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A great option when traveling around in Muscat is head for 'Old Muscat' past the Sultans palace. There is a winding road that leads to a mountain top that gives amazing views of Old Muscat. Ask the locals to point out Old Muscat and you cant miss this winding road through the mountains. At twilight the views are stunning.
Many tourists dont bother to visit the area around the Sultans Palace but in reality it is perfectly fine to walk around the grounds. The beachfront area is peppered with forts and a stroll down past the giant incense urn will givfe you access to a beautiful part of Muscat. Looking back towards the souq and hotels with the dhows in the background make this location a great spot to take some beautiful photos.
The Musandam Peninsula forms the northernmost tip of the Arabian Peninsula, and forms one side of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. It is separated from the rest of Oman by part of the United Arab Emirates. Until just a few years ago, the Musandam Peninsula was a miltary zone, strictly off limits to travelers. However, now that Oman is opening up to tourism, the peninsula is becoming a popular part of the country for diving, fishing, boating, and travel into the rugged mountainous interior. Many consider this to be the most beautiful part of Oman.The Ras al-Jebel Mountains are the dominant physical feature of the Musandam Peninsula. They rise to 6,847 feet (2,087 meters), and slope steeply down to the sea, forming long fjord-like inlets. In the interior there are many wadis (canyons carved through the mountains by prehistoric rivers 10,000 to 2,000,000...
Yes it is possible to go swimming at inland sites in Oman - it's not all sand! Wadi Dayqah makes for a good excursion from Muscat. It used to be well off the beaten track because it could only be reached in a 4x4. But now, owing to modern progress, there's tarmac 99% of the way which allows one to get a Toyota Echo almost to the water's edge. It's a pleasant 90 km drive from Muscat, in the direction of Quriyat, with a view over plains to the Hajar Mountains that never fail to captivate at any time of the day. The Wadi itself emerges from a deep gorge in the mountains in its quest for the sea. Spates have caused deep erosion at boulders and outcrops creating deep pools that the local lads delight in jumping into (from great heights). You can even snorkel here as there are plenty of fish. It is less off the beaten path now but is well worth a visit.
If you are visiting Wadi Shab and Wadi Tiwi, you should also walk around the beautiful seaside town of Tiwi, which is located next to these two wadis (rivers). The locals are very friendly and the atmosphere is very relaxing. This is a good place to experience the life in coastal areas of Oman. More information and photographs are at my VT Tiwi page.
The old town of Al Hamra is beautifully located at the foot of the Western Hajar Mountains and this can be combined with a visit to another traditional mountain town called Misfat. A trip to both places can be arranged when you are in Nizwa, but you need a good vehicle to negotiate the mountain terrain.
This old town is located on the foot of the Western Hajar Mountains along the way from Muscat to the interior town of Nizwa. It is worth exploring for its beautiful setting, traditional architecture and a truely Arabia feeling. More information & photographs are at my VT Tanuf page.
Tanuf used to be a town but during the rebellion in the 1950s, this town was being bombed by the British and the locals escaped to the mountains. The ruins at Tanuf is a reminder of past events and is now an attraction of Oman. More information & photographs are at my VT Tanuf page.
Misfat is one of the few remaining traditional towns situated on the cliffs of the Western Hajar Mountains. You should visit this incredible place if you happen to be around the Nizwa area, as it really brings you into the traditional life among the rugged mountains of Oman. More information & photographs of Misfat are at my VT Al Hamra page.
Ras Al Hadd is a coastal area near to Eas Al Jinz, the most eastern spot of the Arabia Peninsula. The beach and the bay at Ras Al Hadd are very beautiful, and you could see many dhows (traditional wooden ship in Arabia) mooring at the Ras Al Hadd bay. There is even a former british airport runway at the town area. More information, photos and accomodation tip of Ras Al Hadd are at my VT Sur page.
InterContinental Al Bustan Palace Muscat Muscat
16 Reviews and 186 Opinions If you have a chance to visit this prestigious hôtel , you will not regret it. Outstanding...
Hilton Salalah Salalah
6 Reviews and 99 Opinions The minute I entered this hotel I knew something was special and it did not take me long to discover...
Sur Beach Hotel Sur
4 Reviews and 23 Opinions This hotel is a three star option and in my opinion the best you can choose in Sur. Having stayed...
Reviews and photos of Oman attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Oman sightseeing.
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Q: who could inform me about a really good local travel agency or tour operator in oman, in order to book with them a 15 days round...
A: I recommend Nomad Tours in Oman. We stayed at Nomad Guest House in Muscat- it was excellent, and Lorna (the owner) can organize any tour that you might like to...
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