Oman is neither as historic as Jordan nor as flashy as Dubai; after all, it is called the rarest part of the Middle East. It is one of the best-underrated tourist destinations in the world.
It is located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Its borders with the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea are located between Yemen and the United Arab Emirates. Interestingly, according to the United Nations Development Program, Oman is the most developed and stable state in the entire Arab world. He enthusiastically promotes tourism.
It offers breathtaking natural beauty with its copper cliffs, turquoise waters, and red-gold dunes. Unlike other fancy, “shiny” countries in the Middle East, it is saturated with tradition and history. It exceeds visitors’ expectations and offers unique experiences. The only problem is that this relatively small country has too much to offer. Therefore, the question is, “Where to go on vacation to Oman?”
1: Muscat
The capital of Oman is one of the most beautiful places in Oman. Compared to its flamboyant Emirati neighbors such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Muscat is a breath of fresh Gulf sea air.
It is famous for its dazzling markets and excellent cuisine, but the biggest thrill comes from the city itself. It is a great place to walk through the desert at dawn, watch dolphins at sunset, and enjoy the immediate Omani hospitality.
Prepare to travel back in time as you head to the captivating Old Quarter, located at the eastern tip of this modern city. As you wander through the labyrinth of its streets, you will be captivated by the ancient architecture and traditional atmosphere.
The Old Quarter is not just a place frozen in time; it is a vibrant center where you can witness the authentic essence of Muscat. No visit is complete without exploring the Mutrah Souq, a bustling marketplace that has thrived here for centuries. It is one of the oldest Arab markets in the world. Immerse yourself in its narrow streets full of colors, spices, and traditional Omani crafts.
In addition to winding streets and vibrant markets, discover historical treasures. Be sure not to miss the Bait Al Zubair Museum, which will introduce you to Oman’s rich historical culture and offer a deeper understanding of the country’s cultural heritage.
2: Salalah
Salalah is the only place in the region worth visiting in the summer. In Oman, daily summer temperatures reach an average of 40 degrees Celsius, day after day. In Salalah, the southeast monsoon keeps the temperature more than 10 degrees lower, and it rains almost every day.
This season, known as Khareef, is celebrated with a six-week festival, and the locals, who have dealt with the harshness of the desert climate, actually dance in the rain. The brown mountains are densely covered in greenery, and the wadis are full to the brim.
Apart from Khareef, however, there is another reason to visit. Salalah is the perfume capital, with a UNESCO-listed frankincense plantation. Extraordinary biblical places are also waiting to be discovered, such as the summer residence of the Queen of Sheba or Job’s grave.
But this area also has five-star resorts dressed as exotic Arab villages, fine sandy beaches, and clear turquoise waters, and is among the top resorts in Oman.
3: Wadi Bani Khalid
Renowned for its natural beauty, this wadi, north of Al Kami, is a worthwhile (and well-marked) detour from the Muscat-Sur (Hwy 23) road, or a destination in its own right.
Wadi Bani Khalid includes a long series of plantations and villages. The water from the spring in the upper reaches of the wadi flows through them and supports the rich vegetation that makes it such a beautiful place.
4: Wahiba Sands
In the heart of eastern Oman, the Wahiba Sands are an ocean of regular dunes that seem endless. The towering mounds of sand, pale gold at midday, turn deep yellow to coppery orange as the sun descends to lower angles.
Just a three-hour drive from Muscat, here’s a wonderful way to experience the primal power of the desert from the comfort of luxury campsites. The Wahiba Sands are an important piece of the puzzle that makes up Oman. Add a night here to your itinerary; it’s a magical place suitable for a family adventure.
Ride a camel, witness stunning sunrises and sunsets, sip tea while watching millions of stars in the night sky, or sense the fine grains of sand as you climb the ever-changing dunes.
5: Musandam fjords
Closer to the United Arab Emirates than mainland Oman, Musandam Governorate is one of the most beautiful destinations in the Middle East. Officially part of the sultanate and bordering the northern United Arab Emirates and the emirates of Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, the wild enclave is a land of majestic fjords and rugged mountains.
Travelers come to Musandam to reconnect with nature, discover some of the world’s most beautiful diving spots, cruise traditional dhows through fjords, and stay in luxury rustic hotels—the most sought-after celebrity hideaways.
Musandam’s capital is the small town of Khasab, an ideal base for exploring the peninsula and home to hotels, boat trips, and adventure opportunities. Pods of dolphins swim, rest, and play in the bay, and in the nearby local villages, you will experience a slower, more authentic Musandam life.
Boat trips to Telegraph Island or Khawr Najd are unforgettable excursions—one or two days on a boat, visiting local homes—and you can get to the village of Kumzar, accessible only by boat.
6: Jebel Akhdar
In November 1986, a helicopter landed in the untouched wilderness of Jebel Akhdar. He transported Diana, Princess of Wales, and then Prince Charles to an area of Oman that at the time was only accessible by donkey or on foot. The royal couple spent six hours there – the prince spent them painting a canyon scene with watercolors while Diana read a book.
Today, thanks to the creation, thirty years later, of a steep and winding road, accessible only by 4×4, which climbs up to the place where Diana and Charles sat on the Saiq platform, everyone can now enjoy the view from Diana’s Point (Diana’s Point) in Anantara Al Jebel Al Akhdar.
Jebel Akhdar, which means Green Mountain, is one of the most stunning areas of Oman. It is part of the Al Hajar mountain range and rises to its highest point at an altitude of 3000 meters. It is the highest point in Oman and all of Eastern Arabia.
Although it is more or less a desert like most of Oman, the high altitude brings this patch of land annual rain that keeps it moist enough to support agriculture. Pomegranates, walnuts, apricots, black grapes, and peaches grow here and the area is famous for the extraction of rose water by farmers who have lived in these terraced villages for hundreds of years.
Since Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Oman opened its 5-star luxury resort built near Diana’s Point less than two years ago, travelers from all over the world have been coming to admire this mountain piece of paradise. In Jebel Akhdar, it’s worth spending at least a few days at Anantara Oman’s newest resort to explore all that Jebel Akhdar has to offer.
7: Ras al Jinz
Ras Al Jinz, accessible from the Wahiba Sands through the stunning reservoirs and shadowy canyon of Wadi Bani Khalid, is a small sandy cove where green turtles nest on the shore all year round (although the main nesting season is July to September).
Thousands of sea turtles migrate from the coasts of the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea every year to lay their eggs on Omani beaches. They offer opportunities to see them coming ashore in the evening and leaving the nest in the morning. Enjoy the sunset or sunrise on the beautiful beach while the large turtles build their nests or return to the sea. It’s magical to see them kick with determination and then slowly slide back into the water! A visit to the rarest green turtle nest in the world offers an unforgettable experience.
The Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve Hotel offers air-conditioned rooms and cabins along with a private beach, all in stunning natural surroundings.
8: Bahla
After many years of restoration, Bahla Fort, one of the largest in Oman, towers majestically over the sprawling modern settlement of Bahla. Built by the Bani Nebhan tribe, which was dominant in the area from the 12th to the 15th centuries, it was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1987. The main attraction of this huge fortress is its size and the panoramic view from the battlements. The town is also popular thanks to the ceramics and silver artifacts sold in the old souk.
Bahla was an interesting part of many Arab legends. It is widely believed to be the place where black magic (Jinn) was born.
The fortress is a good example of a fortified oasis settlement of the medieval Islamic period. It is a presentation of the defensive architectural ensemble that enabled the dominant tribes in the Middle Ages to achieve prosperity in the desert.
A wonderful view of the entire oasis with palm groves can be seen from the west side at the entrance of Jabrin.
9: Masirah Island
So far, very few visitors from Oman have made it to Masirah. This is the newest area of the country that has opened up to tourism. There are still more turtles than tourists here, and it offers plenty of pristine beaches.
Located off Oman’s southeast coast, Masirah Island is accessible by a one-and-a-half-hour ferry ride from Shannah Harbor on the coast, south of Wahiba Sands. With the Omani government considering flights from Muscat and developing infrastructure on the island, Masirah is worth a visit now, before the tourist crowds are here!
Masirah feels like a “deserted island.”. Empty golden beaches with turquoise water meet barren hills and mysterious landscapes. Goats and camels look for food in dry scrub and low acacia bushes. The small town of Hilf Island offers several shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Water sports are a key attraction, especially kitesurfing, because the wind is always blowing here, the lagoon is very shallow, and the water is warm. Another attraction is the fauna, with four species of nesting turtles, and the island is the world’s number one for rodents. There is a unique school of non-migratory humpback whales. The island is also home to 300 species of birds, many of which are rare.
10: Al Daymaniyat Islands
The Maldives of Oman, the tropical islands of Daymaniyat (also known as Damaniyat and Ad Dimaniyat) with their pristine white sands and gentle turquoise waters, are one of Oman’s hidden gems and possibly one of the most beautiful places you’ve never heard of! This archipelago of nine uninhabited rocky islands lies about 42 km off the coast of Muscat.
The islands have been protected as a marine reserve since 1996. The waters are rich in marine life and more sheltered bays, seagrass, and corals.
The islands are home to the highest density of hawksbill sea turtle nesting sites in the world, which means you’re guaranteed to see turtles during your visit.
Expect to see plenty of angelfish, clownfish, parrotfish, rays, and often-striped sea snakes throughout the year. Snakes are highly toxic, so be careful and keep your distance. Although more often than not they disappear before you get to them.
The most famous inhabitants of these waters live in the open sea, a few kilometers from the islands. Every year between August and October, large numbers of whale sharks gather off the coast of Oman to feed in the plankton-rich waters. These gentle giants are the largest known species of fish – the largest recorded specimen was 18.8m long! They live for about 80 years in warm tropical waters. Unfortunately, they are on the endangered list, so it is an incredibly privileged experience to be able to spend a little time in their world.
Due to the aquatic nature of this adventure, you will need to arrange boat transportation to reach the Daymaniyat Islands. The cruise takes about 45 minutes, with most trips departing from Al Mouj Port in Muscat. Although the sea is rarely rough, the speed at which ships whiz by the islands makes for quite a “bumpy” ride.