Country guides
Middle East
Things to do in Oman
Oman is a unique destination, offering visitors myriad exclusive attractions. While not typically considered a holiday spot, visitors to Oman will find a rich and sophisticated culture, as well as incredible and varied landscapes.
The eastern region of the Arabian Peninsula is home to superb natural beauty, where sightseers will enjoy exploring the striking beaches, which stretch for miles along the Arabian Sea coastline and provide wonderful swimming spots. There are also (valleys) to explore, turtle-nesting sites to see, as well as the extraordinary desert dunes to discover, and the Al Hajar Mountains are a scenic wonder of stunning canyons, gorges, and plateaus.
A must-see in Oman is the Nizwa Fort, not far from Muscat, which has stood since the 12th century and is the country's most visited tourist attraction. Those wanting a taste of local culture and an authentic shopping experience should visit the Old Mutrah Souk, the most popular traditional bazaar in Muscat.
Known to be a sophisticated travel destination offering the full array of luxuries and modern amenities, Oman also boasts well-preserved ancient traditions and landmarks.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
One of the largest mosques in the world with a capacity of 20,000, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is a recent yet architecturally classic building. The interior is grand and the pr…
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
One of the largest mosques in the world with a capacity of 20,000, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is a recent yet architecturally classic building. The interior is grand and the prayer hall is home to a handwoven Persian carpet weighing over 21 tons on the prayer floor, while an exquisite 46-foot (14m) chandelier hangs from the ceiling. Though English tours are on offer, this remains a religious site rather than a tourist destination, so visitors need to be respectful of the rules. Muslims can visit any time of the day, but tourists of other faiths should only come during visiting hours. Visitors are asked to dress modestly and women are required to cover their hair.
Old Muttrah Souk
Old Muttrah Souk is the most popular traditional bazaar in Muscat. The market is a small maze of narrow alleyways formed by adjoining stalls, where tourists can bargain with stall …
Old Muttrah Souk
Old Muttrah Souk is the most popular traditional bazaar in Muscat. The market is a small maze of narrow alleyways formed by adjoining stalls, where tourists can bargain with stall clerks over the prices of gold and silver jewellery, antiques and other traditional goods. The market has a less forceful air than others, so visitors are free to wander at their leisure without overt pressure from touts. While the Old Muttrah Souk is popular with tourists, locals shop here too, giving authenticity to the market and mixing ornamental souvenirs with household products and delicious food.
Bahla
Bahla is an ancient city in the northern part of Oman, where history lovers will find some of the country's oldest forts. It was founded at an oasis for caravans and travellers to …
Bahla
Bahla is an ancient city in the northern part of Oman, where history lovers will find some of the country's oldest forts. It was founded at an oasis for caravans and travellers to stop at and rest on their desert journeys, and was the capital of Oman between the 12th and 17th centuries. The famous Bahla Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dates back to 1,000 BC and remains the city's most popular attraction. Bahla has a rich tradition of pottery and visitors can still see potters working at their kilns and haggling over their wares.
Al Hajar Mountains
The dramatic Al Hajar mountains stretch from Muscat through northern Oman and into the United Arab Emirates, and are among the destination's most popular attractions. Graced with d…
Al Hajar Mountains
The dramatic Al Hajar mountains stretch from Muscat through northern Oman and into the United Arab Emirates, and are among the destination's most popular attractions. Graced with dramatic vistas of canyons, gorges and plateaus where the rich colours of the igneous rock formations make for unforgettable sights, the region has an obvious romance. Highway 15 winds up the mountains to the old city of Nizwa, home to an impressive 17th-century fort and an early-morning goat market. Nizwa makes an excellent base to explore the mountains from, including traditional villages, mudbrick towns and date plantations. There are a number of trekking routes ranging from three hours to multi-day hikes, and travellers can visit the famous rose gardens of the Saiq Plateau.
Nizwa Fort
Oman's most-visited tourist attraction, the Nizwa Fort stands as a monument to architectural ingenuity. The fort's underlying structure dates back to the 12th century, though it wa…
Nizwa Fort
Oman's most-visited tourist attraction, the Nizwa Fort stands as a monument to architectural ingenuity. The fort's underlying structure dates back to the 12th century, though it was completed by Imam Sultan bin Saif al Yaarubi in 1668. Historical interest in the Nizwa Fort is significant, representing a major advancement in military engineering in the early days of mortar-based warfare. Its drum-like tower reaches 98 feet (30m) into the air with a circumference of 118 feet (36m), with 24 openings for mortar fire. Visitors to the Nizwa Fort are allowed to freely explore the area, which consists of maze-like stairways and corridors leading to high-ceilinged rooms and terraces that afford great views of the city of Nizwa and its surrounding plains.
Beaches in Oman
The rugged edge of the desert meets the Arabian Sea along Oman's coastline, unsurprisingly creating a stunning array of beaches that offer diving, kite-surfing and jet-skiing. Ther…
Beaches in Oman
The rugged edge of the desert meets the Arabian Sea along Oman's coastline, unsurprisingly creating a stunning array of beaches that offer diving, kite-surfing and jet-skiing. There has also been a huge spike in luxury beach resorts providing air-conditioned retreats from the blazing heat. Some of Oman's best beaches include Al Qurum Beach, perfectly set up for families with picnic areas and shady palm trees, and Qantab, with its sheltered coves and sea-caves. Marjan Beach features small coral reefs ideally suited to novice divers and snorkelers while also boasting a great nightlife, with several restaurants and hotels frequented by expats in Oman. Western swimwear is fine but beachgoers should cover up when they're on their way to and from their hotel or beach resort.