Oman Holidays

Where to Begin

Most visitors stay in Muscat, which is well supplied with fabulous Arabian-style hotels, and this is where they are likely to begin their exploration of Oman. Muscat, the mountain-encircled capital overlooking the sea, sprawls along 35 miles of coastline, across low rugged red hills. The areas of most interest, Old Muscat and Muttrah, are in the east, and many visitors like to start the day in the souqs of Muttrah, packed with the exotic wares of the Orient, before it gets too hot. The heart of Old Muscat is ringed by an amphitheatre of jagged bare rocks, overlooked by two imposing 16th-century fortresses, and has museums housed in forts and old mansions, displaying the country's history.

Spectacular Landscapes

Outside the capital, Oman's most historic and attractive town is Nizwa, in the midst of the majestic mountains of the Western Hajar, including Jebel Shams - the Mountain of the Sun - Oman's highest peak. Around here there are endless attractions, including the stunningly picturesque traditional villages of the Saiq Plateau, the serpentine Wadi Bani Awf, winding dramatically down the mountains to the coastal plain, and the jaw-dropping Wadi Nakhr Gorge, cutting right into the heart of Jebel Shams. Close to here are two of the country's most fascinating forts, Bahla Fort, dating from pre-Islamic times, and the 17th-century Jabrin Fort, with perfectly preserved interiors.

Some of the most spectacular landscapes are to be found right in the northern tip of the country, around the Musandam Peninsula, where the Hajar Mountains tumble down into the Gulf, creating a series of fjord-like sunken valleys. The longest and most dramatic of these fjords, or khors, is the Khor ash Sham, which can be explored by a leisurely dhow cruise through the incredibly sheer cliffs and crystal clear waters. There is a strong likelihood of spotting dolphins, which often swim alongside the dhows.

To the South

South of Muscat is the Sharqiya region, a beautiful area of dunes and mountain canyons formerly known as the Wahiba Sands. This area is home to the nomadic Bedu people, and provides an enticing opportunity to glimpse a genuinely traditional way of life. The best way to explore the area is by staying at one of the desert camps, where your tent will be air-conditioned and have a double bed, shower, and Persian rugs.

While here you must not miss Ras al Jinz, at the north-eastern tip, one of the great nesting grounds for green turtles. Every year, thousands of turtles return to nest and lay their eggs, creating one of the supreme spectacles of the natural world. Between September and November, it is possible to witness both nesting and hatching.

A Different Scene

If you have the chance to travel to the far south of the country, you can see a very different landscape. The subtropical city of Salalah, Oman's second city and once the heart of the frankincense trade, experiences an annual monsoon rainfall, when the surrounding hills turn a lush green, and cascades of water from the mountains create rivers, waterfalls and rock pools. From here you can explore the rugged Dhofar Mountains, and the great desert sea of the Rub' Al Khali.

Whether you wander through Oman, or stay in the capital and relax, you cannot fail to be impressed by the hospitality, kindness and generosity of the Omani people. During the 45 years of the Sultan's rule, Oman has been turned into a modern and truly luxurious travel destination, combining traditional values with the most up-to-date opulence. Oman offers sunshine, rich culture, and an incredibly diverse landscape, to enjoy in the most luxurious comfort.