Search for Oman holidays and view latest package prices based on available flights combined with our selection of hotels and resorts in Oman. We have also highlighted some of our current best deals to Oman. All holidays to Oman include full financial protection and can be booked online or with a call to our Middle East specialist travel consultants.
Oman Holidays
Oman Travel Guide
Set upon golden sandy beaches with a rugged mountain backdrop, Oman's palatial resorts allow you to luxuriate in five-star splendour, whilst also having access to a range of outdoor pursuits and cultural sights.
Most of Oman's hotels are centred around the capital, Muscat. A charming, laid-back city, the buildings are mostly low-slung and whitewashed, constructed in traditional Arabian fashion with arabesque windows and domed roofs. Whether you're an intrepid explorer itching to tackle the Hajar mountains, or prefer to relax and feel pampered in-resort, holidays to Oman are all about stunning natural scenery and experiencing the best of Arabian hospitality.
Most of Oman's hotels are centred around the capital, Muscat. A charming, laid-back city, the buildings are mostly low-slung and whitewashed, constructed in traditional Arabian fashion with arabesque windows and domed roofs. Whether you're an intrepid explorer itching to tackle the Hajar mountains, or prefer to relax and feel pampered in-resort, holidays to Oman are all about stunning natural scenery and experiencing the best of Arabian hospitality.
Things to do in Oman - The Highlights
Culture
Away from the hotel, there's plenty to do. Top of the must-see list is the impressive Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Walk through the ornate Islamic gardens and dazzling marble courtyard, before being wowed by the awe-inspiring spectacle inside. Boasting the world's largest hand-woven carpet, the mosque also has some seriously stupendous chandeliers, including a mega 600,000 crystal creation by Swarovski.
Shop for pashminas, jewellery and leather in Muscat's markets. Get lost down the narrow alleyways of Nizwa souk, one of the oldest in Oman; browse the stalls selling authentic wares, ceramics and earthenware vessels, as well as exotic produce, dates and other sweet treats.
Outdoor Adventures
The jagged Hajar Mountain range lends itself well to adventure sports (mountain biking, trekking, climbing, and so on). Slow down the pace with a camel ride through the striking desert dunes, and stay overnight at a Bedouin-style camp. Or stick to the shoreline, and take a day cruise along the coast (if you’re lucky, you’ll spot dolphins). Oman also offers some fantastic scuba diving opportunities, the best of which can be found in the south of the sultanate; there's even the possibility of seeing whale sharks.
No trip to Oman would be complete without experiencing what the locals refer to as 'wadi-bashing,' where you bound along a dried-up river bed in a 4x4, splashing through streams, lurching over rocks and careering along dusty tracks. Some wadis never dry up completely, giving you the perfect opportunity to hop out and take a cooling dip. Surrounded by lush trees, date palms and grass, these oases make a welcome contrast to the bumpy terrain.
Golf
There are two grass golf courses in Muscat, with another 18-hole PGA standard golf course (designed by former world #1, Greg Norman). Or, try something different and tee off on one of Muscat's sand courses (you hit off a pocket-sized piece of artificial grass that you carry with you around the course).
Away from the hotel, there's plenty to do. Top of the must-see list is the impressive Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Walk through the ornate Islamic gardens and dazzling marble courtyard, before being wowed by the awe-inspiring spectacle inside. Boasting the world's largest hand-woven carpet, the mosque also has some seriously stupendous chandeliers, including a mega 600,000 crystal creation by Swarovski.
Shop for pashminas, jewellery and leather in Muscat's markets. Get lost down the narrow alleyways of Nizwa souk, one of the oldest in Oman; browse the stalls selling authentic wares, ceramics and earthenware vessels, as well as exotic produce, dates and other sweet treats.
Outdoor Adventures
The jagged Hajar Mountain range lends itself well to adventure sports (mountain biking, trekking, climbing, and so on). Slow down the pace with a camel ride through the striking desert dunes, and stay overnight at a Bedouin-style camp. Or stick to the shoreline, and take a day cruise along the coast (if you’re lucky, you’ll spot dolphins). Oman also offers some fantastic scuba diving opportunities, the best of which can be found in the south of the sultanate; there's even the possibility of seeing whale sharks.
No trip to Oman would be complete without experiencing what the locals refer to as 'wadi-bashing,' where you bound along a dried-up river bed in a 4x4, splashing through streams, lurching over rocks and careering along dusty tracks. Some wadis never dry up completely, giving you the perfect opportunity to hop out and take a cooling dip. Surrounded by lush trees, date palms and grass, these oases make a welcome contrast to the bumpy terrain.
Golf
There are two grass golf courses in Muscat, with another 18-hole PGA standard golf course (designed by former world #1, Greg Norman). Or, try something different and tee off on one of Muscat's sand courses (you hit off a pocket-sized piece of artificial grass that you carry with you around the course).
Best time to visit Oman
Weather in Oman
With guaranteed year-round sunshine and slightly cooler temperatures than the rest of the UAE, Oman can be visited at any time of the year - although it's a particularly good winter sun destination, thanks to the relatively short flight times (at least by long-haul standards). Temperatures during the winter months are very pleasant, hovering in the late-20s from October - March.
June - August are the hottest months. All the hotels have air-conditioned spaces and chilled pools, as temperatures really do soar during the summer months. The exception is Salalah, which sees the arrival of a welcome monsoon (khareef) at this time of year, transforming the area into a lush green paradise, keeping the temperatures bearable and drawing tourists from all over the world.
June - August are the hottest months. All the hotels have air-conditioned spaces and chilled pools, as temperatures really do soar during the summer months. The exception is Salalah, which sees the arrival of a welcome monsoon (khareef) at this time of year, transforming the area into a lush green paradise, keeping the temperatures bearable and drawing tourists from all over the world.
Rainfall (cm)
Dining in Oman
Although many of the best fine-dining and international restaurants can be found within the hotels and resort complexes, you'll find plenty of decent eateries in the surrounding areas. Sit crossed legged on the floor (that's the traditional way) as you munch through delicious platters of local favourites: slow-cooked, marinated meat dishes, smoked aubergine dips, melt-in-the-mouth shwarma (kebabs) and locally-caught fish feature on most menus. As well as Omani restaurants (where the complimentary water is infused with frankincense), you'll also find reasonably priced Indian and Western eateries around Muscat.
Where to stay in Oman
Muscat
Muscat is the coastal capital city of Oman, and as a result is where you'll find the highest concentration of hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions. Very different in character to neighbouring Abu Dhabi and Dubai, most of the buildings are low-rise, adhering to strict building codes that ensure everything is 'in keeping,' with generous helpings of old-world charm. Aspiring photographers should stroll along the Corniche at sunset for breathtaking views, and take an excursion to the seemingly endless desert for some incredible photo opportunities.
Stay at the Chedi Muscat, or choose from DoubleTree by Hilton Muscat Al Waha, Hilton Muscat Al Bandar and Al Husn Hotel Muscat.
Stay at the Chedi Muscat, or choose from DoubleTree by Hilton Muscat Al Waha, Hilton Muscat Al Bandar and Al Husn Hotel Muscat.
Green Mountain
Perched on the rim of a canyon, the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort is Oman's highest hotel. Princess Diana famously posed for a photograph at this beauty spot back in the 80s, and the hotel has built a cantilevered deck overlooking the canyon in her honour. The resort boasts every facility under the sun (cliff-edge infinity pool, spa, tennis courts, etc), and a host of excursions are available: rock-climbing, nature hiking, mountain biking, mountaintop sunrise yoga sessions and stargazing (zero light pollution), plus visits to nearby UNESCO heritage site - Birkat al Mouz - an ancient village built into the mountainside.
Salalah
Some of the best scuba diving in Oman can be found in the south, and a bunch of new hotel openings in Salalah have made this easier to experience than ever before. Salalah is also the only place in Oman that transforms from arid desert into a lush green paradise during the summer months - when a cooling monsoon descends - drawing locals and tourists from all over the world. Stay at the Anantara Al Baleed Resort Salalah, which boasts an enviable position, fronted by the ocean with a mountainous backdrop, a freshwater oasis on one side and a UNESCO world heritage site on the other.
Stopovers
Oman also makes a great stopover destination. Spend a few days discovering the beauty of the desert or haggling in the souks of Muscat, before moving on to the Far East in search of further adventures. Or, check-in for a couple of days if you're looking for a taste of wilderness following a visit to Dubai. The Chedi Muscat is a super-stylish beachfront resort with Muscat's largest spa, located just 15-minutes drive from the airport, making it the perfect place to stay on your Omani stopover.
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Key Information
Flight Time: 7 hours 25 minutes
Time Difference: GMT + 3 hours
Currency: Omani Rial
Language: Arabic, English widely spoken