67 Best Sights in Oman

We've compiled the best of the best in Oman - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

Barka Halwa Factory

Oman is famous for its Halwa, a confection made from sugar, butter, saffron, and cornstarch. The Oman Halwa Factory in the town of Barka, about 40 minutes from Muscat, has been making the signature sweet for 50 years and is the supplier of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. They usually don't let visitors inside the factory itself, but you can sample the various flavors of halwa that they make and buy some to take home.

Bidiyah Museum

The small Bidiyah museum is designed like a traditional Omani house and features a collection of old rifles, silver-handled khanjar daggers, and mannequins showcasing traditional clothing from the region. The roof terrace houses beautiful carved wooden doors and offers great views over the dusty town and the small Mintarib Fort across the street.

Bilad Fort

One of Oman's many restored forts, this 200-year-old fortress is not as impressive some of the others, including the mammoth Nizwa fort. This one was built to protect the city from inland attack, so there are some great views of Sur from its high walls. The locals who look after the fort are quite friendly and will invite you to sit with them and enjoy Omani dates and coffee.

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Bin Ali Mosque

This 800-year-old mosque is located in the heart of the city. Non-Muslims are allowed to visit, any day but Friday, if they wear appropriate dress, including long skirts, sleeves, and head covering for women, and trousers and long sleeves for men.

Birkat al Mouz Ruins

At the base of Jabal Akhdar, about 25 minutes from Nizwa, the ghost town of Birkat Al Mouz (which literally translates as "banana pool") is a beautiful place for a half-hour hike. The Al Falaj irrigation system still runs through the village streets, and there is a fun trick to try if you bring three colorful, small balls with you: Drop them in the same water channel and follow them. They will separate into different waterways a few meters down every time.

The Children's Museum

Qurm

Housed in a dome-shaped structure near the sea in Qurum, The Children's Museum features walls of optical illusions, exhibits explaining everything from how many bones are in a human body to why snot varies in color, and even offers a measure-your-karate-chop station. The highly interactive museum has a physical science bent and is a great way to pass a couple of hours with kids, who are not likely to notice the wear and tear on this dated, but entertaining, museum.

Dhow Building Yard

As the last remaining dhow-building factory in a city famous for its carved wooden trading vessels, this workshop is well worth a visit. Nowdays the ships are mostly purchased by rich boating enthusiasts from other GCC countries as pieces of art rather than for maritime commerce. The laborers start cutting thick planks and stretching them across wooden frames around dawn; they typically take a break for the afternoon and continue their work in the early evening. The shop is open to the public, and there is a small visitor center with information on the history of dhow-making in Sur, as well as small replicas and other woodwork for sale.

Fort Al-Mirani

On the western side of Muscat's old harbor, this fort was built by the Portuguese in 1588 on the ruins of an older fort that stood at the same site. Like Al-Jalali Fort, just accross the harbor, it can be viewed and photographed, but visits are not allowed.

Imperial Palace

The splendid palace has massive studded teak gates that protect the privacy of its imposing buildings, fountains, and gardens. Public entry is not permitted, but it's a sight to be seen, even if it’s just from the outside.

Jebel Shams

About 90 minutes from Nizwá by four-wheel-drive vehicle, Jebel Shams rises 9,855 miles above sea level, making it the highest peak in the Al Hajar Range—and indeed the tallest mountain peak in the Arabian Peninsula. The high altitude makes for cool weather in the summer and temperatures that drop below freezing in the winter. It is most famous for the Al Nakhr Balcony, the "Grand Canyon" of the Middle East, a stunning ravine punctuated by dramatic rock formations etched out of the stone through erosion. It is a popular place to hike thanks to the cool weather, but you should bring your own provisions as there are almost no amenities aside from a single hotel in the surrounding area.

Job's Tomb

The Prophet Job, or Ayoub Nabi in Arabic, was laid to rest near Salalah. His tomb is 32 km (20 miles) from the city on a picturesque hillside.

Muscat Gate Museum

On the coastal road between the old Mutrah neighborhood and the old city of Muscat, there is a large archway that houses the Muscat Gate. The small museum here displays photographs and information on the history of this once-walled city, whose gates were once locked before sundown every night—supposedly as a safety precaution, but also as a way to impose a strict curfew during the Portuguese occupation. The three main gates—the Mathaib Gate, Al Bab Al Saghir (the little door), and Al Bab Al Kabir (the big door)—still stand. The museum is a great place to learn their histories before hiking down to see them. The staff at the hotel are helpful and informative, and even if you aren't interested in the historic gates, the structure itself offers one of the best vantage points for taking photographs of the old towns.

Mutrah Fish Market

Mutrah

From dawn until around 9 am, the fish market echos with the sound of haggling and piles of fresh fish and shellfish being hauled in, cut, and cleaned. Though you might not be looking to purchase fresh seafood, the market is a wonderful place to take pictures and to gain an appreciation for the incredible bounty of the Sea of Oman.

Nakhal Fort

The closest of the northern fortresses to Muscat, about 100 km (60 miles) to the southwest, is the ancestral home of the Yaruba people, builders of some of the finest fortresses in Oman. The region is lushly green and has many soothing hot springs. The fort makes for an ideal picnic spot.

Natural History Museum

Al Khuwair

One of the most popular of Muscat's museums, the Natural History Museum is divided into four sections. Diverse Physical Features is a collection of aerial photographs and exhibits that show the vast geographic diversity found in the Sultanate, from mountains to desert to sea. Through the Geological Ages has 260-million-year-old tree fossils from Al Huquf, 270-million-year-old coral reefs from Wadi Aasahtan in Rustaq, and the teeth of prehistoric animals. The Varied Wildlife section houses taxidermied displays like a caracal lynx shown pouncing on a bird, the Arabian Oryx, Arabian Tahr, local leopard, and all manner of birds from the coastal areas and wetlands. Finally, Creatures of the Sea has a Whale Hall with bones, skeletons, and skulls belonging to the different whale types, and other displays explaining the bountiful sea life found off the coast. Informative descriptions accompany each display, and the staff is helpful and friendly.

Negd Plateau

Frankincense from the Negd Plateau near Salalah was once transported by sea and camel train all over the world, bringing Salalah and the Dhofar region fame and great wealth. Today the precious substance is no longer the mainstay of the economy that it was, but the trees from which the resin is extracted still grow in profusion, and frankincense is typically burnt as incense in households and used in heady Arabian perfumes in Oman and all over the Arabian peninsula. If you take a drive into the countryside, you can see what the trees look like.

New Sur Corniche Beach

On the newer, northern side of Sur, between the Al Maha fuel station roundabout and the Sur Beach Holiday Hotel, there is stretch of white sandy beach, replete with gazebos and a well-lit walking path. A café provides toilets on the roundabout end of the stretch, and small juice and tea shops can be found on the hotel side for other refreshments. It is more popular for walking in the evenings than for swimming. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free). Best for: walking.

Oil and Gas Exhibition Centre and Planetarium

Qurm

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said opened the museum and plantarium as gifts to the nation for the 25th and 30th anniversary, respectively, of the reign. Both are wonderful, free exhibits that appeal to both locals and visitor. The museum explains the process of converting oil and gas to their usable state—from the underground formation of layers of organic matter deposited in oceans and lakes millions of years ago, to how they are brought to the surface, and then how they are processed—in a series of six interactive displays. The planetarium features a full-Dome digital system in which several projectors create spectacular panoramas of space, stars, galaxies, and comets with integrated lasers, videos, and sound. The shows are free but must be requested ahead of time and are not offered on Fridays and Saturdays. Stargazing events are also held monthly.

Old Sur Corniche Beach

Along the main corniche in Sur is a very active beach with shaded sitting areas, opposite where old dhows bob in the harbor, fishing boats pull up directly on the shore, and local teenagers play football in the sand. It is a wonderful beach for relaxing and people-watching. There are limited facilities on the beach, but you'll find many small coffee shops and restaurants on the other side of the road and at either end of the Corniche where you can buy refreshments and find toilets. This is a public beach in a conservative town, so dress modestly. Wraps and cover-ups are recommended. Amenities: food and drink; toilets; parking. Best for: sunset; sunrise; walking.

Omani French Museum

In a 170-year-old house, which was home to the French consulate in 1896, the Omani-French Museum is conveniently located in the historic old town of Muscat, just down the street from the Al Alam Palace. All the displays are bulit around the theme of the cultural connection between France and Oman, from traditional clothing and models to an entire hall dedicated to maritime history and navigation. It's rather a niche subject.

Palace of the Queen of Sheba

The sprawling ruins of a giant 4th- to 6th-century palace, reputed to be that of the legendary Queen of Sheba, are found some distance outside Salalah. A drive here takes you 28 km (17 miles) toward Takah and Mirbat. A road sign on the way indicates the location, but it's easy to miss, so look carefully for the turn-off.

Point of Anti-gravity

Before you get to the palace turn-off, you'll pass by a point of anti-gravity, also signposted. Here it’s said that you can shift your car into neutral and—presto—the car rolls back up the hill. It’s also said that if you take a ball and roll it up the slope instead of down, you'll see that the pull of the Earth is in a direction seemingly against the normal force of gravity. Finding someone who has actually experienced this, however, is another thing.

Portuguese Watchtower

Mutrah

Across the freeway from Al Riyam Park, home to the iconic incense burner monument, just between the historic neighborhood of Mutrah and old Muscat, a restored Portuguese watchtower sits atop a towering cliff overlooking the sea and the two historic neighborhoods. The steep staircase leading up to the watchtower is accessible just behind Al-Inshirah Restaurant. It is a great place to get some exercise, as the climb is rigorous, and it offers one of the best views in the city.

Qalhat

As you approach Sur from Muscat on Rte. 17, you may notice small signs that read "The Ancient Village of Qalhat." Upon exiting the freeway, a small two-lane road weaves along the seafront until it dips back inland through a small, quite ancient-looking village surrounded by palms. Qalhat, which is still inhabited, is quite beautiful, with spectacularly colorful carved doorways on each of the crumbling living structures. Past this village, where the road begins to run along a river, just before reconnecting with 17, the ruins of the Bibi Mayram Mausoleum can be seen on the other side of the water, the last remaining piece of the once-famous town aside from a few small domed tombs and pieces of the old city wall. Submitted for consideration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Qalhat was a famous port city that was badly damaged by earthquakes in the 14th century, then destroyed completely by a Portuguese invasion in 1508. It is an unexpected historic treasure along an otherwise empty patch of freeway.

Qalhat Beach

Just off the 17 freeway at the exit for "Ancient Town of Qalhat," you'll find a strech of pristine, virtually empty beach with concrete shade huts built directly in the sand. It is a great place to bring a cooler so you can barbecue in one of the shaded huts, taking dips in the water to cool down and likely seeing only one other group on the entire beach. This privacy comes at the expense of convenience, as there are no restroom facilities or shops nearby, so bring your own provisions, and be prepared to rough it a bit. Amenities: parking. Best for: solitude.

Qurum Beach

Shatti Qurm

Located on the so-called "Love Street" this small beach remains relatively empty during the week but is bustling on the weekends and in the evenings, when young Omanis like to cruise the street showing off their cars and motorcycles. The water is calm and good for swimming, and often there are men offering Jet Ski rentals. On the short boardwalk along Shati Street you'll find two restaurants and two coffee shops with restrooms and free Wi-Fi, albeit with rather expensive food offerings for what you get. Expect to pay for the view and the convenience. After the sun sets, a mishkak stand appears in the parking lot at the far northern end of the beach serving skewers of barbecued beef and squid. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); water sports. Best for: sunset; walking.

Ras Al Hadd Beach

About 40 minutes south of Sur are the sprawling, remote beaches of Ras Al Hadd. The surrounding town has almost nothing in the way of amenities aside from a coffee shop or two, which are closed during the day. The beach itself is massive and quiet, with one set of public toilets at the parking lot close to town but no other amenities. The water is crystal clear and great for swimming. This is one of the places in the area where you can see giant sea turtles at certain times of year, so take care not to step on nests if you are there in turtle season. It is a true escape from civilization for those looking to get off the grid; just be sure to bring your own snacks and drinks. Amenities: parking; toilets. Best for: solitude.

Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve

Few people have the chance to see sea turtles belly-up to shore to lay their eggs and bury them in the sand, and even fewer have the opportunity to see the eggs hatch and watch the young creatures struggle down the beach to the awaiting sea. Each evening around 9 (or very early in the morning, around 4 am) visitors are able to see this phenomenon for themselves at the turtle reserve in Ras Al Jinz, about an hour to the south of Sur. There is a small turtle museum on-site, as well as a small hotel, though it is easier and more comfortable to stay in Sur and come just for the guided turtle-watching tour. It is good to note that there is often a checkpoint set up between Sur and Ras Al Jinz. The young, friendly soldiers will check your passport, driver's license, and car insurance and send you on your way, so have these documents at the ready.

Riyam Park and Monument

Mutrah

On a hill overlooking the Mutrah corniche, Al Riyam park features lush gardens, a small children's amusement park (open every evening), a few coffee shops, a scattering of swing sets, and plenty of shaded areas to sit and picnic. Most notably, it is home to the Riyam Memorial, a gigantic incense burner that was built in honor of Oman's 20th National day. The burner lights up at night and is one of the most iconic structures in the capital. The views of the sea and the old city from the park are truly stunning.

Rose Water Distilleries

In the mountains of Jabal Akhdar, especially in the village of Saiq (just over an hour from Nizwa), more than 100 Omanis still use traditional methods to distill the Damascus roses that grow wild on the mountainsides. The resulting rose water is very different from the clear, fragrant stuff you have likely encountered before. Jabal Akhdar rose water is prized for its intensely smokey scent, which comes from the wood-fire distillation process, and it is extremely popular throughout the Arabian Gulf. Rose water distillers are happy to allow visitors to watch their process in season (typically in the springtime around April), and visits can be arranged through your hotel, by calling the Ministry of Tourism, or by talking to friendly vendors in the Nizwa Souq, where the smoky water is available to purchase year-round.

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