What To Do And See In Oman

What To Do And See In Oman

Here you will find the top 10 sights in Oman. Read about the highlights and attractions you should not miss on your holiday in Oman!

#1 Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat

The Great Mosque in the capital of Oman is one of the largest Islamic places of worship in the world. For any visitor to Muscat, the capital of Oman, the majestic Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is a must-see. The splendor behind the magnificent walls is worth a visit!

Visiting the Sultan Quaboos Mosque is possible for non-Muslims Saturday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The mosque cannot be visited on Fridays.

#2 Muscat old town

The old town of Muscat is located in a bay enclosed by cliffs and has magnificent buildings to offer (Sultan’s Palace, Bait Garaiza, Al Khor Mosque, Mirani Fortress, Jalali Fortress). The old town is relatively easy to see. It is advisable to explore it on foot.

#3 Nizwa

Nizwa is located in northern Oman, just under 200km from the capital Muscat. In the city, some sights are worth visiting (Souq, Fort Nizwa, the animal market every Friday).

Nizwa is also an ideal base for day trips in the area.

#4 Hisn Tamah fortress in Bahla

The mighty Hisn Tamah, one of the most beautiful and impressive historical fortifications in Oman, towers over the Omani city of Bahla in the north of the country. It probably dates from the 17th century and has been completely renovated.

The imposing Hisn Tamah fortress has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site as the only Omani fortress since 1987.

#5 Wadi Nakhar – the Grand Canyon of Oman

The 1,000 m deep Wadi Nakhar Gorge, also known as the “Grand Canyon of Oman”, offers the visitor magnificent views. You can admire the gorge from a high plateau at approx. 2,000m above sea level and at the same time have a superb panoramic view of the surrounding mountain landscape and the summit of the Djebel Shams.

What To Do And See In Oman

Sporty visitors can also undertake an adventurous 4 km long hike on the edge of the western flank of the gorge.

#6 Saiq Plateau on Jebel Akhdar

The Saiq Plateau lies in the center of the mountainous region of Jebel Akhdar, one of the most spectacular landscapes in Oman. In a breathtaking setting with a stunning view, you can enjoy pleasant coolness and fresh fruit in Oman here at 2,000m above sea level even in midsummer.

 

One of the most beautiful viewpoints is “Diana’s Viewpoint”, named after the English Princess Lady Diana, who visited the Saiq Plateau in 1990 by helicopter.

#7 Jabrin Palace

The 17th century Jabrin Palace is one of the most beautiful and picturesque buildings in Oman. You feel transported back to 17th century Arabia. The palace was extensively renovated in 1984 and offered an enchanting glimpse into former life at the courts in Oman.

From the roof of the Jabrin Palace, you have a fantastic view of the surrounding area. This place is always worth visiting.

 

Where Is Oman Located

Oman has its locations near southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is a state east of the Peninsula of Arabia.

The almost five million citizens reside mostly in towns. About half of the workforce, mainly from India, are refugees. The Omani is 95% Muslim, predominantly Sunni and Ibadi. The Sultanate is a total dictatorship with a constitution at the same time. It is the advisory role of ministers selected by the Sultan and the two parliaments.

Oman’s primary language is Arabic. Even so, English is generally understood in big towns as well as in seaside areas. A few Arabic terms and phrases are an asset, since not only doors but also “heart” can be opened for residents.

How Big Is Oman

Oman, formally Oman’s Sultanate, is a nation situated on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula, in Southwest Asia. It borders on the northwestern United Arab Emirates, on west Saudi Arabia and southwest Yemen.

The coast is formed in the south and east by the Arabian Sea and in the north-east by the Gulf of Oman. It still has two exclaves, the Musandam Peninsula, to the north of the United Arab Emirates, and the Madha to the east.

By the 17th century, Oman had its kingdom and had conflicts over the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean with Portugal and Great Britain. Omani power or authority spread to Iran and what is now Pakistan via the Straits of Hormuz, to the south of Zanzibar.

During the 20th century, its control decreases and the Sultanate is heavily affected in the United Kingdom, although it never officially belonged to the British Empire or British security. The United Kingdom and the United States, while retaining an independent foreign policy, have close military and political relations with Oman.

The Sultan of Oman holds full control in this empire, but his Parliament has legislative and supervisory rights. In November 2010, the UN Development Program listed Oman as the nation that changed most over the last 40 years, out of 135 countries around the world.

Oman was one of the most developed and prosperous countries in the Arab world, according to the foreign metrics of 2010. Oman has close diplomatic and military relations with the United Kingdom and the United States, while its external policy remains autonomous.

Furthermore, the strategically significant Musandam enclaves on the Hormuz and Madha Straits on the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea’s remote offshore islands are part of the Oman State Territories.

Oman located

Oman Geography

The Sultan of Oman has an absolute monarchy, but his Parliament has some rights of law and oversight. In November 2010, out of 135 countries across the world, the United Nations Development Program listed Oman as the country that has changed most over the last 40 years.

Oman’s Sultanate is situated in the southeast corner of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering the North Hormuz Strait, East Oman Gulf and South Arab Sea. The nation is bounded by the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Oman is a desert nation and a mountainous country at the same time, of stony and untouched waste, dunes, spectacular peaks and lush green oases. On the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman, there are long sandy beaches. The Arabian gulf covers most of the world: the Rub al-Khali, which crosses most of Saudi Arabia and Yemen and extends far into Oman, spanning the West.

Where Is Oman Located

What Continent Is Oman In

Oman belongs to the Asia continent. In November 2010, the UN Development Program listed Oman as the nation that changed most over the last 40 years, out of 135 countries around the world. In 2010 Oman was one of the most developed and prosperous countries in the Arab world, according to international indexes.

Weather and the best time for travel

Oman has two mainly separate weather areas. There is a marked dry desert climate within and a coastal subtropical climate on the coast. Much of the country is hot and dry during the year.

The most enjoyable travel months for tourists from Europe are between October and March as average temperatures at this time are more tolerable and do not climb above 30 ° C. High humidity during these months is also not to be expected.

Oman Visa for UAE Residents

Would you like to travel to Oman for tourist purposes, or are you drawn to the oriental country on business? For foreign visitors, there is a passport and visa requirement upon entry!

So if you are planning a stay in Oman, you will need either a tourist Oman visa from UAE or a business visa. The tourist visa must be applied for in the form of an e- Visa (electronic visa) before the start of the journey.

There is also Oman visa on arrival for UAE residents. But it will take extra time at the airport.

Tourist visa Oman

The online visa (e-Visa) for Oman replaces the regular tourist visa. It is valid for a maximum of 30 days from the date of issue and allows a single entry. The visa validity indicates the period in which entry is permitted before the visa is invalid.

If you would like to apply for a tourist visa, you must apply for this in the form of an e- Visa (electronic visa) before you start your journey. An e-Visa will not be issued upon arrival at the airport from March 21, 2018.

The advantage for you is when you apply for an Oman e-Visa, you already complete all the formalities before you start your journey. This condition avoids the annoying wait at the airport and allows you to travel stress-free.

Business visa Oman

Since the beginning of 2017, the business visa can no longer be applied for at the embassy in UAE. From now on, the business visa can only be obtained through a “sponsor”, i.e. a qualified business partner.

Your business partner must apply for a sponsored visa for you at the Immigration Office in Oman. As soon as this has been approved, they will let you know.

Then, you can start your business trip to Oman. So that we can successfully support you in applying for your business visa, we need, among other things, the details of your sponsor.

Oman Visa for UAE Residents

Entry Requirements Oman

To travel Oman, only two requirements are required:

  1. A passport with a validity period of 6 months from the date of entry into the country.
  2. Visa for UAE citizens.

You must also consider the following when entering the country:

  • When traveling to Oman, adults need a passport and children need a child’s passport. In both cases, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months upon entry.
  • The authorities do not accept an identity card or a child’s entry in the parents’ passport.
  • You must also be able to show a return flight ticket and international health insurance when you arrive

Who Can Apply For The Visa

Most Arab-speaking countries can complete the Oman visa from Dubai or at the airport itself (until otherwise announced). If you have traveled to Israel before, it is advisable to obtain a visa before going because there is some possibility that it will be denied.

There are quite a few types of visa depending on the nationality. Most tourists go for less than 30 days. In case of exceeding the number of days, the fine is OMR 10 per day.

 

Visa To Oman From Saudi Arabia

The Oman Government newly adopted electronic Oman Visa from Saudi Arabia. It also works for the United Kingdom, European, and the United States citizens.

Visitors to Oman will now complete their online visa application from their home convenience. You will then be contacted to receive the Oman visa.

Previously, the Omani government required tourists to apply for a visa on arrival. This has been possible at Muscat International Airport and most frontier crossings, including the famous Hatta crossing with the United Arab Emirates.

From 21 March, on arrival in the country, international visitors could no longer receive their Oman visas. Before you begin your journey, you will need to apply for an electronic Oman Visa.

Meanwhile, this rule has been scrapped so that in rare circumstances, an Oman visa for visitors may be applied for at the airport emergency desk. However, candidates must be prepared for long processing periods and prepare the cash.

We therefore highly suggest that the Oman visa be used via the internet as it is less time-consuming.

Visa To Oman From Saudi Arabia

Visa To Oman From Saudi Arabia

How To Apply For A Visa To Oman

The visa can be requested upon arrival in the country or online. To do it online, you have to access the website of the Oman visa application.

In 2018, the Oman government changed the physical visa and announced that they wanted to remove the option to do it at the airport. The good thing is that it is cheaper and you make sure that you will not be denied it, although this last possibility is very rare.

CAUTION: If you apply for a visa before going, keep in mind that the visa will be processed in a matter of hours. From that moment until you enter the country, the stay duration should not be more than 30 days, or it will automatically be canceled.

How To Apply The Oman Visa Online

To apply for an online visa from Arab, you have to access the website of the Oman police, although sometimes it does not work very well if your internet is slow. It is a straightforward process, and you have to follow the following steps :

  • First of all, you have to register on the web.
  • Enter personal and passport information.
  • Upload a scanned passport photo and pay the small fee

We will immediately receive a payment confirmation email. In a matter of a few hours, they will send us the approval along with a PDF that you must have printed.

Visa To Oman -Saudi Arabia

How To Do It When You Arrive In Oman

It is as simple as going with our passport and paying with a VISA card. In a minute, we will receive the confirmation and our passport with the corresponding visa.

Usually, the only surcharge they do is 1 OMR, without any other kind of taxes or tricks. Thus, as long as the regulations do not change, you can do it without a problem.

However, they have announced that they may soon deny the possibility of requesting it at the airport. So just in case, better do it online, especially if you’ve been to Israel before.