Oman · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Oman
These are the places across Oman we would point a first-time visitor to, from souqs and forts to wadis, desert camps and quiet coves. Opening hours change, especially in Ramadan, so check before you go.
Places to Visit in Muscat
Arts and Culture
- Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (Bawshar)
Oman's great mosque, with a vast hand woven carpet, crystal chandelier and serene marble courtyards. - Royal Opera House Muscat (Shatti Al Qurum)
A marble opera house hosting opera, ballet and Arab music, with daytime tours. - National Museum of Oman (Old Muscat)
The best overview of Oman's history, from prehistoric finds to maritime trade. - Al Alam Palace (Old Muscat)
The Sultan's ceremonial palace, with blue and gold columns best seen from the gates. - Al Jalali and Al Mirani Forts (Old Muscat)
Portuguese era forts guarding the old harbour, a classic Muscat photo. - Bait Al Zubair Museum (Old Muscat)
A private museum of Omani costume, khanjars and old photographs in a family house. - Muttrah Fort (Muttrah)
A hilltop fort above the Corniche with sweeping views over the harbour. - Muttrah Watchtower (Muttrah Corniche)
A short climb to a restored tower with a fine view of the bay at dusk. - Bait Al Baranda (Muttrah)
A compact museum on Muscat's history and geology in a restored house.
Shopping and Markets
- Muttrah Souq (Muttrah)
A covered maze of lanes selling frankincense, silver, pashminas and dates, liveliest in the evening. - Muttrah Fish Market (Muttrah Corniche)
A modern hall where the morning catch is sold, cleaned and carried off by restaurant cooks. - Opera Galleria (Shatti Al Qurum)
An arcaded shopping street beside the Opera House with boutiques and cafés. - Muscat Grand Mall (Al Ghubra)
A large air conditioned mall for midday heat and family shopping. - Amouage factory and visitor centre (Rusayl)
The perfume house behind Oman's famous luxury fragrances, with short factory tours.
Things to Do
- Muttrah Corniche (Muttrah)
The harbourfront promenade where locals stroll at sunset past dhows and old merchant houses. - Omani French Museum (Old Muscat)
A small museum in a former consulate tracing old ties between Oman and France. - Oman Across Ages Museum (Manah)
A large modern museum telling Oman's story with immersive galleries.
Restaurants
- Bait Al Luban (Muttrah Corniche)
Traditional Omani dishes such as shuwa and harees in an old house facing the harbour. - Kargeen Caffe (Madinat Sultan Qaboos)
A lantern lit garden restaurant serving Omani and Arabic food under the trees. - Ubhar (Bareeq Al Shatti)
Modern Omani cooking that brings home recipes to a smart dining room. - Turkish House (Al Khuwair)
A busy, simple fish restaurant where you pick your seafood and it is grilled for you.
Cafés
- Karak tea stalls of Muttrah (Muttrah)
Sweet spiced tea in paper cups, the everyday drink of Muscat's streets.
Bars and Nightlife
- Trader Vic's (InterContinental Muscat, Shatti Al Qurum)
A long running Polynesian bar with live music and cocktails in a hotel garden.
Nature and Outdoors
- Daymaniyat Islands (Off Barka)
A protected island reserve with Oman's best snorkelling, turtles and reef fish. - Dolphin watching from Marina Bandar Al Rowdha (Al Bustan)
Morning boat trips where pods of dolphins are often seen close to the coast. - Qantab Beach (Qantab)
A small cove where fishermen take visitors by boat to quieter beaches and sea caves. - Shatti Al Qurum Beach (Shatti Al Qurum)
The long city beach, busy with joggers, families and football at sunset. - Wadi Al Arbeieen (South of Quriyat)
A quiet wadi with palm lined pools, less visited than the famous ones. - Qurum Natural Park (Qurum)
A large park with lakes and lawns, popular with families on cool evenings.
Events
- Muscat Nights (Across Muscat)
A winter festival with markets, food stalls, concerts and lights in public parks. - Royal Opera House winter season (Shatti Al Qurum)
A programme of opera, ballet and concerts from autumn to spring. - Eid celebrations and shuwa (Across Oman)
Families bury spiced lamb in sand pits for days, a festive ritual worth knowing about.
Stays
- Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel (Al Bustan)
A landmark palace hotel in its own bay between mountains and sea. - The Chedi Muscat (Al Ghubra)
A calm, minimal beach resort with pools, gardens and water features. - Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort (Barr Al Jissah)
A resort complex with beaches, a lazy river and turtle nesting. - Kempinski Hotel Muscat (Al Mouj)
A modern beach hotel in the Al Mouj marina district.
Places to Visit in Nizwa
Arts and Culture
- Nizwa Fort (Nizwa old town)
A seventeenth century fort with a great round tower and views over the palms. - Bahla Fort (Bahla)
A huge UNESCO listed mud brick fort ringed by miles of old walls. - Jabrin Castle (Jabrin)
A refined palace castle with painted ceilings and secret passages. - Al Hamra old village (Al Hamra)
Abandoned multi storey mud houses beside a working palm oasis. - Bait Al Safah (Al Hamra)
A living museum where villagers show bread making, grinding and old crafts.
Shopping and Markets
- Nizwa Souq (Nizwa old town)
Halls for dates, silver, pottery and khanjars beside the fort. - Bahla pottery workshops (Bahla)
Bahla has long been known for its clay pots, still made in small workshops.
Events
- Nizwa Friday goat market (Nizwa Souq)
An early morning livestock auction that draws farmers from every village. - Jebel Akhdar rose season (Jebel Akhdar)
In spring, families distil rose water from damask roses on the terraces.
Nature and Outdoors
- Misfat al Abriyeen (Misfat)
A stone village with lanes running beside a falaj through date gardens. - Jebel Shams Balcony Walk (Jebel Shams)
A ledge trail along the canyon rim to the abandoned village of As Sab. - Wadi Bani Habib (Jebel Akhdar)
Ruined terraced village among walnut trees on the Green Mountain. - Jebel Akhdar villages walk (Jebel Akhdar)
A path linking Al Aqr, Al Ayn and Ash Shirayjah along the terrace edges. - Wadi Ghul (Below Jebel Shams)
The canyon floor village at the start of the mountain road, with old ruins.
Restaurants
- Bin Ateeq Restaurant (Nizwa)
Omani food served on floor cushions in private rooms, a traditional experience.
Cafés
- Nizwa Souq date and coffee stalls (Nizwa Souq)
Sample fresh dates with cardamom coffee from the traders.
Stays
- Alila Jabal Akhdar (Jebel Akhdar)
A stone built resort on the edge of a gorge with stunning views. - Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort (Jebel Akhdar)
A clifftop resort with a famous viewpoint over the canyon. - Al Misfah Old House (Misfat al Abriyeen)
A guesthouse in a restored house in the old mountain village. - Golden Tulip Nizwa (Nizwa)
A practical mid-range hotel with a pool for families on a loop. - Jebel Shams Resort (Jebel Shams)
Chalets and camping near the canyon rim for stars and dawn walks.
Things to Do
- Falaj Daris (Nizwa)
A UNESCO listed falaj irrigation channel with a shady park.
Places to Visit in Sur
Nature and Outdoors
- Wadi Shab (Tiwi)
A boat ride, a gorge walk and a swim through a gap to a hidden cave waterfall. - Wadi Bani Khalid (Ash Sharqiyah North)
Wide emerald pools fed by springs all year, with shade and easy paths. - Bimmah Sinkhole (Hawiyat Najm Park)
A limestone crater with a turquoise pool right by the coast road. - Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve (Ras al Jinz)
Ranger led night visits to watch green turtles nesting on the beach. - Wahiba Sands (Bidiyah)
Orange dunes for camel rides, sandboarding and sunsets near the desert camps. - Wadi Tiwi (Tiwi)
A paved road through villages, pools and terraced gardens inside a gorge. - Fins Beach (Fins)
Bright white sand and clear water on a quiet stretch of coast. - Ras al Hadd lagoon (Ras al Hadd)
A peaceful lagoon and fort at the eastern tip of Arabia.
Arts and Culture
- Sur Dhow Factory (Sur)
Watch shipwrights build traditional wooden dhows by hand. - Sur Maritime Museum (Sur)
Exhibits on Sur's seafaring past and trade with Africa and India. - Sunaysilah Fort (Sur)
A square fort on a hill above the town, with views over Sur. - Ibra old quarter (Ibra)
Crumbling merchant houses and a Wednesday women's market.
Things to Do
- Al Ayjah Lighthouse (Al Ayjah, Sur)
A sunset walk past the lighthouse and watchtowers across the lagoon. - Sandboarding in the Wahiba (Wahiba Sands)
Sliding down the dunes on a board is fun for all ages.
Stays
- Desert Nights Camp (Wahiba Sands)
A comfortable camp deep in the dunes with dinners under the stars. - 1000 Nights Camp (Wahiba Sands)
Tents and cabins among the dunes, with sandboarding and camel rides. - Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve rooms (Ras al Jinz)
Stay at the reserve itself for easy night and dawn turtle visits. - Sur Plaza Hotel (Sur)
A practical base for wadis and turtle trips.
Places to Visit in Salalah
Arts and Culture
- Al Baleed Archaeological Park (Salalah)
A UNESCO listed medieval port with the Museum of the Frankincense Land. - Sumhuram and Khor Rori (Taqah)
Ruins of an ancient frankincense port above a lagoon full of birds. - Taqah Castle (Taqah)
A restored nineteenth century castle in a fishing town. - Mirbat old town (Mirbat)
Old merchant houses, a fort and a working harbour.
Shopping and Markets
- Al Husn Souq (Salalah)
Frankincense, clay burners and perfume sold by Dhofari traders.
Nature and Outdoors
- Wadi Darbat (East of Salalah)
A green valley with a lake and, in the khareef, a cliff waterfall. - Al Mughsail Beach and blowholes (Mughsail)
A long beach where sea spray bursts through rock vents at high tide. - Wadi Dawkah frankincense trees (Thumrait road)
A UNESCO listed grove of wild frankincense trees. - Ayn Razat (East of Salalah)
A spring fed garden park popular with families. - Tawi Attair sinkhole (Jebel Samhan)
One of the largest sinkholes in the world, ringing with birdsong.
Things to Do
- Roadside coconut stalls (Salalah plantations)
Fresh coconut water and bananas sold beside the groves.
Events
- Salalah Tourism Festival (Salalah)
Khareef season markets, concerts and family events.
Stays
- Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara (Salalah)
A beach resort next to the ancient Al Baleed site. - Juweira Boutique Hotel (Hawana Salalah)
A marina hotel with easy beach and family facilities.
Places to Visit in Khasab
Things to Do
- Khor Ash Sham dhow cruise (Khasab harbour)
A full day among fjords with dolphins, snorkelling and Telegraph Island.
Arts and Culture
- Khasab Fort (Khasab)
A Portuguese era fort with a museum of traditional Musandam life.
Nature and Outdoors
- Jebel Harim (Musandam)
A mountain road to Musandam's highest point with fossil beds. - Khor Najd viewpoint (Musandam)
A dramatic viewpoint above a deep blue inlet. - Telegraph Island (Khor Ash Sham)
Ruins of a nineteenth century British telegraph station in the fjords.
Stays
- Atana Musandam Resort (Khasab)
A coastal resort with views over the water. - Atana Khasab Hotel (Khasab)
A simple hotel above the sea, handy for boat trips.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- The Beach Restaurant (Al Bustan, Muscat)
Seafood served with your feet nearly in the sand on Muscat's resort coast. - Al Boom Restaurant (Muttrah Corniche, Muscat)
Shawarma and juices from a Corniche favourite, ideal after the souq. - Shuwa Shack (Al Mouj, Muscat)
Casual spot serving slow cooked shuwa lamb, Oman's festive dish, any day of the week. - Ofair Public Fish Restaurant (Shatti Al Qurum, Muscat)
Fish, chips and grilled seafood in a no fuss local restaurant. - Sultanah (Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah, Muscat)
A ship themed fine dining room at one of Muscat's grandest resorts. - Al Makan Café (Shatti Al Qurum, Muscat)
A café with Omani breakfasts, karak tea and a modern local crowd. - Starbucks Muttrah (Muttrah Corniche, Muscat)
Not unique, but a reliable cool spot with harbour views between souq visits. - Al Angham Lounge area at the Opera Galleria (Shatti Al Qurum, Muscat)
An elegant evening setting near the Opera House for dinner before a show. - Al Bahja Friday market (Seeb, Muscat)
A busy weekend market where residents shop for produce, fish and household goods. - Al Khoud dam and old village (Al Khoud, Muscat)
Old mud houses and a palm oasis on the edge of the city. - Stal Gallery (Al Khuwair, Muscat)
A contemporary art gallery showing Omani and regional artists. - Naseem Hotel (Muttrah Corniche, Muscat)
A simple, long running hotel with harbour views steps from the souq. - Al Hoota Cave (Al Hamra, Nizwa)
A show cave with lakes and formations, reached by a short train. - Al Diyafa Restaurant (Nizwa, Nizwa)
A local favourite for Omani and Indian dishes near the souq. - Al Masharef Restaurant (Nizwa, Nizwa)
A popular family spot for grills and Arabic dishes. - Antique Inn (Nizwa, Nizwa)
A small heritage guesthouse full of old Omani objects. - Ibra women's souq (Ibra, Sur)
A Wednesday morning market where women trade cloth, cosmetics and crafts. - Zaki Restaurant (Sur, Sur)
A simple local favourite for grilled fish and biryani. - Sur Beach Hotel restaurant (Sur, Sur)
A relaxed hotel dining room on the beach for seafood dinners. - Arabian Oryx Camp (Wahiba Sands, Sur)
A simpler desert camp close to the edge of the sands. - Fazayah Beach (West of Mughsail, Salalah)
A hidden sandy bay framed by cliffs, reached on a rough track. - Al Haffa fish and grills (Al Haffa, Salalah)
Simple Dhofari grills near the old Haffa souq. - Hawana Salalah restaurants (Taqah, Salalah)
Waterfront dining in the marina resort development. - Salalah Gardens Residences (Salalah, Salalah)
Apartments near the mall, practical for families in khareef. - Snorkelling at Lima Rock area (Musandam, Khasab)
Clear water and reef fish on boat trips south of Khasab. - Khasab souq cafés (Khasab, Khasab)
Grilled fish and karak tea where the speedboats unload.