Oman entrances with its timeless beauty. Discover wide expanses of empty, golden sand and soar across its deep blue sea with nights spent beneath the stars
Where to stay in Muscat
Sea views and golden sands take a starring role in the Omani capital’s plush hotel scene.
Meet the different faces of Oman
Hamid spends his days scaling the peaks of Jebel Shams, while Abdulfattah has fished with his family since he was a boy. And then there’s Nader, whose passion for Omani ingredients has seen him rise to the top of Muscat’s dining scene. These are the people of Oman, who bring this beautiful country to life.
Oman: From mountains to coastline
The peaks of Oman’s Jebel Shams have been dubbed the Grand Canyon of Arabia, known for their dizzying heights and red hued rocks. Contrast this with the coastline, where the winding waterways of the Musandam Fjords teem with sea life, and where fishing still forms the backbone of the local economy
Historical masterpieces: Sites that bring Oman’s past to life
As the oldest independent Arab state and the site of one of the world’s earliest inhabited cities, Oman is a treasure trove for history buffs. Here are five sites not to miss.
Coastal wonders: The best of Oman’s beaches
Desert terrain juxtaposes with azure ocean to jaw-dropping effect in Oman. We round up five of the most beautiful beach spots.
Into Oman's Hajar mountains: Meet the climber Hamid Alshabnooti
Climbing and canyoning instructor Hamid finds happiness in the mountains, where russet red peaks rise skywards, and views stretch out across vast oceans of sand.
Meet Abdulfattah Ahmed Al Shehhi, the fisherman who grew up on the waters of Oman's Musandam Peninsula
Abdulfattah has been fishing with his family since he was a boy. He now runs a tour company, taking travellers out to see the Norway of the Middle East for themselves.
Meet Nader Al Aisari, the Omani celebrity chef behind the country's fine-dining trend
Oman’s food scene is blossoming, in part thanks to the country’s wealth of natural ingredients, from fish to spices, and in part because of Nader al Aisari, a passionate Omani chef upping the country’s restaurant game.
Wildlife: Where to spot Oman's big five
There are abundant opportunities to observe animals in their natural habitat in Oman, with plenty of local tours available. Read on for our pick of the best
Adventure: Oman's adrenaline-inducing activities
Oman's intriguing and varied landscapes make it the ideal destination for adrenalin sports enthusiasts. Here are five adventures to try
Shariqiya Sands: A desert wilderness
These seemingly never-ending dunes roll and pitch like the waves on a white ocean. Home to Bedouins, camels and very little else, they're the perfect place to simply be
Muscat: souks, smells and superyachts
Oman's capital is a riot of sights and sounds, and wandering through the maze of alleys that makes up the Muttrah Souk is perhaps the best introduction to what the city has to offer.
Places: These Omani landscapes are out of this world
From lush oases and hilltop towns to vast stretches of desert, Oman really is a land of contrasts. We round up five otherworldly destinations you need to visit
Salalah: Wedding crasher
Locals in this southern Omani city are always keen share advice on things to see and do, but it's in attending a wedding celebration that Salalah really shows its colours
Sleep: Oman's best places to stay
From its vast deserts, towering peaks and pristine beaches to its buzzing capital, Muscat, it's easy to fall under Oman's spell. Here are some hotel options for every type of traveller
Salalah: Say goodbye to the desert
For a few months each year, Salalah, in southern Oman, is transformed by monsoon rains. The hills are verdant, the rivers swell, and deserted natural pools beg to be swum in
Dhofar: Where leopards roam
The steep, scrubby slopes of the Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve are home to the last Arabian leopards, although the chances of spotting one are almost non-existent
Southwest Oman: Into the Empty Quarter
Hundreds of miles from sparkling Muscat, southwest Oman offers a glimpse of the sultanate’s traditions and history — and a vast expanse of desert
Insights into the Omani way of life
Experience local life in Jebel Akhdar
The crags and canyons of Jebel Akhdar — 'the Green Mountain' — are known for their hiking trails. The remoteness of the Al Hajar region also ensures traditional life still thrives. In the rainy season, water flows through a labyrinth of wadis and terraces fed by ancient aflaj irrigation systems. Pomegranate, peach and walnut farming supports tiny hillside communities, and each April, the scent of rose water distillation floats on a gentle mountain breeze.
This content is brought to you by our partner. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic or its editorial staff.