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Oman map & highlights

Most tourists stick to the north of Oman on their travels, with Muscat the crowning glory of Omanian culture and creativity. However, there are so many other places to visit in Oman. Our Oman map and highlights page reveals other must-see spots, including the Western Al Hajar Mountains, the desert and dunes at Wahiba Sands, the Indian Ocean’s islands and the stupendous Dhofar region around Salalah.

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Oman map & itineraries

There are 11 regions in the Sultanate of Oman, known as Governates, but generally tourists stick to the northern section of the country, which has Muscat as its glittering centrepiece. From here you get a snippet of what Oman has to offer, the twinkling bay a starter for the Indian Ocean that lies beyond. The souks are a snippet of the crafts and cuisine that you will find all over Oman, with spices, frankincense, perfumes and sweets creating a heady Arabian mix. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and Ash Sharqiya Fort are fine examples of Omani architecture while the Western Al Hajar Mountains invite you to choose your own adventures in the desert wilderness beyond.

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1. Bilad Sayt
2. Ibra
3. Jabreen Castle
4. Jebel Shams
5. Masirah Island
6. Musandam Peninsula
7. Muscat
8. Nakhl
9. Nizwa
10. Salalah
11. Sur
12. Wahiba Sands

Bilad Sayt

1. Bilad Sayt

There are many remote villages in Oman, but this one’s draw, in the middle of the Al Hajar Mountains, is its collection of clay dwellings set into rocky terraces. It is a typical Omani settlement, with labyrinthine pathways connecting huddled homes. It sits close to Jebel Shams, Oman’s highest peak. The nearby villages of Al Hamra and Misfat are also on this route of villages that rock.

Bilad Sayt

Ibra

2. Ibra

This city in Ash Sharqiyah has a thriving open-air souk that on Wednesday mornings is set aside for women, whether they are buyers, sellers, or tourists. Men are discouraged from visiting, and photography is not allowed either. In truth, you do get men there, nevertheless the vast majority of people bartering for spices, jewellery, and textiles here are women.

Jabreen Castle

3. Jabreen Castle

Built in 1670 for Imam Bil'arab when he switched the capital from Nizwa to Jabrin. One of the finest forts in Oman, and also very cool. Literally, as it was designed to channel air around the Imam’s living quarters, all now beautifully restored and famed for its intricate carved and painted ceilings. The views of nearby Bahla and the surrounding date plantations are one of the ‘Oh Man’ moments.

Jabreen Castle

Jebel Shams

4. Jebel Shams

Jebel Shams means ‘Mountain of the Sun’ and, given that it is the highest peak in Oman at 3,000m, you certainly feel the solar power up here. Part of the Al Hajar range, this is also canyon territory, with sheer drops down to valleys 1,000m below. There is a trekking route up to the south summit, the north side an out of bounds military zone.

Masirah Island

5. Masirah Island

A desert island but not a deserted one, the most famous visitors being the endangered green sea turtles that come to lay eggs in the sands of this secret hideaway every year. There are also 12,000 human residents on this 95km by 12km island too, plus long empty beaches, fishing villages, and lovely hiking in the cooler seasons. It’s a 1.5 hour ferry ride from Shanna port, at high tide only.

Masirah Island

Musandam Peninsula

6. Musandam Peninsula

Right up on the north coast, tucked in beside UAE, this remote part of Oman is otherworldly. The people here are fishermen and Bedouins who have traditionally lived off the waters and valleys of this fjordic landscape. Take a fjord cruise with a difference here on a traditional dhow, snorkelling and fishing, eating and chatting, for a truly local welcome.

Muscat

7. Muscat

Even the name is evocative, with Westerners associating it with an aromatic wine that awakens the senses. The Omani capital certainly awakens the senses too, from old souks to the Sultan’s Palace, the jewel bedecked Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque to a state of the art Royal Opera House. The backdrop is certainly dramatic too, with mountains, turquoise bays and sunlit sandstone cliffs.

Muscat

Nakhl

8. Nakhl

The magnificent fort here dates from pre-Islamic times, and is an example of Oman’s fine desert architecture restored to perfection. Originally built to protect the picture postcard oasis of date palms and pomegranate trees, it’s also gateway to the Hajar Mountain range with wadis and wonderful rural villages. Check out the Nakhl hot springs, which have those weird fish that nibble the dead skin on your feet.

Nizwa

9. Nizwa

A former capital city always comes with a fort and this one doesn’t disappoint. Nor does the city souk, which you will sniff out thanks to the feisty aroma of vanilla, saffron and cardamom. There is people watching extraordinaire at the Friday goat auction but, for gobsmacking scenery, head to the nearby heights of Jebel Akhdar aka Green Mountain, an oasis of orchards and palm trees.

Nizwa

Salalah

10. Salalah

This is the Dhofar region of Oman, far south, and a chosen favourite with Omanis in the monsoon, or khareef, where they go in search of rain and valleys that turn from arid to almost ambrosial. It’s a big port town, so it’s fine for a couple of nights, but it’s also a great gateway into the deserts of the south.

Sur

11. Sur

This is the home of the dhow-style traditional fishing boat still used by Omanis. Known as a safeena (ship) in Arabic, you can visit the yard where artisans still work on these boats today. This whole stretch of desert coast is still relatively undeveloped, although changing, with small fishing villages like nearby Ayega destined to become coastal chic in the near future.

Sur

Wahiba Sands

12. Wahiba Sands

If you are going to camp out in Oman, do it here, enveloped by the undulating red and white sand dunes that rise up to 200m and stretch as far as the eye can see, with spectacular views down miles of the coast. Stay with Bedouin hosts to learn about their extraordinary culture, with star gazing, camel riding, sharing dinner round a campfire, or listening to traditional Oudh songs all thrown in.

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Oman sample itineraries

Oman cultural highlights holiday (10 days):
Muscat > Nakhl > Wadi Bani Auf > Nizwa > Bahla > Wadu Ghul > Misfah > Wahiba Sands > Wadi Bani Khalid > Sur > Muscat

Wild walking holiday in Oman (8 days):
Muscat > Tiwi Beach > Wadi Shab > Hajar Mountains > Wadi Bani Kalid > Wahiba Sands > Nizwa > Jebel Shams > Muscat

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Sample travel times in Oman

The following times give you a rough idea of the travel times between the main attractions in Oman.

Shanna - Masirah Island: 1.5hrs by ferry Muscat - Musandam: 7hrs by car Muscat - Musandam: 5hrs by ferry Muscat - Salalah: 12hrs by car Nizwa - Jebel Shams: 1-2hrs by car Muscat - Salalah: 90 mins by air