🇴🇲Oman·Middle East
Oman
Arabia's best-kept secret
dest.flightsFrom
£359
dest.hotelsFrom
£55/per night
dest.budgetPerDay
£80
dest.avgTemp
25°C
dest.bestTime
October to April
dest.safety
9.1/10
dest.about Oman
Oman is the Arabian Peninsula's most authentic and unspoiled destination — a country of dramatic wadis, ancient forts, pristine beaches, and a culture of extraordinary hospitality that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Without the skyscrapers of Dubai or the crowds of other Gulf destinations, Oman offers a genuine encounter with Arabia.
dest.topHighlights
Muscat Old Town
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Royal Opera House, and the atmospheric Mutrah Souk
Wadi Shab
A stunning turquoise gorge with emerald pools, waterfalls, and a hidden cave — one of Oman's most beautiful hikes
Wahiba Sands
A vast sea of orange dunes stretching to the horizon — camp overnight for a true desert experience
Nizwa Fort
Oman's most impressive fort and the gateway to the ancient interior — visit on a Friday for the traditional goat market
Jebel Akhdar
The Green Mountain — a cool plateau at 2,000m with rose gardens, ancient villages, and dramatic canyon views
Dhofar & Salalah
Oman's southern region transforms into a lush green paradise during the khareef (monsoon) season
dest.thingsToDo Oman
- Hike Wadi Shab to the hidden cave and turquoise pools
- Spend a night in the Wahiba Sands desert under the stars
- Visit Nizwa Fort and the traditional Friday goat market
- Drive the spectacular Jebel Akhdar mountain road
- Explore the Mutrah Souk in Muscat for frankincense and silver
- Snorkel or dive the pristine reefs of the Daymaniyat Islands
- Visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat
- Drive the coastal road from Muscat to Sur past turtle beaches
dest.weather Oman
dest.bestMonthsToVisit October to April
5-dest.day Oman dest.itinerary
Muscat Arrival
- ·Arrive at Muscat International Airport
- ·Visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
- ·Explore the Mutrah Souk for frankincense
- ·Dinner at Bait Al Luban for traditional Omani food
Wadi Shab & Sur
- ·Drive to Wadi Shab (2h)
- ·Hike to the turquoise pools and hidden cave
- ·Drive to Sur
- ·Visit the turtle nesting beach at Ras Al Jinz
Wahiba Sands
- ·Drive into the Wahiba Sands desert
- ·Camel ride at sunset
- ·Overnight in a desert camp
- ·Stargazing in the clear desert sky
Nizwa & Jebel Akhdar
- ·Visit Nizwa Fort and the souk
- ·Drive up to Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain)
- ·Walk the ancient falaj irrigation channels
- ·Overnight in a mountain lodge
Return to Muscat
- ·Morning walk in the rose gardens of Jebel Akhdar
- ·Drive back to Muscat (2h)
- ·Last lunch at Kargeen Caffe
- ·Transfer to Muscat International Airport
dest.whereToEat Oman
Kargeen Caffe
Omani · Muscat · $$
Bait Al Luban
Traditional Omani · Mutrah, Muscat · $$
The Beach Restaurant
Seafood · Muscat · $$$
Ubhar
Modern Omani · Muscat · $$$
dest.practicalInformation
dest.visaRequirements
E-visa required for most nationalities — apply online before travel. UK, US, EU, and Australian citizens can obtain a visa on arrival or e-visa. The process is straightforward and inexpensive.
dest.gettingAround
Car rental is essential for exploring Oman — a 4WD is recommended for wadis and mountain roads. Taxis are available in Muscat. Oman Air operates domestic flights to Salalah.
dest.currency
OMR (Omani Rial)
dest.timezoneLanguage
GMT+4 · Arabic (English widely spoken)
dest.frequentlyAskedQuestions
Is Oman safe for tourists?
Oman is consistently rated one of the safest countries in the world. Crime is extremely low, the people are famously hospitable, and solo travellers (including women) are very welcome. It is one of the most hassle-free destinations in the Middle East.
Do I need a 4WD in Oman?
A 4WD is strongly recommended for Wadi Shab, Wahiba Sands, Jebel Akhdar, and most of the interesting off-road destinations. A regular car is fine for Muscat and the main highways. Many rental companies offer 4WDs at reasonable rates.
What is the best time to visit Oman?
October to April is ideal — temperatures are pleasant (20-30°C). May to September is extremely hot (40°C+) except in Salalah, which has its famous khareef (monsoon) season from July to September when the landscape turns green.
Can I drink alcohol in Oman?
Alcohol is available in licensed hotels and some restaurants but is not sold in supermarkets. Oman is more conservative than Dubai. Drinking in public is illegal. Respect local customs, especially during Ramadan.
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