A Guide to Oman: What to Do and Where to Stay

Traditional yet charmingly laid-back, Oman is a place of natural beauty and cultural richness. The scent of frankincense hangs over bustling souks, Bedouin nomads manoeuvre the desert in camel caravans, and rocky mountains plunge to some of the region’s finest sandy beaches – best enjoyed in the gorgeous weather of winter.

The best places to visit in Oman

Muscat

In historic Old Muscat, don’t miss the magnificent Sultan’s Palace (Photo: Getty Images)

Your Oman odyssey is sure to begin and end in the capital, Muscat. The first thing you’ll be struck by is the city’s incredibly neat architecture, its buildings dotted like sugarcubes against rocky mountains and sandy bays. Buildings here have to be built below a certain height, in the traditional Omani style: something which reaches its zenith at the mighty Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, one the country’s most enchanting attractions. In historic Old Muscat, don’t miss the magnificent Sultan’s Palace, recognisable by its pharaonic blue and gold pillars; and the top-class National Museum, which tells the story of Oman’s colourful history from its days as a seafaring empire to the modern renaissance which established it as a major power in the Middle East.

Muttrah

Muttrah is one of the best places to visit to get a feel for Oman’s daily life (Photo: Getty Images)

Mercantile Muttrah, in the far east of Muscat, has been a commercial centre for centuries, and is one of the best places to visit to get a feel for Oman’s everyday hustle and bustle. Muttrah Souk is a glimpse into the past, its winding corridors and gorgeous stained-glass ceiling hiding gold merchants, Bedouin jewellery, and glinting silver khanjar daggers. It’s all shrouded by the unmistakable scent of frankincense, one of Oman’s major exports. This area is also home to some truly spectacular hotels: the elegant Sheraton Oman Hotel is justly famous for its seafood buffet, while W Muscat offers modern luxury in Ruwi, neighbouring Muttrah to the southwest.

Bandar Al Khayran

If you’re wondering where to go to experience the Gulf of Oman’s gorgeous coastal landscapes, look no further than Bandar al Khayran. This hiking area takes in craggy coastal mountains, which plunge down to honey-sand beaches and the green sea of the Gulf. Most striking of all is Yiti Beach, where huge rocks rise from the sand in animal-shaped formations. Not far from here is Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel, a luxurious and palatial resort between the ocean and the mountains.

What to eat and drink in Oman

Qahwa

Qahwa is aromatic coffee, flavoured with cardamom (Photo: Getty Images)

At every home you visit in Oman, and even at some museums and forts, you’ll be welcomed with tiny cups of qahwa – aromatic coffee, flavoured with cardamom. It’s usually served with dates, a nutritious and delicious bitesize fruit which, besides being incredibly addictive, are a symbol of Oman’s famous hospitality.

Shuwaa

Often heralded as Oman’s national dish, shuwaa is mutton, beef, or camel meat, marinated in a spicy paste made from dates and wrapped in banana or date leaves. It’s then cooked slowly in a pit dug in the sand. Shuwaa is commonly served during festivities but can be found year-round at Bait al Luban, one of Muscat’s many great places to eat.

Meshkak

The unmissable meshkak is succulent camel, beef, mutton or chicken that is grilled on sticks or, like shuwaa, cooked slowly in a sand pit. It is usually marinated with a variety of spices, and served with Omani bread. You’ll find it everywhere around the country, especially during celebrations.

Halwa

Halwa is made from honey, rosewater, nuts, and spices (Photo: Getty Images)

The best way to finish an Omani meal is with the country’s favourite sweet, halwa. This delicious confection is made from honey, rosewater, nuts, and spices, cooked to make a sweet and fragrant jelly-like dessert.

Top things to do in Oman

Hiking in the Hajar Mountains is one of the most fun things to do in Oman (Photo: Getty Images)

Taking a camel safari in the Sharqiya Sands is an unmissable Oman experience. This desert land, where vast dunes form a seemingly endless ocean of sand, is home to the nomadic Bedouin people, who live in sheepskin tents. A stay in a Bedouin-run desert camp, sleeping beneath the stars, is one of the best things to do in Oman; alternatively, you can enjoy the desert on a day trip from Muscat.

Hiking in the Hajar Mountains is another of the most fun things to do in Oman. Jebel Shams is Oman’s highest mountain at 3009m, and its slopes and foothills harbour geological wonders including Wadi Nakhr, known for good reason as the Grand Canyon of Arabia. Hiking from here to the ruined mudbrick village of Ghul, said to be the haunt of supernatural jinns, is unforgettably atmospheric.

Haggling is an important cultural skill and entirely expected in Oman’s historic souks – indeed it can be one of the most interesting things to do during your time in the country, especially as it's a great way to meet local people while picking up gifts or souvenirs. In the old town of Nizwa, Oman’s crafts capital, shop for silver jewellery and copper frankincense boxes in the Craft Souk, and gorgeous pottery from the town of Bahla in the East Souk.

Hidden gems in Oman

Musandam is a truly spectacular peninsula (Photo: Getty Images)

If you’re looking for alternative things to do in Oman, take the short flight from Muscat to Musandam, a truly spectacular peninsula which is an exclave of Oman in the far north, separated from the rest of the country by the UAE. Known as the Norway of Arabia for its khors, fjord-like inlets which ripple along the coastline, this is where you’ll find the most arresting coastal landscapes in the whole country. Take a cruise on a dhow (traditional wooden sailing boat) into the khors and you’ll likely be joined by pods of playful dolphins, who like to swim alongside the boats – one of the most unique things to do in Oman. Another of the most interesting things to do when visiting Oman is to explore the southern city of Salalah, which the annual Khareef monsoon turns beautifully verdant and lush.

Go deeper

The language in Oman is Omani Arabic, spoken here and on the island of Zanzibar (a former colony). Useful phrases include marhaba (hello), maa salama (goodbye), and the greeting salaam aleikum (peace be upon you). Omanis often greet each other in traditional style with a kiss on the cheek.

Published: July 26, 2022

Last Updated: June 23, 2023

Article Tags:  Oman