Oman is an Arab country located on the south-eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. The beauty of the emerald beaches, the rich Arab history in the ancient forts, the lush green mountains, unique wildlife and endless deserts will give you an Arabian adventure unlike any other country in the Gulf Coast. You will find local bazaars or souks filled with handicrafts and the most famous item of Oman, Frankincense. Kind-hearted, helpful and law-abiding people add up to make this country a must-visit place. Oman is a treasure trove of sustainable travel experiences, ranging from camping under the starry desert sky to snorkeling atop spectacular reefs along the coast.

The best time to visit Oman is from October to March which are the winter months. The country has a warm climate throughout the year, and hence, summers can get sweltering hot at times. Winters, therefore, gives some respite from the scorching heat. October through April is cooler than the summer months of May-September. These months see little to no rainfall, making it an ideal time for enjoying outdoor events and festivals, such as the Muscat Festival in January. Adventure lovers will have a great time taking road trips and going for hikes.

Omani cuisine stands as a testament to the intricate interplay of climate, landscape and history. Rice, vegetables, fish and chicken are the staple Omani food. Soups and curries are also very popular. Various spices are commonly used in all dishes. Omanis prefer to keep their dishes less spicy. Due to the proximity the Arabian Sea, Muscat is quite known for its lip smacking sea food. People generally prefer to have a heavy meal during the daytime, and the dinner is usually lighter. The most common dishes and beverages are laban (salty butter milk drink), kahwa (Omani coffee), biryani, kabouli, mishkak, shuwa and lokhemat.

Markets in Oman offer a wide range of handicrafts as well as natural products. Bargaining is also common here. Oman boasts of highly priced frankincense, a natural product which is widely available but, the best market to shop for this is Muttrah Souk in Muscat. Bukhoor and Myrrh are popular local aromatic which is worth buying. The most alluring souvenir is the khanjar, traditional curved dagger. Other items which entice tourists are perfumes, Bedu jewellery, Omani pottery and Indian handicrafts too. Some popular markets where you can head out are Nizwa Souk, Muttrah Souk, Salalah, Muscat City Centre and Muscat Grand Mall.

Some of the spoken languages in Oman are ARABIC, which is the official language, English, a common language spoken by immigrants, Baluchi, Hindi, Urdu, Portuguese and many more!

1. MUSCAT

Muscat, the capital of Oman, has served as an integral trading link between the east and the west and still remains a major stop for cruises and trade vessels. The city has maintained its old charm with even the newer structures having Arabian details. Not to mention the emerald blue beaches and exciting water sports that attract adventure enthusiasts. A city among the hills and beaches, this one is a must-visit for culture fanatics as well. In fact, it is the largest city and also happens to be the seat of the government.

Places to visit in Muscat: Mutrah Corniche, Grand Mosque, Royal Opera House, Wadi Bani Khalid, Yiti Beach, Bait Al Zubair, Al Mirani Fort, Al Jalali Fort, Al Alam Palace, Bimmah Sinkhole

2. SALALAH

Home to the Sultan of Oman, Salalah is a beautiful city with rich culture, history and magnificent beaches! Famous for its Arabian Peninsula and unique climate, this town is full of lush mountains and greenery that comes alive during the monsoon season. Its stunning beaches offer many snorkelling and diving opportunities. Located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, its cuisine is delicious and savoury, with wonderful seafood choices as well.

Places to visit in Salalah: Mughsail Beach, Wadi Darbat, Sultan Qaboos Mosque, Sumhuram Archaeological Park, Taqah Castle, Marneef Cave, Jebel Samhan, Museum of the Land of Frankincense

3. NIZWA

Among the highest and most majestic mountains of Oman, lies the historic city of Nizwa. Known as “The Pearl of Islam”, the conservative yet open nature of Nizwa makes it the second-largest tourist destination in Oman! The ancient city was once the hub for trade, education, religion and art. Surrounded by date palms and banana plantations, Nizwa is a diverse city with many historical and agricultural attractions. It is full of attractions like the Nizwa Fort, the Souq, Jebel Akhdar and much more.

Places to visit in Nizwa: Jebel Akhdar, Nizwa Fort, Jabreen Castle, Nizwa Souq, Birkat Al Mouz Ruins, Nizwa Grand Mall, Falaj Daris

4. BAHLA

The first-ever Omani town to be declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Bahla is a small Oasis settlement situated in the Dakhliya region of Oman. Although the settlement is constituted of traditional vernacular houses, the fortification wall, a market, the Falaj system and a mosque, it is most popular for the Bahla fort. It is one of the oldest forts in Oman tracing back to the 13th century. The small town is also popular for its pottery and silver artefacts sold in the old souq.

Places to visit in Bahla: Bahla fort, Jabrin Castle, Saint Mosques, Old Bahla Souq

5. SUR

Sur is a city that is best known for the craftsmanship associated with boats or traditional ‘Dhows’. Shipbuilding, particularly building wooden ships is a trade that is a part of Sur’s rich heritage. Sur is the second wealthiest city in Oman, with a population of around 120,000 residents. Sur is the perfect place to sunbathe on the exotic beaches and indulge in some local delicacies. It has a lot of attractions where one can go to experience the rich Omani culture. Sur is the base for many day trip destinations like Ras-Al-Hadd, Wadi Shab, Wahiba Sands and many more.

Places to visit in Sur: Bilad Sur Castle, Dhow Factory, Al Ayjah Fort, Sur Maritime Museum, Al Ayjah Lighthouse, Sur Corniche

6. WAHIBA SANDS

Found when taking a diversion on the road between Sur and Muscat, the mighty Wahiba Sands also known as The Sharqiya Sands is home to the bedouins, exciting sand sports and night camping in Oman.

Considered among the most beautiful camping areas in Oman, the Sharqiya Sands extends over an area of up to ten thousand square kilometres! Tourists get the chance to indulge in the true Arabian experience which is a rarity due to the amount of globalisation that has occurred over the past years. The most popular activities at the Sharqiya Sands are dune bashing and going on a camel safari. You can also visit Bedouin families and get to know their culture while enjoying a cup of homemade Omani Coffee. Desert Trekking is also a popular activity among tourists. There are also a lot of fun adventures for kids like sand boarding and horse safaris.

Things to do in Wahiba Sands: Dune Bashing, Sand Boarding, Camel Safari, Visiting Bedouin Families

7. AL HOOTA CAVES

Located at the foot of the grand Jebel Shams Mountain, Al Hoota Cave is almost 2 million years old and the only show cave in the Arabian Peninsula that is 4.5 kilometers long. With a wonderful ecosystem consisting of bats, anthropoids, snails and mollusks, the cave is very well protected and preserved.

On your tour around the cave, you’ll come across four lakes. In these lakes, the rare blind fish, Garra Barreimiae exist. These fish are only found in Oman, UAE and Bahrain. The tour of the cave lasts 45 minutes and covers 500m of the huge cave.

8. SOHAR

Rumoured to be the home of the famous sailers Ahmed bin Majid and mythical character Sinbad, Sohar is the perfect blend of culture and contemporary societies. The city has huge malls and skyscrapers, some of the most gorgeous beaches in Oman and souqs and monuments that are full of the country’s history.

A small drive into the outskirts of the city leads you to beautiful deserts. Sohar is full of things to do, whether it be watching a camel race, shopping for traditional handicrafts or simply exploring the splendid beaches.

Places to visit in Sohar: Sohar Corniche, Sohar Fort, Sohar Handicraft Souq, Sohar Muncipal Park, Fish Market, Camel Racing Track

9. WADI SHAB

The beautiful Wadi Shab is an extremely famous outdoor destination for locals and tourists in Oman. The beautiful wadi is packed during the peak season of November to March because it surrounded by picturesque hills, date palms and the gorgeous waterfall inside one of the caves in the mountain.

Places to visit and Things to do in Wadi Shab: Bimmah Sinkhole, Wadi Shab Hike, Wadi Tiwi

10. WADI DARBAT

A beautiful scenic spot for all nature lovers, Wadi Darbat, has picturesque hills surrounding it and a beautiful waterfall. Wadi Darbat is a splendid lush green valley with the surrounding hills having small caves which people can hike up! It’s the perfect spot for a little family picnic or a friendly gathering.

Places to visit in Wadi Darbat: Sumhuram Archaeological Park, Tawi Atair (Well of Birds), Mirbat

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