Oman
Oman is the Arabia of forts on rocky outcrops, date-palm oases, dunes and mountain canyons, with very little high-rise excess. Camping in the Wahiba Sands brings total desert silence, and the canyon below Jebel Shams has earned the nickname 'Grand Canyon of Arabia'. It is a calmer, more traditional alternative to its flashier Gulf neighbours.
Overview
Oman is made for a road trip. Most first visits are a one- or two-week loop from Muscat: the capital's Grand Mosque, Mutrah souq and Royal Opera House; inland over the Hajar Mountains to Nizwa's fort, the terraced villages of Jebel Akhdar and the canyon rim at Jebel Shams; then east to a night in the Wahiba Sands and back along the coast via swimmable wadis such as Wadi Shab and the turtle beach at Ras al-Jinz. With more time, fly south to Salalah, green during the summer monsoon, or north to the fjords of the Musandam peninsula.
Oman feels more traditional than its neighbours: men wear the dishdasha and, on formal occasions, the curved khanjar dagger, buildings stay low, and the welcome is unhurried. It is not cheap, though. Hotels are pricey, and a hire car is close to essential because public transport barely reaches the interior. Winter brings perfect weather and most visitors, while from May to September the north is brutally hot. It suits independent travellers who enjoy driving, hiking, camping and history. Most people are surprised by how empty the roads and wadis are, and by how often they are offered kahwa and dates.
Map of Oman
Top 5 highlights
- 1Sacred site
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
Muscat's showpiece mosque, completed in 2001, with a vast hand-woven Persian carpet made as a single piece and a huge crystal chandelier. Non-Muslims can visit on Saturday to Thursday mornings; cover arms and legs, and women need a headscarf.
- 2History
Nizwa Fort and souq
The old capital of the interior, dominated by the 17th-century fort's great round tower. Arrive early on Friday for the goat auction, browse the souq's silver khanjars, pottery and dates, and visit nearby Bahla's UNESCO-listed fort.
- 3Adventure
Jebel Shams
Oman's highest mountain, at around 3,000m, towers over Wadi Ghul, the 'Grand Canyon of Arabia'. Hike the Balcony Walk (W6) along the canyon wall to the abandoned village of As Sab, and camp on the rim for cold, starry nights.
- 4Nature
Wahiba Sands
Also called the Sharqiya Sands, this sea of orange dunes, some up to 100m high, stretches south from Bidiyah. Stay at a desert camp, ride a camel at sunset, and leave dune driving to experienced local guides.
- 5Nature
Wadi Shab
A short boat crossing, then about an hour's walk up a gorge of date palms and turquoise pools, ending with a swim through a narrow gap into a cave with a waterfall. Bring water shoes, and stay away after rain.
Biggest cities
Muscat
A long, low-rise capital strung between mountains and sea; spend two days on the Grand Mosque, Mutrah's corniche and souq, the Royal Opera House and Old Muscat's palace waterfront.
Salalah
Dhofar's capital feels a world away from the north, with banana groves, frankincense heritage sites and long beaches, and misty green hills during the summer khareef monsoon.
Sohar
An industrial port on the Batinah coast with a whitewashed fort and a claim to be Sinbad's home town; mostly a stop between Muscat and the UAE border.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Oman
Best time: Oct–Apr.
Average climate in Muscat
Festivals & events
- JanMuscat Nights
The capital's winter festival, staged in parks around Muscat with light shows, food stalls, concerts and traditional crafts; it runs for several weeks, with dates that shift each year but usually include January.
- Jul–AugKhareef season in Dhofar
When the summer monsoon turns Salalah's hills green, Gulf visitors pour in for the cool drizzle and waterfalls, and a festival programme of markets, concerts and heritage shows.
How much does Oman cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Shuwa
Oman's festive dish: lamb or goat rubbed with spices, wrapped in palm or banana leaves and slow-cooked for up to two days in an underground sand oven.
Omani halwa
A sticky, glossy sweet of sugar, ghee, rosewater, saffron and nuts, served with bitter cardamom-scented kahwa coffee whenever guests arrive.
Mashuai
A whole kingfish spit-roasted and served with lemon-scented rice, a long-standing favourite at Muscat's seaside restaurants.
Getting around
Hiring a car is by far the best way to see Oman: roads are excellent, signs are bilingual and fuel is cheap. A 4x4 helps on the final climb to Jebel Shams and on dirt tracks. Mwasalat buses link Muscat with Nizwa, Sur and Salalah. Taxis are plentiful in Muscat; agree the fare first or use a local taxi app. Oman Air and SalamAir fly to Salalah and Khasab.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- GC240V — UK plugs fit
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 9999 (ambulance, fire, police)
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +968
- Time zone
- UTC+4 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Varies — bottled or filtered is safer
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Not obligatory. Leave around 10% in restaurants without a service charge, and tip drivers, desert-camp staff and guides a few rials for good service.
- Etiquette
- Dress modestly away from hotel pools, covering shoulders and knees. Ask before photographing people, especially women, accept coffee and dates when offered, and use your right hand.
- Main airports
- Muscat International Airport (MCT), Muscat; Salalah International Airport (SLL), Salalah
Visas & entry for Oman
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can visit Oman for up to 14 days without a visa.
If you overstay or do not extend your visa or residency, the Omani authorities may fine and detain you. Fines can be up to 10 Omani rials a day, with a total maximum fine of 500 rials.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- DengueHepatitis BRabiesTyphoid
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Oman
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Fri 20 Nov 2026 | National Day |
| Sat 21 Nov 2026 | National Day |
| Tue 5 Jan 2027 | Isra' and Mi'raj (date may shift) |
| Mon 11 Jan 2027 | Sultan's Accession Day |
| Mon 8 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Wed 10 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Thu 11 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Sat 15 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Tue 18 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Sun 6 Jun 2027 | Islamic New Year (date may shift) |
| Sat 14 Aug 2027 | Prophet's Birthday (date may shift) |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Arabic
| English | Arabic | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | السلام عليكم | as-sa-LAAM a-LAY-kum |
| Thank you | شكراً | SHOOK-ran |
| Please | من فضلك | min FAD-lak |
| Excuse me | لو سمحت | law sa-MAHT |
| How much is this? | بكم هذا؟ | BI-kam HAA-dha |
Know before you go
- Never drive or camp in a wadi bed when rain is forecast, even in distant mountains: flash floods arrive quickly and regularly sweep away vehicles.
- Hire a 4x4 if you plan to tackle steep gravel roads, but book a guide for dune driving, and check your rental insurance, which often excludes off-road damage.
- Carry some cash for village shops, remote fuel stations and the Nizwa souq; cards are widely accepted in Muscat but much less so in the interior.
Oman travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Oman?
The best time to visit Oman is generally Oct–Apr. Peak months are January, February, March, November and December. Average highs in Muscat range from 25°C to 41°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Oman cost per day?
Roughly £55 a day on a tight budget, £120 mid-range and £260+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Oman?
Omani rial (OMR).
What plug type does Oman use?
Type G and C sockets at 240V. UK visitors need a travel adapter.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Oman?
Traffic drives on the right in Oman, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Oman?
Varies — bottled or filtered is safer.
Do I need a visa for Oman?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can visit Oman for up to 14 days without a visa. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Oman before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/oman/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Oman?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Dengue, Hepatitis B, Rabies and Typhoid sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
