Tourist Attractions & Monuments Oman

This white mosque of rare elegance can be seen as soon as you enter Muscat from the north. Built on a small hill, it dominates part of the city and is distinguished by its delicate architecture, particularly at nightfall - superb lighting. Entirely made of marble, it was built from 2008 to 2014. The main prayer hall is decorated with an 11-metre high chandelier partially covered with fine gold and can accommodate 2,100 worshippers

Adventure demands an early start. But what wouldn't you do to see the sun rise over the desert, the dunes change color, the naked immensity gradually revealed as the balloon gently rises to embrace the horizon? Led by expert pilots, the experience is as much about the beauty of the scenery as it is about the experience itself - the unusual sensation of being a bird in a basket, the solemnity of silence disturbed only by the occasional sound of the burner. The team picks you up at your camp, and the flight lasts around 1 hour.

This large fortified house(Bayt) was built in the ^17th century by Imam Sultan bin Saif bin Malik Al Ya'rubi in order to protect the access to Jebel Akhdar and the falaj Al Khatmeen, which is essential for the irrigation of the vast oasis of Birkat Al-Mawz and which runs through the castle. With its arches, bas-reliefs and painted ceilings, the building is not without a certain elegance. It has all the attributes of a defensive building with its central courtyard, its towers at opposite angles and its crenellated ramparts. Renovated, it houses an interesting small museum of arms.

Mirbat Fort is a massive square fortress built of earth and local stone. Its architecture is typical of a defensive building with towers, a parapet walk and a vast inner courtyard. However, it was not only used for military purposes, but also as a residence and administrative center. Renovated, the fort now houses a well-designed museum on Omani culture.

Next to the Fort, take a look at the old market and its old mud stores - now derelict.

Covering an area of 220 km², the Al Saleel Nature Park Reserve is largely covered by acacia forests. This habitat is ideal for several species of gazelle, including the Arabian gazelle (Gazella gazella cora) or the sand gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), a rare species in great danger of extinction. The park is also home to Omani wild cats or sand cats (Felis margarita), a species remarkably adapted to arid environments; and also to Arabian red foxes (Vulpes vulpes arabica), Egyptian eagles, vultures, etc.

Amouage is a luxury perfumery founded in 1983 at the request of Sultan Qaboos with the aim of reviving the Arab tradition of prestigious perfumes. It was by calling upon a famous French nose, Guy Robert, a perfumer in Grasse, that the first essence was created in 1984 under the name Amouage Gold. Today it is still as popular with the ladies as ever and remains one of the most expensive fragrances in a collection that now includes some forty fragrances. To discover this world of scents that is part of Omani heritage, there's nothing like a visit to the Factory. You're immediately struck by the building's elegance and the care taken in its decoration: outside, water flows into fountains adorned with white and gold mosaics; inside, you'll find the same layout with its arabisante notes as in the perfumer's boutiques. It's absolute chic! You're greeted in the factory hall where all the fragrances are displayed in their ornamental bottles. You can touch, smell and discover the compositions of the famous fragrances. Accompanied by a hostess, we then enter the Amouage corridors to observe the manufacturing process, the storage rooms, and the bottling. Anachronistic or the sign of a great House, the labeling is always done by hand... an astonishing particularity when we know that no less than 3,000 bottles are produced here every day! For the record, Amouage means waves in Arabic. Online purchase possible.

Superbly restored using traditional Omani materials, this beautiful ^19th-century fortified residence once belonged to the royal family. Impressive in size, it measures 40 meters long by 30 meters wide, with some fifteen rooms arranged around a vast inner courtyard and protected by crenellated ramparts. Multi-purpose (kitchen, reception rooms, bedrooms, etc.), the rooms are spread over two levels. In addition to being a museum, the residence regularly hosts cultural events.

In calm weather, this wild and secluded beach is a great spot for both swimming and camping. Embedded between two cliffs, the clear sand is bordered by an emerald sea with translucent water, which make up an idyllic landscape for a few hours of idleness away from the city or an overnight stay in the open air during a road trip to or from Ras al-Jinz for example. In windy weather, a swell forms and the bay becomes capricious - avoid swimming. Access is easy from Sur if you always follow the road closest to the sea.

The fortress of Al-Fiyqin stands out from other Omani bastions by its verticality and its appearance of a colossal square tower. Established in a fertile plain, its impressive height exceeds the ancient houses and vegetation of the oasis, offering from its top and its various loopholes and openings, a wide perspective on the surroundings - which used to allow spotting the enemy and favors today beautiful panoramic photos! Built 400 years ago and well renovated, the defensive building is on four levels.

There's no better way to immerse yourself in Oman's plantations and villages than to explore them by gentle means of transport under the guidance of a guide who enriches the ride with interesting information about the local culture and the places covered. The mountain bike tour leads to a viewpoint over Al Hamra to admire the oasis, and continues along dirt tracks through palm groves and old houses to the new town.

On horseback, we ride through farms and plantations.

White sand and coconut trees, that's what the beaches of Salalah look like in two words. A ribbon of fine sand winds along the coast for at least 30 km between the industrial port in the west and Taqah in the east. Without going too far from the center, shortly after the section occupied by the large hotels, one reaches the public beach of Dahariz. The first part of the beach is lined with cafes and restaurants, a promenade and shaded gazebos equipped with BBQs. It becomes wilder after the Khawr ad Dahariz lagoon, which forces you to leave the coastal road for a few kilometers.

More than just an art gallery, Bait Muzna is one of the most important art consultants in the region. Founded by Sayyida Susan Al Said in 2000, this cultural center is committed to promoting contemporary art and preserving the essence of Arab art through various media and project management on a local and international scale. The gallery organizes regular seminars for artists to meet each other. A coffee shop will soon be opened inside the gallery and a roof top will be set up for events.

The gallery is located in a beautiful villa in the residential area of Madinat Al Qaboos. It offers a wide range of art objects, but also antiques, furniture that can be purchased on-site, as well as gifts at smaller prices. A lively and dynamic space, Al Madina Art Gallery has a team of artists who are dedicated to it, as well as designers and trainers. Socio-cultural events are organised on a regular basis.

The village of Kumzar, accessible only by sea, occupies the northernmost point of the region. The harshness of the site echoes this natural isolation. Low, rudimentary houses are hiding between large blocks of fallen stone. The alleyways are so narrow that you can barely squeeze through. A handful of pets go about at random, women duck in a crumple of cloth, men take a nap on the beach, children run around in their dusty clothes. At the bottom of the circus, high cliffs block all access through the mountains. Straight ahead lies the open sea, and over there on the horizon, just 55 km away, lies the Iranian coastline. Kumzar has 3,000 inhabitants, a hospital, two mosques, a pier and a school. Not so small after all, but so special, as if bathed in a slightly mystical aura. Could it be the presence of this quasi-sacred tomb erected at the foot of the mountains at the far end of the village? That, it is said, of a charismatic man who came from Iraq and stayed there for 5 years to bring peace. His body does not lie in Kumzar, only the symbol. The other peculiarity of the place is its unique dialect, Kumzari, composed over the incessant passage of men and boats: a mixture of 24 languages, including Arabic, Indian, Baluchi, Portuguese, English. Economically, the people of Kumzar live mainly from fishing and only leave their village in the summer to spend their holidays in Khasab.

This spring emerges in a kind of small round crater a few meters in diameter, just next to a white mosque. The water emerges there at 45°C and is then channelled into a falaj, partly equipped with individual "cabins" that the locals use for soaking or ablution. The water is said to have medicinal virtues and its high sulphur content is said to be recommended for arthritis and rheumatism. The site is rather rudimentary and not very conducive to bikini.

The souk of Rustaq is one of the most popular markets of the Batinah and even of the sultanate. From the first light of day, it comes alive, offering all sorts of handicrafts and traditional objects, khandjars, Bedouin jewellery, but also palm mats, pottery, fabrics, various agricultural products and even local honey, which is reputed to be tasty! Locals flock from all over the region to unearth quality products and attend the sheep and cattle sale which takes place on Fridays in a small square reserved for this purpose.

Al-Manzifat is an ancient city surrounded by a defensive wall. Although only ruins remain, they look good and retain some semblance of vaults decorated with oriental motifs and several two-storey houses with elaborate window openings. These dwellings form the outline of the ancient city of the Zanzibar Moguls. Given the narrowness of some of the narrow streets, leave the car behind and stroll along them, admiring the mud-brick watchtowers at the top of the hills.

All the world's cuisines are represented in the Sultanate, due to the presence of foreigners on site (expatriates, Indian workers, Pakistani or Sri Lankan staff, etc.), but also those of international chains and hotels. French, Italian, Moroccan, Indian, Lebanese, etc. All bets are in place, especially in Muscat with the greatest diversity of possible tables. The best restaurants are usually located in hotels, but there are also some good tables outside.

On the price side, the range is large, but rather cheap, when you depart from international hotels. In particular, Indian or local dishes can be restored with fresh fruit juice for only 2 RO (4 euros).

Fast food/fast food

Several international channels are located in the Sultanate: Mac Donald's, Papa John's Pizza, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, etc…

Many shops or crisp shops also sell popular dishes, ready to prepare or very fast to prepare, such as historical, shawarmas, falafels, etc.

The Buffets and Friday Brunch

All major hotels have at their own minimum, in addition to foreign or gastronomic tables, a main restaurant in which buffets are served, often subject to themes and variables depending on each day of the week (Italian Monday, Arabic on Tuesday, seafood on Wednesdays, for example…). The more luxurious the hotel, the greater the choice of culinary products and preparations, but always at affordable rates.

One of the local institutions is Friday Brunch (Friday brunch), very popular among all communities, both expatriate and Omani, and especially families. Participating in the Friday Brunch of a large hotel is a way to have access to the gardens, swimming pools, landscaped beach. a chance (see the box in the "Restaurants" section of the Muscat chapter)!

Typical tables

These are restaurants with Arab dishes and decor. They are found both in and outside hotels, in all price ranges. Some local channels have even specialized in this area and offer meals on carpets and cushions. This is the case in Kargeen Caffé or in the Bin Ateeq restaurants, for example…

Large tables

The largest chefs are located in the large luxury hotels, still relatively few in the Sultanate. Very beautiful gastronomic tables in choices of choice in establishments: The Chedi (The Restaurant), Al Bustan Palace (View by Shannon Bennett), Al Husn (Sultanah)…

During easy 2h30 to 3h guided cultural walks, we discover the falaj irrigation system, local farming techniques and the way plantations are organized. For a more total immersion, you can take a 2-day mule trek and camp along the wadis and mountain trails (5h outward, 7h return). For the day, guided hikes from 5h to 7h in small groups of up to 8 people are organized from the village.

If the craft of pottery has existed for centuries in Oman, as evidenced by the various forts and museums in the country where jars, pots, incense burners, etc. are displayed, traditional workshops hardly exist anymore. That of the al-Adwi family is one of the most authentic, rich in a know-how that has been passed down from father to son for several generations. The complex covers 1,200 m² (1,200 sq ft) and also houses a small room where old tools and clays are displayed.

This electric cart tour of Nizwa takes you around the city's main tourist attractions, comfortably seated in what looks like a long golf cart open on the sides but protected by a roof. Quiet and very elegant with their vintage look, the little vehicles thread their way everywhere, particularly through the narrow streets of the old town. Reservations are made via WhatsApp directly with the company, which picks up customers from all over the city. The 2 main departure points are at the large parking lot at the entrance to the souk and in front of the Al Bustan Inn guesthouse.

Two types of guided tour are generally on offer: the 30-40 minute "short tour" or "classic tour", confined to the old city walls, but already offering a good overview of Nizwa's history and the organization of life in the former capital of Oman; the 2-hour "long tour", which follows the same historical route and continues a little outside the city to a Halwa factory, then to a nearby farm where you can learn about traditional date-picking.

We learn that the ancient town was once surrounded by ramparts, and was entered through 4 main gates that are still visible today. The ramparts, currently being restored, consisted of walls 4 to 5 metres high and 1.5 metres thick. They stretched for 2 kilometers and had 17 watchtowers set up every 150 to 200 meters to keep an eye on the surrounding area and sound the alarm in case of danger. At the foot of the ramparts ran the famous aflaj, which can still be seen today. These irrigation canals enabled Nizwa's inhabitants to cook or wash, and often passed inside the houses themselves, where they also served as natural air-conditioners. The water came from three different sources: the nearby Hajar mountains, rain and groundwater. Another interesting feature revealed by the visit was the narrowness of the alleyways, which kept the houses cool by preventing the sun from penetrating them. A closer look at the old stone buildings reveals that no door was ever located at the same level as the window of the house opposite. This construction principle preserved the privacy of each individual. Each house was also built almost identically, and each had 2 storeys to ensure fairness for all residents. Another important "building" was the community shuwa oven, or tanoor in Arabic. 3 meters deep, it was used by the inhabitants to cook meat for ceremonies and important days. The meat was first marinated in spices, then wrapped in banana leaves and placed in cooking bags. Each family brought its own bag and let the meat cook for 2 full days before eating it.

Among the many explanatory stops, which the guide is happy to illustrate with photos from the period, one of the most memorable is the old mosque, the second to be built in the Sultanate over 1,000 years ago. Its Mihrab, built at a later date, is a true splendor and was entirely hand-crafted. The tour also takes in the various buildings of the souk, providing a mental geography of the old town.

Recently opened to the public but still partially under construction, this old walled village, one of the oldest in Oman, is the largest group of houses and buildings currently undergoing total renovation. In all, no fewer than 376 houses and 250 wells dating back more than 900 years will eventually be renovated, enabling visitors to immerse themselves in the Oman of yesteryear and gain a more accurate understanding of the architecture and lifestyle of the Omanis of yesteryear. While old villages and mud houses can be seen in many parts of the sultanate, no other group of buildings is so cohesive or so aesthetically pleasing. In addition to the charm of the narrow streets, vaulted passageways and low, elaborate doorways, there are four very old mosques (all accessible from the main street): Al Sharah, Al Ain, Al Rahba and Al Aa'li, probably built in the early ^16th century. A rampart and towers encircle and protect the village, which is accessed through a number of gates, including the beautiful Bait Al Hisn on the south side, still called Hisn Najad after one of the wilayat's most famous students. Part of the work has been completed, but the site is far from finished, and additional attractions in the form of cafés, local craft stores, restaurants and guesthouses should eventually see the light of day. A short distance away, a visit to the brand-new Oman Across Ages Museum completes the visit admirably.

From the parking lot at the entrance to Misfah village, follow the three yellow-white-red stripes marking trail W9. The path descends into the hamlet and leads to a pond. A few steps further down, the path splits in two.

To the right, a 6-hour hike of good level and with a fair amount of ascent leads to the junction with trail W8, which leads to the village of Bilad Sayt in the heart of Wadi Bani Hauf. Even if you don't do this walk, take a few minutes on this path to descend into the wadi and climb back up to enjoy a 5* panoramic view of the old hamlet clinging to its rock face in the middle of its palm grove. Another option: a 7-hour guided hike from Misfah to Shorfat Al Alamayn with Canyon Adventures & Tours.

Alternatively, if you take the left-hand side at the junction shortly after the basin, a pleasant one-hour round-trip walk along the side of a lush green gorge leads to the spot where the water emerges from the earth to feed the falaj. The path is easy, even if the stones, polished by many passages, are sometimes slippery. Once you've reached the falaj, don't hesitate to walk directly along its edges, which are about 20 centimetres wide, to experience the almost childlike sensation of balancing on the edge of a sidewalk, except that the construction here has its origins centuries ago. Yes, to stroll along the falaj is to capture the essence of the sultanate, what feeds it: nourishing water channelled to bring life.