34 Best Sights in Oman

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.

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.

This open-air museum houses beautifully restored traditional Arabian trading vessels called dhow. The city is famous for hand-crafting the wooden ships, and this is a great place to see them up close. Small placards next to each ship gives its brief history. There is also a display of traditional ship-building tools and a collection of photographs of Sur in the early 20th century. It is especially nice to visit just before sunset, as there are spectacular views across the bay.

Tanuf, about 20 minutes outside of Nizwa, was a simple but functional village up until the 1950s when the ancient town was destroyed by British bombs on the orders of the former sultan during the Jabal Akhdar wars. The ruins that remain are eerily beautiful, and the wadi that feeds the Al Falaj system is a wonderful place for a quick hike. About 15 minutes down the wadi, you can find another small but inhabited village that is quite picturesque. Other than a small signboard with a brief history, there are no facilities at this sight.