Located in the southeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, the "Sultanate of Oman" is an Islamic kingdom bordered by the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Oman. Rich in Arab culture and natural beauty, Oman is a captivating destination filled with tourist attractions and is also the birthplace of the famous tale, The Adventures of Sinbad.
In Oman’s capital, Muscat, you’ll find numerous resort hotels and beautiful beaches where you can relax and unwind. Extend your trip slightly outside the city to visit more enchanting attractions. Here, we will introduce six must-visit tourist spots in Oman.
1. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (Muscat)
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque was built by Sultan Qaboos for the people of Oman to celebrate his 30th year as Sultan. After six years of construction, the largest mosque in Oman was completed in 2001.
The mosque's beautiful exterior, which incorporates elements of modern architecture and traditional Islamic style, is definitely worth a visit. In accordance with Islamic teachings, minarets are built at the four corners and a fifth minaret is located in the center.
The prayer hall is decorated with a huge Swarovski crystal chandelier and a Persian carpet that took 600 women four years to weave. In addition, marble is used lavishly and the dome is beautifully decorated, making this a mosque that you should definitely visit when you are traveling to Oman.
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Name: The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
Address: Sultan Qaboos St, Muscat Oman
Official/related website URL: https://sultanqaboosgrandmosque.com/
2. Oman Fjords (Khasab)
When talking about the natural beauty of Oman, one cannot forget the Oman Fjords. In Kasab, there are curvaceous fjords, also known as the "Norway of the East," and you can enjoy the scenery from aboard a traditional dhow.
Depending on the temperature, you can swim or snorkel at the place where the boat is moored. In winter, wild dolphins may appear!
Tours from the city of Musandam in Oman are common, and the tour includes lunch, snorkeling equipment, water, fruit, etc. Be sure to enjoy the Arabian-style lunch served on the tour.
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Name: Oman Fjords
Address: Oman Fjords, Khasab, Oman
3. Wadi Shab (Tiwi)
Wadi Shab is an oasis that Oman is proud of, sandwiched between rocky mountains about 150km east of Muscat. In Oman, which is mostly desert, the scenery of flowing streams and lush flowers attracts many people and has become a popular tourist spot among locals.
The view from the cliffs is spectacular, and a few years ago, a world championship for cliff diving, a sport in which people jump from cliffs into the water, was held here. We also recommend mini trekking here. You can feel like an adventurer. Be sure to try it when you are sightseeing!
The trip takes 3 to 4 hours. It is a tourist spot where you can enjoy Oman's great nature, walking between the gaps between the rocky mountains covered with palm trees and playing in the water of the stream.
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Name: Wadi Shab
Address: Wadi Shab, Oman
4. Bahla Fort (Bahla)
There are many forts in Oman built to protect the oases from Persians and nomads. Bahla Fort was built around the 13th to 14th century and completely surrounds the city.
The fort was left abandoned for a long time and deteriorated. As a result, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage in Danger List in 1988, but the Omani government carried out restoration and improvement work, and it was removed from the list in 2004.
Within the city, there are mosques, oases, markets (souks), palm groves, and more. The city is also famous for its pottery. There are many pottery items lined up in the souks.
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Name: Bahla Fort
Address: 21, Bahla, Oman
5. Bimmah Sinkhole (Hawiyat Najm Park)
It's about a two-hour drive from Muscat International Airport, the capital of Oman. A large lake suddenly appears in Hawiyat Najm Park. Originally, a "sinkhole" is a large hole created by soil or ground erosion, and it is a tourist attraction that locals believe was created by a meteorite.
The Bimmah Sinkhole is a pond about 40 meters long and 20 meters deep, filled with emerald-green water made from dissolved limestone. In the desert country of Oman, it has become a popular tourist spot as a natural pool.
There are stairs, so anyone can get in the water. There are many wild "doctor fish" here that eat the dead skin of human feet!
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Name: Bimmah Sinkhole
Address: Bimmah Sink Hole, Hawiyat Najm Park, Oman
6. Falaj Daris (Nizwa)
Falaj is an irrigation system that connects the bottom of a well with a horizontal hole. In Oman, where 80% of the country is desert, falaj still functions as an important irrigation system in about 3,000 places, and five of the most representative ones are registered as World Heritage Sites.
Among them, Nizwa is home to "Falaj Daris," which is thought to be the oldest, and since it is maintained like a park, you can see the waterways that run throughout it. On hot days, you can also see children playing in the water.
Related facilities around the waterways, such as "watchtowers," "dwellings," "mosques," and "sundials," are also registered as World Heritage Sites, so be sure to visit them as well.
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Name: Aflaj Irrigation Systems of Oman
Address: Faraj Daris, Nizwa, Oman
◎ Summary of Tourist Attractions in Oman
We have introduced tourist spots in Oman, a desert country. In Muscat, Oman's capital, you can enjoy resort life, shopping, gourmet food, and more. Marine sports are also popular at hotel beaches.
When sightseeing, it is also recommended to go a little further and view the majestic desert in the suburbs, see ancient irrigation systems and forts, and reflect on Oman's history. Oman is a safe country, so you can travel there without worry.