8 Best Things To Do In Oman

The Sultanate of Oman. Just the name of this country transports you to an exotic ancient place full of jewels and Sinbad-like characters.

But Oman is also an upcoming travel destination that will give you so much variety of experiences: mountains, canyon, beaches, wildlife, history, and architecture. Discover some of the top places and things to do in Oman and pack your bags!

8 TOP THINGS TO DO IN OMAN

1. The wildlife

One of the highlights of any trip to Oman is to admire the turtles nesting on the beach and making their way back to the sea just before sunrise.

Their effort to find the perfect spot to lay their eggs and then sliding back to the sea is admirable. They are really not meant to be on land. And if you are lucky you could even spot babies hatching and trying to make it to the ocean.

The Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve offers this experience every morning. Book in advance as it is a nature reserve and access is limited.

Other wildlife activities include snorkeling in the Daymaniyat islands or chasing the elusive Arabian leopard.

2. The architecture

Built between 1995 and 2011, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is a breathtaking piece of Islamic architecture. Located in the flat area of Muscat the building, its garden and 5 minarets stands out in the landscape.

You can explore the outside with the long corridors full of mosaics and arches, or admire the decor of the main prayer room with the 21-ton hand woven carpet. It is also home to a magnificent chandelier: 14 meters in height, 8 meters in diameter, 1122 light bulbs and 600,000 crystals!

Another jewel of Omani architecture and technical mastery is the Muscat Opera House with its wooden decor and state of the art sound set up.

3. The history

Selecting the best fort in Oman is not so easy. There are many and several of them are similar.

One of the most famous is the Nizwa fort and castle. You can even climb to the top of the 34-meter high tower for great views of the city. The Souq around the castle is a local meeting point making the visit interesting on many levels.

Built at the beginning of the 17th century, it took 12 years to complete. The Omani government does a great job at restoring and maintaining it. Most rooms have displays showing visitors how people used to live and how the fort was protected.

4. Unesco World Heritage sites

The Sultanate of Oman has 4 sites on the Unesco World Heritage List (as of 2016). The most famous is the Aflaj irrigation systems which can be seen in many old villages.

Other fascinating sites are the necropolises of Bat and Al-Ayn. At Ay-Ayn, the beehive tombs are aligned on a ridge with amazing scenery. Built by nomads, they are evidence of life during the Bronze Age in the Omani region.

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