“So what actually is there to do in Oman?”
A guest asked us that once, two days before his flight from London. He’d booked the trip on a friend’s recommendation, hadn’t done much research, and was quietly wondering if he’d made a mistake. Oman didn’t have the skyline of Dubai. He couldn’t picture it the way he could Paris or Bangkok.
We sent him a list. Not a tourist brochure list — a real one. The kind we’d send a friend. Six days later, he messaged from the airport: ‘I swam inside a mountain today. I didn’t think that was something you could do.’
He had been in Wadi Shab. He had also hiked Jebel Shams at sunrise, slept in the Wahiba Sands under the clearest sky he had ever seen, and eaten grilled kingfish on the Muttrah Corniche with an Omani fisherman he had met that morning.
That is Oman. This is the list we sent him — updated, expanded, and honest about what each experience actually delivers.
Quick Answer: Best Things to Do in Oman
- Swim through Wadi Shab’s hidden cave — Oman’s single most iconic experience
- Trek the Jebel Shams Balcony Walk — ‘Arabia’s Grand Canyon’
- Camp overnight in Wahiba Sands desert
- Explore Nizwa Fort and its ancient Friday souq
- Watch dolphins and snorkel at Daymaniyat Islands.
- Visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque at dawn.
- Walk the old streets of Muttrah and its corniche.
- Watch green sea turtles nest at Ras Al Jinz in the summer. Abseil through Snake Canyon.
- Experience the Khareef monsoon in Salalah from June to September.
Key Takeaways
- Oman provides a unique mix of adventure, history, and nature that few countries in the region can equal.
- Most of the best experiences are outdoor — wadis, mountains, desert, and coast.
- The best time for outdoor activities is October to April. Summer is best for Salalah and turtle watching.
- All 15 experiences on this list can be accessed from Muscat as a base.
- Guided tours make a significant difference — especially for wadis and mountain routes where local knowledge matters.
Why Oman Surprises Everyone
Oman is in a corner of the Arabian Peninsula that most travelers fly over on their way to Dubai or Abu Dhabi. That is, changing slowly, and the travelers who found it early will tell you they’re glad the rest of the world took its time.
This is a place where you can swim through a crack in a mountain in the morning, eat lunch in a 17th century fort town, and fall asleep in a desert camp under stars with no light pollution in any direction – all in one day. Infrastructure is good, the country is safe, the locals are genuinely welcoming and you won’t be in a crowd outside of Muscat.
The 15 Best Things to Do in Oman
Here are the 15 experiences that define a trip to Oman. In our view, from years of guiding travellers across this country, these are the ones that stay with people longest.
1. Swim Through Wadi Shab — Oman’s Most Iconic Experience
If you do one thing in Oman do this. Wadi Shab, a canyon of turquoise pools, palm groves and sheer limestone walls, is about two hours from Muscat. The track winds along the floor of the wadi, through a series of pools, each cooler and cleaner than the last, until you come to a narrow crack in the face of the rock, which you have to swim through to reach a hidden cave with a waterfall inside.
As a first-timer nothing prepares you for that. The cave is small, the light is dim, the waterfall drops into a pool you can float in, surrounded on all sides by solid rock. It is one of the most truly amazing natural experiences in the Middle East.
Best time: October to May when water levels are high. July–August: wadi may be low or dry.
2. Trek the Jebel Shams Balcony Walk — Arabia’s Grand Canyon
Jebel Shams is Oman’s highest peak at 3,009 metres. The Balcony Walk — a trail that clings to the edge of Wadi Ghul, a canyon with drops exceeding 1,000 metres — is the country’s most famous hike and one of the most dramatic in the entire region.
The trail is not technically difficult. What it delivers is a perspective on scale that is hard to describe: a canyon so deep that the villages at the bottom look like a handful of scattered stones. The ‘Grand Canyon of Arabia’ comparison is not marketing — standing on the rim, you understand it immediately.
Best time: November-March. A 4WD is required to reach the summit.
Fact: At 3,009 meters above sea level, Jebel Shams is the highest point on the Arabian Peninsula outside Yemen.
3. Sleep Under the Starry Sky at Wahiba Sands
The Wahiba Sands (also called Sharqiyah Sands) stretch for over 200 kilometres from the Eastern Hajar Mountains to the Arabian Sea. In the waning afternoon light the dunes are a deep terracotta red, and at night, with no towns for miles, the sky is full of stars in a way that feels almost theatrical.
Dune bashing in a 4WD is the adrenaline starter pack. Camel riding is the quieter alternative. But the real reason to come here is the overnight camp experience — sleeping in a traditional Bedouin-style tent, eating a slow dinner in the open air, and waking before dawn to watch the dunes change colour as the sun climbs.
Best time: October to March for camping. Nights below 15°C in January — bring a warm layer.
4. Explore Nizwa Fort and the Friday Souq
Nizwa was Oman’s ancient capital — the cultural, religious, and intellectual heart of the country for centuries. Its fort, built in the 17th century under Imam Sultan bin Saif Al Ya’rubi, took over twelve years to complete. The circular tower is 34 metres high and 45 metres in diameter and formerly required enemies to pass through a series of traps before entering the main hall. It is still one of the most visited heritage sites in Oman.
Come on a Friday morning and the experience doubles. The weekly cattle market outside the fort draws local farmers from across the interior — goats change hands, silver khanjars (daggers) are haggled over, and the atmosphere is entirely authentic.
Fact: Nizwa Fort attracted 143,767 tourists in 2019, thus becoming the most popular fort in Oman.
5. Snorkeling at Daymaniyat Islands Reserve
Nine uninhabited islands in the Gulf of Oman located 18 kilometres away from Muscat. The Daymaniyat Islands are a protected nature reserve – there is neither construction nor people living on the islands permanently, but the coral reefs surrounding them are considered one of the healthiest in the Arabian Sea. There you will spend a morning snorkeling among green sea turtles, reef sharks, rays and schools of tropical fish.
The crossing takes about 45 minutes by boat and the water is generally calm during October to May. There are lots of walls and bommies surrounding the islands that go quite deep and visibility in clear weather is excellent for divers.
Best time: November to April due to calm sea conditions and good underwater visibility.
Fact: The Daymaniyat Islands are a nature reserve in Oman.
6. Visit Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque at Dawn
Oman’s most recognisable landmark was completed in 2001 after six years of construction, using 300,000 tonnes of Indian sandstone. The main prayer hall houses what was, at the time of construction, the world’s second largest hand-woven carpet — a single piece measuring 70 by 60 metres, requiring four years and 600 weavers to complete.
The mosque opens to non-Muslim visitors in the mornings from Saturday to Thursday (closed Friday). Come early — by 9am the tour groups arrive. At 8am, with the light still low and the marble cool underfoot, it is one of the most serene places you will stand in the Middle East.
Visiting hours: Non-Muslims: 8:00–11:00am Saturday to Thursday. Dress code strictly observed — shoulders and knees covered, women require a headscarf.
Note: Visit the official mosque website for visiting guidelines
7. Walk the Muttrah Corniche and Souq
Muttrah is the old harbour district of Muscat — and it remains, despite everything, genuinely old. The Corniche runs along the waterfront past fishing boats, dhow repair yards, and the restored 16th-century Portuguese forts of Mirani and Jalali. The old fish market at the eastern end is worth five minutes even if you’re not buying — the daily catch is extraordinary in variety.
The Muttrah Souq is one of the oldest markets in the Gulf. It runs deeper and more warren-like than it looks from the entrance — silver jewellery, frankincense, Omani textiles, and hand-embroidered khuma caps. Unlike some Gulf souqs, this one still functions as a working market for locals.
Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon. Avoid midday heat in warmer months.
8. Abseil Through Snake Canyon
Snake Canyon, or Wadi Bani Awf as it is called by the locals, is an example of slot canyons found in the Western Hajar Mountains. These slot canyons are such that it is not possible to navigate through them without swimming, scrambling, and abseiling. At some points in the slot canyons, the canyon walls narrow down to just a few meters.
This is not a gentle walk. It is a full day of technical adventure, and it is extraordinary for it. The canyon is carved through banded rock in shades of orange and grey, and the light that filters down into the narrow sections creates a quality that stays in your photographs for years.
Note: This tour requires reasonable fitness and comfort in water. All safety equipment is provided on guided tours.
9. Watch Green Sea Turtles at Ras Al Jinz
Every year, thousands of the endangered green turtles come back to the beach of Ras Al Jinz, which is at the most easterly point of Oman, to lay their eggs in the very same sand that hatched them. It is among the biggest nesting grounds for the green turtle in the Indian Ocean.
A guided night tour takes groups of people down to the beach under the red filtered torchlight. Between July and September, the hatchlings emerge — hundreds of them at a time — and make the short journey to the sea. As wildlife experiences go, this is among the most affecting you will find anywhere.
Best time: May to October for nesting. July to September for hatching.
10. Drive the Musandam Fjords
Oman’s northernmost tip — the Musandam Peninsula — is a detached enclave surrounded by the UAE on land and the Strait of Hormuz by sea. Its coastline is a series of dramatic fjords — locally called khors — where brown limestone mountains plunge directly into dark blue water.
The classic approach involves using a dhow boat for a half-day or a full day in which you travel around the fjords, spotting dolphins, jumping fish eagles, and even floating between vertical cliffs in utter silence. The town of Khasab serves as the starting point, with people traveling from Dubai or Muscat to visit it.
Best time: October to April. Summer is hot but the fjords are accessible year-round.
11. Explore Jebel Akhdar’s Rose Terraces
Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain), which reaches an elevation of about 2,000 metres in the Western Hajar mountains, is one of the few places in Arabia that produces roses, pomegranates, apricots, and walnuts. The terraces carved manually on the mountain and irrigated via the falaj irrigation system (UNESCO World Heritage Site) produce the Damask rose required for Omani rose water.
Rose picking occurs during late March and early April; a short period during which the hills turn pink and air gets fragrant in a way you would never imagine in a hot desert country. Apart from the harvesting season, the villages, views, and cool climate make this route one of the most picturesque drives in Oman.
Note: Oman’s ancient falaj irrigation systems are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
12. Visit the Royal Opera House Muscat
It seems strange, even incongruous – an opera house in the Gulf – but Royal Opera House Muscat is one of the best performing arts venues in the area and well worth an evening out. It is a magnificent building in its own right, made of Italian marble and Arabian geometrical architecture combined with exquisite Omani artistry.
The season takes place from October to June, including performances of orchestras and ballets from all over the world, opera productions and Omani culture shows. Even if you are not particularly fond of classical music, the building itself is an excellent reason to take a walk through the complex at night.
Note: Check the current programme and book tickets at rohmuscat.org.om
13. Visit Bahla Fort and Jabreen Castle
One of the biggest fortifications in Oman, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bahla Fort was constructed in the 12th to 15th century by the people of the Nabahina tribe. Constructed from the mud bricks, towers and large defense walls cover an area on a hill above the oasis town of Bahla. It has an ancient feel unlike many restored historical places.
Another building nearby is the Jabreen Castle, which was built in 1671, which is the opposite of a fortress, being a palace residence with painted ceilings, personal libraries and even astrological study rooms.
UNESCO: Bahla Fort was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
14. Take a Sunset Dhow Cruise from Muscat
The old wooden dhow is to Oman as the gondola is to Venice; it is an intrinsic part of the national culture. Oman was a major trading nation on the Indian Ocean, and its tool was the dhow.
A sail at sunset from Muscat Harbour passes the Portuguese forts, along the rocky coastline, and returns as the sun sets on the mountains while the lights come up in the city behind the harbour. Dolphins appear regularly around the bow. It is, in the best possible way, a quiet and uncomplicated way to spend an evening.
15. Experience the Khareef Season in Salalah
Oman’s most surprising experience is one most international visitors never see. Within the time frame of late June through early September, the Indian Ocean monsoon makes the Dhofar Mountains in Salalah change from a desert-like region to a misty green wonderland.
Waterfalls spring up in areas which had been bare rocks just a month ago. The weather temperature decreases to about 22 degrees Celsius while Muscat scorches with heat at 42 degrees Celsius. There is the Salalah Tourism Festival held in the traditional market place where frankincense trading takes place. More than 827,000 people visited Salalah in 2025 for the Khareef.
Best time: Late June to mid-September. Peak green in July and August.
Getting there: Oman Air operates direct flights from Muscat to Salalah.
Fact: 827,115 visitors travelled to Dhofar during the Khareef season in 2025.
Some Tips for Visitors
- Getting around: A rental car gives you the most freedom for wadis and mountain routes. Many experiences — especially wadis — require a 4WD. Guide Compass tours include all transport.
- Packing list: Swimwear for wadis, decent clothes for forts and mosques, sturdy footwear for any hike, very strong sunblock all year around, minimum 2 liters of water per head for anything outdoor.
- Language: The official language is Arabic. English is widely spoken in Muscat and by all tourism professionals. Outside the capital, basic Arabic phrases are appreciated.
- Currency: Omani Rial (OMR). 1 OMR ≈ 2.60 USD. Cash widely accepted. ATMs available in all towns.
- Visa: Most Western passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival or e-visa. Check current requirements at rop.gov.om before travel.
Oman is most famous for its wadis — natural canyon rivers with turquoise pools — particularly Wadi Shab, which draws travellers from across the world. Beyond wadis, Oman is known for its well-preserved forts and castles, the dramatic scenery of Jebel Shams, the Wahiba Sands desert, dolphin watching, and the unique Khareef monsoon season in Salalah.
Five days is the minimum for a meaningful trip covering Muscat, one or two wadis, and a desert or mountain experience. Seven to ten days allows a well-rounded itinerary including Nizwa, Jebel Shams, Wahiba Sands, and a sea tour. Two weeks opens up Salalah, Musandam, and the Sur coastline.
Yes — Oman is one of the best adventure destinations in the Middle East. Wadi trekking, canyon abseiling, mountain hiking, desert camping, snorkelling, caving, and off-road driving are all readily available, well-organised, and relatively affordable compared to equivalent experiences in Europe or the Americas.
Oman is the only Gulf country with significant mountains, wadis, and diverse natural landscapes. It has not pursued the high-rise, luxury-resort model of its neighbours. The culture is notably traditional and authentic, the country is safe and clean, and the natural environment — from the Hajar Mountains to the Wahiba Sands to the Daymaniyat coral reefs — remains largely unspoilt.
Oman is consistently rated one of the safest countries in the world for solo travel, including solo female travel. The country ranks highly on the Global Peace Index. Public transport is limited outside Muscat, so joining a guided tour or renting a car is the practical way to reach wadis and mountain areas.
Wadi Shab, Jebel Shams, Wahiba Sands overnight camping, Nizwa Fort on a Friday morning, and a sunset dhow cruise from Muscat — these five experiences cover the essential range of what makes Oman extraordinary. If time allows, add the Daymaniyat Islands for snorkelling and Jabreen Castle for Omani heritage at its finest.
Yes! We offer special rates for families, groups, and repeat travelers. Just ask us for a custom quote based on your group size.
