Oman isn’t the most popular Arab holiday destination, yet wonderful locations and beaches await tourists. Let me show you 12 magnificent places!
Oman has numerous tourist attractions, especially in the field of cultural tourism. The sultanate places great emphasis on preserving traditions and ensuring environmental sustainability.
Table of Contents
Best places in Oman
Muscat
The capital of Oman is the country’s cultural, historical, and economic center, where modernity meets authentic Arab traditions.
Located on the coast of the Gulf of Oman, the city offers a stunning contrast: mountains and desert in the background, while turquoise sea waves welcome visitors in the foreground. Muscat’s unique atmosphere is defined by elegant Arab architecture, historic forts, and bustling bazaars.
Its most significant attraction is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. This monumental mosque is one of Oman’s most important architectural creations, capable of accommodating up to 20,000 worshippers at once. Its interior is breathtaking, with huge chandeliers and one of the world’s largest hand-knotted Persian carpets.
Nizwa
One of Oman’s oldest cities was once the country’s capital and remains a major center of cultural and religious life.
Built in the 17th century, Nizwa Fort is one of the most famous symbols of Omani history. The fort’s massive circular tower is a unique architectural solution designed for the city’s defense. The top of the tower offers magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and palm groves. The fort also houses a museum showcasing Oman’s history, culture, and the city’s strategic importance.
The city’s market is one of the most authentic markets. It’s famous for silver jewelry, especially traditional Omani daggers (khanjar), as well as spices, pottery, and fresh fruits.
Wahiba Sands
Located in eastern Oman, between the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Sea, this desert landscape is breathtaking.
The area offers a spectacular view with sand dunes varying in golden, reddish, and yellow hues, which can rise up to 100 meters high. Traveling across the dunes in a 4×4 vehicle is a great experience.
Bedouin tribes have adapted to the desert’s harsh conditions for millennia. Visitors can peek into traditional tents, learn about local crafts, and taste tea and food prepared by the Bedouins.
Jebel Akhdar
Its name means „Green Mountain” in Arabic, and it’s one of Oman’s most spectacular and unique natural wonders.
Locals have practiced terrace farming on its slopes for centuries. The terraced gardens grow pomegranates, peaches, grapes, walnuts, and roses. The rose water made from Damascus roses grown here is one of Oman’s most famous exports. In spring, the mountain’s rose gardens bloom, offering a special experience with their sight and fragrance.
Its climate differs significantly from the lowland areas. Due to the elevation, temperatures here are often 15-20 degrees cooler, making it particularly attractive during summer months.
Salalah
One of the country’s greenest cities, featuring beautiful white sandy beaches.
While the rest of Oman has a hot desert climate, Salalah welcomes visitors with a tropical climate, lush vegetation, and beautiful beaches. The city is famous for its rainy monsoon season, the „Khareef”.
Between June and September, the monsoon rains bring spectacular changes to the landscape: the desert transforms into a verdant oasis, and the mountains, hills, and valleys burst into vibrant green. During this time, the city and its surroundings become a tropical paradise, with waterfalls, mountain streams, and lush vegetation appearing.
Salalah is famous for frankincense cultivation and is one of the world’s most important frankincense producers. Visitors can get insight into plantation operations and participate in frankincense collection processes.
Sumhuram
Also known as Khor Rori, located near Salalah, it’s one of the most important archaeological sites.
The settlement was once the center of ancient frankincense trade and is now known as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It held extraordinary historical significance as it played an important role in ancient Arabia’s trade network.
In the ruined city, you can discover ancient temples, warehouses, walls, and other structures that characterized the trading center of that time. The city’s layout shows a typical ancient trading settlement, with temples and cargo areas at its center.
Jebel Shams
The „Mountain of the Sun” is Oman’s highest peak, part of the Hajar Mountains.
Its peak is 3,009 meters above sea level and is considered the highest point not only in Oman but in the entire Arabian Peninsula. The mountain’s unique geological formations, breathtaking panorama, and rich natural environment make it a popular destination for hikers, adventurers, and nature lovers.
Another famous attraction is Wadi Ghul, which is Oman’s largest and deepest canyon. It’s often called „Oman’s Grand Canyon”. At the bottom of the canyon, you’ll find wild landscapes, massive rock walls, and green oases.
Sur
The city is famous for its maritime heritage, traditional dhow boat building, and beautiful coastline.
One of its most beautiful parts is the Al Ayjah quarter, which lies by the sea. The local houses have white-washed walls and traditional Omani architecture, and the quarter is full of narrow streets, small marketplaces, and shops gleaming with vibrant colors.
The history and construction of dhow boats are showcased at the Dhow Factory. These elongated boats are still made using traditional methods today.
Wadi Shab
This magical valley and oasis, about 15 kilometers from Sur, is one of the country’s most popular natural attractions.
Its biggest draw is the hiking trail that leads visitors to the inner areas of the gorge. Moving through the valley, across rocky paths and riverbeds, we can discover this wonderful landscape. The hike takes about 1 hour and is relatively easy.
One of its most exciting parts is a small cave with a waterfall. The waterfall comes from one of the pools and can be reached by a short hike. We can swim inside it, which provides the greatest experience.
Al Hoota Cave
The cave is an enchanting natural attraction with its special geological formations, rich minerals, and stalactite formations.
It’s more than 5 kilometers long, but only part of the tour route, approximately 850 meters, can be visited. Its interior is filled with special stalactite formations, static and dynamic mineral formations.
Another special feature is the underground lake located at the cave’s deepest point. The lake’s water is clear and bluish-green in color.
Bahla
A picturesque small town in Oman’s interior, about 160 kilometers west of Muscat. The city is famous for the Bahla Fort, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The country’s most important fort has existed since the 12th century and was in the hands of various dynasties throughout its long history, including the Ya’rubi dynasty who strengthened and expanded it.
The fort is characterized by thick stone walls, towers, and fortress-like structures. A defensive wall was built around the fort, encompassing a huge area. The main attractions include various towers, the moat and gates, as well as inner courtyards where some rooms and warehouses are located.
But the city’s culture is also outstanding. In the areas around the city, sheep and goat farming, crafts, and trade took place, and locals were famous for their pottery art. The pottery from the Bahla area, especially Bahla vessels, featured as unique pieces of local culture and arts along the trade routes.
Masirah Island
Its sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and wildlife make the island a popular destination.
The island was an important part of Omani and surrounding Arab territories’ history and played a significant role in shipping and trade routes. Its location also gave it strategic importance.
The island is famous for its long, white sandy beaches, where wide sand dunes can often be seen. It has a significant sea turtle population, which lay their eggs on the shores. They are protected animals, of course, but we can observe the hatching of small turtles in several places.