Famous for its countless sinkholes, wadis, desserts and dates, Oman is a country that should be on your radar. For a perfect stay in this country, it is always better to know in advance where to go. Here are some examples of itineraries for a few days in Oman.
DAYS 1-2
Great Mosque of Sultan Qaboos
Probably the most famous monument in Muscat, the Sultan Qaboos Mosque is well worth a visit. The mosque took 6 years to build, covers an area of 416,000 square meters and can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers at a time. Made of 300,000 shades of Indian sandstone, the mosque is the second largest in the world. During this travel OmanYou can sit down and learn more about Islam and ask all your questions about the country.
Souk of Muttrah
Located across the corniche, Muttrah Souk is a 20-25 minute drive from the Great Mosque of Sultan Qaboos. This lively area is one of the country's most popular tourist attractions. You'll find a mix of Indian and African locals selling tourist souvenirs, bags, carpets, gold and household items. The souk opens on Saturday-Thursday from 8am to 1pm and 5pm to 9pm and on Friday from 5pm to 9pm.
Old Muscat
Another 5-10 minute drive along the corniche is Old Muscat, Muscat's original historical city and current home of the ruling Sultan. You can see Al Alam Palace, the residence of the ruling monarch, Sultan Qaboos, and the most important of the country's six royal residences. Surrounded by steep mountains, there are several towers and a reconstructed wall that protected the city.
DAY 3
Bimmah Abyss
About 90 minutes drive from Muscat is the Bimmah Sinkhole. It is the perfect place to stop, swim and cool off. The turquoise water is very inviting! It is a popular swimming hole for locals and tourists and especially busy on Friday and Saturday weekend days.
Wadi Shab
From Bimmah Sinkhole, keep driving for 20 minutes and you will find the parking lot of Wadi Shab. You will probably have to take a small boat to cross a small river, from where you will have to walk 30 to 45 minutes through rough paths and rocks to reach the swimming hole. It's worth the detour because the water hole is really beautiful, the water is perfectly clear and it's a great place to cool off. The dress code is more casual here.
On
Continue along the coastal road to the town of Sur. There is a large supermarket just outside of Sur where you can stock up on ice, food and drinks. If you have time, stop and explore the town. Be sure to leave enough time to find a place to camp!
DAY 4
After a breakfast In the morning, spend some time exploring Sur. This former East African trading port has a beautiful lighthouse, a fort and typical Omani architecture. Fishing boats line the shoreline and it's a great place to get a feel for local life!
Wadi Bani Khalid
After exploring Sur, head to the desert via Wadi Bani Khalid for a dip and a picnic. There is an area towards the back of the site where tourists can swim in Western bathing suits.
Wahiba Sands
From Wadi Bani Kahlid, head to Wahiba Sands and find a place to set up camp. Climb a dune to watch the sunset and see the glittering Milky Way above.
