Highlights
Muscat
Once a fabled frankincense-trading port, Muscat is an elegant, low-rise city with a unique character, bordered by jagged peaks and pristine beaches. Muscat is proud of its rich heritage yet has a forward-thinking outlook; a place where old meets new with great flair. In 2011, the opening of the Royal Opera House pinned Muscat to the cultural map and its performances feature resident and international stars. Another gem is the new National Museum, revealing cultural heritage from prehistoric periods to the present day. Not forgetting Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, adorned with lavish chandeliers and an eye-catching, hand-loomed rug that took four years to make!
Hajar Mountains
This mindboggling region of rugged mountains is one of Oman’s biggest visitor attractions, site of Jebel Shams (Oman’s tallest peak), Wadi Ghul (Grand Canyon of Arabia) and Jebel Akhdar (Oman’s fruit bowl) – prized for its apricots and pomegranates. Framed by this incredible handiwork of Mother Nature are some of the country’s finest forts, mostly built around rocks that become their natural foundations. These include Bahla, a UNESCO-listed walled city crowned with a magnificent fort; Jabrin, a picture-perfect castle surrounded by high walls and date palms, featuring two inner courtyards and a labyrinth of little rooms and Nizwa Fort, an impressive example of 17th century design and the biggest fortification on the Arabian Peninsula.
Musandam
Blessed with a wildly wonderful and desolate setting, the Musandam Peninsula is nicknamed the ‘Norway of Arabia’, sprinkled with rocky fjords, sleepy villages and jaw-dropping mountain roads. Location-wise, Musandam juts out into the Strait of Hormuz, detached from the rest of Oman by the UAE’s east coast. If you’re looking for somewhere completely off-radar, where you can indulge in scuba-diving, spa treatments, incredible cuisine and other exclusive activities, amid extraordinary landscapes, Musandam should be a serious contender for you.
Turtles
Ras al Jinz is a notable nesting site for endangered Green Turtles and some 20,000 females lay eggs here every year. The area is officially protected, but escorted tours are available.
Shopping
Stroll the side streets and alleyways of Old Muscat, lined with little shops selling silver jewellery, embroidered fabrics and headscarves. Muscat’s Mutrah Souk is everything a souk should be – chaotic, noisy and stuffed with traditional Arabian goodies. It’s a place to browse and soak up the atmosphere, testing out your haggling skills along the way. Pick up local and Indian artefacts, antiques, textiles and beaded jewellery. And remember, getting lost is part of the fun! If this does happen, head downhill and you’ll eventually return to where you started, down by the sea.
Adventure & Sports
Near to Muscat, Bandar Khayran Reserve boasts no fewer than twenty-two dive sites, all offering a piece of underwater magic. The region is a haven for scuba-diving enthusiasts, with amazing coral reef, heaps of tropical fish and pods of delightful dolphins playing in the sea, while other popular watersports include sailing and fishing. Back on land, overnight camping trips can be booked where you sleep under desert skies in a traditional Bedouin tent. It’s an ideal way to connect with Oman, its nature and its traditions, with activities such as dune bashing, barbecues and listening to oud music (a native stringed instrument) beside a campfire, stars twinkling like diamonds high above.