Top 8 Best Things to Do in Oman

Our guide to the best things to do in Oman, whether you seek a tranquil honeymoon or action-packed family holiday...

As our Travel Experts continue to explore the world, we continue to add new destinations to our luxury travel collection. Whilst we will always love the safari, Wayfairer Travel is proud to represent our planet in its boundless diversity and beauty. The next stop is Oman.

Why visit Oman? 

This beautiful Arabian country is located in West Asia (or the Middle East), on the southeastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering U.A.E, Yemen and Saudi Arabia to the west. You may not have heard much about Oman as a tourist destination, but we are eager to represent its magnificent natural beauty, a spectacle only challenged by the country’s fascinating cultural and historic tapestry.

You will uncover a grand collection of luxury hotels in Oman, whether you seek the charisma of its gleaming cities and labyrinthine souks or the remoteness of its sloping sand dunes and peaceful wadis.

If Oman is calling your name, click the button below to read more about this wonderful country, or enquire now and learn about Oman from our knowledgeable Travel Specialists.

Best things to do in Oman for natural beauty: 

1. Snorkel and dive in the Musandam Peninsula 

The Musandam Peninsula is one of the most visually stunning regions in Oman, encompassing enough diversity for it to become its own entity in the luxury holiday world. Here, a whole new world awaits your discovery beneath the rippling surfaces of the peninsula’s coastal waters.

Past the dynamic harbours of Khasab, the most popular city on the peninsula, the region’s fishing industry comes to life, offering picturesque boat trips and a range of other activities for those who seek other pursuits.

Specialist Dhow cruises are a magical way to navigate the crystal-clear waters of the Musandam Peninsula. This experience is embedded with Omani history, offering both a passage through time and a gateway to the area’s mesmerising marine life. In this snorkeller’s paradise, witness playful dolphins, cities of vivid coral reefs surrounded by unique fish and seahorses, and much more.

Enjoy a scenic, Dhow Cruise in the Musandam Peninsula, around cliff-edged shores and twinkling waters...

2. Visit the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve

This amazing, ethical reserve is one of the premier nesting sites for the endangered green sea turtles who annually migrate to the Arabian Peninsula to lay their eggs. Located in Sur, a beautiful seaside town with plenty more to offer its visitors, Ras Al Jinz plays a crucial role in the protection of this natural event, also welcoming curious travellers to safely marvel at the occurrence.

As well as green sea turtles, the Loggerhead, Leatherback, Olive Ridley, and Hawksbill species also traverse the area, and can be seen between May and September. You will leave the experience feeling bewildered by the elaborate rhythms of the natural world, perhaps completing your day with a visit to the reserve’s restaurant and museum.

Check out our “10 Night Discovering Oman Tour” itinerary, which includes an inspiring trip to the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve: 

3. Climb and hike the tumbling Hajar Mountains

Whilst you have the option to spend your Oman holiday completely at ease, the more adventurous among you may seek the striking landscapes which occupy the country’s less commercialised areas.

The Jebel Akhdar Mountains are one of the best places to visit in Oman, bringing both spell-binding scenery and exciting activities to your Oman tour. Also lovingly called the “Green Mountains”, due to their lushness during cooler temperatures, the region encompasses a multitude of long and shorter hiking trails which range in difficulty.

Along with the remainder of the Hajar Mountains range, Oman’s grandeur is on full display here, from quaint villages ornate with traditional architecture to mysterious, ancient caves. Due to a higher altitude, with some peaks reaching 2,500-m above sea level, you will find relief from the summer heats in these mountains, whilst the shoulder seasons offer perfect conditions for more challenging treks.

Discover small, traditional villages tucked away within the peaks and gorges of the Hajar Mountain Range.

Read about the Jebel Akhdar Mountains

4. Practice your swing on the best golf courses in Oman

5. Gaze at the stars at Wahiba Sands 

Desert encompasses a large portion of Oman's land area, also representing some of the most beautiful places to visit in Oman. The Wahiba Sands are especially stunning, stretching approximately 180 kilometres from north to south and 80 kilometres from east to west, with magnificent dunes which reach heights of up to 100 metres. If you visit outside of Oman's summer, in turn avoiding the extreme heats which affect these desert regions, there is a plethora of awe-inspiring activities on offer, one of our favourites being star-gazing.

The total serenity which accompanies time in the Wahiba Sands is unmatched by anywhere else in the world, as the region is mostly non-commercial, inhabiting only Bedouin tribes who continue to pursue a nomadic lifestyle. The only other company you will find are the reptiles, migratory birds and insects which have adapted to the stark conditions, and perhaps the elusive sand fox.

Check into one of the remote desert camps located in the Wahiba Sands, like the incredible Arabian Nights Resort, and indulge in an array of activities, including dune driving and star-gazing. Lie beneath a sky overflowing with glitter and lunar formations, its beauty clarified by a complete lack of light pollution.

The Wahiba Sands encompass gigantic sand dunes, coloured with deep orange and red hues.

Check out our "7 Night Holiday in Oman" Itinerary, which includes a one night stop in the Wahiba Sands:

Best things to do in Oman for cultural insight

6. Explore Oman's vibrant Souqs/Markets 

Found in almost all popular cities and towns in Oman, souks (souqs) embody the life and soul of Oman's cities and towns. A visit to a souk in Oman offers an insight into traditional Arabian culture, exhibiting the craftsmanship of local people and family recipes which have been lovingly passed down generations.

Find delicious, freshly prepared food and refreshments to cool you down from the Middle Eastern heat, as well as hand-woven rugs, clothing items, hand-made jewellery, silverware, lamps and vases crafted with clay.

The Mutrah Souq is a glowing amongst these characterful markets, a display of modern Omani culture and a grand showcase of local talents. It is located in the Mutrah Corniche in Muscat and sells thousands of Indian and Omani artefacts daily, also being famed for its maze-like structure – be prepared to lose your way!

7. Wander the mystifying grounds of Nizwa Fort/Castle 

The Nizwa Fort is a utopia for anyone intrigued by imperial history, reaching from the sandy grounds of this fantastic city towards Oman’s cerulean skies. The fort stands as a testament to traditional, Omani architecture, its huge tower having taken 12 years to complete during the reign of Imam Sultan Bin Saif Al Ya'rubi, in the 17^th century.

The fort's sandstone walls tell stories of Oman’s gold-encrusted past. Some of its rooms were used to house the Imam, whilst its four well-preserved cannons at the front entrance recall periods of unrest. Following some time exploring the fort, perch in the Nizwa Fort Café in the castle courtyard, and soak up the city’s peculiar yet captivating atmosphere.

Just outside of the entrance to the Nizwa Fort is the sprawling Nizwa Souq, one of the most popular markets in Oman. Wander its sprawling market stands, marvelling at hand-crafted pieces and choosing a handful of home-made delicacies to taste, the ideal end to an eye-opening day.

8. Uncover the stories within the best palaces and mosques in Muscat  

Unless you are headed on a separate Musandam Peninsula holiday, all Oman trips include a tour of Muscat, the grand capital city. Surrounded by the seemingly boundless peaks of the Hajar Mountains, Muscat is packed with incredible landmarks which gleam with the religious and regal heritage of Oman.

Begin with the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the most popular place to visit in Muscat, often considered one of the most beautiful mosques in the world. Its well-maintained, glossy interiors and elaborate carvings are a hallmark for contemporary Islamic architecture. Its architectural splendour is also infused with stories of the beloved Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, the mosque having been offered as a gift from him to his people in 2001.

Another cultural hotspot in Muscat is the Sultan’s Palace, an incredible piece of architecture which juts out boldly from its surroundings with a distinct blue and gold exterior colouring. Surrounded by lines of swaying palms, nearby the educational hotspot, the National Museum, the palace is an aesthetic wonder, seeping with tragic stories of past slaves who believed they would be freed by its touch.

If this blog has left you feeling inspired, contact us through the enquiry form below to begin your luxury travel journey...