Tourist Attractions & Monuments Oman

Bahla Fort, which has undergone 24 years of renovation, is the country's most imposing fort. Its south, east and north-west facades measure 112.5 m, 114 m and 135 m respectively. Overlooking the village, the building is divided into several sections. The oldest and most monumental section, Al Qasaba, in the south-east corner, is a separate entity with its own entrance. It has 3 towers, the oldest gate in the citadel and 5 floors of multiple rooms, including a string of 3 majilis with very high, absolutely majestic ceilings. The rest of the space is taken up by a vast courtyard that serves several groups of buildings with their wells, prayer halls, towers, defensive walls, countless rooms and spaces formerly reserved for public service: Bait al-Jabal built in the ^18th century, Bait al-Hadeeth added in the ^mid-19th century and Bait al-Qaed.

Although it has benefited from a masterly renovation, the fort, a veritable Chambord of the Middle East, is now completely empty (no furniture, no carpets, no objects...) and has hardly any explanatory panels. However, this is not the end of the story, for the whole place is impressively gigantic, and it's a dizzying pleasure to get caught up in the maze of half-level platforms, staircases, courtyards, rooms of all sizes, shafts, niches, alcoves, and the entire arsenal of a traditional defensive building - parapet walk, watchtowers, ramparts, loopholes... not forgetting the multiple roofs as many perspectives on this major construction and the oasis that surrounds it.

The citadel owes its prosperity to the Banu Nabhan tribe, who dominated the central region of Oman and made Bahla their capital from the ^12th to the end of the ^15th century. From then on, they established relations with the other tribes of the interior. Bahla was notably the center of Ibadism (the state religion) on which the ancient Omani imamates were founded, and whose influence can be found throughout Arabia, Africa and beyond. Proudly standing in the heart of its oasis, surrounded by plantations irrigated by the falaj system, the building is an outstanding example of an oasis fortified place from the medieval Islamic period, and illustrates the skill of the early inhabitants in using water for agricultural and domestic purposes. With its rounded towers, crenellated parapets and imposing perimeter(over) wall, the citadel attests to the status and influence of the ruling elite who occupied it. The remains of mud-brick family housing estates with their traditional vernacular houses(harat) and associated mosques, audience halls(sabla), baths and the homes of the fort's guards(askari), evoke a pattern of human settlement linked to the location of the falaj.

The importance of the settlement is also highlighted, at close proximity, by the ancient Friday mosque and its richly decorated mihrab, and by the remains of the old half-covered market(souq), comprising a series of single-storey stalls opening onto narrow aisles, all enclosed behind an outer rampart. The souq's location facilitated surveillance from the fort on its rocky escarpment. The remains of carved and artistically incised wooden doors, shelves and window frames bear witness to a rich and prosperous craft tradition.

To buy melons and dried fish, a carved wooden door or a magnificent khanjar, it is there, at the Ibra market, considered the second most important in the country after Muscat. To be frequented at the top of the buzz, on Thursday morning. The day before, Wednesday, the space is reserved for women, although the discreet presence of tourists is tolerated at the edge. In what looks by far like an unbelievable jumble, all the articles of daily life for oriental women are sold: incense, rose water, perfume, fabrics, children's clothes, bags...

It's white as a spark, set with little cliffs. Blue green, the water is sublime. At 1h15 from Muscat and 30 minutes from Sur, here is a nice beach in the sun! The weekend, the place is taken by storm, prefer the week. On the motorway, nothing is indicated and many travellers will just hear about it and confuse it with the pebble beaches further away. At Fins, white sand dominates even if clear pebbles also partially cover the beach). A piece of advice, keep a close eye on the coastal towns on the map.

This walk takes in the whole harbour: from the waterfront buildings such as the fish market, the elaborate houses of the Lawatiya, the entrance to the souk, the fort perched high up, the giant censer and the parks a little further away... to the superb boats anchored in the harbour - traditional wooden dhows and the Sultan's yachts, among the largest in the world (impressive size and splendour). Particularly lively in the morning and evening, the corniche is a popular place for Omanis to stroll around in the mild hours.

Even though Sur now only produces one or two dhows a year, Indian workers here repair the famous boats that have made the reputation and prosperity of the city since the first millennium BC. The two most popular models at that time were the baggala and the ghanja. Today, the tradition continues in the rules of art, and the ghanjas, smaller sailing boats, are still built according to ancestral methods, caulking being done with shark fat and plaster. Electrical instruments are used to cut the dhows, which six workers manage to complete in 5 months at an average cost of 40,000 OMR. The shipyards also produce Sharks, slender wooden boats that can be rowed like skiffs or outriggers. Specific to Sur, these boats are used every year in February, on Special Day, for extremely popular races. If you continue along the road along the lagoon, you will see a magnificent example of a dhow built in Sur more than seventy years ago, which has now emerged from the water and is erected on the ground like a statue or rather a museum witness of the past: the Fatah al-Khair. If it is not possible to get on board to visit the interior, it is interesting to approach the sides of the boat to observe the finishing touches. Traditionally, ships were made by hand, without nails, and hand-woven ropes were used to strengthen the joints.

Very beautiful, this mosque was built in August 2009. The building is imposing. Adorned with two minarets, it blends into the landscape by its beige and sand colors. Inside the large prayer hall, one can admire a huge carpet made of a single piece and a surface of 4 200 m². Several masterful Swarovski crystal chandeliers also contrast with the sobriety of the whole. A special mention for the particularly spectacular one placed in the center of the room. Outside, a pleasant garden unfolds.

Its name is a derivative of the Arabic word meaning "to boil". It is accessed through a palm grove that allows you to glimpse the mountain tops through the foliage. A falaj is reached from the hot spring located a little higher up. Park your car and continue on foot. You reach the entrance of a wadi where the spring is enclosed in a basin that extends a stream. The water there is warm and the locals like to use it to wash themselves or to make their ablutions.

It is probably the most interesting wadi in the region and the most borrowed, especially since a road was built in its extension to cross the Western Hajar and descend from the side of Nizwa (which is ideal during a circuit discovery of the interior of the land). Its entrance is indicated on the left of the main road, about 3 km after the village of Awabi. Very quickly, the track, which is kilometres long, is lined with corn plantations and palm-calf palms, as well as cemeteries (simple edges of flat rocks erected in squares of rocks) and especially more or less scattered houses, fuelled with water and electricity, despite their isolation (a way of promoting the sedentary)… It sinue along the river bed, sometimes bordered by falajs, between very steep walls, before climbing in the mountains overlooking the valley and along some beautiful precipices. A 4 x 4 is of course necessary, especially since some passages are steep and narrow (place for only one car). But directions are well indicated by panels and leads to charming hamlets, usually adorned with terraces.

After kilometres, we arrive at a branch line: on the right, the village of Bilad Sayt, left of Hat. To cross the Hajar, follow the road from Hat. It would be a shame, however, to go into the corner without taking a detour by the wonderful hamlet of Bilad Sayt, 1 km away: from the entrance of the gorge, we join it in minutes. Built in height, Bilad Sayt dominates its cultures and palm grove and offers an incredible palette of colours. From this village there is a signposted trail towards Misfah. It's a two-day walk, with climbing up to the Hajar plateau in four hours and, the next day, going to you it on Misfah in six hours. The less courageous will return to their footsteps and take the road from Hat.

250 metres after the fork opens on the left, the entrance of the Serpent Canyon (Snake Canyon), which has been taken up by local impulses, some of which organise days of climbing and canyoning. Never venture alone in these gorges which require the first 500 metres a reminder. Go 500 metres further, on the right, where small gorges, accessible to everyone, offer beautiful walls. A staircase runs along the rock to enter the heart of these "Serpent gorges" equipped with climbing paths (the same entrance of gorge leads to the village of Bilad Sayt on foot).

The road then climbs to a plateau that offers good camping possibilities, provided that it is well equipped because the evenings are fresh. We leave the Batinah Region for that of Al-Dakhiliyah. The decor changes, the color of the stone clouds… We arrive near the village of Al-Hamra, 35 km after Hat. There are several possibilities for routes: go to Nizwa, go to the discovery of the Jebel Shams, return to Muscat…

This beautiful Omani house of white stone and wood is located in the heart of Mutrah, on the seafront. Bait al Baranda means "the house on the veranda". Thanks to the latest museum techniques, you can trace the history of the town up to the present day through interactive exhibitions ranging from geology to prehistory, maritime life and folklore. In particular, the evolution of Muscat from the 1st century to 1744 is retraced, from the first known settlement at the time of the naval battles. An essential chronological point.

Beautifully set up facing the sea along the port road, a few meters from the main entrance of the souk, these beautiful white wooden houses recognizable by their elaborate balconies were built from the seventeenth century by merchants from India. Being of Shiite faith, they had the particularity of not mixing with other communities. They created this strictly private neighborhood and lived among themselves. Today, with the influx of tourists, the Lawatiya would have partially deserted the place. Admire the beautiful mosque with the blue dome.

The particularity of the Birkat al Mawz falaj, along with four other Omani aflaj, is that it is classified on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Aflaj is the plural of the word falaj and means "divide into shares" in Arabic. This typical Omani irrigation system was invented 4,500 years ago to distribute water as equitably as possible among the inhabitants. It is based on notions of community and mutual dependence, and is guided in part by astronomical observations. The oldest ruins found on the territory date back to 500 AD. The principle is quite simple: water circulates by gravity over tens of kilometres from underground springs to houses and cultivated land. In the past, each falaj had watchtowers to protect it, as well as mosques and other buildings. That of Birkat al Mawz is marked by a stone stele with explanations in French near the fort. The overall layout shows that the falaj comes down from the mountain and was, at the time, built in such a way that the first to use it was the governor of the region. Park in the car park in front of the stele and climb a few steps. At the top of these is a small mosque on the right, built in 1649, very simple and without a minaret. A stroll along the falaj leads through the now abandoned old village and its oasis of date palms. To make a loop, return to the parking lot by the main road.

This park is very popular with Omani families, who flock there in large numbers during the mild season to enjoy the games and rides. To get there, you have to walk along the entire Mutrah corniche to its southern end. The park can be identified from afar by the atypical white tower on its hillside, visible from the road: in fact, a large censer, which has become the symbol of the city of Muscat. From up there, the view plunges down to the corniche, the old port, the bay and its buildings - all pictures well worth climbing a few steps.

Situated on the seafront, a stone's throw from the heart of the city and close to a khor supplying fresh water from the mountains, Al Balid forms a vast complex measuring 1,600 metres by 400 metres. An extraordinary site, it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 under the generic term "Land of Incense". Archaeological excavations begun in 1952 revealed in 1970 the remains of an ancient city identified as Zafar, visited by Marco Polo in 1295. They also revealed the presence of an earlier Iron Age settlement. This settlement probably survived long after the Iron Age, despite the absence of any specific mention in Ptolemy's Geographia. Its importance in the Islamic era is beyond doubt, and its re-foundation in its current geography seems to date back to the ^11th century. The city began to decline in the ^12th century. In the ^13th century, it was annexed and partially destroyed on several occasions, both by Arab rulers and by Persian invaders. Ibn Battuta, the indefatigable Tangier native, discovered it in 1331. Horses, fish oil and, above all, incense were exported there. From here, for centuries, caravans headed north to Petra, Alexandria and beyond to Sumer, Persia and Greece. It was also in the port of Al-Balid that incense cargoes were loaded on their way up the Red Sea.

Excavations have uncovered the remains of a palace and a large mosque. You can also still see where the bodies of the deceased were washed before being buried in the nearby cemetery. At the end of the ^15th century, the radical changes to trade patterns imposed by the Portuguese and other European trading nations sealed the city's fate.

The only fully excavatedsite is that of the great ^10th-centurymosque, which measured 40 by 48.5 meters and was surrounded by an outer platform on all sides except the east, where the ablutions platform was located. The main prayer hall was flanked by several rows of octagonal columns, 144 in all, which supported the roof, the construction of which is unknown. These columns (one of which is preserved in the museum), reduced in height, can still be seen today, as you head west, to the right, from the park entrance. Thanks to the visionary action of the authorities and the support of archaeologist Michael Jansen from the University of Aachen in Germany, Al Balid is a buried city that is no longer totally buried. The ruins can be explored on foot, and in part by small boat, along well-defined paths until they reach the seafront, within the framework of an archaeological park.

The museum is logically named Terre de l'Encens (Land of Incense ), in keeping with its UNESCO designation. It is divided into two parts: one devoted to the history of incense and the Sultanate of Oman, the other to maritime history. The first room, at the far end of the courtyard, contains a relief model of the sultanate. The floor is covered with every type of sand found in the country and the walls are covered with photographs. The four varieties of incense produced in Oman are on display, including the famous Al Hojari: a top-quality resin often used for medical treatment. Numerous artefacts, dating from prehistoric times to the present day and discovered in archaeological digs in the adjacent park, are also on display.

The maritime section meticulously recreates the various facets of a relationship with the marine world whose first manifestations date back to the ^4th millennium B.C. Shipbuilding, navigation, maritime routes and far-flung trading posts reveal the creativity of master carpenters and the entrepreneurial spirit of these sailor-merchants who, long before our era, dared to embark on a maritime adventure. This section is the culmination of decades of research: by archaeologists, who have succeeded in reconstructing the boats of the ^3rd millennium B.CC; those of naval architects and shipwrights who have painstakingly drawn up plans of wrecks on the verge of disappearing forever; those of Mesopotamian specialists who, through these clay tablets, reveal what the first commercial exchanges with the Arabian Peninsula were like; and finally, those of historians and curators from Muscat and Cairo, as well as the Louvre and the British Museum, who have willingly opened their collections to us.

The section devoted to navigation shows how Oman's herders and caravan chiefs, these desert navigators, took to the sea and quickly acquired the art of navigation. The museum also exhibits a whole range of instrumentsincludingancient terrestrial globes and fabulous astrolabes, such as the one by Al Naqashi dated 1080. Brass astrolabes were made all over the Muslim world, and used mainly to find the qibla (direction of Mecca). The earliest specimen dates from 927-928. The manufacture of the first astrolabe in the Muslim world is attributed to Muhammad al-Fazari

Also on site : a coffee shop, a craft boutique and a bookshop.

The Jebel Misht as a backdrop, in a landscape of striking and immediate nobility, twenty-one "honeycomb" tombs stand on a rocky ridge, sentinels of eternal rest for more than 3,000 years (4,000 to 5,000 years according to other sources). We are on the site of Al-Ayn, in front of one of the most beautiful natural and historical spectacles in Oman. This site - and the ensemble it comprises with the necropolises, rural dwellings and towers of Bat and Al-Khutm - was the first in the country to be accepted in the UNESCO World Heritage of Universal Value register, and this is no coincidence. To reach it, one leaves the main road linking Bahla to Ibri and drives towards Amla for 21 km. Then, along a goat path without any signposts, you reach the tombs, which look like shell heads lined up against the blue sky at the foot of Misht, a geological sandstone alien similar - hence its name - to a big comb. In order to protect the place, the authorities have never made an effort in terms of signalling and communication and very few Omanis know how to access it, even though it is easy.

Dating from the 3rd millennium BC. (some even from the 4th), the tombs of Al Ayn are probably a little more recent than the single chamber cairns identified on the slopes of Jebel Hafit in the Emirates. Described here for the first time in 1975, they are characterised by multiple concentric partitions of tightly packed stone without mortar, on a low platform. It is assumed that these tombs were intended for important people such as lawyers. The deceased were buried with offerings, flowers and water to enhance their future stay. Moreover, the discovery on site of knives from Ancient Egypt seems to testify to the importance of the economic exchanges practiced in the region at that time.

Approximately 25 kilometres to the west in the mineral ocean, on a route offering sumptuous panoramas of the mountain ranges,the tombs of Bat are more scattered and less well preserved than those of Al Ayn. However, according to UNESCO, they are "a characteristic and unique testimony to the evolution of burial practices during the first Bronze Age of the Oman Peninsula. The country of Magan was the main centre for the extraction of copper, which was exported to Mesopotamia 3,000 BC. The protohistoric site extends to the north of the village and palm grove of Bat: north of the confluence of a small river and the Wadi al Hijr, there are five stone towers, structures very representative of the first Bronze Age in the Oman peninsula. One of the towers has been completely cleared and its construction has been evaluated between 2595 and 2465 BC. From the tower, which serves as a landmark of the site, one can immediately see, on an eastward slope, a series of rectangular houses with a central courtyard and, to the north, a vast necropolis that can be divided into two distinct parts. The first is located at the top of a rocky slope. Its dry-stone tombs - some of which date from the^4th millennium - are scattered along the path linking Bat to Al Wahrah. The second part, much more concentrated, extends on rice terraces, south-east of the wadi, and includes more than 100 dry stone tombs, in a honeycomb structure; these tombs appear to be arranged in a general plan. The oldest ones face north. They have only one entrance and one burial chamber and were a common burial place for a small number of deceased. Towards the south, the burials become more imposing. They have two entrances opening onto one, two and sometimes four burial chambers and were intended for a large number of deceased. »

According to UNESCO, it appears that, "as in many other ancient civilizations, monuments in ancient Oman were generally built with regularly cut stones. The remains of ancient quarries from which building materials were extracted are unique to Bat and Al-Ayn, as well as the many workshops that testify to the complete operations, from quarrying to masonry and building techniques. Continuous and systematic survey activities are constantly increasing the types and number of monuments and sites that need to be documented and protected, including villages and several towers, quarries associated with Bronze Age stone masonry workshops, Bronze Age necropolises, an Iron Age fort and tombs, and two Neolithic flint mines connected with workshop areas for the production of stone tools".

Inorder to protect the site and to facilitate and promote understanding of it, the Ministry of Culture and Heritage of Oman launched a major study project in 2004 in collaboration with several international museums. Eventually, at a date yet to be determined, as it is difficult to obtain this type of information in the Sultanate, some tombs will be restored and a museum and visitor centre built. We would like to inform you in case, by misfortune, the site was temporarily closed or protected by barriers when you passed through...

Imran and Hannah had a daughter whom they named Maryam, the one who was to become Umm Issa, the mother of Jesus. Let us read the Qur'an again: "Remember the day when Imran's wife prayed to God: 'Lord, I have consecrated to you what is in my womb, it will be yours in full; accept it, for you hear and know everything. When she gave birth, she said, "Lord, I have given birth to a daughter, and I have named her Maryam; I place her and her offspring under your protection, that you may preserve them from the wiles of Satan the stoned In the Christian tradition, the same story is written under different names as Imran becomes Joachim and Hannah is called Hannah. Their story appears in the apocryphal Gospel of James. Joachim is described as a rich and pious man who regularly gives to the poor. However, because his wife is barren (a sign of divine displeasure), the High Priest rejects Joachim. Joachim withdrew to the desert where he fasted for forty days. Angels appear to him and promise him a child. Joachim returns to Jerusalem and finds Anne whom he "embraces". And so, oh surprise! It is the tomb of Joachim, the maternal grandfather of Jesus-Isa and one of the 25 prophets mentioned in the Koran that we find two kilometers from the old airport. Take off your shoes and enter the mausoleum adjacent to the mosque for an out-of-bounds experience. There, in an ethereal halo, it is indeed a 13-meter long tomb, giving off something intensely mysterious and surreal.

Functional, reliable and practical, Visit Oman is a gateway between travelers from all over the world and the best the sultanate has to offer in terms of experiences and stays. It covers all categories (flights, accommodation, restaurants, activities, excursions, transport, visa services, etc.), enabling you to put together your own tailor-made trip, stress-free and in complete freedom. The products and companies presented on the platform have been verified, are reliable and operational. Visit Oman is also a mine of information about the country.

This 100% Omani receptive has specialized in adventure travel and sports for 30 years, and has trained mountain guides. It organizes themed excursions and stays based on leisure activities such as trekking, cycling, climbing, canyoning and more. - disciplines requiring technical and professional supervision, which is what we offer. Based in the Hajar, the team also offers cultural discoveries and can design your entire trip to Oman.

Since their invention in 1853 in Paris, double-decker buses have travelled around the world. We find here the classic London model in an open-top version for a panoramic tour of about 1h45 without getting off. With the map available online or at the ticket office and downloadable on smartphone, choose your boarding point and get on Jacqueline! This tour, with commentary in French (audioguides in six languages and headphones provided), allows you to embrace the city in its entirety without getting tired of driving and, above all, without getting lost. It offers a complete panorama of the main natural, cultural, architectural and historical curiosities of the capital: cornices, forts, museums, mosques, souks, parks and gardens, shopping districts or old quarters... in complete freedom since you can go up, down, drag or not according to your will during the whole duration of the 24 or 48 hour package (buses every 30 minutes). This Hop on, Hop off formula is only valid on days when the cruise boats stop in Muscat harbour, which is the case 80% of the time - see the details of the online calendar. On the other dates, only the panoramic tour is proposed with two daily departures from the Mutrah Corniche: one at 10 am, the other at 2 pm. You can choose a place inside in the coolness of the air conditioning or nose to the wind, in the gentle warmth of the sun's rays or in the shade of the awning. A walk is highly recommended for a first contact with Muscat!

Built in the ^19th century as the residence of Sheikh Ali bin Timman Al Ma'ashani, this small fort surrounded by crenellations with triangular merlons, and featuring three square towers, gilds in the sun in its salmon-colored dress. Made of Taqah stone, limestone and coral, this is the southernmost publicly accessible Sultanian fortification in the country. In the 1930s, the fort began a peaceful career as an administrative headquarters under Sultan Taimur bin Faisal, housing the local "prefecture". This role came to an end in 1984. Restoration work was undertaken in 1992, and was all the more successful as the citadel had benefited from excellent maintenance.

From the terreplein in front of the entrance, note another more martial fort on the northern hilltop, 500 meters away, which is not open to visitors. Tip: climb up there a little later for the panoramic view over the palm grove. As we cross the threshold of the Taqah citadel, we discover, in a space much smaller than that of the country's other developed forts, a skilful spatialization around the courtyard, its palm tree and its badamier, then a sophisticated interlacing of staircases, passages and doors leading to several rooms... Furniture and fabrics have been replaced in each room, as if the wali still lived there, with his child in a curious mosquito-screened bed.

In one of the galleries, take the opportunity to learn about the exploits of French paleo-anthropologists, who discovered the remains of some surprising residents right here: monkeys. Yvonne Rebeyrol's account of these discoveries is provided by the Omani excavation management: "Six hundred teeth and a few bits of primate bone, several thousand teeth and also small fragments of bone from other mammals, the remains of turtles, crocodiles and sharks, thousands of limestone nummulite skeletons. Such is the 'harvest' of our fourth mission to the Sultanate of Oman, which took place from January 15 to February 15, 1992". The joy and pride of Herbert Thomas, palaeontologist (Collège de France), and Jack Roger, geologist (Bureau de recherches géologiques et minières) are a joy to behold. But the layman is both surprised and amazed when he is shown, carefully arranged in a transparent plastic box, tiny things 2 or 3 millimetres long, all of which are primate teeth found among kilos of fine sediment, and which remind us of the crucial role played by the Arab-African continent in the long history of this group.

The Bay of Najd, a model of balance in its volumes and colours, is displayed on all Musandam's promotional documents, in blue and ochre, with its hairpins falling towards the wave. After the asphalt, we take a trail that climbs to 400 meters and allows us to embrace the landscape of this "fjord" from above before plunging down towards the bay. On the way back, at the junction of the two tarmacs, we discover a beautiful expanse planted with acacias and thorny jujube trees, large parasols offered by Mother Nature - the Khalidiya Park. Snack break.

Less than an hour from Muscat, the Omani capital holds its small natural paradise as Marseille has its creeks. There are two options to treat yourself to this superb site: either take part in a day trip with one of the operators of the Bandar Al Rowdha Marina (10am-5pm, drinks, shelter and meals included), or go alone by car knowing that the most beautiful beaches are only accessible by sea - thus via a local service provider. These lonely ribbons of fine sand, embedded in the mountains, are the privilege of sailors.

Perfectly restored and maintained, the different rooms of this citadel are also equipped with many period objects and accessories. The audio guide in several languages, including French, alternates explanations and legends, facilitating and poetizing the wandering through the usual maze of rooms, corridors, courtyards and half levels. Built in 1711 by Imam Sultan bin Saif of the Ya'ariba dynasty, the 17-metre-high building, in which wood and limestone mingle, is a marvel of Islamic architectural art. It is distinguished by walls at least three metres thick, enormous gates dominated by openings from which guards could pour boiling date honey on potential invaders, and by an above-average number of secret passages and tunnels. The ground floor houses the prison: a round room with a central column around which the prisoners revolved endlessly in the dark. One then enters the storage room where the dates were left to ripen to recover their juice. On the first floor are the sultan's apartments, consisting of various lounges, rooms and bedrooms, including a bed built high up and equipped with a system for escaping in case of sudden danger. An underground tunnel runs along this suite, lit only by a few beams of light. The towers of the fort are beautifully carved, as are the ceilings of some rooms . Get your bearings with the audioguide.

Listed and fully restored, the Jami Al Hamoda Mosque was built in the 11th century. Of rather modest size, it recalls the profile of Sahelian mosques. With no minaret, it is characterized by its 52 domes which make it unique. Its courtyard is crossed by a falaj which is used for ablutions. The mosque is not open to non-Muslims, but it is still often possible to enter it outside of prayer (and siesta!) hours. Try to get a fabulous shot of the roof.

Some moments, during the journey, are immediately precious, certified unforgettable. On this island, made far away by the brisk slowness of its ferry, half a thousand kilometres from the capital and as if light years away from the present time, here is one of these rare moments. They do not appear on any catalogue of approved tour operators, are not signposted, let alone listed in the guides. They are a precipitate of simple nature at the birth of the world, a wild shock. There are two solutions: you can either sleep in a hotel 13 km to the north and come here on a day trip, or you can stay overnight and maybe get a chance to see the Loggerhead ladies in the early morning. To bivouac or swim, you may prefer to go down 6 km further south, on the other magnificent beach decorated with a wreck, with the advantage of a narrower sand ribbon making the sea easier to access by car. Travellers are asked to show the utmost respect and a true sense of responsibility so as not to disrupt the egg-laying process and lead to a premature return to the sea: do not walk anywhere at night on the beaches where turtles breed (risk of crushing the young or cutting off reptiles), do not shine flashlights or use flashes, do not speak untimely, do not encircle the animals or try to approach them. Overall: remain discreet, keep your distance and do not touch anything.

A sublime glass footbridge dressed in arabesques links this House of Musical Arts to the Opera. From the first step, an oriental melody envelops us and makes us fall immediately into a musical universe. The architectural lines of the Arab-Contemporary style, the arcades, the white marble exterior, and the precious wood interior all evoke those of the Opera House, of which this House is an extension. With 500 seats, the auditorium is the "lighter" version of the larger and more luxurious main hall.

The House of Musical Arts is intended to enrich the programming of the Royal Opera House by hosting other types of cultural events: dance shows or classical music to more contemporary, jazz, baroque, world music ... A music library, a cultural center, conference spaces and a permanent exhibition on music complete this beautiful ensemble.

The exhibition is a unique model of the history of music, instructive, entertaining and interactive. A succession of rooms allows visitors to explore the sounds and music of Oman and elsewhere, from the resonance of the natural world to the best of human musical production. The discovery is divided into six chapters: Nature, Science, Instruments, Community, Connections and Performance. Eventually, a campus on opera-related professions should also be created. To be experienced!

A must-do, even if you don't live in this area, to discover this particular facet of the capital: the mountains that come close to the coast and plunge into the sea, cutting into bays and valleys where luxury resorts or white neighborhoods like villages in the city are tucked away.

From Old Muscat, follow the coastal road to the Al Bustan traffic circle - you can stop to marvel at the atrium, which is open to all if you are dressed appropriately. Turn right onto An Nuzhah Street and then take the first left onto Qantab Street. Well before the junction leading to the new residential and hotel area of Jumeirah Muscat Bay, a wide esplanade offers a sublime panoramic view of the jagged coastline, the white neighborhoods encircled by their chaos of brown rocks, the hard blue of the sea so photogenic echoing a sky often of the same blue, powerful and limpid. Continue straight ahead on Al Jissah Street in the direction of the Shangri-La. At the Bandar Jissah traffic circle, start the wonderful panoramic descent towards the Muscat Hills Hotel just for the photo and the pleasure of seeing the bay gradually unveil itself between two twists and turns. Go back up to the traffic circle, gain height and continue for a few more kilometers on the ridge of the coastal mountains, until you reach the Shangri-La hotel area. Then turn around.

The turtle reserve covers a land and sea area of 120 km², including 45 km of coastline. The two guided tours, organized around 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., last around two hours each, including some scientific information, safety instructions, the 20-minute round-trip walk in the dark to reach the nesting area, and the observation time itself, in groups of no more than 20 people (which is already a lot, especially as other groups criss-cross the same beach, moving from one scene to another). These visits are the same as those included in the accommodation package for those who have booked a room on site, who benefit from priority over other guests and a shorter waiting time. This is an advantage, particularly for the early-morning outing, as in the latter case, the guides only wake visitors if turtles have been spotted. Guests staying outside the reserve must arrive at the center 30 minutes beforehand and register in advance.

The best season is from May to September, during the warmer months. But turtles can be seen all year round, several hundred at a time in July - the month favoured by true enthusiasts - and sometimes just one or two a day in the off-season.

Whether you're a wildlife enthusiast or not, the sight of these sacred monsters is an unforgettable spectacle. A lesson in eternity which, when the site isn't packed with groups (which is unfortunately increasingly the case), is heightened by the slightly strange atmosphere of the place and the experience. Maybe it's because you're going to the beach at night, the waves are lapping against ghostly-looking rocks, and you have to be quiet and walk with care, as if entering a sacred place. And when the phosphorescent plankton is hatching, each wave deposits thousands of fireflies on the sand, and the turtles use this path of light to return to the ocean, then, frankly, it's an emotional experience!

To complete the visit, we recommend a visit to the small museum set up in the visitor center, which is well designed and interactive for children. It is divided into 2 sections: one dedicated to the different species of turtle in the region and the fight against their extinction; the other to the archaeological explorations undertaken in the area since 1982, following the accidental discovery of a fragment of pottery dating from the Bronze Age - you can see copper and ceramic objects, jewelry, maps, models...

During the day, free, unguided access to the beach is only permitted from 8am to 1.30pm and only on foot, not to contemplate the turtles that remain in the sea, but to see the holes dug by them, and the traces left by their fins in the sand. Rest assured: the risk of stepping on eggs is reduced to a minimum, as they are sunk at least 50 centimetres into the ground. But digging is of course forbidden, as is picnicking. Beyond its scientific interest, the beach is a pleasant place to stroll and relax. You can go for a swim, taking care not to stray too far from the shore, as currents can be strong. In midsummer, it is not advisable to venture out to sea because of the swell.

At the foot of the mountain, the abandoned village of Ghul is still home to beautiful old houses surrounded by palm groves. It is perfectly integrated into the landscape and merges in places with the rock. From this hamlet, the wadi Ghul starts, which, after 5 kilometres of track, leads to the marvellous weavers' village of Nakhar. The inhabitants are very welcoming and sell carpets that they weave on the spot. Then the cliffs get closer and you have to continue the adventure on foot. Several routes from 4 hours to several days are marked out.

Alcohol

Islam prohibits alcohol consumption for Muslims. There is therefore no local production of beer or wine. However, the Sultanate tolerates the sale of all alcohol (wine, beer, aperitifs, spirits) to the holders of a licence (to be obtained from its embassy), in specialised stores ("bottle store" but not in supermarkets) and at high prices (sometimes twice European tariffs)! Alcohol is also available in almost every hotel, in several restaurants in the capital, as well as in a few private clubs. Some of them have particularly well stocked cellars, bringing together great wines from around the world: from France, of course, but also from South Africa, Australia, Chile, etc.

It should be noted that, on the one hand, no alcohol is served during Ramadan, even in hotels and bars with a licence, and on the other hand it is forbidden to transport alcohol, except to carry it at home or at its hotel (keep the note on self).

Water

Despite a very desert environment, the Sultanate is able to fill its entire population in drinking water thanks to its huge factories of désalinisation. Local bottled water is sold much cheaper than imported water.

Arab coffee or "kahwa"

It is the NATIONAL DRINK, which holds a significant place and choice in traditional culture: UNAVOIDABLE. Always flavoured with a hint of spices (cardamone or saffron in general), the kahwa is served black and without sugar, with a few dates to reduce bitterness. It is the drink that Omani people systematically offer to their hosts, as a sign of respect and welcome, and this offer is always accompanied by a ritual that must be respected. In general, local politeness wants you to drink three cups of coffee (very small!) and slightly shake its cup when you no longer want it.

Fresh fruit juice

They are common throughout the Sultanate, at very low rates! They are served everywhere: in coffee shops, restaurants, gargottes of service stations… Based on mangoes (the fruit most chosen by tourists!), pineapple, strawberries, bananas, apples, kiwi, etc… it is full of vitamins insured for only a few baizas!

Lemon Mint Juice Juice

This is another very popular drink from the premises… but also tourists! Ultra refreshing, its two basic ingredients are lemon and cool mint, served with crushed ice.

Tea

An Anglo-Indian heritage, it occupies a fairly important place in Arab culture and is therefore regularly consumed in Oman.

A remnant of the past, the royal city occupies a large part of Old Muscat, the oldest historical district of the city along with Mutrah. It was from this original small fishing port that Muscat became the prosperous city it is today. The fortifications and defensive buildings, restored in 1979 at the request of Sultan Qaboos, date back to the 16th century, the time of the Portuguese presence in Muscat. Three gates (Bab al-Kabir, Bab al-Saghir and Bab al-Mathaib) line the city and delimit the oldest section. One quickly falls under the charm of this small district which seems like a neat village in the heart of the capital: renovated houses, flowery sidewalks, immaculate streets... an Eden on the edge of the Arabian Sea! We understand why some ministries still remain there, like the one of Finance with its golden door. All the sights being held in a rather restricted perimeter, one discovers the city on foot, and why not a second time in the evening when the clever lighting of the buildings and the mountains lends itself particularly to an aesthetic and peaceful stroll. On site, three monuments are not to be missed: the two forts Al-Mirani and Al-Jalali, and the Qasr al-Alam, one of the residences of His Majesty the late Sultan Qaboos, now owned by the new Sultan Haïtham ben Tariq. This last palace, quite astonishing and of loaded style, is preceded by a huge esplanade framed by long buildings with arcades. It cannot be visited, but its flamboyant exterior architecture allows one to imagine the sumptuousness of its interior spaces and decorations. Large gold and blue columns reach for the sky, surrounded by beautiful beds of orange and purple bougainvillea, and armfuls of roses, one variety of which bears the name of the former sultan. The three monuments stand on the seafront, between ochre-colored rocks. To get there, you have to pass through one of the gates (ideally the one of Baba al-Mathaib, the closest one) and go to the water's edge, at the level of the cornice where you can find: on the left, the harbor; on the right, the Al-Mirani fort and the palace; and, in front of it, even more on the right, the Al-Jalali fort. Proudly standing on small escarpments, the two citadels are not to be visited either. The first one now houses the royal guard, while the second one is used by the army. From the cornice, one can see the names of the ships that passed through Muscat and left their mark on the cliffs bordering the port. The oldest inscription dates from 1876.

The Hawiyat Najam Park is home to a curious natural round-shaped abyss, about 20 metres deep and 40 metres wide. It is fed underground by water from the mountains, but also from the nearby sea. Its exact origin is not known, but is believed to be the result of the combined action of water and erosion, although the ancients like to say that the hole was dug by the fall of a piece of star. A staircase goes down to the heart of the abyss and makes it possible to bathe in limpid salt water.

It is one of the prettiest places in the Akhdar jebel, not too crowded so far. Staircases have been installed, to the left and right of the car park. Preferably take the ones on the right, they lead to the bottom of the wadi, incredibly green and lush. Walk in the wadi for a hundred meters: on either side of the dry river bed grow multiple fruit trees or not, protected by dry stone walls. Climb a few big stone steps on the right to reach the lower part of the first village; particularly scenic, the latter is literally hung on the mountain walls, a landscape that is well worth a photo. The hamlet is no longer inhabited and its houses, although fairly well preserved, are not very stable. It is pleasant to walk around and enjoy the coolness of the old walls, but beware of the risk of landslides. The walk continues down the wadi for about 200 meters until you reach a preserved mosque, but forbidden to tourists. 50 meters after the mosque, climb the steps of the stone staircase on the right to reach a second abandoned village, also perched high up, and from which the view of the first hamlet is worth the detour. At the top and at the back of the few houses and alleys, the view plunges on a second river bed, as if parallel to the first one and planted with as many crops. The walk is preferable at the end of the day when the evening light iridesces the ochre of the old facades. Return to the parking lot by the same way.

Built on an elevation overlooking the entire Bay of Sur, this fortified castle was built 350 years ago during the reign of Nasir bin Murshid Al Ya'rubi, the iman who drove the Portuguese out of the area in 1648. The architecture is simple: a square flanked by four towers. One can observe the old foundations left uncovered as well as the entrance door made of sidr wood, the jujube tree that provides the thorns of the Holy Crown. The visit is fairly quick, but it is worth the trip for the view from the parapet walk.

This stone door inspired by the ancient doors was built in 1995 west of Muscat as part of the celebrations marking 25 years of Sultan Qaboos' reign. The museum opened in the upper part of the building in 2001. A short stop is worth the detour before starting the visit of old Muscat. Here you can discover the city's evolution from a fortified fishing port to an expanding metropolis. From the roof, you can admire a beautiful panorama of the old city.

Pierre Assouline, author of Vies de Job, says: "The character trait of Job that I remember most is his ability to resist. Everything gathers against him, starting with his god, which is quite something! His body is martyred, he is abandoned by all, and even there, in the depths of this absolute solitude, he continues to resist. He does not give up. This is an extraordinary lesson Whether Ayyoub (Job) existed or not is not the question, because in the general opinion of Dhofarien, he is buried there in this small mausoleum topped by a dome adjacent to a small mosque. A character common to the three religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam, he is the hero of the Book of Job, a didactic prose poem common to the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, considered a masterpiece of biblical literature. Job is mentioned in the Koran, among the 25 prophets, in the same way as Adam, Solomon, Moses or Jesus. According to the Talmud, he was one of the three advisors consulted by the Pharaoh of the Exodus before making a decision concerning the children of Israel who were multiplying in an alarming way, the one who did not oppose the elimination of newborn males. It is for this silence that God will punish him in this way. There is nothing to explain his presence in the mountains of Salalah, except the popular account of a legendary trace. The story of this prophet could make a good subject for the baccalaureate: "Is misfortune always the result of a divine punishment? Why is the innocent man also called to suffer? Satan, trusting in Job's weakness, proposes the form of a trial: "Stretch out your hand; touch his possessions, and we will see if he does not deny you to your face." God accepts the proposal. In a few hours Job sees himself stripped of everything, reduced to begging, deprived of children. Nevertheless, he does not deny God. Satan does not consider himself defeated. " Stretch out your hand; touch his bones and his flesh, and see if he does not deny you to yourface And here is the servant of God afflicted with leprosy. Then Job gets up, tears his cloak and shaves his head; then he throws himself on the ground, prostrates himself and says: "I came out of my mother's womb naked, and naked I shall return to the earth. The Lord gave, and the Lord took away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Immediately thereafter, God restores Job's wealth, giving him twice the wealth he had, and 10 children. Job lived a holy and happy life and died a beautiful death. In Salalah? How to know? In Oman, no information or reflection is offered on the intellectual work attributed to Ayyub, despite his dazzling thoughts and the exegesis made of them by some and others, believers or agitators of ideas. Of a serene banality, the place of his last rest is moreover quite modest, tiled, very simple and without any ornament. It might disappoint if the aura surrounding the man were not so great and if the access road itself, open to the vast surrounding plains, were not worth the journey by its quiet beauty.

Continuing on the main road to Jebel Al-Qara (6 km after Job's tomb), one reaches the village of Titam. Pass it, then stop a few kilometers further to appreciate the landscape. We are here at the top of the plateaus. By continuing the road until Uyun, one will be able to see trees with incense.

On a hillock stand the remains of the mausoleum of Bibi Maryam, a holy woman. These are the best preserved of the ancient medieval port of Qalhat. Inside the mausoleum are four niches that were originally framed with rich Qashani earthenware tiles imported from Persia. It was also to include a mosque, described by the explorer Ibn Battuta as "very beautiful". According to the legend, only this monument resisted the earthquake that razed the city to the ground. The site became a place of pilgrimage before being classified by Unesco and closed to the public.

The Sultanate of Oman boasts numerous caves, some of which are among the widest in the world, such as the Selma and Teyq caves, which are several hundred metres deep. Located on the southern slope of Jebel Akhdar, the Al Hoota cave is the only one on the Arabian Peninsula open to the general public. It takes the form of an underground gorge accessible via two entrances: one at 1,040 metres above sea level near the village of Al Hoota, the other at 810 metres above sea level between the Tanuf valley and the town of Al Hamra. The entrance is man-made and located very close to the natural access below. It was created to make the cave accessible to as many people as possible. The promoters have gone to great lengths to equip the space with a number of state-of-the-art facilities: a train to avoid the 400-metre walk in direct sunlight to the entrance, walkways and steps secured by barriers, subtle and well thought-out lighting, etc. Thanks to these infrastructures, the visit can be made without altering the balance of the environment and in good conditions of comfort, despite humidity levels sometimes reaching 90% inside. To reinforce measures aimed at minimizing any negative impact on this delicate ecosystem, only guided tours are organized in small groups. So it's under the guidance of a professional that we set off to explore this fabulous geological complex (over two million years old) and its immense cavities with walls, floors and ceilings lined with stalactites, stalagmites, gours and other formations. As with most other caves in Oman, this complex geological system bears witness to a fluvial period and tectonic movements, but above all to a major erosion phenomenon that is responsible for the anfractuosities we see.

Discovered in 1960, the Al Hoota cave is 5 km long, although only 500 metres can be visited. It is carved out of grey limestone, granular dolomitic rock and clay layers. Its longest hall is 150 meters long and its highest ceiling is 65 meters high. The cave is home to several rare endemic species of insects and crustaceans, as well as bats. The main cave is also partly crossed by the largest of Al Hoota's underground lakes, 800 metres long, 10 metres wide and 15 metres deep. The lake benefits from natural ventilation. A rare phenomenon, it is home to depigmented, blind fish fed on organic waste transported by floods during rainy periods. This is an endemic species, the Garra Bareimiae, which can be admired from a specially-designed esplanade. On-site: store and restaurant.

Geological exhibition. To begin or extend the adventure, visit the small adjoining museum featuring over 150 varieties of stone (granite, quartz, limestone, chlorite, etc.), fossilized or petrified wood, coral and more. Interactive stations explain some of nature's miracles (continental drift, stalactite formation...), while aquariums enable visitors to discover and observe the animal species that live in the Al Hoota cave: fish, small crustaceans, mosquito larvae and water beetles.

Direction the old souk, a shady square surrounded by arcades. This is where the villagers meet to play cards or chat. Superb photos in perspective, especially since some of the elders like to pose. Going a little deeper into the back of the souk, you come to a falaj and the ruins of the Al Khanajirah fort. The village is dominated by a hill where the remains of seven watchtowers still stand. One can climb up the hill by cutting through the old alleyways, where some beautiful carved wooden doors topped with Quranic inscriptions are nestled. From the top, the whole area and the sands of the Sharqiyah are dominated, making it one of the most coherent and photogenic urban ensembles in the region.

To reach Ain Razat, take the direction of Mirbat then, shortly after Salalah, the spring is indicated 8 km on the left. We arrive at the foot of the Jebel Al-Qara; many springs flow along the wall to end up in the same basin, itself connected to a falaj system in charge of irrigating the region. A park, open only at weekends, has been set up at this point. The springs of Hamran are located a little further on. First take the road to Mirbat and then follow the road that goes to the left towards Ain Hamran until a dead end.

It is the childhood residence of the late Sultan Qaboos, now reserved for great national ceremonies. Every year, after the monsoon, a thorough cleaning of its Taqah stones takes place, one of the great pride of the region. The palace is of course closed to the public, and you won't see much from the road, but it is said that, during his periods of residence in Salalah, Sultan Qaboos used to drive around the area in his car and offer to grant a wish to anyone who called him...

Overlooking the modern city on its southern spur, this fortified village was abandoned half a century ago when the falaj dried up. As evening falls, in the wake of a talkative guard who knows three words of English but had the presence of mind to record historical information in his old Nokia, we wander through the narrow streets and old houses of an 11th century caravanserai offered to termites, but in the process of being rescued. We climb up there to enjoy a 360° view of the region. Ghostly escape into the past.

The Centre de Géologie de l'Oisans, located in the town of Bourg d'Oisans, offers a variety of activities for geology enthusiasts and the curious of all levels. The association organizes hikes and geological trips, enabling participants to observe and understand Alpine landscapes. Conferences and field trips are also offered in the Northern Alps, bringing scientific culture to the general public. The Centre de Géologie de l'Oisans is also committed to the promotion and conservation of our geological heritage, creating trails and interpretive itineraries. Schoolchildren are also catered for, with field trips and courses to help them discover Alpine geology. Finally, the Centre offers professional training courses for students and professionals in the natural sciences, as well as geology-themed trips to the most beautiful mountains and active volcanoes.

Located within the walls of Bait Al Falaj, a fort built in 1845 as a summer residence for Sultan Sayyid Said bin Sultan, this museum is well worth a visit, as it is well known that nations are forged by force of arms. From pre-Islamic times to the emergence of the Sultan's power, including the period of the imans, the portrait of the country is displayed in 22 rooms. Another interest: the gardens and their weapons, including a curious boat and the old Cadillac of Sultan Qaboos.

To get there, take the Atin Road (the one that also leads to Job's tomb), in the direction of the village of Atin for about fifteen kilometers from the city center, then you reach a dead end. The area around the spring has been landscaped with picnic and rest areas, benches, steps to access the water... The site is especially interesting in summer when the spring, fed by regular rains, forms a superb waterfall. The water is then centralized in aflaj which supply the nearby village.

Located in the heart of Qurm Park in Muscat, this reserve is the preferred place for migratory birds and mangroves (Qurm means "mangrove" in Arabic). It would be a pity if you were not going to Muscat, especially since the park itself is very pleasant. For a contact with the rooms that come to visit a family…

This part of the Dhofar was declared a natural reserve in 1997. Covering 4 500 km ² and encompassing the cities of Mirbat, Sadh and Hasik, it offers a varied landscape of peaks, wadi and canyons, between mountains and sea. The rock is very limestone, sculpted by erosion and chiselled at the base. The environment in this jebel promotes the maintenance in the region of Arabia's last leopard populations. There were also repérés de Nuba, arabie gazelles, hyenas, foxes and wolves. As far as marine wealth is concerned, there are turtles, shrimp and whales off the coast, between Habdin and Shuwaymiyah. The area also includes Jebel Habrer, known for its flora influenced by the summer monsoon and plunged into lush tropical vegetation.

Located west of Salalah, this lagoon is a privileged place to observe birds (pale sparrows, marouettes, many wading…). Equip itself with binoculars and come early in the morning trying to surprise, through the wire, the life of these migrants.

Located in a plain where acacias are abundant, this 220 km ² reserve offers an ideal setting for some animal species. There are mainly gazelles and, in very limited numbers, a few wolves, wild cats, a small number of red foxes and vultures. It is expected to reintroduce oryx when the ecosystem so permits. The purpose of this reserve is to protect certain species in their natural environment and to serve as a study centre.

45 minutes south of Sur, extending these beautiful beaches where turtles come to spawn by hundreds according to the seasons. In order to preserve species, the government has declared the Nature reserve area and has created an observatory and a study centre on turtles. The visits are strictly controlled and concentrated on the beach of Ras al-Junayz. They cannot be accomplished without a guide, small groups voluntarily limited (in full season, during the winter, thinking to book!). They take place at night, when it is possible to attend the laying, as well as in early morning when the reptiles slowly return to the sea at simmering dawn: a moving show. Also possible to attend outbreaks. Refer to chapter "Muscat and the East", section "Ash Sharqiyah", "On the Coast Road" section.

Open since 1993, this pretty seaside park is the green lung of the city. It is also the largest in the capital with vast lawns, flowerbeds, a rose garden, fountains, a lake where you can rent small boats, playgrounds for children, a mini fairground and stalls for a snack or refreshment. There is a nature reserve with mangrove swamps where you can observe many migratory birds that have come to Muscat for a stopover. Good to know: in this park, as in most others, free wifi.