, so old it predates the calling of the prophet. Ibra is also the gateway to the Wahiba ( Sharqiya ) region from the north. These two factors make a stop off here worthy of your time when traveling to or from the Wahiba Sands and beyond.

Try to arrange a visit on a Wednesday morning to see the local souk at its busiest and the women’s souk is active. The women’s souk is for women buyers and sellers to barter and trade, and men are not welcomed here.

Make sure and walk to the Old Ibra Village ( walk toward Al-Munisifeh from the souk area ) to explore ancient and crumbling buildings.

What To Do In Ibra

• Visit the souk, espeically on Wednesday mornings
• If you’re a woman, visit on Wednesday mornings to get a glimpse into local women’s lives at the Women’s Souk
• Wander crumbling mud-brick buildings in Old Ibra and Al-Musinifeh

Where To Sleep In Ibra

• Budget:  Al Sharqiyah Sand Hotel |  Booking.com  |  Agoda.com  |
• Midrange:  Tafadal |  Booking.com  |

Masirah Island

Come here for rugged coastlines and the wild interior that have been attracting kitesurfers out here for the last few years. Take a ferry over from Shannah to this desolate island out in the Indian Ocean.

Camping and exploring by 4×4 is the best way to experience Masirah Island.  Click here  to view the National Ferry Company of Oman’s schedule. There are a few hotels on the island now in the town of Half for those not wanting to camp.

What To Do On Masirah Island

• Visit the small town of Ras Al Hilf
• Explore the rugged coastline and search for dhow boat wreckages
• Find camels wandering around as you traverse the island

Where To Sleep On Masirah Island

• Midrange:  Maan Hotel Apartment |  Booking.com  |
• Higher End:  Masirah Island Resort |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |

Southern Oman

The capital of the Dhofar Region and famous for its frankincense.  Salalah  is a bit more colorful than other cities in Oman thanks to its ties to East Africa. Make sure to visit the beaches, pay a visit to Sultan Qaboos Mosque, and wander into the Museum of Frankincense Land.

What To See In Salalah

• Fruit Plantations
• Museum of Frankincense Land
• Al-Husn Souk
• Visit the nearby Al Fizayah & Al Mughsail Beaches

Plan your visit:  The Salalah Travel Guide

Where To Sleep In Salalah

• Midrange:  Belad Bont Resort|  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Midrange:  Salalah Gardens Hotel |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Luxury:  Crown Plaza Hotel Salalah |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Luxury:  Fanar Hotel |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Luxury:  Millennium Resort Salalah |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |
• Super Luxury:  Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |

Tours In Salalah

Take a half day Salalah City tour , or take a tour of  East Salalah to Taqah  and other sights, or a  tour west of Salalah  to head towards the Yemeni border and visit valleys of frankincense trees, visit the Mughsail Bay, and to the fishing village of Dhalkut.

This fishing village sits on the other side of a nice white sand beach from Salalah. Come here to visit Taqah Castle ( 0.500 OMR ).

Just a few kilometers east of Taqah sits a lovely little bay called Khor Rouri. You can sit and watch animals like flamingos and camels here. Khor Rouri was also an important port along the Frankincense trading route about 2,000 years ago. Little is left behind from those times aside from the Sumhuram Ruins ( 1 OMR to enter ).

You can reach Wadi Dharbat from Khor Rouri and visit its waterfall and lake.

Mughsail Bay

A drive 48km east of Salalah will bring you to the beautiful Mughsail Bay that trails off into giant cliffs that continue on to the east. Nearby the Marneef Cave is with a stop as well.

View this post on Instagram ‘The #Oman coastline is over 1600km long and touches three seas. Driving along the dry rugged coastline and climbing down rocks to empty beaches were common pit stops on my road trip. One morning, after a night spent camping on a beach, we woke early and visited another to watch sea turtles laying their eggs. By early evening we had arrived in the desert and were surrounded by camels. The diversity in wildlife for such a small country is one of the reasons Oman captured my heart.’ – @danflyingsolo, #lpInstaTakeover. #travel #BestinTravel A post shared by Lonely Planet (@lonelyplanet) on May 27, 2017 at 10:02am PDT

Oman Travel Budget

It’s not a secret that Oman is not the cheapest destination, but for those willing to get a little dirty and sleep under stars you can stretch your money a lot further here. With that said, the sky is the limit in Oman with its plethora of luxury resorts.

13 OMR/$35 USD Per Day

Splitting the cost of renting a 4×4 with a group of 4, camping each night and preparing most your own meals

27 OMR/$70USD Per Day

Staying in budget accommodation (2 persons), eating at low key restaurants, and car rental

60 OMR/$150 USD Per Day

Sleeping in midrange hotels, dining at a combination of cheap eateries and nice restaurants, and car rental

120 OMR/$300 USD Per Day

Taking guided tours, staying in resorts, and eating at upscale restaurants

Oman Packing List

Remember that respectful dress is the best for traveling in Oman. Pack light, breathable fabrics. For those planning to adventure in the mountains do bring some layers as it can get chilly out there in winter, especially at night. The Bradt Oman guidebook is a handy tool for travel planning.

Recommended Gear For Those Planning To Wild Camp, Trek, & Adventure In The Desert

• Inreach Explorer+
• Solar charger
• External battery pack
• Lightweight Tent
• Sleeping bag
• Hiking Boots
• Lightweight cooking camp set
• Water Purifier
• Trekking Poles
• Prescription & Over the counter medications
• Sand Plates

Internet & Mobile

Hotels in Oman will usually have wifi. If you’d like to buy a SIM card to stay connected they are easy and quick to purchase. Look for Omantel and Nawras shops and kiosks. Omantel has plans starting at 2 OMR and Nawras at 3 OMR.

Health & Safety

Oman is an incredibly safe country in regard to crime and violence. The most dangerous thing in the country is the heat.

• Always have some water with you, especially when venturing out into the desert or hiking in the mountains
• Don’t go off roading alone in case that you do get stuck and need help getting out. It’s best to travel in a convoy with others
• Take caution while driving. Oman does have a relatively high car accident fatality rate. Things to look out for are other drivers, camels in the road and falling asleep at the wheel
• Take maps and GPS if planning to off road through the desert and mountains, or trek in the peaks and wadis
• Always take sunscreen with you, the Omani sun is relentless

Important Notes

• Acts of aggression and insulting others are punishable in Oman. So no road rage exists here. One instance you’ll see this is when taking taxis in Muscat- if your driver gets cut off ( more than likely it’ll happen on your way in from the airport ), rather than honk and flip the offender off, they’ll drop their right hand down low near the shifter and slap it back and forth. This is the Omani f*** you.
• With Oman having outlawed insults and aggression, it’s led to the population being quite sensitive. What you may think of as a joke making fun of someone, a place, or so on may come off as very offensive. So definitely think before you blurt things out.
• Be prepared to be stared at. Omanis will stare at you, only because you’re foreign and they’re curious.
• Especially outside of the larger cities of Muscat and Salalah avoid smiling at members of the opposite gender as it is usually always perceived as flirting. Oman is still a fairly segregated country in regards to gender. I never had any issues when we were traveling the country speaking with men we met in various places, but I did visit Oman immediately after leaving Central Asia. After traveling Central Asia for over two months I had the co-ed interactions in the Islamic world down pretty well.
• Homosexuality is punishable in Oman, although not as severely as in neighboring countries. You could land yourself in jail for up to 3 years if caught in some sort of homosexual act. This doesn’t mean LGBT travelers cannot travel in Oman, but if you do so just make sure to not display affection in public. It’s easy enough to tell people you meet that you are friends if traveling with a romantic partner. Note that in Oman, like in much of the Middle East and Africa it’s not unusual for friends of the same gender to hold hands.

Have More Questions That Aren’t Answered In This Oman Travel Guide?

Ask in the comments below!

More Posts from Oman:

The Best Road Trips In The World

What It Was Like To Camp In The Wahiba Sands, Oman

The Ultimate Guide To Visiting Wadi Shab, Oman

Salalah Travel Guide + 10 Things To Do In Salalah

Dubai-Oman Common Visa

The Yemen-Oman Border Crossing

One Week in Oman: A Self-Drive, Budget Itinerary

Visiting Bimmah Sinkhole, Oman: Everything You Need To Know

12 Best Things To Do In Oman

Oman Tour: To The Empty Quarter & Dhofar

20 thoughts on “the ultimate oman travel guide”.

Hello Nicki, Thanks for the well written blog. I’ll be traveling to Oman from Oct. 13-22 as part of a multi country trip. I’m also a travel photographer. I’d like to know if I’m allowed to bring a drone (Mavic 3 Pro) into the country. Thanks.

Hi Hans, I have not traveled to Oman myself with a drone so I am unsure of if you will be hassled by immigration coming into the country with one. That said, we were looking to film/photo with a drone on our first trip to Oman in 2016 and after some digging I do know that you have to apply for a permit from civil aviation authorities in order to legally fly a drone in Oman and that they only issue them for commercial purposes. Ultimately we decided not to bring one altogether.

So I would recommend that you contact Oman’s CAA to at least make sure you can enter with it even if you’re not planning to fly and if there is documentation that can be provided for entry.

This website has some info on Oman (and other nations): https://uavcoach.com/drone-laws-in-oman/

The email and phone for the Omani CAA is [email protected] or +96824354467

Dear friend superb guide you covered almost everything a traveler should look into. I’ve been thinking lately that I would love to visit I am glad to read your blog about your travel experience very interesting thanks. Your personal experiences and vivid descriptions truly bring the city to life, making me feel like I’m right there with you on this incredible journey. Your blog is a wonderful source of inspiration for fellow adventurers looking to explore the magic of. Keep sharing your stories and insights – they’re a delight to read! Sreenandhana from Kerala tourism.

HEy Nicole! This guide is amazing – thank you so much!

Thank you for this wonderful article. It is new information for me.

Nicole, being a Local Omani, I am impress with your knowledage about Oman. No doubt, you’ve written an informtive, well-researched and impressive guide on Oman.

Thanks for this great blog! Your pictures give a great insight to the country. Which camera are you using?

Thanks, I mostly shoot on a Canon 5DSR and sometimes a 5DMIII

Impressive article, enjoyed reading it. Thanks for the info.

Thanks a lot, the article is so perfect

What a great article! We’re currently dreaming of going to Oman again – we’ve been there before and we love, love love it! Here’s to a year with loads of travel plans and new experiences!

Nice post. Thank you for sharing such informative information with us.

Hi, First, I would like to thank you for sharing the useful guide on Oman Tours. As Oman is the best destination for traveling & tours and has lots of amazing places to visit. As per my experience, Salalah is also a very good destination for spending holidays. I have read your blog and I found that your tips and guide will be very helpful for visitors.

Thanks for the information even if I am planning to come to Oman. through e-visa this is very needful information

Nice post, Thanks for sharing!

Salalah is very beautiful tourist city and I loved to visit again

Salalah is a great place, greetings from Salalah.

Regards Beautiful Salalah Tours The best travel operator in Salalah

Thanks Salma, Salalah is just lovely. I’d love to return!

Hello lovely Nicki, I want to say you have a great article here about Oman. We offer desert tours in UAE and to the Musandam Peninsula from Dubai, hope to see you there one day Inshallah.

Thanks, I hope to be back one day too!

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The Best Oman Itinerary: A 7-10 Day Road Trip

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Our Oman itinerary took us on a 10-day road trip around the north of the country.

We visited stunning mosques and sandcastle-like forts, hiked up sand dunes and along the rim of the Grand Canyon, swam in the crystal green waters of wadis, and took long walks on empty beaches.

Oman is one of the safest countries to visit in the Middle East, it’s easy to self-drive, and you’ll have many places to yourself as tourism is only just beginning to grow here. It’s also the perfect place for some winter sun.

If you have less time, you could easily do this Oman road trip in a week.

Oman Road Trip Tips and Resources

Our oman itinerary, our oman road trip map, days 1–2 muscat (2 nights), day 3 muscat – nizwa (2 nights), day 5 nizwa – jebel shams (2 nights), day 7 jebel shams – wahiba sands (1 night), day 8 wahiba sands – ras al hadd (1 night), day 9 ras al hadd – sur (1 night), day 10 sur – muscat (1 night), what to pack for oman, more oman travel tips.

All international visitors require a visa for entry to Oman.

Whilst you used to be able to obtain one upon arrival, visitors are now advised to apply for an Oman eVisa online before you arrive in the country.

Once your visa is approved (usually within a day or so), you must enter the country within 30 days.

Do you need a 4WD in Oman?

Most people recommend a 4WD for an Oman road trip, but they are at least double the price of a regular 2WD car and whether you need one depends on your itinerary.

We decided to rent a small 2WD SUV as it has higher clearance than a regular sedan.

For this route we didn’t need a 4WD except for going up Jebel Akhdar mountain where we hired a driver at the base to take us up.

The road up Jebel Shams was steep and unpaved in parts but we managed in a 2WD.

Most roads in Oman are paved, quiet, and in good condition.

If you can afford it, a 4WD will give you peace of mind and will allow you to explore some of Oman’s exciting off-road tracks, but you can manage without one.

Oman car hire

We rented a Nissan Kicks small SUV through Booking.com for £261 for our 10 days in Oman from the Thrifty office at Muscat airport.

We had a limit of 200km a day which is common in Oman and was plenty for us. Technically you need an international driving permit in Oman but we were never asked for one.

We have a separate annual car hire insurance policy which covered the excess. This is much cheaper than purchasing full insurance with the rental company. 

In Oman you drive on the right. The speed limit is usually 120km/h or 60km/h in urban areas.

Fuel stations are attended—you can leave a small tip but it didn’t seem to be expected. Most stations have a shop and some have toilets and a restaurant. Petrol is cheap—less than 40p a litre.

Accommodation

We booked most of our accommodation on Booking.com , which often worked out cheaper than booking direct.

Everywhere we stayed was well equipped (ensuite, air conditioning, WiFi, free parking) and functional rather than stylish. Hotels add 17% tax.

If you are on a tight budget, the cheapest option is to buy a tent and wild camp for free almost anywhere in the country.

We bought an Omantel SIM card from the desk at the airport.

The “Tourist-5” costs 5 OMR ($13) including 6 GB data (valid for 10 days), 1 GB free and a free Otaxi trip. Other packages are available and the staff speaks English.

The data package was very useful as we used Google Maps for directions. The mobile signal was often faster than the hotel WiFi.

Alternatively, Airalo esim is a great option as you can buy an eSIM through their app for instant connectivity upon arrival.

Oman Travel Costs and Money

The current exchange rate is 1 OMR (Omani rial) = £2.10, €2.40 and $2.60. The rial is divided into 1000 baisa.

There are a few ATMs at the airport and there was no charge to use them with a foreign card. It’s best to stock up on cash as some hotels and petrol stations are cash only.

We spent £134 ($165/€154) a day for two people with the most expensive items being accommodation (£68 a day) and transport (£38 a day).

We found food inexpensive in local restaurants (rather than hotels) and it cost us less than £14 a day (not including the meals that were included in two of our hotels).

We didn’t spend a lot on entertainment as there aren’t many expensive attractions and our favourite activities—hikes and wadis—were free.

Our costs don’t include flights to Oman. We flew Bangkok-Muscat-London with Oman Air. It wasn’t the cheapest option but we preferred to fly direct. You can search Kiwi for the best flight deals.

When to Visit Oman

Winter is the best time to visit Oman as the summers are extremely hot.

Our trip was in early December and the weather was perfect—around 25ºC and sunny during the day with pleasantly cooler nights.

The nights at Jebel Shams mountain and Wahiba Sands desert were very cold and we needed warm clothing.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is essential in case anything goes wrong on your trip.

We used True Traveller as always—they are the best deal we’ve found for UK residents. Heymondo is another company we’ve used in the past.

We heard mixed reports about whether the water in Oman was drinkable. As I have a sensitive stomach we decided not to risk it and drank bottled water instead.

Back to Contents

• Muscat – 2 nights (stay at Mutrah Hotel )
• Nizwa – 2 nights (stay at Al Karam Hotel Apartment )
• Jebel Shams – 2 nights (stay at Jebel Shams Resort )
• Wahiba Sands – 1 night (stay at Desert Retreat Camp )
• Ras Al Hadd – 1 night (stay at Ras Al Hadd Guesthouse )
• Sur – 1 night (stay at Sur Hotel )
• Muscat – 1 night (stay at Beach Bay Hotel )

Our Oman road trip was for 10 nights and we drove 1378km around the north of the country.

Distances aren’t long on this route and we had quite a lot of down time, so you could easily do this itinerary in seven days.

For one week in Oman, reduce the first stay in Muscat to one night, the Nizwa/Jebel Shams area to three nights, and skip the night in Sur (you can visit on the way from Ras Al Hadd to Muscat).

When you are planning your Oman travel itinerary, remember that as Oman is a Muslim country the weekend is on a Friday and Saturday and many places close on Fridays.

Note: The distances of each leg of our journey are taken from Google Maps (which we used for navigation) and the times are the actual time it took us. I’ve noted if we stopped for a break.

Our flight arrived at Muscat International Airport at 7 pm and we picked up our rental car and drove 30 minutes to the Mutrah area.

The next day we got an early start (arriving at 8.30 am) for Muscat’s best attraction—the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque .

This stunning, huge, modern mosque is open to visitors from 8.30am to 11 am every day except Friday and is free.

There is a strict dress code—women must cover up completely with long sleeves, long trousers or floor-length skirt, and a headscarf (I used my sarong). Abayas are available to rent if you don’t have anything suitable to wear.

Men should wear long trousers and cover their shoulders.

Don’t miss the mosque—it is absolutely gorgeous, both the serene grounds and the extravagantly decorated main prayer hall. I recommend arriving early to enjoy it before the tour groups arrive.

In the afternoon we rested back at our hotel before heading out at 3 pm for the 30-minute walk to Mutrah Corniche .

This was my favourite part of Muscat (and one of the few walkable areas) with a lovely promenade with white buildings backed by rugged mountains overlooking the sea. It’s especially pleasant at sunset.

The nearby Mutrah Souq reopens after the afternoon break at 5 pm. The crowded alleyways are touristy but a good place for souvenir shopping.

Where to Stay in Muscat

We stayed at Mutrah Hotel between the Little India area of Ruwi and the Mutrah Corniche.

The decor was dated but our room was huge with a seating area, ensuite, fridge, air con, OK WiFi, and room service.

We had a view of the mountains behind the hotel and there is a SPAR supermarket across the road as well as a few cheap Indian restaurants nearby.

It was one of the cheapest hotels we found in Muscat and we were happy with our choice.

Where to Eat in Muscat

We had lunch at Welcome Restaurant , a small, simple, vegetarian Indian restaurant near our hotel.

At lunch they only had thalis but it was very good with an array of curries, puffy puri bread, and a sweet for only 2.5 OMR (£5) for both of us including water.

We had dinner near the Mutrah Souq at Bait Al Luban , an upmarket restaurant serving traditional Omani cuisine.

It’s named after frankincense (which is grown in Oman) and the pungent scent smokes through the restaurant. They even add it to the water.

We sat on cushions and ordered from the decent vegetarian section—our Omani vegetable curry and fava beans in tomato sauce with date flatbread were good. Afterwards they brought us a big bowl of delicious Omani dates.

Bait Al Luban is more expensive than most restaurants in Oman, but it’s not unreasonable and it’s worth it for a special meal as there aren’t many destination restaurants in Oman.

Distance: 176km Time: 2 hours

The drive to Nizwa was easy on good quality highways through the desert surrounded by barren mountains, passing the occasional oasis town.

We continued past Nizwa to the 17th-century Jabrin Fort (also known as Jabreen or Jibreen Castle), one of the best forts to visit in Oman.

Entrance was only 500 baisa (£1) and it wasn’t very busy. There’s a labyrinth of rooms to explore and you can enjoy views of the date palms and mountains from the battlements.

You could also visit nearby Bahla Fort , but we were exhausted so headed back to Nizwa to check in to our hotel.

Nizwa isn’t a particularly attractive town. It’s very spread out and the outskirts (where the hotels are) are full of strip malls and fast food chains.

The fort and souq area are worth a visit though and we went in the late afternoon.

The Nizwa Fort is open from 8 am to 8 pm (except on Fridays when it’s 8–11.30am and 1.30–8pm) and the souq opens in the mornings and from 5 pm to 8 pm.

We have mixed feelings about Nizwa Fort. It is beautiful, especially the massive circular tower which you can climb for views of the city and mountains beyond, but it now costs 10 times what it used to—5 OMR (£10/ $13).

For that price you would expect it to be better maintained, but the lights in the exhibition area flashed annoyingly.

It probably didn’t help that we’re not super into forts, so if you aren’t on a tight budget or are a history buff then you should visit.

On our second morning in Nizwa we visited Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain) . The base of the mountain is in Birkat al Mawz , a 15-minute drive from our hotel.

When you reach the town follow signs to turn left to Al Jabal Al Akhdar . You drive up the mountain until you arrive at a car park and police checkpoint—it’s 4WD only beyond this point.

As we were in a 2WD we parked and a young guy called Mohammed immediately approached us in his shiny 4WD and offered to drive us up for a tour for 35 OMR (£73/ $91).

On the way up we stopped at various viewpoints for spectacular views of the rugged mountains and villages that cling to its sides.

At the Saiq Plateau you realise why it got its name as the green refers to the terraces of fruit trees and roses that are grown in the villages. Spring is a better time to visit to see everything in bloom.

We spent about two and a half hours enjoying the views and taking short walks in the cool air (take layers!).

An interesting addition would be the two-hour hike between the villages of Al Aqr and Al Ayn .

We were back at our hotel by lunchtime, so you could skip the extra night in Nizwa and continue to Jebel Shams .

Where to Stay in Nizwa

Most of the hotels in Nizwa are quite far from the centre. Al Karam Hotel Apartment was one of the cheapest places we found but was surprisingly good, despite its random location off a highway surrounded by desert.

Our one-bedroom apartment was spacious, clean and comfortable, if rather characterless.

We liked having a separate living room with couch and used the small kitchen to self-cater. WiFi was pretty good. A breakfast buffet is included in the price.

Where to Eat in Nizwa

There didn’t seem to be anywhere particularly good to eat in Nizwa, so we self-catered at the amazing, huge Lulu Hypermarket .

It really has everything you could possibly need including an excellent prepared food section where we stocked up on samosas, dahl, curries, rice, salads, hummus, and bread.

They even had all of our favourite British chocolates and it’s a good place to buy inexpensive dates.

The Nizwa Fort Coffee Shop between the fort and the souq looked like a pretty good option for coffee, juice, and snacks.

Distance: 108km Time: 2 hours 20 minutes via Misfat

You could visit Jebel Shams as a day trip from Nizwa but we decided to spend a few nights up there to enjoy the views and tranquility.

On the way we stopped at Misfat al Abryeen , one of Oman’s oldest and most picturesque villages.

From the modern side of the village there are fantastic views of the old village clinging to the mountainside and surrounded by lush date palms—walking through the oasis is a highlight.

Misfat is an interesting place but we felt a little intrusive exploring the village itself. It’s a tiny, traditional place of crumbling mud houses and has become popular with visitors.

There are signs everywhere reminding guests to cover their shoulders and knees and warning people away from walking down private alleyways.

It might be more rewarding to stay overnight at Misfah Old House guesthouse , although it’s expensive for what you get. 

We continued to the top of Jebel Shams. A 4WD is recommended but we heard it was possible to make it up in a 2WD.

And we did, but I do not recommend it for nervous drivers or if you have no off-roading experience.

There’s a 7km section of steep, rocky dirt track, some parts sandy and rutted, and if we had got stuck we would have been in trouble.

At the top, just before Jebel Shams Resort , there’s a viewpoint where you can see down into the dizzying depths of what’s known as Oman’s Grand Canyon and admire the long hair goats posing on the ledge.

We spent the afternoon relaxing at our hotel and got an early start the next day for the highlight of Jebel Shams— the Balcony Walk .

The hike (a section of the W6) starts 10 minutes further down the road (another off road section) from the tiny hamlet of Khateem .

Just follow the red/yellow/white splotches of paint on the rocks to follow the trail along the edge of the canyon.

It’s an out and back hike and the views are amazing straight away so you could just walk a little way.

It’s worth continuing to the abandoned village of As Sab where tiny stone and mud houses perch precariously on the edge of the canyon under a ledge of rock. It’s unbelievable that people lived in such a harsh (if beautiful) environment.

The entire hike (3.5km each way) took us 2.5 hours including a break at As Sab.

We were the first people to arrive at 8.20 am and had most of the hike to ourselves and avoided the worst of the heat. We spent the rest of the day relaxing at our hotel.

Where to Stay and Eat in Jebel Shams

Unless you want to wild camp, there are only two places to stay at the top of Jebel Shams. We stayed at the nicest of the two— Jebel Shams Resort .

It’s not much of a resort and it’s quite expensive, but we enjoyed our tranquil stay.

Our Sunset Chalet had twin beds (unfortunately they all do), a couch, table and chairs on the terrace, a fridge, and a small heater (needed on the cold nights).

There is supposed to be WiFi at reception, but it didn’t work for us and we didn’t have mobile signal either.

Breakfast and dinner are included in the price—the food was decent and had vegetarian options.

I recommend bringing bottled water, snacks and lunch as the small snack bar is only open 12–3pm and has a limited menu. There are no other restaurants or shops on the mountain.

The nearby Sama Heights Resort is cheaper if you stay in one of their furnished tents. 

Distance: 253km Time: 4 hours 45 minutes including detour to Ibra and lunch break

Wahiba Sands is what you picture when you think of the desert—rolling sand dunes, camels, and Bedouin tents.

To explore the area it’s best to stay the night in one of the desert camps.

We wanted somewhere simple (we didn’t need A/C and a pool), quiet (some are close to noisy 4WD trails), away from towns with minimal light pollution, and near a large sand dune that we could climb.

Many camps offer camel rides and 4WD dune-bashing drives, but we were content to explore on foot.

The Desert Retreat Camp met all of our requirements and had the benefit of feeling remote but being only a 20-minute drive into the desert.

Most camps require a 4WD to reach them or you can pay a high price for a transfer from the town of Al Wasil.

We were told this camp was accessible in our small SUV. And it was, but it was nerve-wracking driving through the sand.

The meeting point is at 3 pm at the Desert Retreat Camp office at the Al Maha petrol station in Al Wasil (there’s a shop and restaurant there too).

We paid in cash (make sure you stock up in advance) then followed the guide’s dust cloud as he sped through the sand.

The Desert Retreat Camp is the last camp in this part of the desert and there’s nothing else around except for a few buildings where locals store feed for the goats that wander nearby.

As there was only one other guest that night, and there’s no WiFi or 3G, it was wonderfully peaceful.

We were greeted with Omani coffee in tiny cups and the best dates we’d eaten so far.

The Bedouin goat hair tents are laid out in a double ring at the foot of a dune, all with their own private but separate bathroom.

Many camps don’t have electricity but we had a light and a dodgy looking power point.

Our tent was furnished simply with two twin beds pushed together, a table and a coat rack. It was all we needed as we were here to enjoy the setting.

It’s only a 15-minute walk up to the top of the dune, but it’s a tough climb as you sink into the sand constantly. It’s worth it for the views of rolling dunes, especially in the glowing light at sunset and sunrise.

Dinner and breakfast are included in the price and were good—vegetable curries, homemade flatbread, rice, salad, and hummus followed by delicious Omani halva.

We spent the night drinking tea around the campfire then gazing at the explosion of stars.

Distance: 213km Time: 4 hours via Wadi Bani Khalid

From Wahiba Sands we headed towards the coast with a stop at one of Oman’s most popular wadis, Wadi Bani Khalid .

It’s a stunning drive over the mountains off Highway 23 through small villages—just keep following signs to the cave/water pools.

From the car park it’s a five-minute walk to the clear green pools surrounded by date palms and rocky mountains.

It has been developed with a few bridges, seating areas, and a restaurant, but it doesn’t detract from its beauty.

We spent a blissful few hours swimming in the cool water, getting foot massages from the nibbling fish, and sunbathing on the rocks. It was one of our favourite places in Oman.

We had the buffet lunch (4 OMR) at the restaurant but you are better off bringing a picnic if you can.

Read our tips for visiting Wadi Bani Khalid . 

The desert stretches all the way to the sea at Ras Al Hadd . It’s a bleak little town, but it does have a stretch of wild, empty beach with golden sand and turquoise waves.

It’s better for walking than for sunbathing or swimming, though. We chose to stay here to be close to the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve that’s a 15 minute drive away—it’s much cheaper than staying at the reserve .

Where to Stay in Ras Al Hadd

Ras Al Hadd Guesthouse is the cheapest place we found in the area at just 18 OMR (£37/ $47). It’s difficult to find as although it’s marked correctly on Google Maps it’s unclear how to get there.

Follow the guesthouse sign off the main road and drive off-road over a wide section of dirt then onto an area of broken up tarmac that feels like an airport runway.

Make sure you look up photos of the hotel in advance so you can head towards the large green and white building.

Despite the odd location, the guesthouse was fine. As usual, the rooms were characterless but functional with a fridge, TV, A/C, balcony with sea view, and unreliable but decent when working WiFi.

The staff was friendly. Note it’s cash only and there’s no ATM nearby.

Where to Eat in Ras Al Hadd

There’s a strip of simple coffee shops (Omani style restaurants) on the main road. We chose the first coffee shop on the left past the Ras Al Hadd Motel coming from our hotel.

As often happened in Oman they didn’t stick to the menu but gave us a choice of veg or non-veg, rice or paratha bread.

We ended up with a surprisingly decent Indian thali with dahl and a few vegetable curries. It only cost 2 OMR (£4/ $5) for both of us including soft drinks.

Distance: 42km Time: 40 minutes

We woke up early for the 5 am tour (you can also do one at 9 pm) at the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve , which we had booked a few weeks in advance by email (reservations are recommended).

They send a guide out onto the beach first to locate the turtles, but sadly they couldn’t find any so we returned to our hotel disappointed.

At least we weren’t charged the 7 OMR (£15/ $18) fee. Winter isn’t the best time to see the turtles (high season is July to October), but you do have a chance of seeing a few year round.

After a nap and wander on the beach, we headed to the nearby town of Sur stopping at the fishing village of Al Ayjah for lunch and a stroll. You can also visit the dhow boat-building yard nearby.

There wasn’t much to do in the afternoon, but at sunset we went for a stroll on the beach where hundreds of local men were playing huge football games. We didn’t see a single local woman walking anywhere in Sur.

In retrospect, we could have skipped the night in Sur and continued to Muscat.

Where to Stay in Sur

Sur Hotel was the most basic place we stayed in Oman. Our small room had rather depressing decor, but it had all the usual facilities and was very cheap at 11.7 OMR (£24/ $30). It was fine for one night.

Where to Eat in Sur

Sahari has good Arabic mezze with a view of the lagoon between Al Ayjah and Sur. Service was slow and it’s more expensive than most places (you’re paying for the setting).

Our Indian dinner at Sea Sur restaurant next to our hotel was decent.

Distance: 382km Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

On our way from Sur to Muscat we stopped at Wadi Shab , one of Oman’s best attractions.

It involves a 5.6km hike in a stunning canyon then a swim through a series of pools to reach a small cave which contains a waterfall.

We arrived at 8.20am and were the first people there, but this resulted in us getting terribly lost as we didn’t realise we’d reached the pools and kept going past them.

Make sure you don’t make the same mistake we did. If you arrive a bit later you’ll see people swimming there and it’ll be obvious.

If you are the first people, just make sure you stick to the low path—don’t climb up on the higher path as it means you’ve gone too far.

You have to swim/walk/swim for 10 minutes down the pools until you get to a tiny gap between two massive boulders.

You swim through that (with just enough space for your head out of the water) to get to the cave which has a small waterfall. You can’t see the cave from the outside.

Despite our issues, I do recommend an early start, as it gets very busy by late morning. It’s a beautiful place and well worth a visit.

If you have the time, you could also stop at nearby Wadi Tiwi and the Bimmah Sinkhole .

In Muscat we stayed in a different area, the diplomatic enclave of Qurum next to the city’s best public beach.

It felt like a different world from Mutrah with fancy villas, foreigners wearing skimpy clothes, a scarcity of cheap shops and restaurants, and more Western chains like Costa Coffee and Pizza Express.

We could have paid 5 OMR (£10/ $13) to use the pool of the extravagant Grand Hyatt hotel next door, but late in the afternoon it wasn’t worth it, especially as we would have spent a fortune on food and drinks.

We went for a walk along the beach instead.

Beach Bay Hotel was one of the nicest hotels we stayed in Oman, although it’s comfortable rather than special, and a little dated.

It’s only a few minutes walk from the beach and the breakfast was my favourite in Oman with a large selection of mezze.

It’s significantly more expensive than Mutrah Hotel where we stayed previously, but it’s one of the best value in this area. It’s convenient for the Grand Mosque and airport.

We walked about 30 minutes along the beach to the Oasis by the Sea shopping centre where there are a number of restaurants.

Our Oman road trip ended in Muscat with a flight out the next morning.

Everyone should dress modestly in Oman. For men this means t-shirts and long trousers (although you can get away with knee-length shorts).

Women need to cover their shoulders and knees, and outside Muscat I usually covered my arms and legs.

My usual outfit was linen trousers or jeans plus a long sleeve shirt. Or I’d wear a t-shirt and take a cardigan to cover up with when I got out of the car.

You only need to cover your hair at the Grand Mosque—I used a sarong.

For swimming in wadis, I wore capri leggings and a baggy t-shirt of Simon’s.

For hiking the Balcony Walk, I also wore a t-shirt and capris plus a few long-sleeve layers for the cold morning start.

A few other things to pack for Oman:

• Universal travel plug adapter –   Oman uses the UK three pin plug.
• Torch (flashlight) – For desert camps.
• Bradt Oman Guidebook – A comprehensive guide. We used the Kindle edition.
• Arabian Sands book – There aren’t many books set in Oman but this is a good one. It’s set in the late 1940s when Englishman Wilfred Thesiger explores deep into the deserts of Oman and surrounding countries. He was one of the last people to document the Bedu way of life before oil was discovered and most Bedu gave up their nomad ways for the towns—a decision you’ll understand when you read how harsh life in the desert was.

As one of the safest countries to visit in the Middle East we hope this post has given you plenty of ideas to put together your own Oman itinerary for your own adventures in the mountains and desert!

• What to Expect When Visiting Oman
• 11 Beautiful Places to Visit in Oman
• Visiting Wadi Bani Khalid: Oman’s Desert Oasis

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35 Comments

Thanks so much for your post. We originally planned to visit Oman on March 6, 2020 — but alas, all plans were quashed by Covid. We now planning our trip for March 2023. Hopefully we’ll be able to use our credits on OMAN Air …. We will follow your route and post our experience at partnersinadventure.com We’ll be sure to reference you! Again, your tips are much appreciated.

Reply ↓

Thank you very much for your detailed itinerary with many useful tips. I’ve alredy booked open jaw tickets Europe- Muscat and Salalah-Europe for FEB 2023 and I am pretty sure I will follow your itinerary fairly closely.

Enjoy Oman!

Thanks so much for this. Getting ready for my Oman trip starting at the end of December and have feverishly taken notes based on your post.

Have a brilliant time in Oman, Lisa!

>>We arrived at 8.20 am and were the first people there, but this resulted in us getting terribly lost. We’ll be writing about this soon so >>you don’t make the same mistake!

So what’s the mistake not to make at Wadi Shab?

Oh yes, I never got around to writing about this! Basically we didn’t realise we’d reached the pools (we expected to see a cave) and kept going past them and then back again and trying out different routes.

It turned out you have to swim/walk/swim for 10 mins down the pools until you get to a tiny gap between two massive boulders and swim through that (just enough space for your head out of the water) to get to the cave which has a small waterfall. You can’t see the cave from the outside.

If you arrive a bit later you’ll see people swimming there and it’ll be obvious. If you are the first people just make sure you stick to the low path – don’t climb up on the higher path as it means you’ve gone too far.

Here are some good directions (just note what the swimming pool looks like so you don’t miss it): https://www.zigzagonearth.com/wadi-shab-oman/

We plan a road trip to Oman, but will drive from Dubai. Very useful info presented, will use this as a guide through. We will mostly make the same route as you did only that we begin with Jebel Shams and end up in Muscat.

Sounds like a good plan. Enjoy!

A lovely blog to read and most useful. Am planning a trip to Oman, but in late spring spring/early summer….! Much enjoyed reading it. Thank you for sharing

Enjoy your trip to Oman, Adrian!

Thanks for another hugely useful post. Unlike other travel bloggers who seem only to want to brag about where they have been, your posts are always genuinely useful. We will be using this for a trip next Spring. Thank you¬

Aw, thanks very much Liz! Enjoy Oman!

We’ve just finished up a trip to Oman and your blog post was an amazing help to plan our itinerary! Thanks for sharing!!

I’m so glad to hear it helped, Kristen!

Thank you for this detailed information pack. It is very helpful.

I’m glad you found it helpful. Enjoy Oman!

Thank you for this! I’m going to use your exact itinerary.

Great! Let us know how it works out for you!

This is a great help. I’m wondering if you ever spent any significant time just hanging out at a beach there. I love the idea of exploring the desert etc, but my kids would also like some time to simply swim and sun.

We didn’t spend much time on the beach -just some long walks on the beach at Ras Al Hadd (which was lovely but didn’t really feel like a swimming/sunbathing beach) and at Qurum Beach in Muscat (which has a lot more foreigners and locals hanging out on). It would be easy to add a few beach days in Muscat at the beginning or end of your stay as many people do.

Just remember that women have to cover up on public beaches, so staying at a beach resort might be a better option if you’re travelling with a wife or older daughter (although Muscat seemed more liberal in that respect).

Thanks… this is a big help. We’ll let you know how it goes…

Thank you for this amazing summary! We are planning to go in November and we will use this as a base for planning.

Enjoy Oman, Nora! November is a great month to visit.

Great post! We are going to Oman in October 16 days. It’s perfect . I think that the post can help us a lot. Thanks

Excellent! Have a brilliant trip Marta!

I love your itinerary! I am planning to try and visit Oman this summer around June. How feasible is the road trip from Muscat to Salalah via road? Also how safe is it to wilderness camp, as I think this may be the best option for me since I will be doing this trip solo?

I’ve heard that the road trip to Salalah is definitely possible but it’s very long and boring, so most people fly to the region.

Wild camping is very safe (Oman is incredibly safe) so you should be fine. It’s definitely the cheapest way to travel the country.

Great post, guys! Very thorough post about Oman, one of my favourite countries. By the way, I love the blog’s new layout!

Used you Oman itinerary for a trip just 2 weeks ago. Your post was an excellent source of information, had a great time. That quiet fishing beach was the highlight of the trip. Thanks again

I’m so glad you enjoyed your trip John.

Great writeup! I definitely want to do this someday and will follow your tips!

As a follow up comment/question, I like how you guys drive on a lot of your trips (I was very inspired by the Namibia one), and was wondering if someday, when you’re looking for article ideas, if you could post which countries have been the easiest to drive in?

2017 was the definite year of the road trip for us! I will add doing a post about the best road trips to my list – thanks for the idea! Other than the US, South Africa was probably the easiest one we’ve done in terms of the road conditions although distances were pretty long and you have to be a little careful about safety (keeping doors locked, not driving at night).

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Oman Travel Blogs

These are all of my oman travel blogs.

From exploring the old-time charm of Muscat and exploring the incredible mountains, to swimming in the wadis and relaxing on some of the country’s most stunning beaches, find out the best places to travel to in Oman here, in my Oman travel blogs.

Happy exploring!

The Best Luxury Hotels in Muscat, Oman

From The Chedi’s chic infinity pool, and the Kempinski’s grand lobby, to the spectacular city views from the Sheraton, these are the best luxury hotels in Muscat, Oman.

What to wear in oman for women and men: oman packing guide.

Wondering what to wear in Oman? Whether you’re heading to Muscat, the beach, mountains or the desert, this helpful guide will help you pack for your trip.

First timer’s travel guide to visiting oman.

Planning to visit Oman for the first time? Find out all the information you could need to make the most of your trip in this Oman travel guide.

Wander-Lush

Explore Oman: The Ultimate Oman Travel Guide

• The Middle East

I don’t see the desert as barren at all; I see it as full and ripe. It doesn’t need to be flattered with rain. It certainly needs rain, but it does with what it has, and creates amazing beauty. Joy Harjo

The Land of Frankincense

A complete contrast to some of its more ostentatious neighbours, Oman is a lesson in understated beauty . This is a nation that’s held onto its cultural identity and Bedouin heritage with a firm grip. It’s also one of the most budget-friendly – and accessible – countries on the Arabian Peninsular.

Add to that natural beauty of otherworldly proportions, unrestricted wild camping and highways that are made for road tripping, and you have the perfect recipe for your first encounter with the Middle East.

I spent 10 blissful days driving myself around Oman. Even if you’re limited to a layover or short stay, you can still see a lot by taking day trips from the capital.

Oman travel essentials

Please note: Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more .

April/May (shoulder season) or October-March (winter high season).

How long in Oman?

2 full days for Muscat; 10 days for the highlights; 2-3 weeks to see everything.

Daily budget

60-90 USD per person per day (mid-range hotel; local meals; car and fuel; museum tickets).

Getting there

Fly into Muscat, Khasab or Salalah; drive or bus from the UAE.

eVisa (multi-entry; 30 days) or visa in advance.

Getting around

Hire a car (essential!) or book day tours from Muscat.

Where to stay

Hotels, desert camps, wild camping or Airbnb.

Tours & experiences

Dune bashing, cultural tours and snorkelling.

Best things to do in Oman

From Muscat’s elegant Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and Royal Opera House to the humble mud village of Misfat Al Abriyeen , from 3,000-plus kilometres of coastline dotted with wooden dhow boats to the rocky peaks of the Jebel Shams mountains, Oman literally has it all.

Spend your days wandering around Oman’s desert sandcastles, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bahla Fort , and the imposing Nizwa Fort . When the heat gets too much, find your salvation in the shade of a dancing date palm. As you emerge from the shadowy, labyrinthine Muttrah Souq into the blistering sun on the Corniche , the smell of frankincense and cardamom coffee will follow you.

The charm of Omani culture and hospitality is matched by the country’s extreme landscape. Highlights of a trip to Oman include searching the sand dunes for Wadi Shab , a real-life oasis cut from the desert, plunging feet-first into the Bimmah Sinkhole on a steaming day, and watching the hatchlings make a break for it at Raz Al Jinz Turtle Reserve on a cool night.

Dune bashing in the Sharqiya Sands (Wahiba Sands) at the edge of the Empty Quarter that bridges Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia is another Oman must-do – not to mention spending a night under the stars at a luxury desert camp .

Explore Oman

Plan the perfect trip to Oman with my latest travel guides.

10 Best Day Trips from Muscat, Oman: Guided Tours & DIY Adventures

Oman Road Trip: The Ultimate 10 Day Itinerary (No 4WD Required)

17 Spectacular Places to Visit in Oman in 2024

Oman on a Budget: 12 Essential Money Saving Tips

Oman Photography: 59 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Oman

25 Most Beautiful Places in the Middle East: The Ultimate List

My oman favourites.

Jebel Akhdar, Al Hajar mountains.

Must-eat meal

Kahwa (coffee with cardamom) & Halwa (sweet date dessert).

local experience

Taking a morning dip in Wadi Bani Khalid.

best souvenir

An embroidered Kumma hat from Nizwa Souq.

Tips & How to travel to Oman in 2024

By Joan Torres 22 Comments Last updated on May 8, 2024

Alluring Arab fortresses, 3000km of dramatic coastline, massive seas of dunes, thousands of miles of empty roads, and unspoiled landscapes.

Oman is the ultimate destination for raw adventurers, seeking to venture into the most traditional and welcoming Arab country.

This Oman travel guide contains everything you need to know to travel to Oman , including all the practical information, travel tips, top experiences and more.

In this Oman travel guide you will find:

Table of Contents

• Best time to visit
• Travel insurance
• Useful books
• Top 5 experiences
• Tours or independent travel?
• 20 Cultural facts
• Money and budgeting
• Transportation
• How to get in
• Accommodation
• More information

our recommended travel insurance for Oman

With its Backpacker plan, IATI Insurance is the best insurance for any kind of adventurous destination, like Oman.

😍 Reasons to visit Oman, the most welcoming country in the Middle East

I have visited Oman 7 or 8 times. 

The fact is that I lived in Dubai for nearly 3 years, and going to Oman was the classic weekend getaway. 

Two years after leaving Dubai and my corporate job , I came back to the region and decided to travel around Oman for a whole month, this time without a car, right before making my way into Saudi Arabia .  

I love Oman, I absolutely love it, for many reasons, but mainly because, unlike the United Arab Emirates, Qatar or Kuwait, it has managed to keep its own character.

Oman is an oil-rich country, but they don’t need to spend billions building extravagant buildings and nonsensical monuments. No, they don’t need to because people visit Oman to meet the kind-hearted Omanis, to check out the incredible coastline and the most epic mountains in the Arabian Peninsula, which go as high as 3,028m. 

Despite the modernization of the country, Oman has managed to preserve all its traditions and that is why, today, here you can still attend a livestock market and always share a meal with a local in the traditional way. 

Not surprisingly, Oman is getting immensely popular, but the good thing is that the country is big enough, so you can still find loads of off-the-beaten-track places that have remained untouched for centuries. 

Welcome to Oman.

🪪 How to get a visa for Oman

Most nationalities can buy an Oman tourist visa on arrival:

• 14-day visa : for free, no cost
• 30-day visa: 21 rials
• Multiple-entry visa, valid for 1 year: 50 rials

If possible, try to pay in either Omani Rials or with a credit card, because the price in USD is higher than the actual exchange rate. 

You can also buy your Omani visa online through this portal at a discounted price (around 1 rial), which is 2-3USD, for the 30-day visa at least. 

What nationalities are eligible for visa on arrival?

European Union, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Japan, Lebanon , Liechtenstein, Macau, Macedonia, Malaysia, Moldova , Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela 

If you come from any other country, I suggest you check the e-visa portal . 

Do you have a UAE residence?

If you are not on the lucky countries list, but you are living and working in the United Arab Emirates, you may also be able to get a visa on arrival. However, you should check it with your own embassy.  

⛅ Best time to visit Oman

In Oman, there really isn’t a spring or autumn season but the weather just evolves from crazy hot to pleasant. Note that, depending on the year, May and October could still be really, really hot.

Traveling in Oman in summer – From May to October

• Pleasant weather in the high mountains
• Low-season prices
• Monsoon season in Salalah (South Oman)
• Unbearable heat across the country
• High levels of humidity in the coastal areas

Traveling in Oman in winter – From November to April

• Pleasant weather across the whole country
• Loads of social life, events, etc.
• Omanis are in their best mood
• Higher prices

🚑 Travel insurance for Oman

Hey, Oman is an adventure destination, a country where you may be camping in the wild, go trekking and do epic road trips, plus their health care system is private.

For this reason, I recommend IATI Insurance because:

• Covers all types of adventure activities
• Up to 5 million € of medical coverage
• Covers senior citizens too
• Readers of this blog can get a 5% exclusive discount

📚 Books for planning your trip to Oman

Oman travel guide by bradt.

The guide to Oman by Bradt is, definitely, the best guidebook about Oman that exists.

Arabian Peninsula travel guide by Lonely Planet

They also mention UAE and other Gulf countries but if you like collecting the LP or want to combine a few countries, this is also a good option. 

🛖 5 Top experiences in Oman

Some travelers may not agree with the below list, basically because they might not be part of the tourist trail, but having visited Oman extensively, getting quite off the beaten track, these are the must-try experiences worth to be featured in this Oman travel blog.

Traveling to Dubai? Read my complete 1-week itinerary to UAE for the independent traveler

1 – Experience the khareef season in Salalah

In Oman, there is a place full of green meadows, where it rains, and the locals sell locally-grown coconuts, pineapples, and papayas. This place is called Salalah, in southern Oman, a city that experiences a monsoon season called khareef , which takes place from July to September.

During this season, Salalah becomes beautiful and lush green, attracting visitors from all over the country, as well as Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Check my ultimate guide to visit Salalah and the rest of Dhofar region

2 – Driving the coastal road from Salalah to the Yemeni border

Very few travelers visit this remote part of the country, which is a real shame, because the coast of Dhofar province is home to the most dramatic coastline in Oman, composed of lush green mountains which, at the same time, serve as vertiginous cliffs that directly drop to turquoise-blue waters.

A type of landscape you would never think of in the Arabian Peninsula. 

It looks like Hawai, right?

3 – Experiencing the Omani traditional life

What I like about Oman is that, unlike its neighbors from UAE, Qatar, Bahrain or Kuwait, it is a country with a complex, ancient history that managed to keep its traditions.

From livestock markets to artisan shops, actual Bedouins and historical mountain villages, the cultural experience in Oman is just as great as its epic landscapes. 

4 – Camping at one of the many wadis in Oman

Oman is about outdoors and since the country is not known for its nightlife, not even Muscat , both locals and expats tend to spend their weekends outdoors, especially camping in a wadi (valley) over a night barbecue.

If you want to join an Omani group, check the weekly events on Couchsurfing.

If you decide to go alone and go on a weekend, expect kind Omanis to tell you to join them.

5 – The historical heritage, from ruined cities to epic forts and abandoned villages

Despite being a mostly desert country, Oman has a fair amount of historical places to visit, ranging from well-restored, impressive forts, like the one in Rustaq, Nizwa or Bahla; to absolutely ruined historical cities like the barely visited one in Manah. 

Moreover, the mountains of Oman are also filled with abandoned villages that had been inhabited for centuries, but due to their inaccessibility, the Omani Government gave the villagers incentives to move to more accessible towns.

👨 Independent travel in Oman. Do you need to join a tour?

Oman is a difficult country to move around, basically, because you hardly find public transportation. 

Therefore, to travel in Oman, you need to either rent a car or go on a tour .

There is a third, more challenging way: hitchhiking – but we will get into that later. 

Below you can find a few examples but here I have put a compelling list: Best excursions, activities and day tours in Oman

Best Muscat City Tour

Muscat is full of amazing sites, but it is not very walking-friendly precisely. Joining a tour will definitely prove cheaper than hiring a taxi driver.

Best adventurous tour: Jebel Shams

The Grand Canyon of Oman is one of the most epic, natural places in the country, and it is easily visited from Muscat on a day trip.

Best cultural tour: Nizwa

One of the most historically important cities in Oman has a great souq and a beautiful fortress.

You may also like: the 10 best desert safaris in Dubai

⚠️ Is it safe to travel to Oman?

Oman is safe and, perhaps, the safest country in the Middle East , no kidding. 

Even the utterly negatively-exaggerated FCDO advice says that Oman is trouble-free. 

The fact is that Oman is one of those countries where crime is a rare thing to see.

Actually, a good friend of mine from southern Oman told me that since he was born 40 years ago, there is only been one murder in his province (Dhofar), and it was between foreign workers. 

How many people have been murdered in your province or city?

There are no pickpockets and nobody will mug you. Oman is very safe and terrorism is unheard of, especially because it has always kept away of all Middle Eastern conflicts. 

For a more comprehensive analysis, read: Is Oman safe?

20 Facts about Omanis and the country of Oman

1 – oman is an arab country and omanis are arabs.

It is one of the 22 countries that comprise the Arab League . 

2 – Many Omanis are ethnically from Zanzibar

From the 17th to the 19th century, the Sultanate of Oman was a major maritime force that controlled a large part of East Africa, Zanzibar being one of the most important territories.

When you travel in Oman, you will see a lot of very dark Omanis with strong East African features. Most likely, their ancestors come from Zanzibar but, culturally, they are 100% Omani. 

Read my city guide to Muscat!

3 – And then you have the Baluchis

Balochistan is a region spread across Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan and, for many years, the Baluch city of Gwadar (in today’s Pakistan) was under Omani rule. Baluchis were known for being fierce warriors and that is why, over the centuries, the Sultanate used them as loyal mercenaries to consolidate Oman’s power.

Today, a large population of Baluchis still remain in Oman (about half a million) and while they are considered 100% Omanis, many of them speak a distinct language which is close to Hindi or Urdu, and they have similarities with their South Asian neighbors. 

4 – But there are more groups

From the several Dhofari tribes in southern Oman (which are culturally closer to Yemen) to the Bedouins, Oman is ethnically rich. 

5 – South Asians make up around 45-55% of the total population

By South Asians, I mean people from Pakistan , India, and Bangladesh, especially Bangladesh, most of them being workers with low-qualified jobs. 

6 – Arabic is the official language

Omani Arabic is very similar to the one spoken in UAE, Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Gulf countries, with its own similarities, of course. They claim that the Arabic from the Gulf is the closest to Classical Arabic, the Arabic the Quran is written in.

7 – Other languages, however, are also spoken

I personally spent several days in Dhofar province, staying with a guy named Mussab in a small village north of Salalah . Mussab spoke Jabali (Shehri) , a language that sounded completely different from Arabic. He said that some old people from remoter villages in his region can’t speak Arabic, only Jabali. 

8 – Many educated Omanis speak English

Especially in Muscat but, in smaller cities and rural areas, communicating in English can be a problem sometimes. 

9 – Most Omanis are Sunni Muslims

There are small concentrations of Shias in Muscat and along the northern coast, but Sunni Islam is the prevalent religion. 

10 – And they are a very conservative society

Islam is the basic pillar for pretty much any Omani, including the young generation. I hung out with Omanis from all ages and social classes and I barely met anyone who didn’t pray 5 times a day. They are strong believers and most of their rules, habits, and laws are based on Islam. 

11 – Conservative, but tolerant with foreigners

In Oman, there aren’t specific rules dictating how you need to dress, and alcohol is widely available for foreigners. Women don’t need to cover up and, if you want to wear shorts, you just wear them. Omanis understand the cultural differences between themselves and Europeans, so you don’t need to explain anything to them. 

A piece of advice for women – When I was traveling in the touristic areas of Oman, I saw quite a few Western women dressing like they would do in a beach destination back home, and that was with very tight and small clothes. There isn’t really a law against that, and Omanis are the kindest people on Earth, so most likely, whatever you wear, they won’t say you anything to you because you are their guest. However, I certainly know that many Omanis get bothered when they see a woman dressing like that, especially in villages. Look, I know that I shouldn’t tell a woman what to do, but just bear in mind that you are in their country and, in order to enjoy their kindness and hospitality , showing your respect for their culture is a great start. You don’t need to cover your head or anything like that, but just try to dress more conservatively, and you will see that Omanis will receive you in open arms. For more information, read: Solo female travel in Oman

12 – Some of the most hospitable people ever

You may think this as a cliché statement, but it’s not. Omanis are in the top 3 of the most hospitable people I have ever met, along with Iranians and Pakistanis.

Over my backpacking journey, I lost count of all the house invitations I got, plus the kindness of the many locals I hitched a ride with, always willing to meet and help you, expecting nothing in return. 

13 – You will visit many guest rooms, but nothing beyond that

Omanis are very private. Families don’t really like people entering their houses, especially because it is the only place where their women can roam around freely.

For this reason, all houses tend to have a guest room, which is a living room attached to the main entrance of the house. If you are a man, you won’t be allowed to cross that room but, in that room, you will be treated like a royal guest. 

14 – About local women

Yes, Oman is a conservative Muslim society and as such, women have fewer rights than men but still, they are much further ahead than Saudi Arabia , especially when it comes to high education and public jobs, and you will hardly see any women wearing the niqab .

However, you won’t really see women socializing alone in the street and, as a man, you will hardly talk to any of them. 

Read: 9 Misconceptions about traveling as a female in Saudi

15 – Expect to see many pictures from Saddam Hussein

I traveled around Oman always hitchhiking and, during my journey, I got lifts from many people who had Saddam Hussein’s photo hanging from the rear mirror. 

Read: Iraqi Kurdistan travel guide

16 – Get used to shopping from the car

Omanis have a strange custom which is that they don’t like to get out of their car when they go to the grocery store or want to take away food. Instead, they stop at the entrance and beep like crazy until a poor Bengali comes out asking for their order.

A strange custom which I never managed to get used to. 

17 – They even have drive-thru ATMs

When I was at the gas station of Salalah, for the first time in my life, I saw a drive-thru ATM, which was also located right next to a few normal ATMs.

The shocking fact was that there were 3-4 cars standing on the line, yet, the normal ATMs were empty, which meant that they preferred waiting to getting out of the car – and it wasn’t due to the heat because it was during winter. 

18 – The strangest signboards for shops

”Fish Marketing”, ”Food Stuff”, or ”Café that offers meals mainly”, among the most classic ones.  

19 – Sultan Qaboos is the most beloved leader in the world

There isn’t a single Omani who doesn’t love their leader and the reason is that he has made their country great, not only when it comes to giving free stuff to its citizens – like houses – but he introduced a bunch of liberal laws (like freedom of religion) which his dictatorial predecessor didn’t allow.

Sultan Qaboos passed away in January 2020 at the age of 79. May him rest in peace

20 – What you need to know about camels

In Oman there are a lot of camels, but most of them are concentrated in the south, in Dhofar province (the north is more about goats). Dhofar is perhaps, the place with the largest concentration of camels in the world, no kidding.

They are absolutely everywhere, like sleeping in the middle of the road and stuff like that. Unfortunately, most of them will end up their days in a butchery.

Tales of Omani hospitality I wish I had space here to tell you all the stories of hospitality and kindness I had with the tens of Omanis I hung out with. As I told you before, I traveled in Oman completely by hitchhiking, camped in the middle of towns and cities, and did a lot of Couchsurfing. When you are backpacking this way, the local interactions are non-stop and in most cases, Omanis just tried to be overwhelmingly helpful. I got invited to have coffee to countless houses, they took me out for lunch and dinner every other day and, on many occasions, the people I hitched a ride with, always insisted on driving me to my exact location, even if that required them to make a huge detour. For this reason, I strongly recommend you travel in Oman independently , not on a tour.

🍲 Food and coffee in Oman

Honestly, food isn’t the highlight of any Oman trip, but there are some surprises and interesting facts. 

The first thing you need to know is that Omani cuisine is very limited, as it mainly consists of meat or fish with rice , served in ridiculously massive portions. 

Camel meat is eaten all across the country but nowhere like in Dhofar province, the place with perhaps, the largest concentration of camels in the world. In Salalah and around , camel meat is eaten very regularly in most restaurants, usually grilled, but you also find camel shawarmas , burgers and stuff like that. 

Besides rice with its respective portion of protein, you may also find shurbah , a local soup made of oatmeal, tomatoes, and other vegetables. 

That’s it pretty much when it comes to Omani food but, one day when I was Sadeh, a coastal village 2 hours north of Salalah, my host wanted me to eat a very special dish from his region. 

And what are we gonna eat?  – I asked

He didn’t know the name in English, so he Googled it and said: It’s called oysters. My friend catches them. 

I thought we would be eating oysters in the same way we eat them back home but instead, he brought a massive dish of oysters without shells, cooked in a spicy sauce, but they still preserved the strong sea taste oysters usually have.

That dish was, definitely, one of the best dishes I ever had traveling, if not the best .

On the other hand, due to the big Indian influence, you also find loads and loads of restaurants – even in the smallest villages – serving all kinds of Indian food , ranging from daal to fish curries, and even calamari masala, always very cheap. Daal was usually my everyday breakfast. 

Here are some facts about eating when you travel in Oman:

• Typically, you will eat on the floor, with a plastic tablecloth
• Usually, everything will be served on one single plate, even if you are several people, and you will eat from the same plate.
• You eat with your hands, and no plates or forks are provided. 
• Guests are not supposed to leave any food – That was hard because of the XXL portions
• In rural areas, you should eat with your right hand and doing otherwise is considered rude – This rule applies in all Muslim countries but Oman is particularly conservative and, along with Saudi Arabia, it is the only country where, on several occasions, the locals told me I was doing it wrong  (I am left-handed).

What you need to know about kahwa

Kahwa is the local coffee from the Arabian Peninsula, consisting of regular coffee with cardamom, served in a traditional pot. 

The problem with kahwa is that if you travel in Oman independently and have a lot of local interactions, you will be offered this coffee several times a day, meaning that you will have a shit load of cups, therefore, your heart rate is likely to increase.

When I was hitchhiking in Central Oman, where tourists are rare, one day I had to have more than 25 cups of kahwa – no kidding – as you are supposed to have at least a few when you are offered. 

If you are in a house, kahwa will be typically served with dates and if you are lucky, with tajin as well, a kind of sauce in which you dip your dates.

In fancier occasions, they will serve it with halwa , a traditional sticky, jelly-like dessert made of wheat starch, eggs, saffron, cardamom, nuts, and A LOT of sugar. It’s a bomb. 

What to do with all the dates

Of course, dates are immensely popular in Oman, especially in the north, and they claim that dates from Nizwa are the very best. Every time I stayed with an Omani from the north, they gifted me with a crazy bag loaded with dates, and they were so heavy.

Since I couldn’t finish them all, they were piling up, so every time I hitched a ride with a foreigner, I also gave them dates.

💻 Internet and connectivity in Oman

Wi-Fi – Wi-Fi usually works great but, unfortunately, it is difficult to find a Wi-Fi network, as the internet is expensive in Oman, so only hotels and Western-style cafés can afford it. So, when you are traveling in rural Oman, getting connected may prove challenging.

Moreover, Wi-Fi networks tend to require a local Omani number in order to connect, so you will have to buy a SIM Card anyways. 

SIM Card – SIM Cards in Oman are expensive as well. Omantel is the most popular one. They offer an entry plan which may be enough for short-term stays but then, if you are planning to travel to Oman for several weeks, the price per GB is pricey, like 8-9USD for 1GB worth of data. 

eSIM for browsing, calling and traveling in Oman

Basically, an eSIM is a regular SIM card with a digital format that works like a normal physical SIM card, with the added benefit that you can buy it from home before the beginning of your trip, hence avoiding the hassle of buying it at your destination. 

With Holafly , you can get a SIM Card for a wide range of destinations, including Oman . 

Moreover, you can benefit from a 5% discount with the following code:  AGAINSTTHECOMPASS

Get a VPN for traveling in Oman

You should always use a VPN when you travel, especially when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks.

Your connection will be much safer. 

Moreover, you will be able to access content which is typically censored in Oman. 

I recommend ExpressVPN – Extremely easy to use, fast and cheap. 

If you want to learn more about VPN, check: Why you need a VPN for traveling .

💰 Money & budgeting when you travel in Oman

In Oman, they use the Omani Rial (OMR) and approximately:

1 USD = 0.38 OMR

Yes, it is worth more than 2USD. 

Omani Rials are split into baisas (bzs) and 1OMR = 1,000bzs

The Omani Rial is a stable currency. 

Exchanging money in Oman

Given the fact that half of the population are foreigners, money exchange offices abound. 

Plenty of ATMs everywhere

Credit cards

In local eateries, taxis, small shops, budget hotels etc. you must pay in cash, so always bring plenty of it. 

How much does traveling to Oman cost?

All right, Oman is an expensive destination (yeah, really), for two reasons:

• There is no public transportation
• There aren’t budget hotels

How much you will spend when traveling in Oman is hard to say, as it will depend on several factors.

For example, I have never spent much because, during my first 6 or 7 visits, I always came with my own car and used to camp in the wadis or the beach and, on my last occasion, I was purely hitchhiking and Couchsurfing, so I barely spent 20USD a day. 

Local food is actually cheap but, if you rent a car and stay in hotels, costs will add up significantly. 

Here are the typical prices of the most basic stuff:

• One-month visa –  20OMR
• Welcome package SIM + Data –  3OMR but then you pay 3OMR for 1GB
• The most budget hotel –  10-12OMR
• A plate of daal – 500bzs
• A biryani –  1.5OMR
• A big bottle of water – 200bzs
• A beer – 4OMR
• Short taxi rides within Muscat –  2.50OMR
• Bus from Muscat to Salalah –  7OMR

How to travel in Oman on a super budget:

• Do hitchhike (it is fairly easy)
• Do Couchsurfing
• Only eat in Indian-run restaurants
• Go to the mountains and camp outdoors
• Sign up for Couchsurfing events and join weekend trips

If you want to know more, read my guide on how to go backpacking in Oman on a super budget

🛺 Transportation tips – How to move around Oman

• Regular taxi – If you don’t have a car, taxis are the way to go in Muscat. They don’t have taximeters, however, and taxi drivers from Muscat are really annoying because they always try to rip off tourists. I recommend using Careem or Uber.
• Bus – There are a few bus lines in Muscat that go all the way to Ruwi from the airport. They cost 500bzs. For more information, read my Muscat City Guide . 

Renting a car in Oman

To be very honest, Oman is a country that is best explored by car, as the vast majority of its places are completely inaccessible.

A car will make your life much easier, plus you will be able to find epic camping spots and just have a lot of freedom.

I recommend you find your car via Rental Cars, a search engine that helps you find the best deals, no matter where you are.

Do you need a 4×4 for your trip to Oman?

Before making this decision, you need to think: where are you going to go?

The roads in Oman are generally good and the only 2 places I went where a 4×4 was needed were Jebel Akhdar and the road from Al Hamra to Rustaq via Bald Sayt. 

Then, you have the Empty Quarter but, even if you had the best 4×4, it is not recommended to go without an experienced driver – The dunes in the Empty Quarter are a few hundred meters high, and they are shifting sands. 

Unless you really want to drive off-road , bear in mind that renting a 4×4 is much more expensive than a regular car, so you really need to assess whether it is worth to pay the extra money for being able to go to Jebel Akhdar and Bald Sayt. 

Traveling around Oman by bus

Traveling in Oman by bus sucks, for 3 reasons:

• They just go to the main cities and towns
• There are only a few a day
• Cities in Oman are not walking-friendly, so when you get to a city by bus, you are screwed again.

Going by bus isn’t a good option for traveling in Oman. 

Hitchhiking in Oman

The best option for budget backpackers. 

Hitchhiking in Oman is super easy. I hitchhiked more than 1400km, from Salalah to Muscat and everything in between, and never had to wait much.

For more information, read my budget backpacking guide in Oman .

🛫 How to get to Oman

Traveling to oman by air.

Today, there are many international connections coming from different European and Asian cities to Muscat . However, flying to Dubai will always be cheaper, so I recommend you check both and then you decide.

The southern city of Salalah also has an international airport, with connections from other Arab countries, India, Pakistan , etc.

Traveling to Oman by land

Oman shares a border with UAE, Yemen , and Saudi Arabia.

• UAE – Traveling from Dubai to Muscat is a 400km drive. You can come by car but there are also buses from Bur Dubai. Check here for more info . 
• Saudi –  Apparently, the border was recently opened, but there are no buses and it is actually faster going through UAE, which would be a 1,300km drive from  Riyadh  to Muscat. Read my  travel guide to Saudi Arabia . 
• Yemen – The border is open but it is a very long drive. For more information on visiting Yemen, read this post . 

🏨 Accommodation tips – Which kind of accommodation do you have?

Check my comprehensive guide on how to find the right accommodation in Muscat

The first thing you need to know is that in Oman there aren’t hostels or guest houses, only hotels.

Budget Hotels

Only available in big cities and on roads. You pay 25-30USD for a single room but on the bright side, the few I stayed in tended to be clean and have some minimum standards. 

Hotel-apartments

In big cities, you can also find hotel apartments, which are very good value-for-money if you are more than 2 people.

Mid-range hotels

In rural touristic places such as Jebel Shams, Jebel Akhdar, villages like Bald Sayt, etc. there aren’t budget hotels and rates may easily start at 100USD per night. 

5-star hotels

The offer of luxury hotels in Oman is very large. 

Couchsurfing

Plenty of profiles but I recommend you send the requests in advance because Omanis tend to take a while to reply.

❗ More information to add up to this Oman travel guide

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

All guides and articles for traveling in Oman destination

• Travel Guide to Musandam
• Muscat Travel Guide
• Where to Stay in Muscat
• Best Activities, Tours and Excursion in Oman
• A City Guide to Salalah Dhofar
• Oman Budget Guide
• Solo Female Travel Guide to Oman
• Is Oman Safe?

Travel guides to other countries in the Middle East

• Iran Travel Guide
• Palestine Travel Guide
• Syria Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Lebanon
• Iraq Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Saudi Arabia
• Yemen Travel Guide

You will also be interested in: Where in the Middle East is safe? and The most beautiful places in the Middle East .

This Oman travel guide contained everything you needed to know for your trip. If you have any additional information or questions, kindly post them in the comments section

22 comments

Great article – very useful and informative. Thanks!

Thank you very much, the article is very helpful und interesting!

Just wanted to comment on correcting one fact Oman is the only country that the majority of muslims are Ibadi, not Sunni.

thanks, Ali!

Hey Joan, great source of info, really well written and love all the cultural information. We want to rent a car for traveling around Oman. Is it easy to find camping gear in Muscat? Any shop you can recommend?

Hey there, thx for all the information, do you know if it is possible for EU citizens to get a 10-day visa on the border when coming by bus from Dubai?

If coming by land, I recommend you buy it online beforehand.

Hi, have you got any direct contact details (phone, email) for Fort Guesthouse in Muscat? Thanks, love your stuff, Terry

Thanks so much for all this info! I recently returned from a trip to Oman and used this (along with a lot of your others posts) for help and information 🙂

thank you 🙂

Hi, Can someone advise me on the best currency to use when holidaying in Oman please? Rials or USdollars? TIA

In Oman, they use Omani Rials

Love your work, I have been reading it extensively. We have accidently booked our 4 days in Oman next year during Eid al-Adha. Do you know how this may negatively affect our time there? Ie. can we still rent a car and travel easily?

Hi Richard, it’s really not a problem, other than it will be busy, since many expats in UAE decide to travel to Oman during these dates.

About visa, most of nationalities doesn’t need visa for 14 days or less if they arrive by airplane. Visa for 14 days on land border crossings is not valid/avaliable anymore, nor it is possible to buy it through official government website.

I can send you screenshot from government official email on my request about that matter as proof if you need. 🙂

Thank you for the information, Peter.

Great Article , can u recommend any good hassel free car hire company .

none in particular, I always check on Rental Cars

Such a nice summary!! We originally planned to go with a travel agency but at the end we might rather go on our own with more freedom to travel where we want. Thank you so much for these tips! I learned all I needed to know! Love from Lucy form Prague

Have a fun and safe trip!

Greetings, Joan! Inspired by you (and a few others), I’m visiting Oman for 24 days. Can you suggest a site where I might find a travel partner to split a vehicle? Many thanks–I’m a big fan1

Maybe in Facebook group Overlanding in the Middle East

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Road Trip in Oman: The Best 7 Day Itinerary

We explored the Northern part of Oman on a 7-day self-drive trip.

Our itinerary includes impressive forts, stunning mosques, and an overnight stay in the desert.

Hi, we’re Rach & Marty!

We’ve visited every country in the world and want to help you get the most out of your travels!

Whether you need an expertly planned itinerary , some experienced hints and tips , or just craving a delicious food adventure , we’ve got you covered!

We may earn affiliate commissions from websites we link to, at no cost to you. Click here for details.

We enjoyed cool swim stops in the wadis dotted around the country, spent an evening watching green turtles nesting on the beach and we ate some incredible Omani cuisine.

A road trip in Oman was the perfect way to see this country.  

Oman is very easy to self-drive as the roads are wide, new and well planned. The roads are not overly busy and locals are considerate drivers. 7 days in Oman is the ideal itinerary to get a good taste of this beautiful country.

Oman is one of the safest countries in the Middle East and you’ll often feel like you have the place to yourself as tourism is still in its infancy here.

Petrol is cheap and public transport isn’t established here yet, so everyone has a car. Unless you are here on an organised small group tour such as this one from G Adventures , then having your own car is key.

Table of Contents

Visa Information

Most nationalities can get a 30-day visa on arrival. There is a desk located on the right side, just before you go through immigration at Muscat International Airport.

Visa costs 21 OMR ($54 USD) and can be paid by cash or credit card. You’ll receive a receipt of payment for the visa, you can then proceed through immigration.

There are two ATMs located opposite the visa at the arrivals desk which didn’t charge any fees to make a withdrawal.

Should you hire a 4WD in Oman?

Many people recommended that we hire a 4WD for our road trip in Oman. Yes, they are double the price of a standard 2WD car, however, it really depends on what you’d like to see and do during your time here.

We wanted the flexibility of taking the car anywhere we pleased, so we decided to spend the extra cash and rent a 4WD vehicle .

There were a few places on our trip where we were glad to have spent the extra money on a 4WD. The road to Jebel Shams was quite steep and there is a 7km unpaved part with loose gravel. It could be done in a 2WD, but the extra power of our 4WD made us feel much safer.

We also drove through the desert to reach our desert camp in the Wahiba Sands . The rest of the roads in Oman were wide and in excellent condition, perfect for larger cars.

Car hire recommended for a road trip in Oman

We hired a Toyota Fortuner through  Discover Car Hire  for USD 311 for six days from the Dollar office at Muscat airport. We had a limit of 200km a day included in our rental agreement.

Any mileage over this is charged at 6 OMR per 100 km.

You drive on the right in Oman. All roads are very wide and all street signs are posted in English and Arabic. The speed limit is usually 120km/h or 60km/h in urban areas. It’s a good idea to stick to the speed limit as there are many speed cameras set up along highways.

Fuel stations are everywhere, and they all have attendants to assist you. You can pay by cash or card. Most will have a shop, and some have toilets.

Petrol is cheap—0.22 OMR (0.57 cents) per litre.

We recommend renting a car through Discover Cars , who compares multiple car companies and offers you the best deals.. Book your rental car here.

Buy a SIM card on arrival or Buy an eSIM

Upon arrival, we bought an Omantel SIM card from the desk at the airport. There are a few different providers to choose from.

We paid 7 OMR ($18). Our SIM card included 2 GB of data (valid for 30 days). We chose a longer plan as we weren’t entirely sure if we’d stay in Oman a little longer, so we paid a few extra rials.

Most sim packs for 7-10 days can be purchased for 5 OMR. Make sure you turn off all your phone apps before you put the sim card in your phone so it doesn’t immediately use up all your data.

The data package is great and we used an app called ‘Waze’ to navigate us around Oman as our Google Maps app wasn’t ideal for directions here, the turn-by-turn function wasn’t good.

Try and download the Waze application before you arrive in Oman. You will certainly utilise it during the next 7 days in Oman.

Update in 2024:  Get connected in Oman with an eSIM. View all data packs available for eSIM here .

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Oman money & travelling costs

The current exchange rate is 1 OMR (Omani rial) = USD 2.60. The rial is divided into 1000 baisa.

Many things can be purchased on a card here, however, it’s a good idea to always have some cash with you.

We used an Excel spreadsheet to record all of our expenses whilst in Oman.

Our overall expenses in Oman came to a total of USD 998 for two people for 7 days. This includes accommodation, car hire, petrol, food, sights, and miscellaneous items.

This doesn’t include our visa or flights. Depending on where you are flying from, I recommend that you search Skyscanner for the cheapest flights.

Food in Oman

We found local food to be quite affordable in Oman. In general, a shwarma with bread, salad, and hummus costs 1 OMR. Pepsi costs 0.20 OMR, a coffee costs 1 OMR, and a local meal of rice, meat, and salad costs around 1.5 – 2.00 OMR. Expect to pay 6 OMR for dinner in a nicer restaurant.

They say that the water in Oman is OK to drink. You can also buy bottled water in bulk if you choose. We bought a big 6-pack of water from Carrefour and had it in the car with us, it cost 0.625 OMR for all six bottles.

• 🔥 Hot Tip: Book accommodation on Booking.com
• 🎟 Book your tickets online: We use Viator and GetYourGuide
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What to Wear in Oman

As Oman is a Muslim country, this means that everyone should dress respectfully. Women need to cover both their shoulders and knees and men are expected to wear t-shirts and long trousers.

For the majority of our trip, I wore loose-fitting clothing such as long-sleeved light shirts and long light cotton pants . The only time we needed to cover our hair was at the Grand Mosque in Muscat.

If you’re female and you plan to visit any other mosques, you’ll need to cover your hair. We always travelled with light scarves in Oman, very useful and also cheap to buy in the country.

Best time to visit Oman

Winter is the best time to visit Oman as the summers are extremely hot. We didn’t really have a choice on our adventure to visit every country , so we travelled here in mid-May. It was also Ramadan during the time we visited.

We experienced hot days, around 35-41 degrees Celsius, the nights were very warm too.

Accommodation

Booking.com is an easy-to-use search engine. It offers the best selection of accommodation available all over the world. We find they offer the lowest prices and no fees. Our Tip: Search by price, and filter by best reviews.

As with previous trips, we booked our accommodation on Booking.com .

Prices in Oman are pretty high for what you get, but there are some gems to be found. Remember that if you have a car, you can afford for your hotel to be out of town that little bit more.

We chose hotels that are comfortable which include ensuite, air conditioning, good WiFi, and free parking.

If you are on a tight budget, the cheapest option is to buy a tent and wild camp for free almost anywhere in the country. This is very safe, and we’d certainly do it next time.

Our 7 Day Oman Itinerary

• Nizwa – 2 nights
• Wahiba Sands – 1 night (desert camp)
• Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve – 1 night
• Muscat – 2 nights

Our road trip to Oman was for a duration of 6 nights/7 days, and we covered a total of 1286 km.

When planning your itinerary, remember that as Oman is an Islamic country and the weekend is on a Friday and Saturday and many places will be closed on Fridays.

Our 7 Day self-drive itinerary in Oman

Day 1 Muscat – Nizwa (2 nights)

Distance: 178km Time: 1 hr 45 min

The drive from Muscat airport to Nizwa was easy, driving on great roads through the desert. We stopped at the Carrefour supermarket (located about a 15-minute drive from the airport) as we wanted some food and snacks for the next couple of days.

Our visit was during Ramadan, so nothing is open during the day for food options. We went to the H&M store to pick up a few simple light shirts for our time spent here.

I’d describe Nizwa as a big town that is very spread out. It’s a good location to base yourself for a few nights and do some day trips from here. The fort and souq area are intriguing, and great for capturing some photos of food and people.

Sights – Nizwa Fort.  Cost 5 OMR ($13 USD).

Day 2 (Day Trip to Jebel Shams – via Bahla Fort, some small villages including Misfat and al Hamla)

Distance: 210km Time: 4 hrs 18 min

We stopped at Bahla Fort in the morning. Cost 0.50 OMR each (USD 1.30). It’s a very impressive fort, and the price is fair, too.

Driving towards Jebel Shams, it’s worth your time to stop at Misfat al Abryeen . This is one of Oman’s oldest and most charming villages. We wandered through the small village with crumbling mud houses and striking coloured doors.

We found a small wadi (natural waterhole) where you could take a cool dip; the swimming sections are divided for both men and women.

Be sure to be dressed appropriately when visiting this village. There are signs everywhere to remind you to be respectful to the local people by dressing respectfully.

We then drove through the small village of al Hamra , some great little coffee shops and fruit juice places to stop at if you need a refreshment.

The road climbing up to Jebels Shams was quite steep in some places, and there is a 7km unpaved part with loose gravel. You could manage this drive with a 2WD, but we were relieved to have the extra power of our 4WD.

Some great views once you reach the lookout point. You’ll pass by lots of long-haired goats along the way.

If you are wanting to stay here the night rather than return to Nizwa, as we did, there are only two places to stay at the top of Jebel Shams. Jebel Shams Resort and Sama Heights Resort. Both are pretty pricey.

Best prices can be found through Booking.com . If you’re on a budget, you can also choose to wild camp for free.

There are no other restaurants or shops on the mountain. Make sure you have enough petrol for the drive.

Where to Stay in Nizwa

Most of the hotels in Nizwa are about a 10-minute drive from the centre, but you drive everywhere anyway. Our hotel, the  Tanuf Residency Hotel , was perfect; a new hotel and a reasonable price for Oman.

A great room, new beds, bedding, wifi connection, air-conditioning, TV, fridge, and kettle are fantastic. The rate was 22 OMR (USD 57 per night), which included a buffet breakfast.

Where to Eat in Nizwa

There’s a Carrefour in town, so you can choose to self-cater. We wanted to try the local dish ‘shuwa’, which is slow-cooked lamb or chicken served with fragrant rice. We read some reviews and blogs and found this eatery – Arab World Restaurant . This place is clean and quite simple; however, the food was fantastic!

We paid 3.40 OMR total for 2 full meals (1 x chicken shuwa and 1 x lamb shuwa). Each meal was served with vegetable soup, a small salad, and the main meal. They served us a fresh mint tea to finish, a nice touch.

That’s only USD 4.40 each. It was one of the best meals I’ve eaten in a while.

Day 3 Nizwa – Wahiba Sands Desert  (1 night)

Distance: 192 km Time: 2 hrs 30 min

We left our hotel in Nizwa just before midday and drove straight to the desert. We found a great rate through Booking.com and stayed at Sama Al Wasil Desert Camp .

The rate was 29.5 OMR, roughly USD 77 for the night. This rate included dinner and breakfast. We arrived at 3.00 pm.

Should you drive into the desert?

We made the decision to drive the 15km into the desert to reach our camp; however, we got stuck in the sand on the way. Lucky for us, the manager passed by us in his 4WD and helped us out.

It’s an arduous climb with loose sand. If you’re not an experienced driver, I’d recommend taking the hotel up on their offer of a pick-up from the Al Maha petrol station, which is 15km from the desert camp. Even if you have a 4WD, perhaps it’s a safer option to leave it parked there and take the pickup to avoid any problems.

Once we arrived, we checked in, and they served us dates, cardamon-infused coffee, and oranges on arrival. Our room was very nice, clean, and comfortable beds with a separate bathroom.

The rooms had air-conditioning and a ceiling fan too.

There was a little patio out front with cushions to sit and enjoy the tranquillity and views. We climbed the dunes and watched the sunset over our camp. It was tranquil, with only two other guests besides us.

We ate dinner in the evening. Lots of food. Chicken, rice, vegetable curry, boiled potatoes, hummus, yoghurt dip, and bread. We finished with custard for dessert and coffee and tea.

The following day, I woke at 05:00, and it was already a little light outside, but the sun hadn’t risen yet. I hiked up to the dunes again and watched the sunrise. Perfect. We enjoyed a good breakfast, showered, and checked out.

Travelling to a country with a different currency? Avoid ATM transaction fees and pay in local currency with a Wise Card . We love this card; it has saved us so much in fees.

Day 4 Wahiba Sands Desert – Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve (1 night)

Distance: 235 km Time: 3 hrs 30 min

We drove the route via Wadi Al Khalid and Sur.

We ate breakfast and departed the desert at 09:30. We drove around 1.5 hours to Wadi Bani Khalid. These are fantastic rock pools, and beautiful date palms surround them. There are a couple of small ascents in the car to reach the wadi, but nothing major.

There’s a big car park for you to park in and it’s free. Walk 5 minutes into the complex. You’ll find a restaurant and coffee served here if you need it.

There is a sign directing you to walk about 1km to the incredible rock pools and little slides. It’s great fun and beautiful here!

Feeling refreshed, we drove for around 2 hours to the coastal city of Sur. We experienced great roads along the way. We stopped at Carrefour in Sur. It’s big, excellent toilets and free showers for women! We picked up some food, and then we drove into Sur and explored.

Sur is a great coastal town, whitewashed, with little streets, a beach with people exercising, and lots of small fishing boats there too. We drove around and then watched the sunset.

What to eat in Sur

We went to a simple place called ‘ Al Sharad ‘ for dinner. It’s located downtown, near the beach, just behind Sur Sea Restaurant.

It’s a cheap and cheerful place, but quite busy. You will find lamb and chicken shwarma cooking at the front of the shop. We chose the chicken shwarma plate served with bread, hummus, and salad for 1 OMR each. It was a tasty meal.

Where to View Turtle Nesting

The drive took 45 minutes to Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve to watch turtles laying eggs on the beach. This cost 7 OMR each. There’s a restaurant here with good coffee for 1 OMR each, a museum and toilets etc.

The turtle tour starts at 9.30 pm (can be earlier, so check before), no flash photos are allowed, but take your camera or iPhone and be sure to keep the flash off.

The walk is 15 minutes towards the beach; you follow the guide. We spent the next 35-45 minutes watching five different turtles digging holes, laying eggs, and then returning to sea—an awesome experience.

We decided to sleep in the car at the beach car park with a few sarongs along with the windows for a bit of privacy, and the windows rolled down a little.

Day 5 – Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve – Muscat (via Wadi al Shab, Sinkhole) 1 night

Distance: 270 km Time: 3 hrs 15 min

We left the car park early and drove back through Sur to reach Wadi al Shab. There is a small car park here. Pay the guys at the river 1 OMR per person and return to have them drive you 30 sec across the water so you can hike towards the Wadi.

It’s a decent hike; I’d recommend wearing running or hiking shoes rather than flip-flops .

We passed by many irrigation pipes and then different rock pools as we climbed over rocks to get there. It’s a journey time of 45 minutes total, and it’s hot.

Once you reach it, you’ll know. It’s totally worth it. It’s a good idea to take an old pair of sneakers or aqua shoes to walk across rocks and explore the rock pools. Take lots of water and maybe some food, as it’s pretty isolated.

After spending about two hours here, we returned to our car and drove towards Muscat, stopping at Bimmah Sinkhole on the way. This is another fantastic swim stop, a 5-minute walk from the car park.

All roads to Muscat are fantastic, and the speed limit is 120km p/h. We booked 2 nights at the Golden Oasis Hotel .

The rate was 13 OMR (USD 33) per night, including breakfast. Bargain! It was clean and comfortable; the wifi was fast, too.

Day 6 Muscat – Grand mosque & sights

Distance: 90 km Time: 1 hr 30 min

Today was all about exploring Muscat. It’s free entry to the Grand Mosque, which opens from 08:00-11 am. Ladies must be fully covered, including your hair. Make sure you take along a scarf or a sarong .

The mosque is stunning; spend at least an hour or two here.

We then drove to the Corniche , parked there, and explored the Souk. We went to the Sultan’s Palace and took photos from the front which is free. The palace is located only a 6-minute drive from the Corniche (promenade). We returned to our hotel and rested for a few hours.

We ventured back out in the evening and ate an incredible buffet dinner for 12 OMR at a beautiful restaurant called Bait Al Luban. A La Carte meal starts at 6 OMR.

This meal was delicious.

Day 7 Last Day: Muscat – Airport

Return to the airport – 34min drive from our hotel on great roads, 120km p/h all the way.

Make sure you get Travel Insurance before hitting the road. We recommend Heymondo & SafetyWing

Click here and get 5% off Heymondo from us!

Total Spent on Petrol

We travelled 1286km and spent 35 OMR (USD 91) on petrol. Now, that’s a great deal. When returning the car, ensure it is clean throughout and clean enough on the outside to see if there is any damage, or else they’ll charge you.

We paid a 5 OMR airport fee to drop off the car and another 5 OMR as we were 86 km over the mileage allowance.

I’d recommend that you pick up the  Oman Lonely Planet Guidebook  (with a 10% discount) if you plan to do a road trip in Oman. You’ll find many great tips and information about some sights in this travel guide.

Travel Tips for Asia

We have many travel guides and tips for Asia— a fascinating continent!

Delicious cuisine can be enjoyed across Asia, and our food map of Asia will inspire your food journey.

These top 5 best street foods in Asia are unmissable! We explain Central Asian food, including seven popular foods in this region.

Our Southeast Asia packing list will be helpful if you’re travelling here.

Furthermore, if you plan to travel long-term (or at least until the money runs out), these 21 cheapest countries to visit will help you make your hard-earned dollars stretch a bit further.

Not surprisingly, our top 10 best countries for food lovers include a few Asian countries.

You’ll need to stay connected while travelling in Asia. We recommend eSIM. It’s easy, reliable and affordable. View eSIMs for individual Asian countries , or consider a regional eSIM for Asia (which covers 18 countries).

If your travels in Asia are part of a much larger global adventure, then a Global eSIM may be the answer. It connects you in 124 countries , offering data-only eSIM and data/call/text eSIM . The Global eSIM has been a game-changer; we couldn’t imagine travelling without it now.

If you want to travel with like-minded travellers, consider joining a group tour. View the best deals on group tours in Asia .

Finally, check out our travel resources page for the best websites, tools and products we use to travel the world.

View the travel gear we use on the road, and don’t miss our best-ever travel tips compiled from more than twenty years of experience. 

Travel Planning Resources

✈️ Flights : We use Skyscanner to book cheap flights worldwide.

🏨 Accommodation :  Booking.com is our preferred platform for booking hotels and accommodation. We use Vrbo to book apartments and long-term stays.

🏥 Travel Insurance : We recommend Heymondo ( Get 5% off Heymondo)  & SafetyWing

🚌 Transportation : Trainline is the best website to reserve trains. We use Omio to book transport worldwide. For travel in Asia, we use 12Go.  

🚘 Car Rental : We use DiscoverCars to book rental cars worldwide.

👫 Group Tours :  G Adventures OR compare multi-day tours worldwide with Tourradar .

📸 Day Tours & Trips :  GetYourGuide  & Viator are the only two platforms you need.

📚 Lonely Planet: The Best Range of Travel Guides & Ebooks , and FREE Shipping! (use code RACHELDAVEY10 for a 10% discount)

🎒 Luggage :  Osprey Farpoint 40L Backpack  or  Samsonite Luggage Range.

🛄 What to Pack:  Don’t forget your Universal charger and a good  power bank .  To help you pack the essentials, here is our ULTIMATE Packing List for all Travellers .

🐶 Become a House Sitter:  Join Trusted Housesitters and enjoy FREE accommodation worldwide. Use our invite to receive 25% off your new membership.

💰 Send Money Anywhere: WISE  &  Revolut  are the best online accounts that let you send money, get paid, and spend money internationally. Both are so easy to use and way cheaper than any bank transfer.

📶  Stay Connected: Airalo eSIM allows you to get connected the moment you land at your destination, and you can avoid those expensive data roaming charges. We LOVE this product! Use promo code NOMAD15 for 15% off ALL eSIMs (new Airalo users only) OR use NOMAD10 for 10% off ALL eSIMs (for existing Airalo users)

✅ Check out our Travel Gear  and  Travel Resources for more valuable tips to save you money!

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10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Oman

9 Comments . Leave new

Thanks for sharing so much information. Ideas like these are so useful for a travel freak like me! Looking forward to going for this road trip soon! 🙂

You’re welcome Daniel 🙂 We wish you a great time in Oman, such a fantastic country.

Hi, You just made my planning easier and now I am pretty sure about my 1-month road trip plan. Looking forward to going on this road trip soon! Thanks for sharing so much information.

Hi Marilyn, Glad you found value in this post. We absolutely loved Oman! We wish you a fantastic time too. 🙂

Thank you for sharing this nice article. Oman is anything but difficult to self-drive as the streets are wide, new and all around arranged. The streets are not excessively occupied and local people are accommodating drivers.

It is a great blog to read out and i found it very interesting also ejoyed it So thanks for sharing it with us.

Excellent post, Really appreciate your excellent article.

Nice overview of the wonders of Oman. Men are not required to wear trousers, and you will see some local go in short, though most people wear ankle-length dresses. There’s also an online portal for getting visas now which works pretty well.

Hi, First, I would like to thank you for sharing the useful guide on Oman Tours. As Oman is the best destination for traveling & tours and has lots of amazing places to visit. My experience says, Salalah is also a very good destination, there are many things to do in Salalah and for spending vacation. I have read your blog and I found that your tips and guide will be very helpful for visitors.

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Destinations

Experiences.

• Photography

Plan Your Trip

An out-of-this-world oman itinerary.

I had a long time to plan my Oman itinerary. As I divulged in the first blog post I wrote about my Oman trip , I’d aborted two planned visits in 2014 and 2017, so by the time I finally arrived in the Sultanate a couple weeks ago, I knew exactly where I was going.

On the other hand, planning a trip to Oman isn’t necessarily easy. I’ve written this guide about things to do in Oman to be as simple and clear as possible, so that you can land in Muscat as clear about your own trip as I am in the present day, even if you begin as clueless as I felt all those years ago.

Practical Matters

When to visit oman.

Ask a local, and they’ll tell you the best time to visit Oman is winter. Disregarding the fact, for a moment, that “winter” is a relative term here, it’s easy to see why this is the case. During a long warm season that lasts from as early as March to as late as October, high temperatures in Oman regularly exceed 40ºC, and can even approach 50ºC. One exception to this rule is if you want to see the famous Khareef monsoon in Salalah, which takes place primarily in July and August of every year.

Where to Stay in Oman

For most travelers, I’d venture to say that Oman hotels are disappointing. Attainable properties, such as Mutrah Hotel in Muscat and Zaki Hotel Apartment in Sur, are simple to the point of almost being basic; prices for luxury accommodations such as The Chedi Muscat are so expensive they’re hardly worth it. Exceptions to this general rule might include Nizwa Heritage Inn and any number of desert camps in the Empty Quarter (I personally chose Sama Al-Wasil ), but unless you are a luxury traveler on a relatively unlimited budget, don’t expect much from hotels in Oman, no matter how many days in Oman you spend.

How to Get Around Oman

Regardless of what shape your Oman itinerary takes, and how many days to visit Oman you decide, you’re going to need wheels. As is the case with most places in the GCC region, public transportation is non-existent; while private drivers and tours are available, they are just as cost-prohibitive as hotels like The Chedi. Rental cars are expensive, too—don’t be fooled!—especially because many limit the number of kilometers you drive. The final price of my Oman rental car actually increased 30% because I exceeded the skimpy 900 km (for one week!) allowance.

As far as navigation in Oman, you should keep one somewhat obnoxious fact in mind: Google Maps does not work properly in Oman. As a result, if your rental car company does not provide a standalone GPS unit, I recommend downloading and familiarizing yourself with the Waze application prior to arriving in Oman.

Money, Costs and Communication

If you’re asking yourself “is Oman expensive?” (I’ve dropped some hints above, in case you didn’t notice), the answer is “yes.” At minimum, you should expect to spend 150 USD per person, per day, assuming double occupancy—and probably much more. This converts to a per-person cost of about 60 Omani rials (OMR), the country’s supernaturally valuable currency.

Oman has relatively good cell coverage, though SIM cards and plans are expectedly quite expensive. I bought an Omantel pack upon arrival at Muscat Airport and paid 15 OMR for a 15 GB package. This sounds like a lot, but over the course of nearly a week in Oman (much of it driving and using data for navigation the whole time), it evaporated quickly.

Places to Visit in Oman

I’ve separately outlined why I don’t necessarily believe that the list of things to do in Muscat is as limited as many have said, but I’ll summarize it here for your convenience. It’s true, to be fair, that most of these are concentrated in the port area of Mutrah —namely, Mutrah Fort, Mutrah Corniche and Mutrah Souq . The sole exception, at least within the city limits, is Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque near the airport.

As far as how many days in Muscat you speed, keep in mind that many of the best Muscat attractions are outside the city. These include (but are not limited to) the picturesque Bimmah Sinkhole swimming spot and Wadi Shab , which is a place where you can enjoy an exhilarating hike and a relaxing dip among some of the most quintessentially “Omani” scenery in the entire Sultanate.  

I’ll continue my Oman itinerary and most others do with theirs: By driving eastward along the country’s northern coast toward to the port city of Sur . Specifically, this entails heading to the stunning Al-Ayjah Old Town , and to the viewpoint of Al-Ayjah Watchtower , where you can look down on the city and at the traditional Dhow boats being built in its harbor.

As is the case in Muscat, many things to do in Sur, Oman are actually outside the city limits. The most famous of these is Ras al-Jinz , where you’ll find a sea turtle reserve. Turtles being fickle, as they were when I went? Not to worry. Ras al-Hadd beach, just a few minutes away by car, is another picturesque place to spend some time, even if there’s no endangered wildlife at your feet.

Wahiba Sands, aka the Empty Quarter

While camping in Oman is possible everywhere, the absolute best place to sleep under the stars is amid the dunes of Wahiba Sands , which is also known (appropriately) as the Empty Quarter of the Sultanate. For your convenience, I’ve written an article that goes into greater detail regarding the sorts of places you can camp here, as well as the wealth of experiences on offer.

On the other hand, while I very much enjoyed my time here, it’s probably the one “core” destination of this Oman itinerary (2 weeks or less), I’d jettison if I was limited on time. Reason being, it’s not entirely different from desert adventures you can have elsewhere. In terms of topography alone, it reminds me of the desert tour I took in the far east of the Sahara in Morocco .  

Nizwa and Jebel Shams

When it comes to beautiful places in Oman, these two places are usually near the top of any list. Historical Nizwa is famous for the massive Nizwa Fort , while the most popular hike in the vicinity of Jebel Shams , the Sultanate’s highest peak, takes you to the rim of a formation that’s known as Oman’s Grand Canyon.

I personally liked pairing a night and full day in Nizwa, which was once the capital of Oman, with a day hike along the Balcony Walk at Jebel Shams. Keep in mind, as I noted in my Jebel Shams blog post , that you don’t necessarily need a 4×4 to access the parking lot for this hike, though many touts will try to sell you 4×4 transfers.

Not every Oman itinerary includes an excursion to Salalah , largely because of how far it is from the other destinations I’ve just listed—a minimum of 10 hours’ driving time, or an hour flight that’s often subject to delays. However, I definitely recommend visiting Salalah, even if you don’t come during the Khareef: It’s home to the kindest people in Oman, which is an exceptionally kind country in general.

To be sure, the best places to visit in Salalah, Oman are beautiful regardless of how much water flows here. Wadi Darbat and its waterfalls are lush for weeks and even months after the last rains fall; the frankincense forest of Wadi Dawkah is peaceful 365 days per year. The same can be said about the dramatic beach of Al Mughsail , and stunning Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque , surrounded on all sides by Salalah’s (regionally) famous coconut palm trees.  

Other Oman Destinations

If you’ve ever thought of traveling from Dubai to Oman, the place in the Sultanate where you’d be bound for is the Musandam Governorate . Centered around the city of Khasab and boasting so-called “Arabian Fjords” as its main attraction, Musandam is an exclave, which means it’s a part of Oman that’s totally surrounded by the UAE. There are certain other destinations that you might include in an Oman itinerary besides this, of course, such as Masirah Island off the country’s east coast, which is perhaps an even better place to spot turtles than Ras al-Jinz near Sur. For the vast majority of travelers, however, I’ve covered basically all the places to visit in Oman.

How Long Should You Spend in Oman?

How long to stay in Oman? Well, the topic of how many days to spend in Oman is a somewhat contentious one. While Oman appears rather large on the map, for example, much of the country is uninhabited; you realistically only need a day or two to get a feel for what’s on offer in the sand that takes up most of its land area. The amount of ground to cover is even smaller if you plan to stick to the “triangle” of Muscat-Sur-Nizwa, rather than flying to Salalah (as I did) or Musandam (as I originally planned to). In general, when it comes to the question of how long in Oman, I’d say one week in Oman is a good place to start—this will enable you to spend a night in Muscat, a full day driving to Sur, and several days exploring the seaport of Sur, the dunes of the Empty Quarter, the old city of Nizwa and towering Jebel Shams before returning to the capital and flying home. If you want to visit Salalah as well I’d increase your trip length to 10 days; 2 weeks in Oman should allow you to see Musandam, in addition to all the rest of Oman. When it comes to Oman, how many days you spend can become a matter of necessity given all the places there are to visit. Some travelers will spend 1 week in Oman; others only have 3 days in Oman to spare.

FAQ About Oman Travel

Is oman safe for travel.

Oman is an extremely safe country, with low levels of crime and few natural disasters. The main danger of traveling to Oman is the insane speed at which people drive on the country’s highways—over 120 km/hr in many cases.

Is Oman expensive to visit?

Given that you can expect to pay no less than 150 USD per person, per day in Oman—and that’s for a relatively modest experience—I would definitely say that Oman is expensive to visit. With this being said, you do get what you pay for; the travel experience in Oman is very high in quality.

The Bottom Line

I can’t be humble here—no other Oman itinerary you find online will lay out your options for traveling the Sultanate as clearly, concisely or in color so vivid as I have. Whether you spend a week in Oman (or less) seeing core destinations like Muscat, Sur and Nizwa, or extend your trip to explore lush Salalah or the fjord-filled exclave of Musandam, planning a trip to Oman has never been as simple as I’ve made it for you in this Oman travel blog. With this being said, you shouldn’t feel ashamed if you still need help— I’d love to create a custom Oman trip for you, whether you simply can’t decide how long to spend in Oman or you need a full Oman travel itinerary.

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Oman Road Trip: An INCREDIBLE 2 Week Itinerary in Oman

October 14, 2020

Oman is a country with many surprises and unique experiences to be had, if you know where to look!

From the desert to the sea, and everything in between. Here, I’ve listed the highlights and what you must visit during your Oman tour or road trip.

I took this route myself and tested out the logistics for a seamless road trip of around 14 days in Oman. Here is your perfect 2 week itinerary in Oman! 

Best Month to Visit Oman

Oman is known as being an unbearably hot country most of the year. This becomes extremely true in summer, when temperatures regularly reach 38 degrees Celsius and beyond.

If you want to visit in summer, the upside is that you can visit the mystical waterfalls of Selalah which only form in summer.

For the coolest temperatures in Oman, opt to visit in winter instead. I visited in December, and can report comfortable day time temperatures of around 25 degrees Celsius. It never got too hot, but it was warm enough to enjoy the beach and swimming holes.

Where to Stay in Oman

Oman is a destination where you can (and should) really splash out on some unique hotel experiences.

When in Muscat, I’d definitely recommend The W Hotel or The Kempinski . These provide the utmost care in luxury and comfort, and are both located right on the waterfront.

For those who really want to splash out in style, look no further than the Shangri-La Al Husn . This hotel captures the essence of Omani architecture and culture in an elegantly designed hotel.

The Pool Villa Tanuf makes a great stay while in Nizwa, especially for families or group travelers.

For a truly unique experience, you can opt to stay in a traditional Omani mudhouse. These are located in some select villages, where you can immerse yourself in authentic Omani culture.

The best mudhouse hotel I found was Hissen Al-Missfah in the village of Hamra.

See More: Things you MUST Know Before Visiting Oman

Getting Around Oman

Most travelers will get to Oman by flying into Muscat. From there, you’ll either rent a car, or join a guided tour to get around the country.

I personally rented a car, and am not sure I can fully recommend it. While having a car allows for the most freedom, there are some serious complications with renting a car in Oman.

First of all, you’ll need to research about the absurdly low daily mileage allowance on rental vehicles in Oman. It’s very hard to not drive over this limit, and when you do, you will be overcharged quite a bit when returning your car.

I would advise joining a tour if you’d like to avoid this hassle altogether.

If you are coming from nearby countries, you have more option on how to get into Oman and could potentially use your own vehicle. It’s possible to drive or even take a bus from Dubai to Muscat if you’re up for it.

Muscat – 2 Days

Your journey always begins in Muscat, the capital city of Oman.

Unlike other middle eastern capitals where the action is usually centralized in one area, Muscat is quite spread out. It can be pretty inconvenient to get around even with a car, so you may want to hire a guide or join a tour.

Muscat is a capital city unlike any other. It is gifted with the geographical beauty of being surrounded by both sea, desert and dramatic mountain peaks – all of which are visible from the city itself.

Here you’ll find glitzy luxury hotels and upscale shopping malls amongst historic fortresses, old souks and grand mosques.

This is the area you’ll want to spend most of your time while in Muscat.

Mutrah is a picturesque port area and neigborhood. It used to be the commercial epicenter of Oman during the pre-oil era, when it served as the main port and point of entry for trade activities.

Today you’ll find tons of restaurants, old souks for shopping, and beautiful views of the sea.

Old Muscat 

Old Muscat is a great place to explore on foot and get a feel for a Muscat of the past.

While here be sure to visit the Al Alam Palace , which is still in use today by the Sultan of Oman for certain events.

There are also a couple museums in this area worth exploring. The best museum is probably the National Museum of Oman while here to get some valuable insight into Omani history and culture.

Bait Al Zubair is a smaller museum nearby that is also worth the visit. It houses quite a large number of cultural artifacts regarding Omani culture and life in the past.

Be sure to also head to Al Jalali Fort right along the sea, an area that is quite scenic and great for wandering around during sunset.

This fort was built by the Portuguese in the 1500s, and once served as a jail for Omani royalty. You can visit the interiors of the fort if you’d like to learn more about its history

Sultan Qaboos Mosque

The Sultan Qaboos Mosque was definitely the highlight of our time in Muscat.

It was incredibly beautiful and so impressive, we had to visit twice! Once during the day, and once in the evening.

The mosque has several buildings within its complex, all with beautifully tiled interiors and gorgeous geometrics arches throughout.

It’s hard to say what the most beautiful part of the mosque was: perhaps the golden dome glittering in the sun, or maybe the many detailed, floral tiles within.

It’s only open to the public during certain hours so you will need to do a bit of planning to time your visit. I’d say you will want to have at least a full hour to enjoy the mosque, and more if you want to take pictures.

I found the mosque to be crowded during the day, even when we visited early in the morning. Visit as early as possible for potentially thinner crowds.

The Opera House

A beautifully grand building to view from the outside. The design is truly unique, blending tradition with modernity. The building is impressive at any time, but I particularly found it to be beautiful at night.

Wadi Shab & Sur – 1 Day

Venture out of the city and head towards the wadis of Oman.

Wadi literally translates to valley in Arabic. Usually a wadi in Oman is where a water source cuts through rock or valley to form a lush oasis, ideal for swimming.

These Wadis are all unique. Some are more like deep pools of water, while others are winding river valleys that require a hike.

If you only have time to visit one wadi in Oman, I’d recommend Wadi Shab.

It’s located in a fairly convenient location, not too far from Muscat and on the way to further attractions in Oman.

It requires some hiking to reach the end point, but this is done mostly on a flat, somewhat maintained path.

It is 45 minutes of hiking in and out, and can be slippery in some spots so bring proper shoes. You’ll also want to bring your own water and snacks as there won’t be anything on the way but nature.

What makes this wadi worth it it the gorgeous pools of water at the end of the trail.

From these pools you can even swim into a cavern with its own waterfall.

Note : Not all wadis in Oman are ok with female bikinis. So be sure to check the rules of each one you visit. This one is bikini friendly. Wadi Shab is bikini friendly.

Want More Middle East Destinations? Read: The Perfect Egypt Itinerary

Not too far from Wadi Shab is the small coastal town of Sur. After you swim and hike for the day at the wadis all day, its nice to come here to wind down, get some ocean air and enjoy a fantastic sunset.

The coastal town of Sur has a history as a port city. The historic shipyard remains intact and you can still see today from the beach.

The beach area in Sur is a great place to explore. There are fortresses nearby, and the old quarter near the Al Ayjah Lighthouse feels like stepping back in time.

But the real show begins once you make the small hike up the watchtower hill to watch the sunset.

From this viewpoint, you’ll have unobstructed views of the sea and watch the sun set as thousands of birds take to the skies. It’s simply magical.

Wadi Bani Khalid – 1 Day

Another wadi well worth the visit in Wadi Bani Khalid.

This one is quite different than other wadis. Unlike Wadi Shab which is mostly rugged and left natural, Wadi Bani Khalid has some infrastructure built around it making it more visitor friendly.

There is a paved walking path, locker rooms, bathrooms and even a swimming pool onsite.

This wadi is definitely geared more towards locals than foreigners so that means, local rules apply here.

Women will be required to wear clothes while swimming, in accordance to local customs. It’s not really a big deal, ad you get used to it pretty quickly.

Getting to the pools in Wadi Bani Khalid requires no hiking. You’ll be able to swim and explore the many small canyons and caves throughout the park.

The water here is the most strikingly clear blue. Unlike Wadi Shab with its characteristic red rocks, Wadi Bani Khalid is comprised of a slick white, marble-like rock.

It’s beautiful, but slipper so tread carefully.

Wahiba Sands, Omani Desert – 2 Days

The entire country of Oman is technically characterized by desert landscapes. But if you want to immerse yourself in the classic desertscapes of sand dunes and vast nothingness, Wahiba Sands is the best place for that.

This is where you’ll find the largest sand dunes in the country. To get here, you’ll have to drive to the nearby town of Bidiyah

From there, you’ll definitely need a 4 x 4 to make it into the desert. If you didn’t rent a 4 wheel drive car, you can always join a guided tour which is likely better anyway, as a local guide will be able to navigate the desert seamlessly.

This desert may seem barren and uninhabited, but it is actually home to the Bedouin people. These are an indigenous, nomadic group found in deserts as far as Jordan and Kuwait .

If you’d like, you can join a tour to experience their way of living by staying in an overnight desert camp.

If you are a lover of desert landscapes like me, you’ll definitely want to stay one or two days for those dreamy desert sunrises and desert nights.

Aside from taking in the beautiful views, other activities to enjoy in Wahiba Sands are visiting and/or riding camels, go on a walking tour of the dunes, or go dune bashing by car.

Salalah (Only in June to August in Rain Season) – 3 Days

To get to Salalah, you have two options:

• Drive here after Wahiba Sands, and later drive up back to Muscat to finish the road trip (roundtrip its 19 hours of extra driving)
• Skip this step now, and head to Nizwa and the locations listed later in this post. You’ll eventually loop back to Muscat, and from there you can fly to Salalah instead.

Salalah is a locally beloved area in Oman. In the summer months, the entire country of Oman is scorching hot, making it unbearable even for locals.

Many will opt to head to Salalah, a rainy oasis with cooler temperatures in summer known for its gorgeous waterfalls and wadis for swimming.

The waterfalls are at their peak during summer during the rain season. Honestly, if you are visiting outside this season, there likely won’t be much water in the waterfalls so you may want to skip to the alternative destination later in this article.

We did visit in winter, and the waterfalls were basically non-existent. We still had a great time exploring the beaches, towns and wadis, but I understand the long drive may not be worth it for everyone.

Things to consider : It’s a full day of driving from Wahiba Sands, and there isn’t much to see on the way. Most people would rather go back to Muscat and fly, so that’s something to keep in mind. We decided to drive, and were treated with lots of wild camel sightings on the way.

Ayn Athum Waterfall

This elusive waterfall only forms in summer months when the big rains create several free-falling waterfalls. This water falls into a bright turquoise basin surrounded by the lushest greenery.

Unfortunately, you won’t see any water here in winter, and the trees will also be brown and wilted. If you want to see this, its definitely worth timing your 14 days in Oman road trip to be in summer!

Ayn Khor Waterfall 

Another spectacular waterfall that only makes an appearance in rain season. It’s not as big as or tall as Ayn Athum Waterfall, but it’s a popular swimming spot for locals.

Come in summer to take a refreshing dip in the bright blue waters, and be amongst the locals enjoying the same.

Wadi Darbat

This wadi is green and full of life year round, so if you’re visiting in winter this is going to be the highlight.

In this wadi, you’ll find camels and even cows wading in the waters.

Unlike other wadis, this one is more of a flood land than a river or pool. You can explore the area on food as many locals do.

You’ll find beautiful emerald pools of water and waterfalls all around. During summer and the rainy season, the water gets high enough that you can even go for a boat ride across the wadi.

Al Mughsayl Coast

Al Mughsayl is a long stretch of coastal cliffs and beaches. It’s known for having some gorgeous views, which you can enjoy from the beaches, or by hiking up some of the many hills and cliffs.

This area is great for hiking and just enjoying nature. The beach here was one of the best we encountered in Oman, with very little waves and rocks.

It’s very warm and you can definitely go for a swim if you’d like.

Gravity Spot

Similar to the mystery spot in Santa Cruz, there is a quirky place in Selalah where gravity seems to not exist.

Interestingly this spot is located right along a stretch of highway and if you blink you may miss the signs for it,

When you do find it, park your car, and grab something round. Roll it down the hill, and wtch it slowly roll back to your, up the hill.

You can also put your car in neutral, and see how it slowly rolls back up the hill on its own.

These are simple pleasures, but you’d be surprised how long we (an a queue of other cars) were playing around here with the anti-gravity.  We were like 5 year olds who just discovered puppies.

You can find this No-gravity spot here .

Nizwa and Surrounding Areas – 2 Days

After Salalah (or Wahiba Sands, depending which route you chose), your next stop on your 2 week itinerary in Oman is Nizwa.

As you’ll quickly notice on your Oman road trip, Oman has no shortage of historic fortresses located throughout the country.

But Nizwa is without a doubt the most impressive one. While in this area, you can visit 2 of the largest and most famous fortresses in Oman, and the surrounding villages.

Nizwa Fortress

Nizwa fortress is most recognizable by its unqiue appearance. A fortress comprised of only a sandstone color and geometric block shapes, this fortress is a photographers playground.

On top of that, Nizwa fortress also holds strong historic significance. While here you can learn the fascinating history if how this fortress was used as a stronghold in defending the kingdom from invaders.

I found a great deal of amusement from learning about the murder holes, secret chutes within the castle walls in which they used to pour hot, melted dates (yes, the fruit) down into in order to burn and kill intruders.

Bahla Fortress

Bahla Fortress is not far from Nizwa at all, and it is somewhat similar. It’s not as impressive and on the same scale as Nizwa fort, but it is a UNESCO site and worth the visit.

Like Nizwa Fort, it is comprised of mud bricks. The fort and surrounding villages were once ruled by the Nabahina tribe. They made this a prosperous and wealthy area during the height of their rule.

Al Hamra is an ancient village, located at the foot of the Hajar Mountain range. This village looks pretty much the same as how it may have looked a long time ago, despite being abandoned long ago.

Like visiting a ghost town, Al Hamra is a great place to wander and to gain some insight into what life was like here in the past. Something unique about this place it that it has a very sophisticated irrigation system, which you can still see today.

Known as aflaj , this ancient waterway was a civil engineering feat of its time. It comprises of several autonomous watering channels, that allowed scarce water to reach agricultural areas, in an otherwise inhospitable environment.

Little is known about the first settlers of Al Hamra. However, these channels are estimated to be as old as 4,000 years old, making this one of the oldest villages still in tact in Oman.

Overnight Stay in a Traditional Mud House

In nearby Mistfah you can find the Hussen Al-Mistfah Mudhouse .

This is a restored and renovated mud house turned into a hotel. Here, you can experience what it’s like inside an authentic Omani house, but with all the modern comforts such as wifi and meals provided on their rooftop.

Book the Hussen Al-Mistfah Mudhouse here .

Jebel Shams & Wadi Ghul – 2 Days

Wadi Ghul is nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of The Middle East”, and once you see it you’ll see that it definitely lives up to the name.

As the largest and deepest canyon in the entire Middle East, and the second largest in the world, this canyon is a spectacular place to marvel at nature.

To get here, you will definitely need a 4 wheel drive car. Again, if you didn’t rent the proper car, just opt to join a tour for convenience and safety.

A tour is also the easiest way to navigate the canyon. As massive as the canyon is, the entire area does cover a lot of ground and the points of interest are quite scattered and confusing to find.

Whether you come y car or tour, you’ll definitely spend some time driving through this area and stopping to explore along the way.

The drive will take you alongside areas of steep, humbling cliffs, intricately carved canyons and incredible rock formations.

If it isn’t too hot, many visitors opt to hike. A popular hiking trail is called the “Balcony Trail”, which takes you along the rim of one of the most scenic spots in the canyon.

Jebel Shams

Jebel Shams is a mountain peak inside the Wadi Ghul canyon, and the highest peak in all of Oman.

To get here requires yet some more sophisticated driving in a 4 wheel drive car on some questionably rough roads. However, the reward is worth it.

The views from Jebel Shams is simply out of this world. You’ll feel like you are quite literally at the ends of the earth and on top of it at the same time.

Many visitors will choose to stay overnight in one of the lodges on Jebel Shams. If you have enough time for it, I’d definitely recommend this as those sunsets and sunrises are to die for.

After Jebel Shams, head back to Muscat to either end your trip or head on to one last location.

The Arabian Peninsula (Visit Any Season) – 3 Days 

If you visit outside of the rain season, and can’t see Salalah’s waterfalls in their glory, or you have more than 2 weeks in Oman, head north to see the Musandam Fjords.

Also known as the Arabian Peninsula, this area boasts sweeping views of the sea and mountains, and some of the best diving in this region. Here, you can dive, kayak or take boat rides to experience this special place.

You should probably fly from Muscat, since the drive would take you across the border, into the UAE, before crossing back into Omani territory which can be a hassle.

Oman Road Trip FAQ

Are the roads in oman safe for driving.

Most roads in Oman are in perfect condition, especially the ones in and around Muscat, Nizwa and all major cities. But once you venture off into the mountains or to more rural villages, a 4 wheel drive becomes necessary.

What is the Best Month to Visit Oman?

If you’re after the most comfortable temperatures in most of the country, December is the best month. If you want to visit the waterfalls in Selalah, then visiting in July or August is best.

Is Oman an expensive country?

Yes, 1 Omani Riad is usually valued at around 2.5 – 2.7 USD, as the third highest value currency in the world. As a result, things cost more. If you are a mid-range traveler, You can expect to spend $150 – $200 a day, if splitting the car rental with another person.

And that wraps up your 2 week itinerary in Oman.

Have you been to Oman? What did I miss?

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

October 15, 2020 at 4:43 pm

What a beautiful country – I had no idea there was so many gorgeous landscapes in Oman! Definitely want to visit now!

October 16, 2020 at 9:52 am

This is beautiful, it had evertything right from desert to abandoned fortess to waterfalls. This is my kind of place, though I have heard there are few travel restrictions that needs to be followed while visiting Oman. Any restriction in particular which you would like to share?

October 16, 2020 at 11:54 am

Really looks like ither-wordly out there in the desert and the unique architecture, too!

October 16, 2020 at 5:12 pm

My friend used to go for official visits to Oman and I was fascinated by the stories he had to tell. And now I have no doubts when I read your blog and these wonderful pictures that you showed of this country. Thanks for sharing!!

October 16, 2020 at 5:30 pm

Your pictures of Oman are breathtaking! Its not somewhere people typically visit. What made you want to visit? Thanks for teaching me about Oman

October 16, 2020 at 5:44 pm

What an awesome trip! Oman looks epic. It is very high on my list of next trips. Your pictures are great. I love the goat XD. Following you on socials!

October 17, 2020 at 5:52 pm

It is a great, very inspirational post and informative itinerary. I would love to visit Oman with your detailed itinerary and tips.

October 17, 2020 at 7:31 pm

Your pictures are wonderful! I spent 10 days in Oman and loved it, I think Wadi Bani Khalid was my favourite place!

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Oman Travel Blog

Neither does it feel the need to advertise itself on Premier League shirts for all the world.

What Oman does boast, however, is a strong sense of identity and pride in its ancient traditions.

What visitors will find in this desert kingdom is the rare chance to see the Arab Gulf without its enormous wealth staring you in the face.

Like in Jordan , the low-rise towns elude Omani charm while traditional Beduin culture remains the heart of everything Oman stands for.

Oman is a country of not only wind-blown deserts but spectacular mountains and a pristine coastline like nothing you have ever witnessed.

Useful Travel Information About Oman

✈ Book cheap  flights  to Oman with  Skyscanner ✔ Book  transfers  from airports with  Viator ➳ Find the best  hotel  deals in Oman with  TripAdvisor ✩ Get the best  tours  and  activities  in Oman with  Tourradar ❖ Rent a  car  with the best discounts at  RentalCars.com ☘ Get the best discounted  outdoor gear  (Outlet) at  REI.com ✎ Never leave without  travel insurance . I get mine at SafetyWing

Good to know before traveling to Oman

Capital: Muscat

Currency: OMR

Power voltage and socket type(s): type C, D and G. The standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

Official religion(s): Islam 86%, Christian 6.5%, Hindu 5.5%

Official languages and general knowledge of English: Arabic. English widely is spoken.

Main Tourist Areas: Muscat , Wahiba Sands , Nizwa

Most famous places in Oman

Grand mosque:.

Once the home of the largest hand-woven rug in the world, the Grand Mosque is a glorious piece of modern Islamic architecture that can accommodate 20,000 worshipers. – Book your tour here

Jabreen Castle

Constructed in 1675 by Imam Bil-Arab Bin Sultan, Jabreen Castle is an impressive sight rising from the surrounding plain. Of particular interest are the intricately painted ceilings.

If you thought that the Grand Canyon in Arizona was the only natural wonder of its type, think again as Wadi Ghul is quite spectacular. With sheer walls 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) high, Wadi Ghul is a must-visit attraction in Oman.

Ras Al Jinz

On the Arabian Peninsula’s easternmost point, you will find the nesting ground of the endangered green turtle, a beautiful creature that Oman vows to protect. – Book a snorkeling tour here

Wadi Bani Khalid

Resembling a mind-blowing work of art, Wadi Bani Khalid is everything you ever imagined a desert oasis should be with palm trees and clear crystal-like water. – Check tours here

Accommodation in Oman

With only a few hotels aimed at foreign tourists, the capital Muscat is where you should plan to make your base.

Outside of Muscat, except for a few beach resort hotels, accommodation of a reasonable standard can be hard to find.

Most small towns have a couple of 2-star hotels, but they are mostly aimed at visiting Omanis and tend to be rather spartan.

Budget Solo Travelers

As far as prices are concerned, those on a budget will not find a place to stay in Oman for less than 12 Omani Rials ( $31 ), having said that you can expect to pay at least 20 Omani Rials ( $52 ) for even the cheapest of rooms.

Also, be sure to check that local taxes are included in the price, or you could end up paying a further 17%. (Most budget hotels include the charge in the advertised room, rate while upmarket places do not).

Camping is another option providing you are not near a town, village or on private land.

Rooms in mid-range hotels are priced at between 40–60 Omani rials ($100-$155) per night. Mid-range hotels in Oman come with the two essentials of modern-day Gulf living, air- conditioning, and a television. Most even give you a fridge so that you can keep your drinks cold.

Despite traditional Muslim strictures against the drinking of alcohol, many mid-range hotels also double as local nightspots hosting live music venues and sports bars.

I also really enjoyed my stay at the Hilton Garden Inn in Muscat. – Check prices here

In Muscat, it is not uncommon for some hotels to have more than one such place, so if you want a good night’s sleep, make sure your room is tucked well away from the noise. – Check the best hotels in Muscat  

Due to Oman’s wealth, small population, and stunning scenery, it is no surprise to learn that it boasts some of the most spectacular resorts to be found anywhere.

While Muscat has 5-star hotels aimed at business travelers, it is the self-contained resorts along the coast or up in the mountains where you want to stay.

Rather than we make any suggestions except saying we like the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort in Nizwa, do your research to see what resort hotel is right for you. – Check rates here

Do I need a visa to travel to Oman?

Fast-Track: Get your Oman Visa in advance

Before you decide to jet off to Oman, you need first to ascertain if you require a visa or not to enter the country. Only six countries nationals are exempt from having to have permission to enter Oman.

Not surprisingly, five of them are from the other Gulf States.

The sixth country is New Zealand, whose nationals can remain in Oman for up to three months. To boost tourism, Oman now offers a ten-day tourist visa for five rials ($13).

All visa applications need to be submitted online via the Royal Oman Police website. – Get your visa online here

Best time to visit Oman

Generally speaking, Oman has a reliably warm climate but can be unbearable during July and August due to the scorching heat. Rain in most parts of Oman consists of short sharp showers in January and February.

This means that the optimum months to visit are October to December and March to June.

In the very south of the country near to the border with Yemen, Oman is affected by a monsoon season called “ khareef ,” which means autumn in Arabic.

Popular with Omanis and tourists, the cool showery weather brings nature to life in a spectacular way. The khareef season is between June 22 and September 21.

How to get to Oman

Flight: Most visitors to Oman arrive at Muscat International Airport (MCT) either on Oman Air or other Gulf carriers like Emirates, Etihad or Qatar Airways. – Check flights here

Public Transport: Oman has no rail system, so getting around the country is either done on public buses or by renting a car.

Car Rental: If you go with the rental car option, make sure you rent a 4×4 so that you can get to some harder-to-reach places. – Check car rentals here

Best Food in Oman

Omani cuisine is influenced by a mixture of cultures comprising Arab, Iranian, Indian, and African-inspired dishes. The style of food reflects Oman’s place at the intersection of the spice trade.

Fish plays a big part in coastal dishes with chicken, lamb, rice, and spices the primary ingredients. Following Islamic Sharia law, the consumption of pork is forbidden.

To get a feel for Omani food and culture, take a walk along Shatti Al Qurum beach and visit the Turkish House where you can dine on freshly caught seafood for a reasonable price.

Typical food in Oman

Served for special occasions like weddings, Majboos or Kabsa as it is also called is a rice dish with saffron and spicy meat.

Again a dish reserved for special occasions such as Eid, shuwa is a dish of lamb, goat, or camel marinated in spices, wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in an underground oven for a day or two.

Shuwa is served with rice and tomato sauce.

Attention fish lovers! Mashuai is a whole spit-roasted kingfish served with lemon rice.

Along with Shawarmas, Mishkak is Oman’s answer to tasty street food. Mishkak is a chicken, or mutton kabab cooked on a charcoal grill, served with spicy tamarind chutney.

Mushalt is made with meat, cheese, or spinach topped with honey and baked in the oven for around five minutes.

Best Things to do in Oman for Outdoor travelers

The beach at Ras Al Jinz is home to the biggest turtle reserve in the Indian Ocean and home to the endangered Green Turtle. Thousands of turtles return home each year to lay their eggs at Ras Al Jinz, and you can witness it happening by signing up for a tour.

The number of visitors is limited, and the visit takes place at night, as that is when the turtles emerge from the sea to make their way up the beach. The peak laying season is between June and September. – Check tours here

Wadi Nakhr Balcony Walk

Located in the Western Hajar mountains, Wadi Nakhr ( Wadi Ghul) is Oman’s answer to the Grand Canyon and a great place to go trekking or rock climbing.

Part of the W6 hiking route, the balcony walk along the top of the gorge, is the most popular trail in Oman.

Muttrah Souk

While not an outdoor adventure, you cannot visit Oman and not see the colorful Muttrah Souk marketplace. The souk is a disorienting labyrinth of tiny alleyways piled high with all kinds of exotic goods. – Check tours here

The Wahiba Sands

Spend a night camping under the stars surrounded by towering picture-perfect dunes in a desert landscape devoid of people. While there, take a camel ride or go offroading in a 4×4 jeep. – Book tours here

Diving in Oman

With crystal clear warm water Oman boasts some of the best diving to be found anywhere in the world. Just north of Muscat, the Daymaniyat Islands are a string of small, rocky islands surrounded by coral reefs teeming with marine life.

Designated as a Marine Nature Reserve divers have the opportunity to swim with turtles sharks and giant rays. – Book a tour here

The Rustaq Loop

The Rustaq Loop is a day-long drive that takes you to three of the most beautiful castles in Oman at Nakhal, Rustaq, and Al Hazm.

Along the route, you will enjoy fantastic scenery with plenty of opportunities for off-road driving and the chance to stop at a wadi for a swim.

In search of frankincense

Once worth its weight in gold frankincense a substance, the ancient Egyptians called the “sweat of the gods.”

The tree, which produces the resin, grows in the inhospitable terrain of Oman’s southern Dhofar province. To get there and learn all about the Boswellia resin, you will need to sign up for a tour. – Check tours here

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15 things to know to get more out of your Oman trip

Mar 3, 2024 • 9 min read

Our list of tips will help any traveler get the most out of their trip to culturally rich and ultra-hospitable Oman © Emily_M_Wilson / Getty Images

In  Oman , visitors find  pristine desert landscapes and nature experiences , all in a modern Gulf country with a vibrant cultural heritage.

This heritage is apparent in the many languages spoken in the country, forts and archeological sites along ancient trading routes, and traditional practices such as rosewater distillation.

Today, warm and welcoming Omanis still live by their classic societal values of humility, kindness and hospitality. They’ll invite visitors to share a meal, or go out of their way to guide a lost traveler.

To make your trip a truly memorable exercise in cultural exchange and mutual respect, here are some things to know before head to to Oman. 

1. Dress modestly, even when swimming 

Female visitors do not need to wear a hijab in Oman, but dressing generally modestly is recommended. While Omanis will be too polite to say anything, clothes that don’t appear respectful to the culture will certainly affect the quality of your interactions. 

Women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders and reaches below the knees (and also covers their arms and ankles, when visiting a mosque). Avoid low-cut tops, short skirts, shorts and dresses, and garment that’s transparent or clings to the body. Women must wear a headscarf (they can bring their own) while visiting a mosque. 

Men should avoid tank tops and instead wear shirts or t-shirts with trousers or shorts that are at least knee-length. While visiting mosques, men must wear full-length jeans or pants. 

Outside of swimming pools located in international resorts and hotels in Muscat , swimsuits and bikinis are inappropriate. This is true for natural pools located in the wadis (valleys) that you might come across while hiking in places like Wadi Tiwi and on public beaches around fishing villages. 

Even the sight of foreigners in skimpy bathing suits h increasingly common to see foreigners in skimpy bathing suits, it’s wise to remember that these places are also frequented by Omanis. You might notice Omani men swimming in t-shirts and shorts – this should give you an idea of how important modesty is in the culture. 

While swimming on public beaches visited by Omani families and pools close to villages, women will appear more considerate when they’re wearing a long t-shirt and shorts over their swimsuits.  

2. English is widely spoken in cities

Oman’s official language is Arabic, and English is widely spoken in the cities and to a good extent in areas that have tourism infrastructure, such as the villages of Jebel Akhdar . Other than Arabic, you might hear such languages such as Kumzari, Baluchi, Swahili and, thanks to a large immigrant population, perhaps Hindi, Malayalam and Urdu, too.  

3. A few local greetings will get you far

Omanis are friendly, hospitable and courteous, and these qualities are likely to permeate every interaction that you’ll have as a visitor. In Oman, conversations, however brief, and whether between strangers or friends, always begin with a proper greeting, usually “ as salam alaykum ” which translates to “peace be upon you.”

In some parts of the country, you might find yourself the subject of much curiosity, apparent from glances in your direction every few minutes or questions about where you’re from. Don’t be alarmed: Omanis take a genuine interest in visitors and want to make them feel welcome.

As such, it’s nice to greet people appropriately. Some useful phrases to know (in addition to the essential  “as salam alaykum” and “walaykum as salam,”  said in reply to the former), are  “sabah al khayr” (good morning), “misa al khayr” (good evening) and “shukran” (thank you).

4. For a richer experience, don’t hesitate to accept invitations 

Omanis are incredibly friendly and welcoming of visitors, and it’s not unusual for visitors to receive a few invitations during their time in the country. Whether it’s an invitation to someone’s home for a chat over qahwa (Arabic coffee) and dates, a group of friends paying for your meal at a restaurant or a meal brought over by a family camping nearby, accepting such generosity will only make your trip more memorable.  

Offering a guest coffee is a respect toward them, and accepting indicates that you reciprocate. In Oman, coffee is ground with spices like cardamom and cinnamon, and qahwa is brewed with saffron and rosewater and served alongside dates. 

Don’t be surprised if your cup of qahwa continues to be refilled each time you return it to your host. If you’ve had enough, indicate this by tilting your cup gently from side to side before you hand it to them. A bowl of water might be placed before you: dip the fingers of your right hand in it to wash them before you pick a date or begin a meal. 

The traditional way of eating is with the fingers of the right hand while seated on the floor. As a guest, wait for the host to begin and then follow their example. Don’t attempt to do this with your left hand – in Omani culture (and much of the world) that is your toileting hand.

If you find yourself visiting an Omani home, take your shoes off before you enter. Any host will deeply appreciate even the smallest of gifts, such as a box of dates, nuts or sweets from the souq (market).

5. Ask permission before you photograph people or their homes

Whether you find yourself captivated by the scene of a vendor selling handmade silver jewelry at the Mutrah Souq , admire a group of Omani men wearing beautiful kumma (traditional patterned or embroidered caps) sipping coffee by the sea or are invited into a traditional village home, resist the urge to point your lens without asking for permission first.

Omanis deeply respect their privacy, and a stranger taking your photo without permission is considered intrusive. A quick, simple greeting in Arabic helps break the ice; local men will generally oblige. 

In general, you should refrain from photographing women, especially those wearing an abaya (traditional long black robe). Under absolutely no circumstances should you attempt a photograph without first obtaining explicit permission (this is easier if you’re a woman yourself). 

6. Look forward to spending time outdoors

The most enjoyable experiences in Oman take place out of doors, from gentle walks through palm plantations and watching nesting turtles on the beach to scuba diving in thriving marine reserves. 

Any visitor to Oman should expect to spend a significant amount of time on road trips to get to historic medieval forts, charming fishing towns, picturesque tidal lagoons and freshwater pools hidden away in the valleys. 

Wild camping is allowed, and opportunities to do so abound around the country. Be sure to pack comfortable clothing suitable for the outdoors, a tent and a sleeping bag.  

7. Keep an eye on weather warnings

Low-lying valleys, beaches and wadis are prone to flash floods after heavy rainfall. It’s safer to camp on high ground and to check the weather forecast and warnings before you go.

As a result of rising ocean temperatures, tropical cyclones (most originating in the Arabian Sea) are an increasing risk leading to ocean surges, destructive winds, flooding and landfall. Pay close attention to cyclone and storm alerts and check the official website of Oman’s Directorate General of Meteorology.

8. Don’t underestimate hiking routes

If you plan on  hiking independently, weigh the length and difficulty of the trail against your fitness level and experience in the mountains. If you’re inexperienced with harsh environments, do not hike alone. Ensure you are carrying at least three liters of water, and always wear proper hiking shoes and a sun hat. 

Trekking guides not only safely guide you around the peaks and valleys, but they can also share information on the geology of an area and the opportunity to interact with communities where English is not widely spoken.

In the peak of summer, the heat can get intense in the Hajar Mountains causing dehydration and fatigue very quickly. We don’t recommend this season for hiking. 

9. Be aware of the rules during Ramadan 

If you’re visiting Oman during the holy month of Ramadan , when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, remember that non-Muslim tourists are not allowed to eat, drink, smoke, play loud music or dance in public places during the day. 

Once the fast is broken after the prayers at sundown and Muslims sit down for iftar (the evening meal), it’s fine to eat outside. During the month of Ramadan, it’s even more important than usual to dress modestly.

10. When meeting a member of the opposite sex, wait for them to offer their hand 

While handshakes among men are common, don’t offer your hand to initiate a handshake when you’re greeting an Omani of the opposite sex. Physical contact between members of the opposite sex does not occur, unless they are related or deeply familiar. To see whether your counterpart is comfortable and want to be greeted that way, wait for them to offer their hand first. You must always shake hands only with your right hand. 

11. Steer clear of inappropriate topics of conversation

Oman is a monarchy, and Omanis have deep respect not only for their country and culture but also for the leadership of the sultan. Any politically charged questions or discussions that might even obliquely criticize the ruler or the government are considered inappropriate. In any case, locals are unlikely to share their opinions on such topics with an outsider. 

Rumor-mongering is punishable by law and can result in both fines and imprisonment. In the same vein, never say anything that disrespects Islam (or any other religion), or attempts to challenge religious beliefs or practices. 

Foreigners might be surprised to know that it is also inappropriate for a man to ask an Omani man about the women in his family (even to inquire about his wife or daughters). It’s best to stay broad, by wishing good health to him and his family – and leave it at that.  

12. Don’t drink alcohol in public or exhibit drunken behavior

Alcohol should only be consumed in licensed restaurants and bars, most of which are in international hotels. It’s illegal to drink in public (outside of such establishments) – and anyone exhibiting overly drunken behavior or being extremely loud under the influence might face legal action. Oman has zero tolerance for drug use, and possession of even small amounts can result in fines, deportation and even imprisonment.    

13. Don’t swear or make rude gestures 

Swearing loudly and making offensive hand gestures are illegal and can result in legal action should the recipient register a complaint. 

14. Don’t photograph government buildings or military checkpoints

In Oman, you’re prohibited from photographing and filming some government buildings, military sites and checkpoints, and military vehicles. Nor may you post photos and videos of these on social media. Doing so can attract fines and even imprisonment. If you’re unsure whether something is covered by this policy, or even unsure of what you might be photographing, err on the side of caution. 

15. Make note of emergency numbers

In case of emergencies and the need for rescue, evacuation or urgent medical assistance, contact the Royal Oman Police on 9999.

This article was first published Mar 12, 2022 and updated Mar 3, 2024.

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Things to Do in Muscat, Oman: Epic 1-3 Days Muscat Itinerary

Wondering what to do in Muscat , Oman’s capital? Whether you are planning on visiting Muscat in one day or staying a little longer before starting the Oman road trip , here is my perfect 1 to 3 days in Muscat itinerary. It will show you both the best places to visit in Muscat and unmissable things to do in Muscat . 

A humble capital of the Sultanate of Oman , Muscat is strategically positioned on the shores of the Gulf of Oman on an ancient trade route dating back to the days of Mesopotamia. Scenically wedged between the craggy Hajar mountains, shimmering sea, and dreamy desert, the capital Muscat has always played a significant role in the Middle Eastern world and attracted the interest of many powerful empires like Ottomans, Portuguese, and Persians. As a result, influences of which are still present in Omani culture and cuisine. 

Today’s Muscat, Oman is just as wealthy as its neighbor’s UAE cities Abu Dhabi and Dubai, or Doha, Qatar. Yet in Oman’s capital, you won’t find glittering skyscrapers rising above the clouds as in Dubai. In fact, there is a rule that limits high-rise buildings and defines landscaping, color code, and architectural style retaining uniformity of long-lived traditional Middle Eastern style. Domes, arabesque windows, and balconies still decorate even functional buildings and new villas.

The ancient forts and watchtowers, low-rise white-washed houses, and mosques characterize the skyline of Muscat, the city with ages-old traditions deeply rooted in daily life. One of the easiest to notice is the local dress code-Omanis still wear white dishdashas and embroidered kummas (traditional embroidered skull-caps) as daily attire. 

Muscat’s authenticity, simplicity, and kindness of local people are what keep me coming back to Oman’s capital (it is only 5 hour’s drive from Dubai , in case you are also based in the UAE). 

In this in-depth Muscat travel guide , you will get acquainted not only with the top places to see in Muscat but also with its hidden corners and fantastic viewpoints over the city. 

From Muttrah corniche, and lively souks to stunning Sultan Qaboos Mosque and Portuguese Forts, immensely beautiful beaches, and even city hikes, there is plenty of great things to do in Muscat. 

Apart from points of interest in Muscat, I also share tips on how to get around Muscat, the best time to visit Muscat, the best places to stay in Muscat for any budget, where to eat , and some miscellaneous interesting facts and handy tips. Last but not least, plenty of my travel photos of Muscat, Oman.

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). This helps to keep my blog running and growing by creating more awesome free content for you.

1 to 3 days in Muscat itinerary: what to do in Muscat, Oman

Muscat quick links.

These are useful links to the best accommodation, cheap car rental in Oman, and top guided experiences and interesting day tours from Muscat, sim card tips.

• Where to stay in Muscat: Haffa House Hotel (budget); Fort Guesthouse (mid-range); Intercontinental Muscat (high-end); Chedi Muscat (luxury resort).
• Rent a car: The best way to move around Muscat is by car. Hire a car at the best rates using Discover Cars .
• Flights: Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest and fastest flights to Oman from your location.
• Before You Go: Apply for an Oman visa easily at iVisa .
• Local SIM Card: Get a tourist pack of local data and calls at Muscat airport. Omantel provides the best coverage. Arriving by road from UAE ? You can buy Vodafone visitors pack in any hypermarket.

Top-rated guided Muscat experiences

• Best Dimaniyat Islands (5/5 GetYourGuide)
• Best Muscat City Tour (5/5 Viator)
• Best Desert Tour (5/5 Viator)
• Best Wadi Shab Tour (5/5 GetYourGuide)
• Best Nizwa & Mountain Tour (4.5/5 GetYourGuide)

How many days in Muscat? 

Most of the main attractions in Muscat can be visited in a day or two.  However, if you want to explore at a slower pace and also visit the outskirts of Muscat, or go on a day trip to visit Daminiyat islands or spectacular old forts, choose to stay for 3 or 4 days.

Best time to visit Muscat, Oman

Winter is a perfect time to visit Muscat, Oman. The temperatures in Muscat are pleasant during the months of December, January, and February staying between 25-30 degrees Celsius during the daytime. You can even encounter some clouds and rain.

Late autumn and early spring are shoulder seasons in most of Oman and also Muscat. Temperatures are still quite high but bearable in mid-October to November and March to mid-April ranging between 30-35 degrees Celsius during the day.

Summer months and early autumn as well as late spring should be avoided due to the heat. Temperatures can go up as high as 40-50 degrees Celsius making it physically very difficult to do any sightseeing in Muscat during the day and even in the mornings.

Also, traveling during the holy month of Ramadan is a bit trickier as restaurants shut down during the day when locals are fasting and only open after sunset. Everything is significantly slower, even some attractions might be closed during Ramadan. Moreover, Ramadan lasts 30 days, and its timing is not fixed but shifts every year. 

Related reads: planning a road trip to Oman? Check my one-week Oman itinerary (with options to extend to 10-14 days in Oman).

Where to stay in Muscat

Muscat is a very spread-out city. Thus, picking the right location is crucial. Here are my suggestions for the best accommodation in Muscat in the most popular areas.

The old part of Muscat is ideal if you want to stay within walking distance from the most interesting part of the capital (the famous old souk is located in Muttrah as well).

Fort Guesthouse $$–highly rated by visitors, superb location at the waterfront of Muttrah corniche and Fort, features a lovely terrace and humble Omani-style accommodation.

Located 10 minutes from Muttrah, the Ruwi area offers a lot of cheaper but decent accommodation options, with a good range of budget-friendly Indian and Pakistani restaurants all around.

• Haffa House Hotel – a decent four-star hotel for very reasonable prices. Although it is an old hotel and needs a bit of revamp, it is clean, has polite service and the location is convenient to drive to any direction for sightseeing. Make sure to request a non-smoking room (if that applies to you) when booking.

A polished area, popular among ex-pats, offers a range of more upscale accommodations, many of them with direct access to Qurum beach (known as the cleanest beach in town).

Intercontinental Muscat – located on the beach of Qurum this resort offers you a comfortable stay in rooms with sea or mountain views, access to the pool, gym, green gardens, saunas, in house restaurants. The popular waterfront-muscat area with trendy shops and nice restaurants is also close by.

Al Khuwair (near Sultan Qaboos Mosque)

• Grand Millenium Muscat  -a home away from home, located close to Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.

High-end accommodation in Muscat for a luxurious stay

• Al Bustan Palace  -located on the eastern side of the city, with a stunning coastline set against Hajar mountains, dreamy pools, and a stretch of private beach- is great for romantic getaways and the best beachfront views.
• Chedi Muscat – located closer to the airport side, one of the most beautiful hotels in Muscat featuring modern Arabic architecture, a beachfront, a 100-meter long pool, yoga, and pilates classes- a perfect place for relaxation.

Getting to Muscat

Many travelers will enter Oman’s capital through Muscat International Airport. 

If there is no direct flight from your destination, you will definitely find one from Abu Dhabi or Dubai, UAE. Sometimes it will be even cheaper to fly through Dubai or Abu Dhabi. 

Check the best flight combination from your destination using Skyscanner. Airlines like FlyDubai, OmanAir, and Emirates are very good and trustworthy.

One of the most popular ways to travel to Muscat, Oman is driving from Dubai, UAE. It takes 4.5 hours to reach Muscat from Dubai by car. Account for 30 minutes to an hour at the UAE-Oman border.

Read more about Everything you need to know when traveling to Oman from Dubai (or anywhere elsewhere in UAE). 

You can get to Muscat from Musandam by boat. Musandam is an exclave Governorate of Oman, separated from the mainland of Oman by the UAE.

Read more about traveling to and from Musandam on my Musandam travel guide .

Getting around Muscat, Oman

Muscat stretches along the coast for over 50 kilometers. Thus, it is a very “long” city if I can say so. Thus, commuting from one side of the town to the other can take up to 30 to 50 minutes by car, and on average around 15-20 minutes in the central areas.

Muscat may appear chaotically planned. It is composed of several different districts, all spread out quite far from each other. While you can easily walk around one area, you cannot walk between different areas due to the long distances or/and mountains separating them.

You need transportation to get between districts. The main artery of the city is Sultan Qaboos Street, a highway connecting all the districts in Muscat.

In this Oman itinerary, you will be visiting the following main areas: Muttrah , old Muscat , Ruwi, and Qurum , and Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque which is situated in a different area next to the main highway. 

Thus, what is the best way to get around Muscat? Below are the options you have, thus pick according to your travel style/time you have.

The best, easiest, and most efficient way to move around Muscat is by car. Muscat is one of those capitals where driving actually makes sense and is advisable to be able to quickly reach different locations. Traffic, although exist at peak time, is not too bad as, for example, in Dubai. Google maps work just fine to help navigate, and parking is fairly easy. 

Thus, if you are landing at Muscat Airport, I recommend picking up your car there and being completely independent for the rest of the trip. And did I mention, petrol in Oman is one of the cheapest in the world?  

If you are still looking for a great deal to rent a car in Oman, I recommend checking Discovercars which offers some of the lowest rates in the market.

I also crosscheck with the most popular car rental search engine Rentalcars if I cannot find a car, I am looking for Discovercars.

Top tip for parking in Muscat: you can find many places to park your car in Muscat for free. Even in Muttrah which can be a little harder to park at (especially free of charge), I found a convenient free spot in one of the backyards and kept on coming back there to park my car (refer to the map for exact pin location). 

Taxis are also a popular option for tourists to move around Muscat. However, if you are planning to drive around and see more than just one place, renting a car will be cheaper. 

Note that street taxis in Oman are unmetered and you have to negotiate the rate beforehand. In Muttrah you will be approached by local taxi drivers offering to take you to the main points of interest like the Grand Mosque or Royal Opera House.

Tip: if you are planning to use a taxi, the best way is to download Mwsalat or OTaxi app (aka local Uber) so you know the correct fare.

City buses are available, and also very cheap (200-500 baisas per ride, depending on the distance). Their network is covering the main areas around Muscat, which include the most popular tourist attractions (Grand Mosque, Opera House, Alam Palace, Muttrah, Ruwi).

You can also catch a bus from the airport to the Ruwi area in Muscat.

However, commuting by bus is significantly slower than by car. The frequency might be around every 20-30 minutes, and you might have to also change a few buses to get to your desired destination. For this reason, you must also be familiar with areas of Muscat and stay within walking distance of the bus stop if this is the way you plan to visit the capital. This travel method would best suit those who either have more time and/or are on a budget.

The bus system in Muscat is operated by Mwsalat company. You can check city timetables and bus stops with bus numbers here .

Places to visit in Muscat: 1 Day in Muscat Itinerary

1. sultan qaboos grand mosque.

A fine example of incredible modern Islamic architecture, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is a must-visit place in Muscat, Oman.

The Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in Oman. The beauty of Sultan Qaboos mosque is simply unmatched. Defined by perfectly symmetric arrays of arches, elaborate latticework, intricate mosaics, and ornate carvings of flowers, the Sultan Qaboos mosque is one of the most impressive modern mosques I have ever visited.

If you love architecture, you will go crazy photographing its beautiful corners and intricate details, light and shadow game is also fantastic. 

Interesting facts about Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

It took 6 years to complete the mosque and it can host up to 20000 worshipers. The 24-karat gold-plated chandelier inside the men’s prayer hall holds 600,000 Swarovski crystals and is surrounded by 34 smaller versions found across the mosque.

Equally impressive is the hand-made prayer carpet weighing 21 tons. It took 600 Iranian artisans to complete in 4 years. The only prayer carpet that is even larger belongs to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Moreover, one of Gran Mosque’s 5 minarets (together they represent the 5 pillars of Islam) is 90 meters tall, making Sultan Qaboos Mosque the country’s tallest structure. As mentioned before, Oman has strict architectural guidelines, especially when it comes to the height of the building.

• Top tip: Visit Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque as early as 8 am and head directly to the main prayer hall. It is impossible to beat tour buses during the winter season, but at least you will be able to get a picture of the main prayer hall unobstructed by the crowds.
• Allocate 2-3 hours if you love photography. The territory is huge and there are so many beautiful areas and corners to take pictures of. However, there are also lots of visitors and it is tricky to get a shot without a tourist in it. Your best chance is to wait until 11 AM when people start leaving and then (quickly) photograph the mosque (almost) tourist-free (guards will start asking you to leave from 11 AM, but you can “buy” some time).
• Photography Tip:  Bring a wide-angle lens to capture the grandness of architecture. I used my  14-30 mm Nikkor Z  lens to capture the images shown above.

Things to know before visiting Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Muscat

• Opening hours  for non-Muslim visitors and photography  are from 8 AM- 11 AM every day except Friday .
• Entrance fee:  FREE
• How long should I spend here?  1 hour is a minimum, but you can easily spend 2-3 hours.
• Dress Code:  ladies must cover head to toe (including wearing a head scarf), men are not required to wear head cover, but must also wear long pants and long sleeve shirts.
• Etiquette:  leave your shoes at the door when stepping into the prayer halls.

Have lunch or late breakfast at Dukanah restaurant

After visiting Grand Mosque, if you feel hungry, I recommend heading for lunch or late breakfast at Dukanah restaurant, located in the Qurum area where most of the ex-pats live. The restaurant serves Omani food, more like breakfast, or lunch type of options are available. It is situated in a nice traditional mud house, making a visit a pleasant experience.

Dukanah is located next to Qurum beach. Thus take an opportunity to walk and see one of the best beaches in Muscat, lined with tall palm trees it is reminiscing of Salalah vibes. 

Planning on visiting the south of Oman, Dhofar region, and Salalah? Check my Salalah travel guide.

  2. Explore beautiful Muttrah- the heart of Muscat

If you only have one day in Muscat, visiting Muttrah is a must. Muttrah is where you will find a very old part of today’s Muscat. It is often called the heart of Muscat, although used to be an independent seaport town centuries ago before Muscat was formed of several villages.

Muttrah is an important ages-old port and a center of commerce until today. It is characterized by a beautiful Muttrah corniche lined up with white-washed tightly packed traditional houses, minarets of petite mosques, and 17th-century Portuguese watchtowers perched on top of the dark brown craggy hills of the surrounding area.

Muttrah is my absolute favorite part of Muscat. The unpolished district of Muscat, home to one of the oldest markets in Oman, Muttrah is where you can see poor Omani, Bengali, Indian and Pakistani residents running their daily errands.

I recommend dedicating at least half a day to exploring this unique quarter of Muscat. 

Things to do in Muttrah, Muscat

• See the real face of Muttrah by losing your way in its tangled alleyways

Although Muttrah has its pretty corniche, to me as a photographer, more interesting are the hidden corners of the tangled Muttrah’s alleyways. At a first glance, Muttrah appears as a tiny quarter of Muscat. Don’t be deceived though, once you wander behind the front houses of Muttrah corniche, it is easy to get lost.

Yet, this is a fun part of exploring and discovering the most interesting parts of any old town of this sort. What surprised me though is how worn-out and dirty is Muscat’s old town.

One can immediately understand that this is a poor part of the capital. A large number of houses are now either crumbling down or have fallen in disrepair. Yet arabesques seen on the balconies and windows, and ornate details on some of the front doors show that this part of Muscat saw the days of glory. 

Nonetheless, many of those worn-out homes are still inhabited by local families. Moreover, you cannot pass a single street without noticing dozens of stray cats living in survival mode.

While wandering around the maze of tiny streets you will get to see simple local people, kids playing football in the small courtyards, cozy mosques, many small shops ranging from groceries to mini gold factories, as well as hundreds of local ladies tailoring “boutiques” selling essentially exact same dresses made of sparkling colorful fabric. 

Meanwhile, the most random detail yet fascinating at the same time are the watchtowers which are not on the hill but rather on the street, hidden between the buildings. I come across at least two of them.

• The forbidden Shia quarter (Sur Al Lawatia) 

A part of the front row of well-preserved buildings on Muttrah corniche belongs to the secretive quarter of Sur Al Lawatia. This gated corner of Muttrah is inhabited by a closed community of Omani Shias. They are not keen on visitors wandering around their residential area the entrance to which is an arched open gate, yet guarded. 

The reason why this closed community doesn’t welcome visitors is not completely clear but some say because they want their women to be free walking around unveiled. 

I tried to take a peek inside and the guard allowed me to have a brief glimpse. No photos though. To be honest there is nothing that special about the place in terms of looks, it is more about it being forbidden that fascinates outsiders.

• Haggle and then find your way out of Muttrah Souk

The number one attraction for all the tourists visiting Muttrah is its over 200 years old market (Muttrah Souk). Muttrah Souk sells everything from traditional garments, souvenirs you don’t really need, Arabic perfume, frankincense incense, magic lamps, colorful lanterns, fabrics, local outfits, traditional Omani knives, and  kummas (Omani skull hats you see all the local men wear), lots of silver and gold jewelry, some of the really horrendous size and design but apparently very popular between wealthier locals. 

Muttrah Souk is a maze made of hundreds of very tiny alleyways, occupying a significant area of the old town. Naturally, the market is confusing for the first-timer. Ironically, the souk is practically unavoidable even when you try to skip walking through it while finding your way to other parts of Muttrah. 

To me, Muttrah Souq wasn’t the most interesting part of the old town. I much prefer Nizwa Souq in Nizwa town, north of Oman. The sellers in Muttrah can be irritating trying to talk you into buying scarves and perfumes. It reminded me of those seen in the Dubai textile market except they don’t apply funny and at the same time annoying methods of calling you Maria Shakira. 

For that particular reason, I was trying to avoid walking through Muttrah Souq when exploring parts of the town. However, it was virtually impossible as the market hugs the rest of the Muttrah old town from all directions. 

Yet if this is your first time in Muscat, you should still check Muttrah Souk out. It is a good place to get some gifts, but make sure to negotiate the price. 

Muttrah Souk Opening times: 9 AM-1 PM, 4 PM-10 PM daily.

• Watch the sunset from Muttrah Fort

Taking up the dominating position on the hills, Muttrah Fort is a historical building founded during Portuguese occupation in the 16th century. The fort itself is small and today the main charm of this defense building is the viewpoints over Muttrah corniche and old town.

I recommend climbing up its 200 stairs before sunset to see the town glowing in golden light. 

There is a cozy specialty coffee shop upstairs. You can grab an iced mocha and have a seat outside with a wonderful view over the corniche.

• Muttrah Fort opening hours: 8 am-9 pm daily. 
• Entrance fee: once free Muttrah Fort now costs 2 OMR for non-Omani visitors. 
• P. S. I have negotiated for paying for 1 ticket only. Omanis will often surprise you with their hospitality. Once they even offered to pay for the entrance to one of the historic forts when none of my credit cards worked (cash was not accepted). 

3. Have dinner at a local fish restaurant

End your day with a heartful dinner at a local fish restaurant Aroos al Bahar. This is a low-key eatery serving fresh grilled fish and seafood. You have to pick up the fish over the counter and then take a seat inside the restaurant or on their humble terrace. The prices are really good for simple but quality food. Expect to pay around 3-5 OMR for a fresh grilled fish (can be shared between the two). 

A word about Bait Al Luban restaurant

Bait Al Luban is more of an upscale restaurant in Muttrah corniche (just next to the above-mentioned Aroos Al Bahar). It serves Omani food and different curries. This is a heavily advertised restaurant (if you have read more blogs, chances are it was mentioned in 90 percent of them).

However, to me, it was a disappointment. Tourist flock to this restaurant like sweets on a conveyer in a factory. First of all, you need to book at least a day in advance. The food is okay, but nothing extraordinary for the price charged. I ordered prawn curry for almost 8 OMR and was served 6 small prawns in a large bowl of curry sauce-pretty unfair deal. I was told that meat dishes were quite dry. 

The only nice thing is the beautiful interior and the terrace seating with a corniche view (if you reserve well in advance).

Where to have great coffee in Muttrah

If you are like me, picky with your coffee, then I recommend the below coffee shop:

Bella Vista Café – it is a cozy cafe serving great specialty coffee. It is located on the corner of the roundabout at Muttrah Corniche. It was our go-to coffee shop during our 3 days in Muscat. 

Things to do in Muscat: Day 2 itinerary

1. wake up early for a fish market in muttrah.

If you like local markets, then Muttrah fish market offers an interesting experience. Located in a new building on Muttrah corniche, this fish market is a place where locals go to buy fresh fish and fruits. The sellers are locals as well. Mainly old charismatic Omanis. If you love people photography, you will definitely find interesting characters to photograph.

Wake up early to visit the market which opens at 7 AM. By 9 AM stalls are almost empty. 

2. Visit the royal part of historical Muscat- a walled old town

Just a 5-minute scenic drive east along Muttrah corniche following Al Bahri road you will reach the other part of what is also known as an old Muscat which once used to be a separate walled town. It actually continues all way to Al Bustan beach where the beautiful Al Bustan Palace resort is located.

Leaving Muttrah, and entering through what is known as Muscat Gate, you will immediately notice that buildings here are more polished, streets are cleaner, and architecture is grander. It is expected as Al Alam, Sultan of Oman palace, and the ministry of Finances are based in this area. 

Here you will also find all the museums dedicated to history and culture, including the above-mentioned Gate of Muscat, and a few big forts which you can only see from outside.

Dedicate up to 1.5 hours to walk around the area, or up to 3-4 hours if you are planning to also visit a museum or two. 

The main things to see and do in old Muscat:

• Al Alam Palace

Sultan’s Palace is possibly the second most famous building in Muscat after Sultan Qaboos Mosque. It used to be a home for the late Sultan Qaboos, and I believe now is a home (or one of the homes) for a new ruler of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq. You can only admire outside its gates.

The area in front of the palace is an eerie ceremonial boulevard. The grand empty space feels very different from the tiny streets of Muttrah.

Tourist buses come directly to Al Alam palace after visiting the Grand Mosque in the morning. If you come before 11 AM chances are you will have the space for yourself.

Nonetheless, to me, Al Alam palace was not the most interesting point on this Muscat itinerary, yet still a memorable one more for the contrast to Muttrah old town. I spent no more than 5 minutes in front of Al Alam Palace and took one or two pictures just to tick off the box. 

• Al Mirani Fort and the waterfront harbor

The waterfront area on the left of Al Alam Palace used to be home to the old harbor. Here you will also find the impressive Al Mirani Castle, also built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Sadly, the fortification was undergoing renovation during my visit, so I could only see it from outside. I bet it will be interesting fort to visit when the renovations are done. 

Another notable Fort out of reach to the public (and it has always been so as far as I am aware) is Jalali Fort. It is visible in the distance when walking along the waterfront. 

The waterfront itself is relaxing and a pleasant place to go for a stroll. 

• The National Museum of Oman

National Museum is Oman’s flagship cultural institution which showcases the cultural heritage of Oman from the first evidence of humans around 5 million years ago until the present day. I have not visited it yet, but the exterior of the Museum situated on the opposite side of Al Alam palace looks impressive, no less than a palace I would say. 

• Entrance fee : 5 OMR. 
• Opening hours : 10 am to 5 pm Saturday to Thursday, and 2 pm to 6 pm on Fridays. 
• Muscat Gate Museum (Al Bab Al Kabir) 

Recently renovated, Al Bab al Kabir used to be a gate separating Muttrah corniche and the walled city of old Muscat. Today it has been turned into a museum that shows how Oman has evolved through the years. Although the exhibition is small, the views from the terrace are pretty. 

• Opening hours : 8 am-1:30 pm, closed on Fridays. 
• Entrance fee: 1 OMR (foreigners), 500 baisas (Omanis), free for kids below 10 years old.
• Bait al Zubair Museum

Bait Al Zubair museum opened its doors in 1998 by the Zubair family. It houses the largest private heritage collection of various Omani artifacts and walks the visitor through Oman’s rich cultural history. The museum is formed of 6 buildings which are just as interesting as the collections inside. Bait Al Zubair is said to be one of the best museums to visit in Muscat.

• Entrance fee: 2.5 OMR.
• Opening hours: 9:30 am – 6 pm, closed on Fridays.

3. Head to Ruwi viewpoint for sunset

Ruwi is a little India of Muscat. Formerly a separate village, it was later connected to Muscat. If you have ever been to Dubai, the closest equivalent is Deira, Bur Dubai, and Satwa quarters.

Most of the Indian, Bengali, and Pakistani population live in Ruwi. In terms of location, Ruwi is very central- just 10 minutes by car from Muttrah. Also, a bus station connecting to other towns in Oman and also Muscat airport is in Ruwi.

Travelers on a budget can find some simple but decent accommodations and also bargain places to eat as there are countless West Asian restaurants around. 

I loved rough and messy Ruwi, mainly for street photography opportunities. However, my favorite spot is Yiti street viewpoint above Ruwi. A short but steep and windy road brings you to the craggy rock from where you can see the best, to my opinion, elevated view of Muscat. It is a unique sight of numerous white houses spilling between the brown rocks. 

It is a perfect place to watch both sunset and sunrise. Refer to the mao at the end of this post for exact coordinates.

Places to see in Muscat on Day 3 itinerary

Since the first 2 days covered the most popular places to visit in Muscat, day 3 in the Muscat itinerary is a bit of freestyle. I have included several sightseeing options to pick from, depending on your liking. 

Muscat is stretched over the beautiful coastline. A trip east along the coast to the capital’s outskirts will bring you to some wonderful secluded beaches surrounded by dramatic fjord-like landscapes. Meanwhile going up north of Muscat, you can sail off to pristine islands located within an hour from Muscat. Thus, for the first part of day 3 in Muscat, I suggest picking one of the below nature escapes.

1. Swim and snorkel around Ad Daymaniyat islands

Ad Daymaniyat is a Nature Reserve formed of nine pristine islands located 20km off the shores of Barka- a coastal city up north of Muscat. Islands are known for their crystal-clear waters and as a great spot for snorkeling with their bright-colored fish and sea turtles.

From May to October visiting Daymaniyat islands is prohibited due to marine life protection.

Since a special permit is required to enter the islands, the easiest way to visit Daymaniyat is by joining a day tour. Tour operators will handle all the logistics, permits, and food on your behalf.

• Daymaniyat snorkeling cruise from Muscat  is rated 5/5 on Get Your Guide, and alternatively,  this day tour  offers snorkeling and dolphin watching.

2. Visit Fjords of Muscat- Bandar Khairan (Khayran)

If you prefer something more off-the-beaten-path, then head to Bandar Khairan, located 30 minutes drive from Muttrah. This natural wonder in the outskirts of Muscat is known for its Fjord-like landscapes (somewhat similar to Musandam ).

Although you can get to the area with any car, accessing the small secluded beaches requires either hiking, a boat, or a 4WD. There are several coves dotted around the Bandar Khairan peninsula.

One of the easiest to access is marked as Bandar Al Khairam Beach for Tourism on Google Maps. Although to get to the shores 4 WD is required, you can also hike down the steep windy dirt path. The distance must not be more than a kilometer. There you will find some water activities to take on. You can go snorkeling (might have to bring your gear), while kayaking and boat paddling are available for rent.

NOTE: The are no food stalls or drinking water at the beaches, thus bring your own supplies. 

Recommended stops on the way to Bandar Khairan

Haramil fishing village.

The road to Bandar Khayran is very scenic, winding through the mountains. On the way, you can stop at Haramil fishing village -a quaint tiny town. There is not much to see but the views with many fishing boats lining the shore are beautiful. It is a very small local community, and locals are pleasantly surprised to see visitors.

Qantab Beach

Following the scenic road, another worthy detour is Qantab beach where you can either chill or go on a short boat ride with a local fisherman. 

The beach at Qantab fishing village, 30 minutes away drive south of Muscat, was one of the unexpected discoveries during our Oman road trip. Once we reached it, we were pleasantly surprised by the quiet beach featuring beautiful rock formations. It was one of those wild-type beaches with just a few local fishermen hanging around. I would have easily spent half a day reading a book and chilling on the sand.

We were approached by an elder Omani sailor named Solomon. He offered us to go on a private boat ride. We agreed. And it was a pleasant 30 minutes ride in a traditional motorized boat. We had a chance to see a natural stone arch and admire the beautiful coastline.

The private 30 minutes boat ride costs 10 OMR.

Once you are back in Muscat, there are other attractions I would like to suggest (depending on the time you have left, you may have to pick one).

3. Sunset Hike above Muttrah

Love hiking? Then you should definitely try at least one of several city hikes in Muscat. There are a few trails around the capital of Oman. One of the easiest and most scenic ones is the Muttrah-Riyam Park hike. This easy to lightly moderate marked path winds through the craggy hills starting in the parking lot near Riyam Park and finishing on the corniche of Muttrah. You will be surprised that hiking in town actually allows for a brilliant escape from the town and opens up to some great views over the Muttrah town and its corniche. 

• Trail distance: 3.7 KM
• Hike duration: 1.5 hrs
• Difficulty level: easy to moderate
• The trail is well-marked with yellow white and red line flags
• Proper hiking boots are recommended as the rocks are very slippery
• Kids-friendly (we saw families with young kids doing it).

Trailhead coordinates:  type in Google  [C38 Mutrah to Riyam Park Hike]  to get to the start of the trail. The starting point is behind one of the houses. You will see a stone staircase on the left-hand side going uphill-follow it to begin the hike.

4. Sunset stroll on Qurum beach

Alternatively, to hiking, you can visit Qurum beach during the sunset. It is said to have a beautiful atmosphere and you can also watch locals hanging around. 

5. Visit or watch a performance in Royal Opera House Muscat

Royal Opera House of Muscat is another grand modern architecture example in Oman and a venue for musical arts and performances. The building itself is a popular tourist attraction. Tours to visit interiors are also available. But probably the best way to experience the Royal Opera House is to actually go and watch a performance.

If you are curious about the architecture, you can definitely pay a visit. Still, if you have limited time, I suggest skipping it.

More activities around Muscat

Have more time in Muscat? Then I would recommend going on a day trip to visit Oman’s finest forts located fairly close to the capital.

1. Rustaq Loop

Rustaq Loop is a nice one-day road trip from Muscat that covers stops at 3 beautiful historical forts of Oman dating back between the 13-18th centuries (each built and renovated during different eras). In general, Omani forts are brilliant. Although they all follow similar architectural styles and have identical beige-hue colors, I never get bored visiting Omani forts. Each fort is unique in its own way and offers something awe-inspiring to see.

In Rustaq Loop (drive literally in a loop starting and finishing in Muscat), you will see the following forts: Al-Hazm, Rustaq, and Nakhal (or vice versa, depending on which side you start your drive from).

I recommend starting your day early to slowly visit them all. The full loop drive will take up to 3 hours, plus you need a couple of hours or so to visit each fort, depending on how much exploration you are keen to do. Omani forts are known for their many rooms and labyrinth type of planning, and they are really interesting to wander around. Moreover, being inside the fort offers a perfect escape from the hot Middle Eastern midday sun.

Forts’ opening hours are usually from 8 AM till around 5 PM daily. Opening times might be shorter on Fridays. However, on my recent visit to Al-Hazm Fort, it was open all day on Friday. The entrance fee depends on the fort. We paid 1 OMR for entering Al-Hazm fort, for example.

Update: currently Rustaq and Nakhal Forts are under renovation. Nakhal fort will be open for visiting in 2023 spring, while Rustaq is supposed to be finished by the end of 2023.

Tip: if you are traveling from Muscat to Dubai by road , Al-Hazm fort is on the way and is worth stopping by for an hour or two.

2. Nizwa Fort and Souk

17th-century Nizwa Fort is located in Nizwa mountain town. It is one of the most famous if not the most famous fort in the country. Adjacent to the fort is Nizwa market which is cozier and less touristy than the one in Muttrah. Although you can visit Nizwa Fort and Souk as a day trip from Muscat, I strongly suggest staying at least one night in Nizwa or around to see a different side of the mountainous part of the Sultanate.

• Nizwa Fort opening hours:  Saturdays to Thursdays: 8 am – 8 pm / Fridays: 8 am – 11:30 am, 1:30 pm – 8:00 pm.
• Entrance fees:  5 OMR ($13 USD) for adults / 3 OMR ($8 USD) for children.

Final thoughts about visiting Muscat

Is Muscat worth visiting? And why visit Muscat? Is Muscat a safe city to visit?

Many people treat Muscat as a jump-off point before they start their road trip around the Sultanate, or just as a layover between flights to other destinations.

However, underrated Muscat is not only a great place to visit for a city break filled with interesting sights but also a perfect introduction to the Sultanate of Oman. Historically and culturally rich Muscat is a very different and unique capital. It is laid back and relatively slow-paced, something you wouldn’t expect from the largest city in the country. 

Muscat is a huge contrast to flashy Dubai in UAE (although Dubai also has an old part hidden under the shades of skyscrapers).

Oman’s capital is a real city where you will find worn out charismatic old houses, locals driving taxis and serving people at restaurants, or haggling in the ages-old markets. 

Muscat also serves as a base for day trips to nearby destinations in Oman, like Bimah Sinkhole and wadi Shab, Daymaniyat islands, or Nizwa, for example. 

The not-so-obvious luxurious side of Muscat can be experienced by treating yourself to a stay in one of the wonderful resorts located on the idyllic shores of the Gulf of Oman. 

Thus, there are so many things to do in Muscat and it is a must-visit place in Oman for longer than just a day. 

Safety in Muscat

Last but not least, Oman is one of the safest countries to visit not only in the Middle East but also in the whole world. Even if you are a single female traveler, visiting Muscat, or Oman on your own is easy. Men pay respect to women and never ever did I feel uncomfortable or in danger wandering even the most remote corners of Oman and Muscat.

Accommodation in Muscat

Haffa House Hotel $-a decent four-star hotel for very reasonable prices. Although it is an old hotel and needs a bit of revamp, it is clean, has polite service, and the location is convenient to drive to any direction for sightseeing. Make sure to request a non-smoking room (if that applies to you) when booking.

Intercontinental Muscat $$$- located on the beach of Qurum this resort offers you a comfortable stay in rooms with sea or mountain views, access to the pool, gym, green gardens, saunas, in house restaurants. The popular waterfront-muscat area with trendy shops and nice restaurants is also close by.

Muscat, Oman Map

Click  here  to open and save my Muscat itinerary map which shows the exact locations of the points of interest mentioned in this Muscat guide.

I hope you are enjoying my free travel guides & tips. If yes, please consider supporting my work by buying me a coffee so I can continue creating more useful content from my favorite coffee shop in town. Thanks!

Oman travel essentials & useful links

Here are links to essential travel resources and services I always use when organizing my trips.

• Rent a car : The best way to explore Oman is by self-driving. Rent a car at the best rates at Discover Cars .
• Best flight deals: Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest and fastest flights to Oman from your location.
• Accommodation: book your ideal accommodation on Booking .
• Travel Insurance: buy affordable travel insurance at SafetyWing . Alternatively, get  5% off  your insurance by using my link on  Heymondo , a travel insurance provider.
• Guided tours: book the best-rated guided tours in Oman on Viator .
• Local SIM Card: Get a tourist pack of local data and calls at Muscat airport or hypermarket. Omantel provides the best coverage.
• eSIM CARD:  Stay connected before you land.  Airalo  offers eSIM card with data up to 5 GB (30 days) data package for Oman.

More Oman travel blog posts

• Plan your Oman road trip with my Ultimate Oman Road Trip Itinerary .
• Renting a car and driving in Oman: everything you need to know.
• Traveling from UAE to Oman by road or vice versa? Check useful information about UAE-Oman land border crossing using this guide .
• Driving to Salalah? Make sure to also read my  Dubai to Salalah road trip planner .
• Plan your Salalah route with my  Ultimate Salalah Itinerary: the best things to do in Dhofar region, Oman.
• Plan your visit to Wadi Shab-one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Oman .
• Plan your visit to Musandam with my detailed Musandam from Dubai road trip guide.

Hi! I am a freelance photographer & videographer as well the creator of www.theroadreel.com. Born in Lithuania, and currently residing in the UAE, I have been traveling around the globe independently for over a decade. I created The Road Reel to share my passion for travel and photography through detailed road trips and city itineraries, and hiking guides, along with regular and drone photogragraphy tips.

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Discover the Enchanting Allure of Muscat, Oman

Unlock the wonders of Muscat in Oman with our comprehensive travel guide. Explore the top attractions, immerse yourself in local experiences, and find practical information to plan your perfect trip.

The Muscat Travel Guide

Practical tips and advice for travelers visiting Muscat, covering topics such as visa requirements, local customs, transportation options, safety tips, and more.

Dive into the rich history, cultural heritage, and modern charm of Muscat, offering an overview of the city's landmarks, attractions, and unique features that make it a must-visit destination.

Comprehensive information on how to reach Muscat, offering insights into flight options, airport transfers, public transportation, and practical tips for getting around the city.

Explore a detailed accommodation guide, featuring a range of hotels, resorts, and guesthouses in Muscat, catering to different budgets, preferences, and locations within the city.

Discover an array of exciting activities, attractions, and experiences in Muscat, providing recommendations for cultural sites, outdoor adventures, shopping destinations, and more.

Delve into the culinary scene of Muscat, offering recommendations for top restaurants, local eateries, and must-try dishes, allowing visitors to indulge in the vibrant flavors of Omani cuisine.

Embark on unforgettable day trips from Muscat, highlighting nearby attractions, natural wonders, historical sites, and cultural experiences that can be easily accessed from the city.

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Jebel Akhdar means green mountain in Arabic. The green hilly area has a mild climate all year round, surrounded by a multitude of trees, bushes, etc., suitable for organizing picnic tours, exploring nature, especially the journey to conquer this magnificent mountain peak.

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It’s also one of the coolest, with temperatures about 15°C cooler than Muscat throughout the year. The mountain even sees some snowfall in winter.

Around Jebel Akhdar you’ll find quiet Omani villages (some abandoned), slopes covered with terraced farms irrigated by falaj canals, and orchards of pomegranates, peaches, apples, apricots and walnuts. In spring, Jebel Akhdar is covered with pink Damask roses. Distilled rose water is used in cooking and as a fragrance.

Hikers will find a few marked trails of varying difficulty and some that involve steep steps downhill. Guided hiking is also available. From the Saiq plateau, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the villages and terraced farms. You can also cross the mountain face using a ferrata (iron path) on a guided hike with Alila Jabal Akhdar.

Chedi, Muscat

Muscat always captivates visitors with its ancient look, far from the modernity of a city center. The beach area at the Chedi hotel, located west of the old city, is the most popular destination in Muscat. The hotel is built in the traditional style of Oman, located next to the long bright white sand beach, beautiful view, convenient location. Visiting Muscat, visitors will be fascinated with the harbor located next to the Mutrah Souq in the sunset. The small alleys with green walkways or the cheerfulness of the hawkers have created the beauty, the life of this place, the charm of this place for tourists.

Cruises on the sea of Oman

The sea cruise experience in Oman is known to be one of the best experiences when you come to this Muslim country. Not only enjoying, dropping into the clear blue ocean, on the yacht, you can also participate in all-night fun, enjoy delicious food, experience a carefree life, help you relieve all the daily stress.

National Museum

The National Museum is the perfect place to learn about the history, art and culture of Oman. A nice modern museum located just opposite the Al Alam Palace. You can watch a good short about the history of Oman and the rapid development of the country over the past 50 years there.

Mutrah Corniche

The city is so big that you have to use a car to go anywhere. That is why walking along the Mutrah Corniche is one of the things you should do in Muscat. There are many cute dolphin statues along the way and you can check-in. And a beautiful traditional shelter is a perfect place to sit, rest and enjoy the view over the harbour.

From the end of June to the beginning of September, the monsoon from the Indian Ocean brings a certain romance to the lush landscape of Salalah – a popular Oman tourist destination. The pleasant weather makes it one of the best places to visit in Oman in the summer, when temperatures elsewhere in the country can reach over 40°C on the hottest days. This coastal city makes a great base from which to explore the greater Dhofar region is the largest of the 11 Oman governorates.

Salalah has many attractions to visit. Sultan Qaboos Mosque, the largest mosque in Dhofar with two domes and twin towers, is a fine example of Islamic architecture. Make a mandatory photo stop outside Al Hosn Palace, the Sultan’s palace complex, before wandering into Al Hosn Market to soak up the scent of spices and frankincense.

Join local families for a picnic on the white sandy Al Mughsail Beach and watch geysers erupt from the ground at the Mughsail natural geyser. The surrounding area is home to natural springs and wadis. In Wadi Darbat, hiking through monsoonal waterfalls and grazing cattle or taking a boat ride on Lake Darbat is a great way to see the valley flooded in rain.

Interwoven with Dhofar’s story is the rich heritage of frankincense, a fragrant resin harvested from the Boswellia sacra tree, which has been used for thousands of years in perfumery, medicine and in religious ceremonies. Dhofar is the center of frankincense production, and its rare and prized frankincense is coveted from China to the Mediterranean and North Africa.

Musandam Fjord

The Musandam peninsula is separate from the rest of the country – it’s an enclave of the United Arab Emirates. It is famous for its breathtaking fjords, desert mountains, and beautiful blue waters.

The attraction of this Oman tourist attraction is the amazing view of the jagged peaks of the Hajar Mountains rising from the turquoise sea, leaving narrow fjords in between, a sight comparable to the fjords of Norway.

A boat trip on a traditional dhow (wooden boat) is the best way to experience the Musandam peninsula, visit the islands and spot dolphins or whales in these waters. The town of Khasab makes a good base to arrange a boat tour or snorkeling trip, or a 4WD mountain safari to Jebel Harim.

If you have the opportunity to travel to Oman, you definitely cannot miss a small coastal town that attracts a lot of tourists to visit that is the town of Sur. When you come here, you will be able to walk on the zigzag “labyrinth streets” of Sur street and see the ancient traditional houses with unique and interesting decorative details.

The Omanis have been known as a great shipbuilder for centuries. A very typical ship model they are building is the Omani dhow. Although the only existing dhow factory is currently in the city of Sur in the south of the country, you will find many of them in the harbor of Muscat. You can also see a small exhibition dedicated to the Omani dhow in the National Museum in Muscat. A dhow trip is a must-try experience in Oman.

Marina Bandar al Rowdha

A nice little marina that you will definitely visit if you are going on any boat excursions. There is a nice restaurant there right by the pool. You can drink your mint limonade and watch the beautiful white yachts stay there for days in Muscat.

Birkat Al Mouz

Birkat al Mouz is a traditional village in the Nizwa region. Located on the way to Jebel Akhdar, it’s an enchanting stop that will take you back in time. You can find remnants of tribes living in the mountains surrounded by plantations. It is home to a traditional falaj irrigation system that is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Masirah Island

Masirah Island, off the east coast of Oman, is the country’s largest island. Masirah Island is a deserted Oman tourist destination, if you like feeling lost in the middle of nowhere and in a place where almost no one has set foot, then you will love the island off the coast of Oman in the Indian Ocean. There are several deserted beaches where you can see turtles laying eggs.

In the past, shipbuilding was an important industry here, and you can see a few abandoned ships in Ras Hilf, the main town of the island. Today, its main industries include traditional textiles and fishing.

Nizwa is one of the great cities in Oman. It has many interesting places to visit such as the animal and vegetable market, the castle with the ancient Portuguese cannons, the cellars and the old town. In Nizwa you can also visit the famous falaj irrigation system and provide water for the oasis, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visit the city of Nizwa, the capital of Oman in the 6th and 7th centuries, whose domes and minarets of mosques rise above sand-colored buildings surrounded by the Hajar Mountains. Due to its inland location, which limits external influences, Nizwa has always been closely linked to its cultural and religious heritage.

Nizwa Fortress

The 17th-century Nizwa Fort is one of the most popular attractions in Oman. It has a giant circular tower that you can climb to see the mosque, the market, the rocky mountains in the distance and the date palms that surround this oasis city. Nizwa Fort has been refurbished and now has historical items on display such as jewelry, tools and a historical timeline of the area.

In the past, Nizwa was once a center for arts and education, so it has many famous historical sites for you to explore. Besides, the city’s open market is also an interesting destination, very attractive to visitors. There are many unique items for sale such as antiques, leather goods, silver, swords, etc. to household items.

Nizwa Fort is a large castle in Nizwa, completed in 1650, the center of power of the Al Ya’ruba dynasty and the most visited national monument of Oman, where it is an example excellent example of old Omani architecture, providing an illustration of how the Omanis used to live in ancient times. In the fortress there are 7 wells, several prisons. There are also many artifacts in the rooms that tell visitors about the history of Nizwa – the ancient capital of Oman. Nizwa prides itself on its famous Round Tower Fort, rebuilt in the 17th century.

Falaj Daris Park

A 10-minute drive away, Falaj Daris Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site, is a great spot to view the falaj irrigation system, an ancient yet highly effective irrigation method. This one, among nearly a hundred others, supplies water to Nizwa’s 8-kilometer (5-mile-long) palm oasis and the surrounding agricultural farms.

Ash Sharqiyah Region

The Ash Sharqiyah region has some of the most impressive coastline, especially Ras Al Jinz, a green turtle nature reserve. It also has wadis like the Wadi Bani Khalid, making it a perfect destination for camping and stargazing.

No trip to Oman is complete without a visit to the desert. In Sharqiya, also known locally as Wahiba Sands, surround you with undulating sand dunes and desert vegetation in a seemingly endless landscape that feels like it was crafted from gold when the sun goes down at the horizon. These wind-sculpted sand dunes, some as high as 100m continue into the famous Empty Quarter, one of the largest sand deserts in the world.

Jebel Shams

Head to Jebel Shams, the country’s highest peak at 3009m in the Hajar Mountains, for a picnic on the plateau with dramatic canyon views. Hikers can begin their adventure through the Wadi Ghul and Wadi Nakhr gorges, surrounded by rugged limestone walls. The Balcony Walk is a five-hour hike on an old, now marked trail, with remarkable views along the rim, ending in the abandoned village of As Sab. Other trails take you to villages, farms, date plantations and natural pools nestled among the rocky landscape. Local operators, such as Husaak Adventures, offer one or two-day guided hikes to the summit of Jebel Shams.

The fortified oasis town of Bahla, home to many local legends and myths, is a Oman tourist destination not to be missed especially when visiting Bahla fortress, a Unesco World Heritage Site. In the labyrinthine fortress complex, built between the 12th and 15th centuries by the Banu Nebhan tribe and later expanded by subsequent ruling dynasties, you’ll find wind towers, mosques and houses and wells. Legend has it that the tribe asked the jinn, powerful spirits in pre-Islamic Arab mythology, to build the fortress overnight when the tribe was under threat of attack. The fort offers great views of the old mud houses and village ruins, surrounded by date plantations.

Bahla is also famous for its handmade mud kilns, and local potters are said to have exceptionally skilled hands. You can view pottery, jewelry, handicrafts, carpets and other pottery at Bahla Old Souq, and you can also watch potters in action at a nearby workshop.

Don’t miss the 17th-century Jabreen Castle a short drive away, well worth a visit for its many rooms and reception areas, intricate lattice windows, painted ceilings and storage for dates.

Wahiba Desert

If you have traveled to Oman, you should visit the Wahiba desert with great experiences such as walking through here, watching the large and small sand dunes, and especially overnight camping, admiring the landscape. The starry night sky sparkles here. In particular, in the Wahiba desert, there is a pretty special camping service, including up to 1,000 unique tents, equipped with convenient and modern equipment like a real hotel room with air-conditioner, bathroom, TV, mini bar… guarantee you a comfortable stay in the desert.

Where to stay?

Oman has invested a lot in the types of accommodation for the purpose of serving as well as attracting tourists. Hotels in Oman have many types with many different prices depending on the choice for visitors. Camping in the desert has also become a popular type of accommodation for customers.

You should stay in the capital city of Muscat before exploring other cities or tourist attractions. Below we recommend more best budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• Ramada Encore by Wyndham Muscat Al-Ghubra ( Agoda , Booking )
• Royal Tulip Muscat ( Agoda , Booking )
• Kempinski Hotel Muscat ( Agoda , Booking )
• Novotel Muscat Airport ( Agoda , Booking )
• InterContinental Muscat, an IHG Hotel ( Agoda , Booking )
• Centara Muscat Hotel Oman ( Agoda , Booking )
• Hilton Garden Inn Muscat Al Khuwair ( Agoda , Booking )
• Swiss-Belinn Airport Muscat Oman ( Agoda , Booking )
• Mysk Al Mouj Hotel ( Agoda , Booking )

Check out more top and best hotels in Muscat via Agoda.com or Booking.com

What to eat?

Omani cuisine is very diverse and rich, there are many delicious and attractive dishes for you to enjoy, but mainly dishes with chicken, fish and lamb. Besides, the cuisine here is highly appreciated for its taste, so the dishes are often combined with a lot of local spices, herbs (onion, garlic, fennel, coriander…) to create a delicious, unique taste that makes the diners irresistible. Rice with fried, grilled meat marinated with heirloom spices is a familiar dish of families in Oman.

You can enjoy some delicious and attractive dishes in Oman such as: Rice with fried meat, lamb cooked with rice, skewers grilled on charcoal… Especially, to fully explore the cuisine of this land, you also should not miss delicious dishes, famous specialties in Oman such as: Shuwa (A dish made from lamb, cardamom… and is the most famous specialty in Oman), Ruz al mudhroub (Cooked rice dish with fried fish), Mashuai (Dish with kingfish)…

Above all, visitors to Oman also because of Shuwa, a specialty of this beautiful land. Shuwa consists of delicious, seasoned lamb served with rice.

The main ingredients in the processing are coriander, black pepper, cumin and cardamom. After the lamb has soaked in spices, it is stewed in a traditional oven, under thick sand and heated by charcoal.

However, that dish does not hinder diners who do not have much time, because visitors can enjoy delicious Shuwa at some high-class restaurants in Muscat such as Kargreen restaurant, in just a few minutes after ordering.

Below are some traditional dishes you must try as follows:

• Majboos – Traditional rice
• Shuwa – Slowed cook lamb
• Omani bread
• Kahwa – Arabic coffee
• Meshkak – An Omani Kebab
• Halwa – Custard powder
• Omani Laban – Salted Yogurt

Some tips before you go

• You should rent a car for your convenience, there are some public means of transport in Muscat but they are not efficient and seem to be used by very few people. You will see many taxis around, but they are quite expensive if used regularly. Muscat is a large city where the distances between different settlements can easily be measured in tens of kilometers. That’s why a car is the best choice for you. Especially with affordable car rental and cheap gasoline.
• Convert your euros or dollars to the local currency – the Omani rial. This will make it much easier for you to pay anywhere.
• Dress appropriately when traveling to Muscat. Although the people of Oman are very liberal, there are certain dress codes that must be followed. Short-sleeve tops and anything that reaches your knees will do. But shorter than that is an expression of disrespect to the local culture and people.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Muscat , Oman and Middle East you can refer to

• The North and Nakhl Tour from Muscat
• Muscat Night Tour
• Sunset Dhow Cruise Tour in Muscat
• Dolphin Cruise in Muscat
• Unlimited 4G Travel UPSIZED WIFI for Middle East and UAE
• Pocket WiFi (BKK & DMK Pick Up) for the Middle East
• 4G WiFi (MY Airport/Q Sentral Pick Up) for Middle East by Roamingman
• 4G Portable Wifi for Middle East by JavaMifi (Jakarta (CGK) Airport Pick-Up)

Read more Oman guide here .

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