EXPERIENCE OMAN

True to its tourism tagline, “Beauty has an address”, the country of Oman is a real gem in the middle-east and an eye-catching beauty to the rest of the world.

This country which official name is the Sultanate of Oman has a total land area of 309,500 km² and has land borders with Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It may not have the fame of its neighboring countries but having lived in the country for several years now, I can’t help but fall in love with this country – its culture, the unique adventures it offers, the must-see places, the must-try food and of course, the Omani hospitality. Yes, they are just few of the reasons why you need to plan a visit to this country.

In Muttrah Park, Muscat

Oman is home to different nationalities including Filipinos like me.  My work as well as the country’s huge land size are the two main reasons why I have not explored all its regions yet, but weekends and holidays allowed me to explore some famous and beautiful places of this country. Even the not so popular places are undiscovered spots one will really admire.

Despite almost everything is brown in color, road trips are truly enjoyable as you will be mesmerized by the beauty of barren sands in the deserts, as well as the charms of the country's both natural and man-made wonders.  Varieties of date trees and flock of camels alongside the road, add excitement to the road trip.

Shoreline in Muttrah, Muscat

A normal public park in Oman looks like this

Despite my workplace and residence is a three-hour drive from the country’s capital, Muscat, the city will always be a favorite place to visit every time I have a chance.  Muscat offers both modern and old architectural landscapes. They have impressive building structures like the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and The Royal Opera House. The old Suq (market) and its modern-designed malls are also favorite shopping destinations. In the heart of the city is a wide range of hotels to choose from. The beaches and scenic mountain views of Muscat are inviting attractions to tourists. There is no train system yet in Oman but a private car, a taxi or a bus can provide scenic road drives. The sultanate is one in the world with the best road structures and lightings. 

Near Muscat are Towns (known as wilayats) or municipalities offering its own authentic tourism to guests both foreign and locals. 

Nizwa is a city in the Al-Dhakiliya region in Northern Oman. This historical city is famous for its Fort as well as its Souk (market). A one-hour drive from Muscat, this wilayat is a popular tourist destination in Oman.

Nizwa Souk

Bahla, a forty-minute drive from Nizwa, is an old city famous for Al-Hoota cave and the town's fort (Bahla fort). 

The train that will bring you to Al-Hoota Cave

Tropical fruits grow in Salalah

Southeast of Muscat is the town of Sur, where the main attractions are its beautiful beaches, its lighthouse and castles. The old town is famous for it turtle reserves. Me and my friends had the chance to watch the turtles hatched their eggs at the Turtle beach resort. With the moon and stars as our evening lights, playing with so many baby turtles in the sea shores of the resort is quite a cool and nice exp

erience. 

Turtle laying eggs in Turtle beach resort in Sur

Wadi Bani Khalid, which is close to this town, is the best side trip if you are already here.The wadi bani khalid is one of the most famous and visited wadis in the country.  

Wadi Bani Khalid

Salalah city in Al Dhofar region is considered the summer capital of Oman. Its khareef season is the city's peak season as every tourist wants to see how the entire Salalah turns to green. Plantations for tropical fruits like bananas, coconuts, papayas and others can be found here. A more than ten-hour drive from Muscat or a one-hour travel by plane are the tourists options to visit the place. Salalah wowed me the first time I visited it because it gave me a Philippine-like climate and an impression that you are not in a middle-east country. 


Wadis, which are more beautiful after the rains, are inviting water surfaces one can also ventured on. Together with friends, we were able to have picnics in Wadi Bhani Khalid, Wadi Al Hoqain and Wadi Al Sahban.

Sulfur water experience at Wadi Sahban

Wadi Bhani Kalid

Waterfalls at Wadi Al-Hoqain

Sinkholes, generally regarded dangerous, are considered attractive geological feature at this side of the earth. 

Me and Anna at Binmah Sinkhole

Binmah Sinkhole

The country also has spectacularly shaped sand dunes, natural beautiful wonders one would love to visit specifically during sunset.

Sand dunes at the border of Oman and UAE (Buraimi)

Sand dunes at the border of Oman-UAE (Buraimi)

The exterior and the interior of the mosques in Oman, Muslims sacred places, are also a must-see. 

Entrance of Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Sohar City

Entrance of sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat City

Oman may be an underrated travel destination for some, but the richness of its heritage and culture offers an authentic tourism one can only feel if they will EXPERIENCE OMAN.