About Oman
Ideally situated on the Arabian Peninsula and only seven hours away from half of the world’s population, the Sultanate of Oman welcomes you.
Oman is a diverse nation that is rich in history and culture. It is blessed with a unique, natural and enviable beauty.
Visitors can immerse themselves in the Omani culture, visit listed World-Heritage sites, aromatic and colourful souqs, ancient forts and castles, museums, traditional villages, desert safaris; or relax at luxury seaside resorts and spas. And for the more adventurous, why not retrace the historic frankincense route, or perhaps try trekking, sailing, scuba diving or relax and unwind with whale watching.
Wherever you go, you will be most welcome.
Oman is the third largest nation on the Arabian Peninsula. It is situated on the eastern edge of Arabia. Oman is easily accessible, being only a seven-hour flight from continental Europe and Asia, two hours from India and less than an hour’s flight from Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Oman showcases spectacular mountain ranges, white sandy beaches, hidden wadis with cool turquoise water, golden desert landscape, old souqs, forts, castles and thriving traditional villages. Oman offers a true diversity of beautiful scenery and places to visit.
The ideal time to visit Oman is between October and May, with temperatures averaging between 25-35 celsius during the day and 17-19 degrees celsius during the evening.
Summer is between June and September featuring warmer and more humid weather conditions.
Mild weather is experienced in the mountains and in the Dhofar region all year round. There is little chance of rain in Muscat.
The roads in Oman are compared to the best anywhere in the world. Motorways link Muscat with all the major cities and towns in Oman. There are excellent roads leading to Dubai which is approximately a four-hour drive. An international drivers licence is valid in Oman.
Rental cars are freely available in Oman with all the major car rental companies represented throughout the nation
Taxis are orange and white. They are not metred so it is recommended to negotiate a fare before commencement of a journey. Taxi fare from Muscat International Airport is fixed and can cost approximately USD 20-25 to downtown Muscat.
Coach transport is readily available for hire.
Oman is a country diverse in landscape and experiences to suit all ages and interests. A host of experienced tour operators and destination management companies are available to organise tours and attractions for large and small groups.
Oman’s Ministry of Tourism is committed to safeguarding cultural, natural and traditional values and to ensuring that all forms of tourism are conducted in a sustainable way. Visit www.omantourism.gov.om for the latest information.
A wealth of tours and activities are available within Muscat that include visits to Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Royal Opera House Muscat, world-class golf, museums, pristine beaches, restaurants, resorts, spas and the traditional Mutrah Souq.
World Heritage Listed Sites
The Sultanate contains four UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites. These attract world leaders, scientists, specialists and students to the region to meet and to discuss the importance of the sites on an international level. These four distinguished sites are the Five Falajs, the Bahla Fort and Wall, Bat Tombs and Settlement and the Frankincense Route.
Bird Watching
Our precinct itself is situated next to a significant natural wildlife area. Oman witnesses huge swarms of migratory birds from each of Oman’s different regions.
Camping
The diverse environment of Oman offers many options for camping. Enjoy camping on mountain tops, in the Arabian desert, on a beautiful island, or on a secluded beach. There are camps created for tourists in different areas. Visitors are allowed to pitch their own tents in many places.
Caving
Oman abounds with caves of different sizes, topography and ruggedness. Some caves can be accessed by amateurs while others will need more significant training, experience and specialised equipment.
Camel Racing
Enjoy this authentic Arab sport. Races takes place reguarly where camels reach speeds of up to 64 kilometres per hour on speciality built tracks.
Cruises
Oman is a coastal nation therefore a number of cruise options are available. Many tour operators also organise a variety of activities such as dolphin watching or sailing.
Desert Activities
Deserts differ in their nature and quality of sand. They can vary from the soft, to coarse, and to dense. Experience the Badiya Challenge Race where participants climb sand dunes from a low area to the top in the shortest possible time. Other desert activities include sand surfing, dune bashing, and sleeping under a star studded night sky.
Dolphin Watching
Dolphin shoals visit the shores of Oman in large numbers. A variety of dolphin species gracefully frolic and swim in the blue waters of Oman.
Four-wheel Drive Activities
These sports vary according to the nature of the terrain. Valleys can offer easier terrain while others require superb driving and manoeuvring skills.
Golf
The Muscat Hills and Golf and Country Club, the Ghala Valley Golf Club, and the Al Mouj Golf Club, designed by professional Australian golfer Greg Norman, are all open for business, with more expected to launch in the near future.
Horse Racing and Riding
Horses symbolise integrity and pride and Oman is famous for raising and breeding horses. Horse racing is a favourite pastime of the Omanis.
Mountain Climbing
Omani mountains are a challenge for any mountaineer with their towering heights, rocky and steep slopes and rugged tracks. In Oman, there are several climbing areas and their diversity corresponds to the climber’s skill with paved paths for beginners and the very rugged for the experienced climber.
Scuba Diving
Oman is one of the most popular diving destinations in the region. It has an exceptional diversity of marine life and a number of marine cliffs, small islands, bays, caves and coral reefs. The best months for diving in Oman are from April to July, but diving can be enjoyed at all times.
Shopping
Oman has old markets full of handicrafts including silver, gold, textiles and masterpieces produced by traditional industries such as dagger-making. These are best visited in the mornings. Alongside the traditional, are modern shopping centres which open from 09:00-13:00. They open again from 16:00-22:00, seven days a week except Fridays when they open after 16:00.
Trekking
The hiking and trekking season runs from September to May, but the best time for hiking is between October and April. Although the terrain can be tough, hiking is one of the best ways to enjoy Oman’s wonderful mountainous nature. Different excursions of varying degrees of difficulty are available, from wandering around Muttrah to walking over the groove edges of Al Shams mountain - the country’s highest mountain. There is a national network of marked trails for independent adventure seekers as well as many tour operators who provide comprehensive tours.
Turtle Watching
Thousands of sea turtles migrate annually from the shores of the Arabian Gulf, the Red Sea and Somalia to lay their eggs on Oman’s shores. Oman has five of the seven species of sea turtles. Watching freshly hatched baby turtles make their way to the sea for the first time is among the most popular tourist activities.
Whale Watching
The biggest and most substantial population of the Arabian Sea Humpback Whales inhabit Omani waters. Whale species that visit Oman include Blue Whales, Humpback Whales, Sperm Whales, Pygmy Killer Whales, and Killer Whales.
