Great Things to do in Oman
The Sultanate of Oman, one of the lesser-known destinations in the Middle East. But probably also the most interesting country in the Arabian Peninsula. The country is home to a wide variety of attractions, including silky sand dunes, well-preserved fortresses, breathtaking canyons, and a beautiful capital city. Ranked as the number four safest travel destination by the World Economic Forum, there is no reason why Oman should not be on your bucket list. Here is a list of all the great things to in Oman to help you get inspired.
Nizwa Fort
The impressive Nizwa Fort, located in Nizwa next to the old souk, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Oman. The fort was built in the 1650s and it is a great example of old Omani architecture. It illustrates very well how Omani people used to live in the old days. Furthermore, the main tower’s signature oval shape makes this fort unique among all the forts in Oman.
Jabreen Castle
Another great historic site. Jabreen Castle is probably the most beautiful fort/castle in the whole of Oman. The castle was built in the late 17th century, in a time where Oman was in peace and experienced great prosperity and development. This resulted in a beautifully decorated castle, that is well-preserved. The castle features a courtroom, numerous reception halls, a prayer room, and a jail. It is located in Bahla, a 15-minute drive from Nizwa.
Wadi Shab
Wadi Shab is a marvelous place. It is not the largest Wadi in Oman, but it is the most exciting one. Make sure to bring your hiking shoes as well as a bathing suit. The hike starts with a short boat trip to cross the river. Afterward, you can begin the hike to the grotto and the waterfall. Along the way, you will find natural swimming pools where you can take a refreshing swim. After about 1.5 hours the road will end and you will have to swim the last part to the grotto. This is where the fun really starts! After a while, you reach the narrow entrance of the cave. Once inside the cave, there are ropes to climb up the waterfall. This is what makes Wadi Shab so unique!
Read more:Hiking to the Hidden Cave of Wadi Shab
Sand Dune bashing
A great way to experience the beautiful Omani desert is to go dune bashing in a 4 wheel drive car. This adventure will be something you’ll never forget. There are various company’s in Oman that offer 4wd tours through the desert, but you can also decide to hire a driver yourself, which is often cheaper.
Sleeping in the Omani desert
Sleep right in the middle of the desert in a luxurious tent. With air conditioning! A must-do when you’re in Oman. In the evening you can take place at one of the pillows around the campfire and indulge yourself with a nice local dinner, dates and coffee, traditional live Omani music, and an amazing view of the starry sky. Afterward, you go to sleep in a luxurious tent with en suite bathroom, air conditioning and an outdoor sitting area.
Al Alam Palace in Muscat
The Al Alam Palace is the ceremonial palace of the Sultan of Oman, located in Old Muscat. This art-deco style palace is in use by the Sultan, so you cannot go in. But nonetheless, it’s very pretty to look at and gives a glimpse into the life of a Sultan.
Mutrah Souq
This traditional Arab market, located in Muscat, is the perfect place to go shopping and to find the perfect souvenirs. Get ready to haggle, to get the best price.
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
This is a beautiful piece of contemporary Islamic architecture. The mosque was a gift to the country from Sultan Qaboos, celebrating his 30th year of reign. The rich decorations in the main prayer hall are absolutely stunning, especially the large chandeliers and the Persian carpet, which took 600 women 4 years to weave. Dress appropriately when visiting the mosque, meaning long trousers for men and scarfs for the ladies.
Is Oman on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments below!
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