Oftentimes, Oman is relegated to just another hot gulf country. Furthermore, oftentimes, it is eclipsed by its stately neighbors. Oman qualifies to be a hidden gem. And it is time you wise yourself up to the fact.

Places to see in Oman

Salalah

When you expect Oman to be full of browns and yellows, sands and barrenness, picture a landmass of opulent greenness, and that is Salalah for you. The Dhofar region of southern Oman is where Salalah is located. You must go to this place when monsoon strikes the Omani land, that is between the months of July to September. A predominant greenness overwhelms the entire geography.

Wadi Shab

Blessed with astounding physical features, this place is just a short drive from Muscat. Deep in the heart of the mountains resides this beautiful world of caves and streams. There are multiple pools of crystal clear waters wherein you can swim or simply float over to relax.

Musandam

Another picturesque place in Oman is Musandam. Its famed white beaches will revamp your notion about the place. One of the most famous beaches in this place is the Khasab beach. In fact, many fondly call it ‘The Norway of Arabia’ on account of its stunning mountains.

Al Jebel Al Akhdar

Standing true to its name, the Al Jebel Al Akhdar is a beautiful mountain belonging to the Al Hajar Mountain range in the north of Oman. The beauty of the place is attributable to the carpet of green plantations that is widespread here. And the views that the place proffers makes it magnificent and unique.

Muttrah

An erstwhile economically significant zone in Oman, the Muttrah still holds an important position in terms of its scenic beauty. It has some of the largest seaports in the country. You must visit this place to experience the heritage and culture of the Omani society.

Ras Al Jinz

If you are a conservationist or simply love animals, you must go to Ras Al Jinz, for here you will encounter migrating turtles that come to lay eggs. These turtles are green in colors and the ingress takes place in large numbers. The place is located in the eastern part of Oman..

Offbeat destinations in Oman

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

This is one of the most beautiful examples of Omani architecture. The mosque is designed with engraved walls, arched roofs, and stunning imposing minarets. The entire premise is surrounded by a mammoth green garden that not only enhances the overall beauty of the place but also impedes outside kerfuffle from entering and sabotaging the prevalent universal peace inside.

Forts and Castles

You come to Oman and not visit the impressive castles here will constitute a crime. The forts as well as the castles here will create a lasting impression on your mind. They are very telling of the olden Omani society and their ways, facts which make these destinations more appealing to everyone.

Jabrin castle

The Jabrin castle is a treat to your aesthetics. It was built long back in the 17th century, and it delineates beautifully the country’s deep-established ties with poetry and arts. The overall structure is very picturesque and with the verses taken out from the pages of Koran as well as other books of poetry, and inscribes on the wall of the castle, it will make an unforgettable visit.

Bahla Fort

The fort came into being around 3,000 BC and eventually was enlisted into the list of UNESCO World Heritage much later in the ‘90s. There are, inside the fort, various traditional Souqs as well as several alleys and chambers, which in its entirety vocalizes the exclusive architecture of Oman.

Festivals of Oman

Muscat Festival

Scheduled and conducted annually over an entire period of a month, between the months of January and February, the Muscat festival is very popular. The festival is a great platform to showcase, every year, the uniqueness and exclusiveness of Omani culture. It regales the visitors with stories of Oman from the historic times. From theatrics and acrobatics to sports, fireworks, and gastronomy of excellence, everything conjoins to establish a considerable form of entertainment.

Salalah Tourism Festival

It is one of the most vibrant of fiestas in Oman. Opens in mid-July and runs till August, this festival is a great place for friends and family to catch up and spend quality time together. There are different kinds of activities that take places here together that will leave everyone entertained. Cultural shows, theatre programs, and other international programs are held here in addition to circus, games and music festivals. Also, you will find gourmet food here to binge on and lines of clothes stalls to shop from. Interestingly this is also a famous spot for family picnics.

Sultan Camel Race Cup

You have heard about or perhaps enjoyed horse races here and there, but Oman has taken it to another level; they conduct camel races! The sporting gala, with the support and enthusiasm of the Sultan, has seen an upscale in public interest over the years. These well-trained camels run on race tracks and rival each other to finish first.

Local Flavors

Omani Halwa

One of the most sought-after desserts in Oman, the Omani Halwa, is a thick and rich item of food that sells like hotcakes with the tourists. Made up of sugar, eggs, honey, Omani spices, various nuts, and rose water it is presented on a single large plate with multiple spoons for guests to share and enjoy together. It is served with kahwa and dates.

Kahwa

Kahwa alias coffee in Arabic is highly textured and is a local favorite in Oman. It is unique in its composition in that there is cardamom powder. The Kahwa is served to the guests in every household along with a plate consisting of dates and the Omani dessert. The coffee is home-grown and readied for consumption within the country. There are special pots to serve the coffee and the Omani population consumes it several times in a day.

Date Palms

Oman is famous for the large-scale cultivation of date palms. They vary is shape and can be bafflingly large in size. There are several versions of this fruit, in that they also vary in color. On account of the richness in taste and sweetness, these are largely used in preparing sweet dishes.

Majboos

A wholesome, aromatic dish that is rich in its contents, the Majboos is very popular. It had actually originated in Saudi Arabia and grew popular so much as that its popularity spilled across the length and breadth of the Gulf nations. It is made up of basmati rice, meat, vegetables, and a motley of disparate spices. It is a delectable dish and is also known as ‘Kabsa’ and ‘Makboos’.

Shuwa

If you go to Oman you must try the meat-laden dishes, and one such popular dish is the Shuwa. It is quite a time-consuming dish wherein the ‘Shuwa’ or the grilled meat is marinated in Omani spices, then swaddled in palm or banana leaves and finally put away in an underground oven of sand. The dish is cooked over a day or two.

Oman is a beautiful country to explore and with its rich culture, heritage, and cuisine it has so much to offer everyone. If you are a true traveler you must make at least one trip to this wondrous place in your lifetime.