8 Tips for Oman to make your trip a success

You'll want to know these tips for Oman before your trip

Move over Dubai! Oman is the new destination you'll want to visit. This country lies to the right of the United Emirates and is roughly the size of Germany, but with fewer than 5 million inhabitants. It's one of only two countries in the world that is a Sultanate (the other is Brunei), and you'll find a wonderful mix of nature and city life here. The capital, Muscat, is very much on the rise and one beautiful building after another is being built.

In that sense it's moving a bit in the direction of Dubai, but Muscat is still much less discovered by tourists and – in my opinion – much nicer for it. Even outside the capital, there are many natural phenomena and towns to visit, making it an ideal destination for a (mid)week getaway. I flew with Oman Air, which just gigantic international airport has opened in Oman.

Oman Air aims to become the new Reykjavik (and not just in terms of temperature ;-) ), so a stopover before you leave for your next destination. Starting in 2019, Oman Air will fly directly from Schiphol, and with this (budget) airline, it's very affordable to plan a layover in Oman for a few days. Afterward, you can fly on to destinations like Thailand, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and many more. And believe me, this stopover is more than worth it! Oman truly surprised me with its beautiful highlights, incredibly friendly people, and the scenery. Check out my 8 best tips for your perfect layover in Oman below. Below, you'll find general tips that are important to know before traveling to Oman.

Tips for Oman // Sultan Qaboos Mosque

8 tips for Oman

Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Muscat: In the capital of Oman, you'll find this enormous mosque, built by Sultan Qaboos. Opened in 2001, it's still quite new, like many other buildings in Muscat. This is evident in the beautifully polished floors (which are constantly cleaned). It's an impressive building, and the surrounding area, with its large garden and fountains, is well worth a stroll. The interior is equally impressive, with every detail, both inside and out, beautifully finished. Good to know: You must be fully covered to enter, but they do have free clothing available for loan.

Tips for Oman // Sultan Qaboos Mosque

Nizwa Fort: In Nizwa, Oman's former capital, you'll find this fort. Built in the 1650s to protect Oman from the Portuguese, it's a somewhat older building, but well-renovated and offers several viewpoints overlooking Oman's beautiful nature. Near Nizwa Fort, you'll also find a souq, or covered market, and charming squares perfect for souvenir shopping or simply relaxing. Be sure to bring your camera, as both the fort and the surrounding area are stunning! (See the header photo for Nizwa Fort!)

Mutrah Souq: The covered market of Muscat, Oman. You'll find plenty of souvenirs here, of course, but also a wealth of traditional Omani spices and items to take home. Frankincense, for example, comes from a tree and is often used in both food and perfume. I brought it home in a handmade clay vase, under which you light charcoal. This way, it creates a lovely scent for your home! Fun fact: In front of the entrance to Mutrah Souq, you can see the harbor with two gigantic cruise ships moored in it. Both of these cruise ships are owned and used by the Sultan. Not a bad boat, I can tell you.

Tips for Oman // Mutrah Souq

Wadi: Oman has several wadis. A wadi is a valley that can be either flooded or dry. The flooded ones are definitely worth a visit! Wadi Shab is the most famous and, according to many, the most beautiful. It's about an hour and a half to two hours from Muscat, and you should also allow for an hour's hike there and back. So, it's a bit of a journey, but believe me, the trip is more than worth it!

Tips for Oman // Wadi Shab

more tips for oman

Royal Opera House Muscat: When in Oman… you go to the opera! Or in my case, it was a ballet performance, The Sleeping Beauty. Check the Royal Opera House website to see what performances are currently on. It's highly recommended for a night out, if only for the extraordinary interior of the building, so beautiful! Long dinners aren't popular in Oman, so it's definitely recommended to plan something fun in the evening. Like a performance at the Royal Opera House Muscat – dress up and enjoy a night out!

Tips for Oman // Royal Opera House Muscat

Rent a car or go hiking: Oman's natural beauty is breathtaking, but the country is also vast (and very large). Renting a car is inexpensive and a great way to experience as much of the natural beauty as possible. Hiking is also an option (though this is for the more adventurous travelers); check online or locally for organized hikes. The villages and towns worth visiting can be far apart (over an hour's drive), but a road trip here is certainly not a chore!

Tips for Oman

more tips for oman

Al Alam Palace: This palace in Muscat is the residence of Sultan Qaboos. It's a colorful palace, but unfortunately, no visitors are allowed. You can walk right up to the gate, but this highlight is definitely a must-see on your trip to Oman. To the right of Al Alam Palace is a large white building; this is the guesthouse. Not a bad place, I can tell you! It also has its own swimming pool and full spa.

Go sailing (on a dhow): A dhow is a traditional Arabic sailing vessel that's common in Oman. You can, of course, take another boat trip, but the most fun is to do it Arabic-style, on a dhow. This can be done both during the day and at night. I personally recommend the daytime, as you'll also experience the beautiful scenery that, of course, isn't illuminated at night. You'll sail past the back of Al Alam Palace and along the coast for a while.

Tips for Oman // Sailing with a Dhow

general tips for oman

Currency: In Oman, they use the Omani rial. One Omani rial is equivalent to approximately €2,30. Bargaining is customary at the souq (covered market). Luxury foods like alcohol are considerably more expensive, but otherwise, it's generally cheaper than in the Netherlands.

Clothing: Oman is a Muslim country, but they are very open to other cultures. Women here wear modest clothing, and they prefer you to adhere to this as well. This means covering your knees and shoulders. If you really don't want this, they won't make a fuss, but it's respectful to keep it that way.

Alcohol: Alcohol isn't served in Oman. So if you really want a drink, you'll have to find a hotel bar. They do have them here. With meals, they mainly drink water and (super tasty) fresh juices like watermelon.

Camping: Great: in Oman, you can pitch your tent anywhere. And yes, really anywhere. One exception: it's prohibited on the Sultan's territory. But that does mean that if you love camping, you can pitch your tent in the most beautiful spots. That's why this has become a new item on my bucket list: rent a car, put your tent in the back, and travel through Oman camping!

tips for oman

hotel tip for oman

During my stay in Oman, I stayed at the Kempinski Hotel. This hotel is located on the outskirts of Muscat and offers every luxury imaginable. So, if you're looking for the ultimate relaxing stay during your time in Oman and Muscat, this is the perfect choice. It has two swimming pools, a wonderful spa, a full breakfast, and many restaurants in and around the hotel, including an Omani restaurant, a Thai restaurant, and a shisha lounge.

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Tips for Oman // Kempinski Hotel

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