Visiting Oman: what to see, when to go and itineraries

Between the Sea of Oman and the Hajar mountains, the sultanate unfolds wadis where you swim between cliffs, mud-brick forts, the ochre dunes of Sharqiya and, far to the south, the green hills of Dhofar during the summer monsoon.

Why visit Oman?

Oman offers one of the most varied road trips on the Arabian Peninsula, in Asia: in a week you move from the coast to peaks of nearly 3,000 metres, then into the desert. The country has kept its traditional architecture and a culture of hospitality widely praised by travellers.

What to discover in Oman?

Muscat, between sea and mountains

Stretched over several dozen kilometres between the Sea of Oman and the mountains, Muscat takes two days. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, open to non-Muslims in the morning except on Fridays, requires covering clothes and a headscarf for women. The Mutrah souk and its corniche come alive in the late afternoon. The Daymaniyat Islands, under an hour away by boat, suit snorkelling. Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, is only an hour's flight away for a combined trip.

Nizwa and the Hajar mountains

About 1 hour 45 minutes by road from Muscat, Nizwa keeps a 17th-century fort and a livestock market that bustles on Friday mornings. It is the base for Jebel Akhdar, whose road is open only to 4x4 vehicles at the checkpoint, and for Jebel Shams, the country's highest point at around 3,000 metres, overlooking the Wadi Ghul canyon. Bahla Fort, a UNESCO site, is about forty kilometres away. Plan two to three nights, with cool evenings at altitude.

The wadis, Sharqiya and the Sur coast

On the coast road to Sur, about 2 hours from Muscat, Wadi Shab is explored in an hour of walking and swimming up to a cave with a waterfall. Wadi Bani Khalid, further inland, has easily reached pools. The Sharqiya, or Wahiba, dunes are explored from a camp, with at least one night, and recall Wadi Rum in Jordan with more sand. At Ras al-Jinz, green turtles nest year-round, with a compulsory guided night visit. Allow three to four days for the loop.

Dhofar and Salalah

About 1 hour 30 minutes by air from Muscat, Salalah runs against the seasons: from late June to early September, the khareef monsoon covers the region in mist and greenery while the north often tops 40 °C. The Land of Frankincense sites, including Al-Baleed and Sumhuram, are UNESCO-listed. From October to April, the beaches of Mughsail and the cliffs of Dhofar can be visited in dry weather. The border area with Yemen, west of the region, is formally advised against by France.

Cities to visit in Oman

Featured destinations appear first.
Coming soon.

Not to miss in Oman

Six places that set the tone for a trip through the sultanate.

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

A prayer hall with a monumental chandelier and a vast hand-woven carpet, open to visitors in the morning in covering clothes.

Mutrah souk

A covered maze of frankincense, silverware and khanjar daggers on Muscat's corniche, liveliest in the late afternoon.

Balcony Walk

A cliffside hike on Jebel Shams above Wadi Ghul, leading to an abandoned village in two to three hours return.

Wadi Shab

A gorge with turquoise pools that you follow on foot then by swimming, up to a cave with a waterfall.

Ras al-Jinz reserve

A green turtle nesting beach visited at night or at dawn with a guide, at the eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula.

Bahla Fort

An imposing UNESCO-listed mud-brick fortress surrounded by an oasis and ramparts, a few kilometres from Nizwa.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a 4x4 to visit Oman?
Not for the coast, Nizwa or Wadi Shab, which are reachable in a regular car. A 4x4 becomes essential for Jebel Akhdar, where police check vehicles, for the final track up Jebel Shams and to enter the Sharqiya desert.
When can you see Salalah during the khareef?
The monsoon reaches Dhofar from late June to early September, with greenery peaking in August. It is high season for Gulf families: book early and expect fog and a sea often too rough for swimming.
Can you swim in Wadi Shab?
Yes, swimming is part of the visit: you cross by small boat at the start, walk about 45 minutes, then swim through the pools to the cave. Bring modest swimwear and a dry bag, and avoid the trip after heavy rain.
How can you see the turtles at Ras al-Jinz?
Only on guided visits run by the reserve, in the evening or very early in the morning, in small groups. Book ahead, especially in summer when nesting peaks. Torches and camera flashes are not allowed on the beach.
Can you reach Musandam from Muscat?
Yes, this enclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Emirates, is reached by domestic flight to Khasab, or by road through the Emirates with two border crossings. Visitors come for dhow cruises through its fjords.
Is wild camping allowed in Oman?
It is widely practised and tolerated on beaches and in the mountains, away from private property and protected areas such as Ras al-Jinz. Stay discreet near villages, take all your rubbish with you and avoid wadi beds, which are prone to flash floods.

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