A wealthy and traditional sultanate in the Arabian Peninsula, Oman is the country of dramatic and unspoiled landscape with deserts, beaches, scenic valleys and mountains. Rich in history and culture, Oman is home to beautiful mosques, colorful souqs and traditional festivals. The friendly Omanis warmly welcome a visitor in their home country which is a fascinating blend of old and new.
The mountainous Dhofar region is located in Southern Oman. A nature and beach lover's paradise, Salalah is home to pleasant tropical climate, beautiful landscape with white beaches, mountains, lush vegetation, coconut palms and wildlife. This second largest city of Oman offers good scuba diving, trekking, birdwatching and other outdoor and water sports activities. In the bustling Souq of Salalah you can buy the beautiful Omani handicrafts and the famous frankincense tree products. Jebel Shams is the tallest mountain in Oman popular for trekking, climbing and camping. See also the many old forts and colorful festivals in Oman.
Visitor services. The biggest cities in Oman have numerous hotels with all modern amenities. Restaurants and shops can be found in all Omani towns. A traditional Muslim country, Oman has no actual nightlife but there are some bars usually located within the major hotels in Oman.
How to get there. The easiest way to travel to Oman is by air. The majority of the international flights to Oman arrive at Seeb International Airport in Muscat, which serves direct flights from Europe, India and Middle East. There is a small airport in Salalah which serves mostly domestic flights. The Muscat Port receives cruise ships. Oman can also be accessed by car from the United Arab Emirates.
Getting around. The roads in Oman are generally in good condition. There are regular bus services between the major cities in Oman.
Mountains, beaches and colourful souqs in Oman
Oman has a versatile landscape with high mountains, vast deserts, wide empty beaches and clear waters of the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. It is an outdoor wonderland, offering activities from rock climbing and diving to trekking, birdwatching and desert safaris. Flanked by dramatic mountains and bordering the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Oman, the lively capital of Oman, Muscat offers good opportunities for diving, trekking and other outdoor activities nearby. Like the rest of the country, Muscat is a fascinating blend of old and new: there are colorful souqs, spectacular mosques, medieval forts next to modern malls and world-class hotels located next to the long, sandy beaches by the blue sea. Located in the Muscat province of Oman, Muttrah is an important centre of commerce and a large sea port.The mountainous Dhofar region is located in Southern Oman. A nature and beach lover's paradise, Salalah is home to pleasant tropical climate, beautiful landscape with white beaches, mountains, lush vegetation, coconut palms and wildlife. This second largest city of Oman offers good scuba diving, trekking, birdwatching and other outdoor and water sports activities. In the bustling Souq of Salalah you can buy the beautiful Omani handicrafts and the famous frankincense tree products. Jebel Shams is the tallest mountain in Oman popular for trekking, climbing and camping. See also the many old forts and colorful festivals in Oman.
Practical information for your stay in Oman
Oman is located in the Middle East by the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf. The local terrain consists of deserts inland and rugged mountains in north and south. Due to its varied terrain there are great differences in the climatic conditions in Oman. The interior of Oman has a hot and dry climate while the coast has a hot and humid climate. The rainy season in Oman lasts from June to September in the southern part of the country.Visitor services. The biggest cities in Oman have numerous hotels with all modern amenities. Restaurants and shops can be found in all Omani towns. A traditional Muslim country, Oman has no actual nightlife but there are some bars usually located within the major hotels in Oman.
How to get there. The easiest way to travel to Oman is by air. The majority of the international flights to Oman arrive at Seeb International Airport in Muscat, which serves direct flights from Europe, India and Middle East. There is a small airport in Salalah which serves mostly domestic flights. The Muscat Port receives cruise ships. Oman can also be accessed by car from the United Arab Emirates.
Getting around. The roads in Oman are generally in good condition. There are regular bus services between the major cities in Oman.
Photo: Hotshoe!, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
Getting around in Oman can be challenging as there are no public buses in the smaller towns. However, taxis and inexpensive shared taxis are easy to find. You can also rent a car in Muscat, though car rental can be quite expensive in Oman.
Safety. Oman is a wealthy and peaceful country that is considered a safe destination, but nevertheless, it is advisable to exercise common caution. Respecting local Islamic culture and dressing modestly is important in the traditional Oman.
History and culture of Oman
Rich in history, Oman has been inhabited since 12,000 BC. Oman has had a strategic location on the crossroads of important trade routes between the east and west. The first Arabs settled in Oman in the second century BC From Yemen. In the beginning of the 16th century the Portuguese conquered Muscat to protect their trade route to India. The Portuguese were defeated in 1650 and it was after that the Omanis formed their own Empire and a maritime power. In the late 18th century the sultanate signed a friendship treaty with Britain. Oman became fully independent from the British protectorate in 1951. With the help of large oil reserves, close relationship with the United Kingdom and modernization program of the Omani Sultan, the country has succeeded in developing Oman's economy and maintaining good relations with the other countries in the Middle East.The Omani culture is highly influenced by the religion of Islam, and Ramadan and other Islamic festivities play an significant role in the society. There are beautiful mosques scattered throughout the sultanate. Omanis are very friendly and hospitable towards visitors. The Islamic traditions in Oman should be respected by dressing conservatively and swimwear should be used only on the beach or pool. English is the second language in Oman and therefore widely understood and spoken in the country.
