Bahla Fort

Oman

　　After many years of restoration, Bahla Fort, one of the largest in Oman, makes a grand sight looming over the sprawling modern settlement of Bahla. Built by the Bani Nebhan tribe who were dominant in the area from the 12th to the 15th centuries, it was granted Unesco World Heritage...

Wadi Bani Khalid

Oman

　　Justly famed for its natural beauty, this wadi just north of the town of Al Kamil makes a rewarding (and well-signposted) diversion off the Muscat–Sur road (Hwy 23) or as a destination in its own right. The approach road, which climbs high into the Eastern Hajar Mountains, zigzags through some...

Damaniyat Islands

Oman

　　These government-protected rocky islands, around an hour’s boat ride off the Batinah coast, are rich in marine life and make an exciting destination for snorkelling and diving. Day trips can be arranged in Muscat, through Al Mouj Marina or a dive centre, but for a shorter boat ride, it's possible...

Wadi Darbat

Oman

　　A popular picnic site during the khareef and a great place to enjoy the jebel in any season, Wadi Darbat is a grassy plateau in the hills marked by Oman's largest natural permanent lake. This is the source of the estuary that flows into Khor Rori, and during a good...

Bait Al Radidah

Oman

　　Renovated but as yet closed to visitors, the attractive 17th-century fort is much photographed as it is perfectly framed against the massif of Jebel Akhdar. Its main point of interest, however, is the Falaj Al Hathmeen, an active irrigation channel brimming with water from the mountains, which runs under the...

Corniche & Dhow Yards

Oman

　　The corniche affords a picturesque view across to the village of Ayjah. Dhows used to be led to safety by Ayjah’s three watchtowers, which mark the route into the lagoon. It is still possible to see the boats being made by hand alongside this passage. To reach the dhow yards,...

Wadi Dawkah

Oman

　　This small reserve, 40km north of Salalah, protects a 5km grove of ancient frankincense trees and is listed by Unesco as part of the frankincense-related heritage sites. More than 1200 trees are dotted around the arid wadi that lies just beyond the cooling mists of the khareef. The trees have...

Rustaq Fort

Oman

　　Two cannons mark the interior courtyard of this enormous fort – the entrance alone signals its former importance. Built on top of pre-Islamic foundations, the massive outer walls date from the 18th century while the inner keep is of much earlier vintage. The fort has been carefully restored and is...

Wadi Ghul Viewpoint

Oman

　　The term 'Grand Canyon of Arabia' is wholly deserved for this quintessential feature of Oman's spectacular mountain scenery. A short path leads to the edge of the limestone cliffs with a vertiginous 1000m drop into Wadi Ghul below. There are no safety barriers, but the cliff edge is stepped at...

Jebel Samhan Viewpoint

Oman

　　The upper plateau of Jebel Samhan suddenly ends in a vertiginous drop more than 1000 meters to the coastal plain below. Barely a ledge interrupts the vertical cliff, and it seems impossible that there should be any route down from here that didn't involve a rope and crampons. But in...

Nakhal Fort

Oman

　　Built on the foundations of a pre-Islamic structure, the towers and entrance of this fort were constructed during the reign of Imam Said Bin Sultan in 1834. There are excellent views of the Batinah Plain from the ramparts, and the majlis (reception room) on the top ‘storey’ of the fort...

Jabreen Castle

Oman

　　Rising without competition from the surrounding plain, Jabreen Castle is an impressive sight. Even if you have had a surfeit of fortifications, it's worth making the effort to clamber over one more set of battlements – Jabreen is one of the best-preserved and whimsical castles of them all. Head for...

Nizwa Gateway

Hajar Mountains

　　This grand double-arched gateway straddles Hwy 21, along the original Muscat–Nizwa road. The watchtowers that form the uprights of the gateway seem aged, but in fact the gateway was built in 2015. ...

Al Qala'a Mosque

Hajar Mountains

　　Nizwa was once a major centre for Islamic scholarship, and two aged mosques, among the oldest in the world, have survived since the early 7th century. Nestled up against the souq and the fort, the mosque (closed to non-Muslims) forms part of a fine ensemble of buildings in the middle...

Livestock Market

Hajar Mountains

　　If you’re not put off by the smell of heaving bulls and irritable goats, the livestock souq is well worth a look. The livestock market occupies a small plot of land beyond the main market walls, left of the entrance, and the brisk trading in goats, sheep and cattle is...

Falaj Daris Park

Hajar Mountains

　　At 7990m in length, Falaj Daris is one of the biggest irrigation channels in Oman and one of six such channels in Oman collectively honoured as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2006. Water still flows along the restored portion of falaj visible within this pretty park, and the park...

Nizwa Souq

Hajar Mountains

　　The site of one of the oldest souqs in the country, this extensive marketplace is dedicated mostly to fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, all of which are housed in separate blocks behind the great, crenellated piece of city wall that overlooks the wadi. Part of the souq (nearest the...

Nizwa Fort

Hajar Mountains

　　Built over 12 years in the 17th century by Sultan Bin Saif Al Yaruba, the first imam of the Yaruba dynasty, Nizwa Fort is famed for its distinctive 40m-tall round tower. By climbing to the top of the tower, it's possible to gauge the scale of the surrounding date plantations...

Sultan's Palace

Salalah

　　This enormous palace complex, with villas and landscaped gardens along the beach front, is home to the family of Oman's ruler, Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. While not open to the public, it is noteworthy for the visitor because its crenellated walls dominate the southern end of town, making for an...

Sultan Qaboos Mosque

Salalah

　　This newly completed, single-dome mosque with two minarets is a gift from His Majesty to the people of his mother's hometown, Salalah. It's open to visitors on weekday mornings and makes an impressive sight when the sun glances off the mosque's large dome. ...

Plantations

Salalah

　　Salalah is famous for its plantations of coconuts, papayas and bittersweet, small bananas. Stroll through the plantation roads near the corniche (2km from the town centre), and it's hard to remember Salalah is Oman's second city. For refreshment, stop off at one of the many colourful fruit stands that stay...

Al Baleed Archaeological Park

Salalah

　　Well-labelled and atmospherically lit at night, the ancient ruins of Al Baleed belong to the 12th-century trading port of Zafar. Frankincense was shipped from here to India in exchange for spices. Little is known about the port’s demise, but the excellent on-site Museum of the Frankincense Land charts the area’s...

Marina Bandar Al Rowdha

Muscat

　　Apart from offering a full range of boating amenities, Marina Bandar Al Rowdha is a popular launching point for a range of water sports, including fishing and diving. It is also a pleasant place to enjoy harbour activity and relax at the Blue Marlin Restaurant. The marina offers free use...

Sohar

Muscat

　　Just outside Al Bustan Palace Hotel, opposite the imposing parliament buildings, a small roundabout is home to Sohar, a boat named after the hometown of the famous Omani seafarer Ahmed Bin Majid. The boat (a replica of one sailed by Abdullah Bin Gasm in the mid-8th century to Guangzhou, China)...

National Museum

Muscat

　　Housed in an imposing new building in the heart of Old Muscat, the National Museum makes a fitting consort for the Sultan's Palace opposite. The emphasis of this contemporary museum is on quality rather than quantity, with space, light and height used to enhance the selective displays showcasing the heritage...

Bait Al Zubair

Muscat

　　In a beautifully restored house, this much-loved privately owned museum exhibits Omani heritage in thematic displays of traditional handicrafts, furniture, stamps and coins. The museum has evolved into the cultural centre of Muscat, hosting international exhibitions of contemporary art in Gallery Sarah within the museum's grounds. A modern cafe and...

Mutrah Corniche

Muscat

　　Mutrah stretches along an attractive corniche of latticed buildings and mosques; it looks spectacular at sunset when the light casts shadows across the serrated crescent of mountains, while pavements, lights and fountains invite an evening stroll or a bike ride. 　　The initiative to relocate the industrial elements of the port...

Sultan’s Palace

Muscat

　　If you stand by the harbour wall on Mirani St, the building to the right with the delightful mushroom pillars in blue and gold is the Sultan’s Palace. On the inland side, an avenue of palm trees leads to a roundabout surrounded by grand royal court buildings and the new...

Grand Mosque

Muscat

　　Quietly imposing from the outside, this glorious piece of modern Islamic architecture was a gift to the nation from Sultan Qaboos to mark his 30th year of reign. The main prayer hall is breathtakingly beautiful. The Persian carpet alone measures 70m by 60m wide, making it the second-largest hand-loomed Iranian...

Mutrah Souq

Muscat

　　Many people come to Mutrah Corniche just to visit the souq, which retains the chaotic interest of a traditional Arab market albeit housed under modern timber roofing. Shops selling Omani and Indian artefacts together with a few antiques jostle among more traditional textile, hardware and jewellery stores. Bargaining is expected...