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Destinations

Oman

Forts, wadis, dunes and a calm Arabian coast

naturecultureroad trips
Plan your trip to OmanSee the top things to doPick your cities
5.4 millionPeople
MuscatCapital
Arabic, EnglishLanguage
OMRCurrency
7 to 10 daysIdeal stay
$150-250Typical day

Oman is a quiet, traditional country on the southeast tip of the Arabian Peninsula. It offers mountain villages, turquoise wadis, desert dunes and hundreds of old forts. Muscat is a low rise capital with a grand mosque and an old souk. The US government currently advises reconsidering travel because of the regional armed conflict, so check advice carefully before booking.

Where to start

Top 15 things to do

Tap a card or a pin. Add a place to a day of your trip, or look for tours.

  1. A huge modern mosque with a vast hand woven carpet and chandelier. Non Muslims may visit in the morning except Fridays.

    1-2 hoursTime needed
    noBook ahead
    Tip. Check visiting hours and dress codes before going.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  2. An old covered market of frankincense, silver and textiles on the harbour. The corniche is great at sunset.

    2 hoursTime needed
    noBook ahead
    Tip. Go in the evening when it is cooler.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  3. A 17th century fort with a great round tower next to a lively souk. The Friday goat market is famous.

    Half dayTime needed
    noBook ahead
    Tip. Arrive early on Friday for the livestock market.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  4. Oman's highest mountain, with the canyon called Oman's Grand Canyon. The Balcony Walk follows the rim.

    1 dayTime needed
    noBook ahead
    Tip. Use a 4x4 for the final road section.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  5. A gorge with emerald pools reached by boat and a walk. A swim through a narrow gap leads to a hidden waterfall cave.

    Half dayTime needed
    noBook ahead
    Tip. Bring water shoes and a dry bag.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  6. Orange dunes with desert camps and Bedouin hospitality. Dune bashing and camel rides are offered.

    1-2 daysTime needed
    yes, campsBook ahead
    Tip. Let a camp pick you up if you are not experienced driving on sand.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  7. A massive mud brick fort with walls around an oasis town. It is a UNESCO site.

    1-2 hoursTime needed
    noBook ahead
    Tip. Combine with Jabrin Castle nearby.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  8. A palm lined oasis with pools for swimming all year. It is easy to reach.

    Half dayTime needed
    noBook ahead
    Tip. Walk past the first pools to find quieter spots.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  9. A mountain village of stone houses above terraced date gardens and falaj channels. It shows the aflaj irrigation system.

    2 hoursTime needed
    noBook ahead
    Tip. Dress modestly, as it is a living village.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  10. Green turtles nest on this beach and guided night visits let you watch quietly. A visitor centre explains the work.

    EveningTime needed
    yesBook ahead
    Tip. Book the night tour and follow the rangers.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  11. Rugged mountains plunge into the sea in this exclave by the Strait of Hormuz. Dhow cruises meet dolphins.

    1-2 daysTime needed
    yesBook ahead
    Tip. Check current advice, as this area borders the Strait of Hormuz.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  12. Southern Oman has beaches, frankincense sites and green hills in khareef season. The Land of Frankincense sites are UNESCO listed.

    2-4 daysTime needed
    noBook ahead
    Tip. Visit Al Baleed archaeological park.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  13. An elegant opera house hosting international performances. Tours show the interior.

    1-2 hoursTime needed
    yes, for showsBook ahead
    Tip. Check the season programme.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  14. A high plateau of terraces growing roses and pomegranates. It is cool even in summer.

    1-2 daysTime needed
    noBook ahead
    Tip. Visit in April for rose water harvest.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  15. A protected island chain with coral reefs, turtles and good snorkelling. Day trips leave from Muscat.

    Full dayTime needed
    yesBook ahead
    Tip. Visits are restricted in nesting season.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors. Pins from OpenStreetMap search; check a place before you go.
Make it yours

Turn Oman into your plan

Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it: pick cities, add places to days, see the weather for your dates.

Plan day by dayAdd any place here to a day of your trip, with times and costs.
Bookings from emailForward flight and hotel confirmations. They land in your trip.
Weather for your datesForecast and usual weather for your exact days, in your units.
Share with your peopleInvite family or friends, split costs, keep one plan.
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Pick your bases

Cities to visit

Each city with a guide opens its own page: map, where to stay, what to eat.

MuscatTristan, CC BY 2.0
3 nights suggested

Capital with mosque and souk.

culture, gateway · Open the city guide
NizwaAndries Oudshoorn, CC BY-SA 2.0
2 nights suggested

Forts and mountain base.

history · Guide coming
SurDr. Thomas Liptak, CC BY-SA 4.0
2 nights suggested

Wadis and turtles.

nature · Guide coming
SalalahBernhard Dunst, CC BY-SA 4.0
3 nights suggested

Southern coast and khareef.

nature · Guide coming
KhasabBanja-Frans Mulder, CC BY 3.0
2 nights suggested

Musandam fjords.

nature · Guide coming
BahlaFrancisco Anzola, CC BY 2.0
1 nights suggested

Fort town and UNESCO site.

history, crafts · Guide coming
SoharPeter in s, CC BY-SA 4.0
1 nights suggested

Northern coastal city with a historic fort.

history, coast · Guide coming
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Know the map

Regions

Muscat and coast

Capital and islands.

Grand Mosque, Mutrah, Daymaniyat

Interior mountains

Forts and canyons.

Nizwa, Jebel Shams, Jebel Akhdar

East

Wadis, dunes and turtles.

Wadi Shab, Wahiba Sands, Ras al Jinz

Dhofar

Frankincense and monsoon greenery.

Salalah, Al Baleed

Musandam

Fjords by Hormuz.

Khasab, Dhow cruises in Khor Ash Sham

Muscat and the Batinah coast

Capital area with a long coast and forts.

Muscat, Nakhal, Sohar

Short on time?

Ready-made routes

Choose how long you have, then add the whole route to a trip as places and nights.

  1. Muscat, 2 nightsMosque and souk.
  2. Nizwa, 2 nightsForts and Jebel Shams.
  3. Wahiba Sands, 1 nightsDesert camp.
  4. Sur, 2 nightsWadis and turtles.
Plan your dates

Seasons and weather

Best: October to April. Winter is warm and sunny, ideal for hiking and camping.

Dhofar in the south has the khareef monsoon from June to September, turning it green while the north is extremely hot.

Busy and pricey. November to February. High season: crowds and the highest hotel prices. Book ahead.
Shoulder. October, March to April. Good weather with fewer people and better prices.
Quiet and cheaper. May to September: very hot in the north, khareef season in Salalah. Low season: lowest prices and few crowds, but shorter days and some places closed.

January. Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.

Usual weather in Muscat

Temperature

32°50°68°86°104°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecDaily highAverage

Rain

0.00.8JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January

75°F daily high, 69°F average, 0.6 in

  • Warmest month June (100°F)
  • Coolest month January (69°F)
  • Wettest month March (0.7 in)
  • Driest month September (0.1 in)

Average of past years from NASA POWER, worked out at each city's position. A place far from these cities can be quite different.

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Know before you go

At a glance

2/5
Safety

The US State Department rates Oman Level 3: Reconsider Travel due to the risk of armed conflict and terrorism; everyday crime is low.

3/5
Getting around

Roads are excellent but public transport is limited, so most visitors rent a car.

3/5
Value

Mid range hotels and car hire are moderate, while food is affordable.

Good to know

Entry with your passport

Entry rules depend on your passport. Members see the rules for their own passport here.

Passport and visa rules change often and without notice. Always check the official pages before you book and again before you travel.

EntryThe US advises reconsidering travel and rules change, so check the Royal Oman Police eVisa portal and your own government's travel advice before you book.
PlugsType C, G; 240 V
Tap watervaries
TippingAbout 10 percent in restaurants is appreciated.
PaymentsCards are widely accepted; carry rials for small shops and villages.
Emergency9999
EtiquetteOman is conservative and polite; greet elders first and use your right hand. Public displays of affection are frowned upon.
What to wearCover shoulders and knees; women cover their hair in mosques.
DrivingOn the right
Between citiesA rental car is the best way to travel, with good highways; a 4x4 is needed for some mountain roads. Mwasalat buses link big towns. Domestic flights go to Salalah and Khasab.
Main airportsMCT, SLL
Ride appsUber, Otaxi
Taste it

What to eat

ShuwaMajboosHalwaDates and kahwa coffeeMashuaiHareesShuwa (slow-cooked marinated meat)Dates and Omani coffee

A short history

Oman was a seafaring power for centuries, and its empire once included Zanzibar and parts of the East African coast. Frankincense from Dhofar was traded across the ancient world. Sultan Qaboos took power in 1970 and modernised the country rapidly. Sultan Haitham has ruled since 2020.

Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.

Plan Oman