I’m sure you’ll be impressed with the incredible places to visit in Oman. Located in the southern Arabian Peninsula, one of the world’s most beautiful countries, the Sultanate of Oman is a must-see for travelers.
Oman has a lot to offer, including natural beauties, architectural wonders, friendly people, and unforgettable experiences. You can see a lot if you spend 1 week in Oman, but I recommend at least 2 weeks to see the most amazing sights.
What to Know Before Traveling to Oman
No More Visas on Arrival
Let’s begin with the significant things you must consider before visiting Oman. Oman visa on arrival at the airport has been canceled for certain foreign nationals. Instead, airlines now require you to provide your eVisa voucher before boarding.
Eligible citizens can apply for an Oman visa online by filling out the easy Oman visa electronic request form, which is a matter of minutes only.
Best Places to Visit in Oman
A week in Oman is a good starting point for visiting the country since it allows you to spend one night in Muscat, one day traveling to Sur, and several days exploring the port city of Sur, the Empty Quarter dunes, the historic city of Nizwa, and the majestic Jebel Shams before returning to Muscat and flying home.
In order to see Salalah, I’d recommend making your trip to Oman 10 days long; 2 weeks should be enough time to see Musandam as well as pretty much all of the Sultanate of Oman.
Muscat
Rather than rehash the reasons why I disagree that Muscat has a limited number of things to do, I’ll provide a quick synopsis for your convenience. However, it’s true that most of these are located around the port region of the Muttrah port – specifically, Muttrah Fort, Muttrah Corniche, and Muttrah Souq. There is one exception to this rule – the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, which is located near the airport.
Remember when deciding how long to stay in Muscat that the top Muscat attractions are located outside the city limits. Bimmah Sinkhole and Wadi Shab, two of the most beautiful and authentically “Omani” locations in the Sultanate, are just two of the many places where you may enjoy a thrilling hike and a soothing plunge in the most breathtakingly beautiful Omani landscape.
Sur
I’ll continue my Oman itinerary, as would the majority of other travelers— by driving eastward along the country’s northern coast towards the port city of Sur. In particular, you should visit the picturesque Al-Ayjah Old Town and the Al-Ayjah Watchtower, from which you can see the city and the ancient Dhow boats being constructed in the harbor.
Like Muscat, many of the attractions in Sur are located outside the city. You’ll locate a sea turtle reserve at Ras al-Jinz, the most well-known of them. Ras al-Hadd beach, which is only a short drive away, is also a beautiful spot to spend some time, even if there are no endangered animals around.
Wahiba Sands
While it is possible to camp anywhere in Oman, Wahiba Sands, also known as the Empty Quarter of the Sultanate, is the greatest area to spend the night under the stars. You’ll find a plethora of areas to camp here and a wide range of experiences awaiting you.
Even while you’ll enjoy your time here, it’s the only “core” location on this Oman itinerary that I’d cut if time is an issue. Desert adventures can be had elsewhere, and this one isn’t all that unique. However, you must add it if you have two weeks in Oman.
Salalah
A visit to the amazing beaches of Salalah isn’t on every Oman itinerary, in part because it’s so far away from the other places to visit in Oman I mentioned—at least 10 hours by car or an hour by flight, which can be delayed sometimes. Even if you don’t plan to visit Salalah during the Khareef (annual monsoon), it’s still a great place to visit because it’s home to some of the friendliest people in Oman.
Salalah, Oman’s top tourist attraction, remains stunning no matter how much water flows through them. Wadi Darbat and its waterfalls remain lush for weeks or even months after the last rains have fallen, and Wadi Dawkah‘s frankincense forest remains serene year-round.
Al Mughsail’s majestic shoreline and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, which is flanked by Salalah’s (regionally) famous coconut palm trees, are just as breathtaking.
Nizwa and Jebel Shams
When it comes to the most beautiful spots in Oman, these two are always at the top of the list. While the gigantic Nizwa Fort is the most well-known attraction in historical Nizwa, the most popular hike along the Sultanate’s highest mountain of Jebel Shams brings you to the edge of a creation known as Oman’s Grand Canyon.
Personally, I prefer a night and a full day in Nizwa, Oman’s former capital, with a day trek along the Balcony Walk at Jebel Shams. Just keep in mind that you don’t need a 4×4 to access the parking area for this hike, but many scammers will try to sell you a 4×4 transfer.
Events and festivals in Oman
Muscat, Oman’s capital and largest city, hosts one of the country’s most beloved festivals, the Muscat Festival, yearly from January to February. This festival is a great opportunity to learn more about Omani culture and to share some of your own unique customs with the locals.
You may take in a wide range of entertainment options at the festival, such as live theatre, circus, music, food exhibitions, and camel races—plenty of events for both locals and visitors of all ages.
In Salalah, attend the Tourism Festival, a more traditional event. There is a six-week festival that takes place from the middle of July to the end of August, attracting both locals and tourists. This rain-themed festival has become an international sensation. This major cultural festival features folklore, music, crafts, dances, songs, and Oman’s traditional cuisine.
Best Views + Places to Visit in Oman for Photos
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
One of the most beautiful mosques in Oman can help you achieve the perfect Instagram photo. Make sure you’re respectful while you’re in a religious setting.
Hawiyat Najm – Bimmah Sinkole
This natural sinkhole filled with the clearest water you’ve ever seen is one of the best places to visit in Oman. It’s the most refreshing way to re-energize and, at the same time, capture the ultimate Oman shot.
Wadi Shab
This means “Gorge Between Cliffs” in Arabic, which accurately describes the location. Sparkling water, beautiful rocks, and the perfect photo-worthy way to beat the heat.
Muttrah Souk
A trip to Oman would not be complete without some retail therapy. This is one of the most vibrant and alive of the souks.
Make sure to take a photo and other souvenirs home with you to remember your trip. Have any more places to visit in Oman I should add to this itinerary? Let me know in the comments below!
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.