We truly enjoyed our road trip around Oman. The visits to its wadis, the overnight stay in the desert, the historic forts and old towns, the four-wheel drive experience in Oman’s adventurous mountain pass, the challenging hikes, the exquisite hotel resorts that we stayed in…all these are absolutely unforgettable.

About Oman

The Sultanate of Oman occupies the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula, distinguished by its remarkable geographic diversity and rich cultural heritage. Unlike its Gulf neighbors, Oman combines mountainous landscapes, vast deserts, and over 3,000 kilometers of pristine coastline along the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Strait of Hormuz.

Under the progressive leadership of the late Sultan Qaboos (1970-2020) and continuing with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Oman transformed from isolation into a developed nation while carefully preserving its cultural identity. The country maintains a policy of diplomatic neutrality and serves as a regional mediator.

Oman’s cultural landscape features impressive forts, ancient irrigation systems (aflaj), traditional dhow shipbuilding, and distinctive regional architecture. The nation’s trading history created a multicultural society with influences from East Africa, India, and Persia alongside indigenous Arab traditions.

The economy blends oil revenues with growing tourism and logistics sectors. Visitors are drawn to Oman’s authentic Arabian experiences, from exploring the massive dunes of Wahiba Sands to witnessing sea turtles nesting at Ras Al Jinz and navigating the dramatic fjords of Musandam.

A Day in Muscat

Muscat, Oman’s capital city, gracefully stretches along the Gulf of Oman’s coastline, offering a harmonious balance between cultural heritage and modern development. Unlike many Gulf capitals, Muscat maintains a distinctly traditional architectural character with strict building codes limiting height and mandating traditional design elements.

The cityscape is dominated by the striking Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, featuring a massive Swarovski crystal chandelier and the world’s second-largest hand-woven carpet. The historic district showcases the twin Portuguese-built forts of Al Jalali and Al Mirani. They guard the entrance to the old harbor. The ceremonial Al Alam Palace, the Sultan’s official residence, stands there with its distinctive gold and blue columns.

Muscat’s corniche, Muttrah, offers a picturesque waterfront promenade. It leads to one of Arabia’s oldest souks. In the souk, narrow alleyways reveal treasures from frankincense to handcrafted silver. The city’s natural setting between jagged mountains and azure waters creates dramatic scenery, with pristine beaches and hidden coves.

As a cultural hub, Muscat houses the magnificent Royal Opera House, showcasing both international and traditional performances while preserving Omani heritage.

Bimmah Sinkhole

The Bimmah Sinkhole, locally known as Hawiyat Najm (Falling Star), is a spectacular geological formation located in Oman’s Hawiyat Najm Park, approximately 100 kilometers southeast of Muscat. This natural limestone depression measures roughly 40 meters wide and 20 meters deep. It is filled with striking turquoise-blue waters. These waters create a mesmerizing contrast against the surrounding rocky terrain.

According to local folklore, the sinkhole was created by a meteorite strike—hence its Arabic name—though scientists attribute its formation to the collapse of a limestone cave ceiling due to groundwater erosion over thousands of years. The resulting pool is fed by both freshwater from underground sources and saltwater seeping in from the nearby Gulf of Oman.

The Omani government has developed the site with visitor facilities. These facilities include stairs carved into the limestone leading down to the water’s edge. There is also a viewing platform, picnic areas, and restrooms. The crystal-clear waters maintain a comfortable temperature year-round, inviting visitors to swim alongside small fish that inhabit the pool.

Bimmah Sinkhole is one of Oman’s most photogenic attractions. It is also highly accessible. It combines geological intrigue with refreshing recreational opportunities. The setting is picturesque and desert-like.

View this post on Instagram

Wadi Shab

Wadi Shab, one of Oman’s most breathtaking natural attractions, lies approximately 140 kilometers southeast of Muscat along the coastal highway toward Sur. This dramatic canyon features emerald pools, towering limestone cliffs, and lush vegetation creating an oasis-like environment in stark contrast to the surrounding arid landscape.

The wadi adventure begins with a short boat ride across its mouth where it meets the Gulf of Oman. Visitors then follow a well-trodden path alongside a series of turquoise freshwater pools fed by mountain springs. The roughly 40-minute hike traverses boulder fields and palm groves, occasionally requiring wading through shallow waters.

The journey culminates at a series of deep swimming pools where visitors can cool off in crystal-clear waters. For the adventurous, swimming through a narrow gap between rocks reveals a hidden grotto. Inside, a small waterfall cascades from the ceiling. The acoustics within this concealed chamber create a magical atmosphere that rewards those willing to make the challenging swim.

Wadi Shab perfectly exemplifies Oman’s diverse natural beauty. It offers a perfect blend of hiking, swimming, and exploration. Visitors enjoy a spectacularly scenic setting that showcases the country’s unique geological wonders.

Wadi Bani Khalid

Wadi Bani Khalid stands as one of Oman’s most accessible and spectacular wadis, located in the eastern Al Sharqiyah region about 200 kilometers from Muscat. Unlike many seasonal wadis that run dry, this natural wonder maintains flowing water year-round. It creates a lush paradise amid the rugged Hajar Mountains and surrounding desert landscape.

The wadi features a series of large, emerald-green natural pools connected by small waterfalls and streams. The main pool area, known as Muqal, presents a wide, deep swimming basin framed by smooth limestone rocks and shaded by date palms. Crystal-clear waters reveal colorful fish while offering perfect swimming conditions.

Beyond the main pools, adventurous visitors can hike upstream through narrowing canyon passages. They can discover Moqal Cave, a partially water-filled limestone cavern. Accessing it requires a short swim and climb. The surrounding landscape showcases traditional farming terraces where local villagers cultivate dates and other crops using ancient falaj irrigation systems.

Well-developed facilities include parking, restrooms, and a small café, making Wadi Bani Khalid accessible to visitors while maintaining its natural splendor as a quintessential example of Oman’s diverse and breathtaking topography.

Wahiba Sands

The Wahiba Sands (also called Sharqiya Sands) is a vast desert region in eastern Oman covering approximately 12,500 square kilometers. This stunning landscape features golden-orange sand dunes that rise up to 100 meters high, arranged in long parallel ridges shaped by monsoon winds.

The desert is home to Bedouin tribes who have adapted to the harsh environment for generations, maintaining traditional lifestyles while increasingly engaging with tourism. The area hosts diverse wildlife including foxes, gazelles, and over 200 plant species that survive despite minimal rainfall.

Visitors enjoy various activities. They include dune bashing, camel rides, and sandboarding. Overnight stays in desert camps offer experiences of spectacular sunsets and star-filled night skies. The contrast between the tranquil desert and nearby wadis (valleys) with refreshing pools offers a unique ecological experience. The Wahiba Sands represents both Oman’s natural beauty and its cultural heritage.

Ibra

Ibra is a historic town in northeastern Oman’s Sharqiyah Region, situated at the edge of the Sharqiya Sands desert. Once a prosperous center for trade and scholarship, Ibra served as an important stop on ancient caravan routes connecting coastal regions with interior Oman.

The town is renowned for its traditional Wednesday women’s market (souk al-Harim), where local women sell handcrafted goods, textiles, and Omani delicacies without male presence. Ibra’s rich heritage is visible in its well-preserved mud-brick buildings. You can see it in the ancient watchtowers. The crumbling merchant houses of Al Munisifeh showcase traditional Omani architecture.

Ibra’s palm plantations, fed by the falaj irrigation system, provide dates and other crops to the community. The town balances preserving its cultural traditions while developing modern amenities. Strategically located between Muscat and the Wahiba Sands, Ibra offers visitors authentic insights into Omani history and culture away from more touristed areas.

Nizwa

Nizwa is a historic city in central Oman, nestled at the foot of the Al Hajar Mountains about 140 kilometers from Muscat. Once the capital during the 6th and 7th centuries, it remains a cultural and economic hub for the interior region.

The city is dominated by Nizwa Fort, a massive circular stronghold built in the 17th century that stands as one of Oman’s most impressive architectural achievements. Adjacent to the fort is Nizwa Souq, famous for its intricate silverwork, pottery, and the lively Friday goat market where locals trade livestock through traditional auctions.

Nizwa serves as a gateway to surrounding mountains, wadis, and ancient villages. The city is renowned for its date plantations irrigated by the traditional falaj water system. Nizwa boasts a blend of well-preserved heritage sites. It holds religious significance as a center of Islamic learning. Its strategic location connects Oman’s interior with coastal regions. These elements offer visitors an authentic glimpse into Omani history and culture.

Bahla Fort

Bahla Fort is a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site located in Oman’s Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate. Built between the 12th and 15th centuries by the Banu Nebhan tribe, this imposing clay structure stands as one of the oldest and largest forts in Oman.

The fort’s massive walls extend over 12 kilometers, enclosing not just the citadel but the historic oasis settlement of Bahla. Its defensive architecture features multiple towers, meandering passageways, and ingenious water systems that sustained inhabitants during sieges.

Bahla is steeped in folklore and reportedly built on mystical grounds, giving rise to legends of djinns and sorcery. The surrounding area is renowned for its traditional pottery craftsmanship, a cultural tradition dating back centuries.

After an extensive restoration completed in 2012, visitors can explore the fort’s labyrinthine interior including living quarters, meeting halls, and defensive structures. Bahla Fort exemplifies medieval Islamic military architecture and stands as a testament to Oman’s rich cultural heritage.

Jebel Akdhar

Jebel Akhdar (“Green Mountain”) is a spectacular limestone massif in Oman’s Al Hajar mountain range, rising to 3,000 meters above sea level. This highland plateau enjoys a uniquely temperate microclimate within Oman’s otherwise arid landscape, with temperatures typically 10-15°C cooler than surrounding lowlands.

The region is renowned for its agricultural terraces carved into steep mountainsides. Locals cultivate pomegranates, walnuts, apricots, and roses here. They also grow other crops impossible to cultivate elsewhere in Oman. During spring, the mountain becomes a fragrant paradise. Thousands of damask roses bloom. These are used to produce the prized Omani rose water.

Jebel Akhdar offers breathtaking hiking trails through ancient villages, abandoned settlements, and dramatic wadis with expansive canyon views. The area played a significant role during the Jebel Akhdar War (1954-1959) when British forces helped the Sultan suppress a rebellion.

Today, the mountain region attracts adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts while maintaining its traditional agricultural practices and distinctive mountain culture.

Al Hajar Mountain Pass

The Al Hajar Mountain Pass traverses Oman’s most dramatic mountain range, which forms a rugged backbone across northern Oman extending into the UAE. This spectacular route navigates through the limestone massifs of the Eastern Hajar and Western Hajar sections, reaching elevations over 2,000 meters.

The pass offers breathtaking vistas of stark, craggy peaks, deep wadis, and terraced villages clinging to mountainsides. Engineering marvels of modern Omani infrastructure, these roads feature hairpin turns, steep gradients, and expertly constructed tunnels that have transformed once-isolated regions into accessible destinations.

The journey transitions through diverse ecological zones, from barren rock faces to surprising pockets of vegetation where traditional agriculture thrives. Along the route lie historic settlements where mountain tribes developed unique cultural traditions and architectural styles adapted to the challenging terrain.

For travelers, the Al Hajar Mountain Pass represents one of the Middle East’s most scenic drives. It connects Oman’s interior with coastal regions. It also provides access to highlights like Jebel Akhdar, Jebel Shams, and remote mountain villages.

Dolphins watching and snorkeling with sea turtles

Oman’s pristine coastline offers exceptional marine wildlife encounters, particularly for dolphin watching and sea turtle snorkeling. The waters around Muscat and the Daymaniyat Islands are renowned for abundant spinner, bottlenose, and common dolphins that playfully bow-ride alongside boats year-round during morning excursions.

Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve offers sea turtle experiences. It provides protected viewing of endangered green turtles. These turtles nest between May and October. At the Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve, you can enjoy remarkable snorkeling opportunities. Swim with hawksbill and green turtles in crystal-clear waters. Explore vibrant coral reefs.

Tour operators typically provide morning dolphin-watching cruises lasting 2-3 hours. Combined dolphin and turtle snorkeling adventures often run as full-day excursions. The best viewing periods align with calmer seas between October and May.

These experiences highlight Oman’s commitment to marine conservation while giving visitors intimate encounters with these charismatic species. Respectful wildlife viewing practices ensure minimal disturbance to these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

Practical Info & FAQs

How to get there

YEAR TRAVELED: 2025

Getting to Oman is most convenient by air, as Muscat International Airport (MCT) serves as the main gateway for international travelers. Direct flights connect Muscat to major cities in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, while regional airlines offer short-haul routes from nearby Gulf countries. Alternatively, overland travel by car or bus is possible from neighboring countries such as the United Arab Emirates, with border crossings that are generally straightforward for tourists.

Once in Oman, the best way to go around is by renting a car, as the country is known for its excellent roads and memorable scenic drives—perfect for a road trip adventure. Car rentals are widely available at the airport and in major cities. For those preferring public transport, intercity buses connect Muscat to other towns like Nizwa and Salalah, though schedules may be limited. Taxis are common in urban areas, and ride-hailing apps like OTaxi make getting around Muscat convenient. Guided tours are another option for exploring key sites or venturing into the desert and mountains.

We flew from Brussels, had a stopover in Muscat and took another flight to reach Muscat. In Muscat, we took taxis that were usually taken care of by our hotel. By the time we went for our road trip around Oman, our tour agent arranged for a 4×4 Toyota Landcruiser that my husband drove at for several days exploring the ancient towns and sites and driving through wadis, vast dessert sands, and real-rough mountain roads. It surely was a memorable driving experience indeed. Back to Muscat, we got transport services provided by our hotel.

Where to stay & eat

During our stay in Muscat on our first 2 days, we stayed at Intercity Hotel. We went to Souq Mutrah and had dinner over there. After our visit to the wadis, we stayed at Best Western Sur. Then we headed off to Wahiba Sands and stayed at Sama Al Wasil Desert Camp overnight. The next day, we arrived at Nizwa and stayed at Antique Inn. We headed off to Abu Jakhbar and stayed at dusitD2 Naseem Resort for a couple of days. In our last week in Oman, we stayed at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa.

Omani food is basically a delicious map of the country’s history—you’ll taste hints of India, Persia, and East Africa in almost every bite. We’re feeling adventurous so we absolutely tracked down some camel meat. While it’s often saved for big celebrations, many local spots serve it in a Camel Majboos (a spiced rice dish) or as Mishkak (street-food skewers grilled over hot coals). It’s surprisingly lean and has a deep, slightly sweet flavor that’s way more tender than we expected.Beyond the camel, we got to get our hands on some Shuwa, which is meat that’s been slow-cooking in an underground pit for a couple of days until it’s basically butter. To wash it all down, skip the soda and go for a Kahwa (cardamom coffee) and a side of sticky Halwa. It’s the ultimate “welcome to Oman” snack.

Travel tips

Rent a car, preferably a 4×4, for maximum flexibility and to explore Oman’s scenic drives, deserts, and mountain roads comfortably. We just did.

Book accommodations and transport services in advance, especially during peak travel seasons, to ensure availability and convenience.

Carry cash as well as cards, since some smaller towns and rural areas may have limited card payment options.

Use ride-hailing apps like OTaxi for reliable and easy transportation within Muscat and other major cities.

Check intercity bus schedules ahead of time, as routes and departure times can be limited outside major urban centers.

Always carry water and snacks when driving long distances, particularly through deserts and mountain regions.

Respect local customs and dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites and rural areas.

Download offline maps or a navigation app, as mobile data coverage may be spotty in remote regions.

Be prepared for varying road conditions; some wadis and mountain passes may require careful driving or local guidance.

Enjoy local cuisine by dining at traditional restaurants and exploring food markets, but confirm opening hours in advance as some places close early.