Oman travel blog — The fullest Oman travel guide for first-timers

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.

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.

Dhofar

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.

Sur

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.

Omani Dhow

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

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.

Bahla

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)…

Shuwa

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.