Places to Visit in Oman

When planning your trip to the Middle East, Dubai, Abu Dhabi (UAE), Petra (Jordan) or the pyramids of Egypt are the cities that first penetrate a person's psyche, but one gem that is often overlooked is 'Oman. The land of golden dunes and stones shares borders with UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen, but has its world. Oman, the country is rich in world heritage sites with remarkable super infrastructure, a beautiful desert, and a pristine coastline.

There is a lot to see and explore in Oman, the country has some of the most amazing natural wonders you won't find anywhere else. Well, here in this article, we have discussed everything about the country and completed the Oman travel guide. Let's start the journey -

How to Get To Oman

Muscat, the capital, is the main gateway to the country, while Oman can also be reached via Dubai. If you're on a budget and want to explore more, you can take taxis and regular buses that will take you from Dubai to Muscat, as it only takes five hours.

Traveling to Oman is now much easier as Oman has launched an e-Visa service for various countries. Indian tourists planning to visit Oman can apply online by submitting their application online. People can visit Oman on tourist and business visas, applying for a visa online are perhaps the shortest and fastest way to travel through Oman.

When to travel to Oman

The best time to travel to Oman is winter, from October to February. As the place is located in the Arabian Peninsula, it experiences extremely hot summers and pleasant winters. During this period, Oman has very favorable weather for its visitors, as the temperature is around 25°C during the day and 20°C at night with clear sunny skies.

Avoid traveling during the summer months (April to September) as the whole country is scorching with temperatures reaching 40 degrees.

Getting Around Oman

Bad news for the budget traveler - Traveling in Oman is not cheap as transportation is not very good apart from taxis and baiza (small buses) apart from cities like Muscat. Getting around in Oman to see the attractions can be a bit expensive as most of the public transport systems do not serve remote places (such as Wadis Sands, Deserts or Mountains, and other ancient places) as these places are far away from urban and suburban areas, renting a private car is recommended as it will be cheaper. If you feel comfortable, driving abroad Self-driving is allowed and the highways are well-covered with signs in both Arabic and English making it easy to drive properly and safely.

Omani Food

The food in Oman is very tasty and has a complete mix of spices, marinades, and herbs. Omani food has something for everyone! If you are a sweet lover then Halwas is the perfect dish to eat as there is a huge variety available, and if you like, spices then dishes like Mishkan are the perfect choice for you. Omani staples include Madrouba (chicken rice pudding), fragrant biryanis (with an Indian influence), and desserts soaked in honey or rose water.

Kahwa, is one of the most famous traditional food served in Oman, is a strong bitter coffee served in small old cups with dates (the staple of Omani dishes) Kahwa is made with freshly roasted ground coffee and flavored with some cardamom. Visit Oman, you must try it!

The best Places to visit in Oman

Muscat:

Muscat, the capital city of Oman, is the home base for all tourists visiting Oman. The city has beautiful architecture, fortresses, palaces, museums, and markets. It is an amazing place in Oman, located between the ocean and the dusty mountains.

While in Muscat, you must visit the National Exhibition Hall and the fabulous Sultan Qaboos Mosque, the third-largest mosque in the world. It has East African-style wooden ledge landmarks and some waterfront fortifications that make Muscat a beautiful and relaxing tourist destination. It is worth spending two or three days in Muscat and experiencing mosques, market areas, and places near the sea.

Places to visit in Muscat - Al Jalali/Al Mirani Forts, Qasr Al Alam Royal Palace, Mutrah Corniche Area, Thumb Muscat Min

Nizwa:

Nizwa, the city is rich in heritage. Earlier in the 1960s, it was known as the capital of Oman. The place is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as it has many intriguing places to visit such as the old Middle Eastern market, the palace the souq and its maze of spice stalls, antique shops and Omani tea houses, old Portuguese guns, ceramics and antique centers arranged on the aqueduct. The place is known for the Fall canal structure and water supply in the desert source area. The fort was built in the 17th century under the leadership of Sultan Bin Saif Al Ya'ribi, this great fort is known for its impressive architecture. The fortress has some interesting defense mechanisms, including honey traps and unusually shaped windows for shooting at approaching enemies.

The Wahiba Sands:

For adventurous people, Wahiba Sands is an ideal place to visit. The land is completely covered with golden sand, which gives you a different desert safari experience. The Wahiba Sands are longitudinal dunes 200 km long and 100 km wide that run south from the eastern Hajars to the Arabian Sea.

Bahla Fort:

It is also one of the famous World Heritage Sites at the foothills of Djebel Akhdar highlands in Oman. The fort has been upgraded with beautiful walls and sandstones and the tower is 50 meters high.  

Jebel Shams:

Jebel Shams is the highest mountain in Oman, it is a mountainous area. Jebel Shams is a famous place for trekking and adventure lovers as the roads for driving a four-wheeler are a bit complicated. It is only a 2-hour drive from Muscat and is also called the 'Grand Canyon of Oman'. The place is known for the colorful carpets made with goat hair and natural dyes are a specialty of the region.

Exploring Oman is truly an amazing experience; the country is rich in world heritage sites and offers completely different experiences and memories that people have in mind - What people usually think about the Gulf country. I hope this travel Guide tour Oman has helped you.

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