A culturally rich destination with stunning landscapes, adrenaline-pumping adventures, and world-class hospitality, Oman is nothing like its glitzy Middle East neighbors. Located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, the country has managed to preserve its traditional Arabian charm, and its people are modest and welcoming.
I was born and raised in Oman, and now I return often for my work with The Travel Box International. Here are some wow-worthy experiences to include on your itinerary.
Thrilling Rides
Courtesy of Alila Jabal Akhdar
Want to make an entrance at your hotel? Try paragliding. Visitors to the Musandam peninsula can arrange to soar over the Hajar Mountains before landing at the Six Senses Zighy Bay. (Your luggage will be safely transferred to the hotel.) Catch your breath with a welcome drink before being whisked to your beachfront villa.
If you want to keep your feet on the ground — or at least on a steel cable — tackle the via ferrata. The path begins at the side of a mountain in the Jabal Akhdar range that’s accessed from a private launch site. Together with your guide, you’ll cross a suspended wire bridge, traverse the mountain, and take in Oman’s natural beauty.
Goat Bartering
In Nizwa, one of Oman’s oldest cities, you can visit the animal market where villagers go on Friday mornings to sell and barter for goats, sheep, and cows. You might be surprised how fun it is to watch buyers and sellers haggle over livestock.
Break Bread
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Don’t leave without eating at a local’s home: Sit on the floor, roll up your sleeves, and interact with Omanis who are eager to share their culture and learn about yours. In the sleepy port city of Sur, you can dine with local fishermen. Or, head to the charming village of Dibba in the Musandam Peninsula to have a traditional breakfast or lunch with the Dibba Women Association and learn about their initiatives and causes. After breaking bread, you can further explore the village with a resident. All proceeds go toward empowering the women and their children.
High-tech Opera
The Royal Opera House Muscat is Oman’s premier venue for music and culture, and one of the most beautiful and technically advanced opera houses in the world. The space can transform from a 1,100-seat opera house into a 850-seat concert hall with the push of a button. The structure reflects contemporary Omani architecture and is one of the main landmarks in the city. (The Opera Galleria is also home to one of the city’s best fine-dining restaurants, Al Angham.)
Giant Mosque
In Muscat, you can learn more about Omani heritage at the Bait Al Zubair Museum, which showcases crafts, furniture, weaponry, jewelry, and more. And you’ll want to visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. The country’s largest mosque can accommodate 20,000 worshippers.
Wild Falcons
Take a day trip from Muscat to visit the Dimaniyat Islands, a protected nature reserve located in the Gulf of Oman. Here, you can go bird watching to spot ospreys and sooty falcons, or you can snorkel or dive to see rare coral reefs and numerous sea turtles.
You’ll see even more turtles during a stay at Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve. The turtle sanctuary combines an interactive museum with research laboratories and offers a large selection of activities for visitors.
Top Stays
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For a luxe stay in Muscat, consider Jumeirah Muscat Bay, where you can relax in a Sanctuary Ocean Villa, with a private pool and breathtaking views of the Al Hajar Mountains. The St. Regis Al Mouj will appeal to golfers, thanks to its location next to the award-winning course designed by Greg Norman. The Mandarin Oriental, Muscat, meanwhile, has a stunning spa that offers locally inspired healing treatments.
There are also many wonderful properties in the mountainous region of Jabal Akhdar, including Alila Jabal Akhdar and Anantara Al Jabal Akhdar Resort. For a truly unique experience, check into the Suwgra Heritage Inn, located on the edge of a cliff in Suwgra, a 500-year-old village. Hike down a canyon to get to your room (your luggage is transferred on a pulley system), converse with locals under the stars, dine on traditional dishes, and watch the sunset over the rugged mountains.
Mo Noubani is a member of Travel+Leisure’s A-List and specializes in one-of-a-kind adventures throughout the Middle East. You can create a customized itinerary with Noubani by contacting him at monoubani@travelboxinternational.com.
