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Oman Travel Guide

Oman has emerged from its hermit shell, revealing a land of friendly people and dramatic landscapes peppered with forts. Although it remains, in many ways, the most traditional country in the region, it's often more outward looking than it's given credit for.

Festivals

Place to Visit

Fast Facts

New Year's Day:
1st January of every year is celebrated as the New year's Day and is a National public holiday. People on the eve of the day as also on New Year's Day enjoy with parties and family gatherings. Many Muslims who follow the Islamic calendar do not observe the day.

The Muscat Festival
The Muscat festival is the biggest annual event among the Festivals and Events in Muscat. The festival unfurls the tradition arts, culture and heritage of Oman. At the same time the festival provides its people with fun adventure and entertainment. Along with the cultural extravaganza there is a good deal of shopping activities going with it. The festival also showcases the art, cuisine, handicrafts and music of the region adding a touch of vibrancy to the air. Drama groups, singers and famous bands from neighboring countries delight the audience with their own performances.

Eid Al Adha
A national holiday, the festival is also known as the festival of Sacrifice. The festival is in commemoration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael for God. Many Muslims make a pilgrimage to Mecca during this time of the year.

Islamic New Year
It is also known as Muharram. There is ban on live entertainment in public as well as alcohol consumption on this day.

Mouloud
"Also known as Mawlid Al Nabi, the festival observes the birthday of Prophet Mohammad.
Shopping Festival: This much awaited festival is held in September with the shops offering competitive prices rivaling each other. There is also the Autumn Trade fair held in Oman International Exhibition Center. It is one of the popular Tourists attractions in Muscat and has made a name among the Festivals and Events of Muscat"

National Day
Held on November 18th, the day is celebrated as the birthday of Sultan Qaboos and the country itself. The celebration is marked with camel races, traditional dancing, and lots of lighting. Erection of the images of Sultan and the Omni Flag are done throughout the country.

Ramdan
The holy month o f the Muslims in which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. There are less activities in the daytime, there is a change of business hours and sale of alchohol is forbidden. There are late openings of the shopping centers and parks. It is a national public holiday.

Eid al Fitr
This festival marks the end of Ramadan and the end of fasting period. It is a three day festival, when people enjoy good food along with their family, going to prayers, visiting families and distributing gifts. It is also a national holiday.

Muscat
"This old walled town is dominated by two well-preserved 16th-century Portuguese forts, Al Jalali and Mirani. The town consists of old houses, narrow streets and three beautifully carved original gates. The Ali Mosque, the New Mosque and the Sultan's Palace are well worth visiting.
Salalah is the capital of the southern region. It is a city set amongst coconut groves and banana plantations, sprawled along sandy beaches that run the length of its plain. The lush vegetation makes Salalah seem almost tropical.
Sur is situated in the northeastern province of Sharqiya. It is a seafaring town, a fishing village and a trading port all rolled into one. Famous for its traditional ship building, Sur started trading along the African coast as early as the 6th century. It is an old town with winding streets, carved wooden doors and old arabesque buildings. "

Sohar
"There is a very large and functional souk (market) here full of tailors, fruit-sellers and fishermen. An imposing four-storey fort with six towers overlooks the bay.

Matrah-Muscat: Archaeological excavation of the tumuli at the site of Souks Bausharios is fascinating.

Nizwa is the main town in the interior province. It was the capital in the 6th and 7th centuries. The town's immense palm oasis stretches for 13km (8 miles) along the course of two wadis. It is famous for its fort and its gold and silver handicrafts."

Jabrin:
The 17th-century fortified palace situated here is notable for its painted wooden ceilings and the splendid view across the desert to the mountains.

Bahla
This ancient town, known for its pottery, has a good souk and nearby is the picturesque village of Al Hamra
Jebel Akhdar: "Literally 'The Green Mountain', noted for its picturesque terraced villages.
Al Hazm: On the northern slopes of the Jebel Akhdar is the fortress of Al Hazm Fort, built in 1708, and the oasis town of Rostaq."

Qurum
"Encapsulates Oman's archaeology, history and culture. The National Museum has a collection of silver, jewellery, weapons and ancient stone artefacts. From here dhows cruise along the palm-fringed coast and there are excellent fishing grounds and beaches.
Main Cities"

Muscat
Muscat city, once a thriving and strategically located port of the Arabian peninsula in ancient times, is the capital of modern Oman. Its medieval appearance with two old Portuguese forts, Jelali and Merani, flanking the rocky cove around which the city is built, makes it a unique and unusually exotic place. Muscat's picturesque old buildings co-exist with modern commercial and residential quarters giving the city an ambiance of its own. the seaside palace of H.M. Sultan Qaboos bin Said, nestled between steep rocky hills, offers a spectacular sight, specially by night.

Salalah
he Largest city in Southern Oman, Salalah has a unique charm with its coconut groves and banana plantations growing right to the water's edge. Its beautiful beaches of white sand are a heaven for swimmers and sea lovers. The rugged beauty of its fertile plains, its fresh water springs, its bustling souqs and tropical landscape leave a lasting impression on the visitors mind. The best time to visit Salalah is from June to September, When the monsoon rains lash the region, turning it into a tropical paradise

Nizwa
The oasis city of Nizwa, the largest in the interior province, was the capital of Oman in the 6th and 7th centuries. Today it remains one of the most popular tourist attractions with its historical buildings and imposing fort built in the mid 17th century by Imam Sultan Bin Saif Al Ya'ribi. The town's immense palm oasis stretches for eight kilometers along the course of two wadis. It is famous for its bustling souq where tourists can buy exquisite copper and silver jewelry and other craft items.

Sohar
The coastal city of Sohar was once an important Islamic port and the largest town in the country. Visitors will be attracted to its large and functional souq with handy tailors, fruit sellers, and fishermen vying for space, and its fort which stands apart with its four-story walls and six towers, an imposing sight overlooking the bay.

Sur
Sur has a ideal location in the northeast Province of Sharquiya and is a seafaring town, a fishing village and a trading port all in one. The highlight of the town is the dhow builder's yard of the coast just beyond the town. Sur started trading activities with the African coast as early as the 6th century A.D.. A walk through its labyrinthine streets reveal many fine old houses with carved doors, arabesque windows and other intricate details. Sur is also famous for its breeding sites of world's rare sea turtles in Ras Al Jinaiz, which has been declared a protected wild life area

Musandam
Separated from the rest of Oman by part of the United Arab Emirates, this is the northernmost part of the Sultanate. It's rugged mountains rise up to 2100 meters above sea level and the coast which juts into the strait of Hormuz has a spectacular fjord like look. It is no wonder that Musandam is also called "The Norway of the Middle East". Khasab Fort, Qadah Archaeological site, Jebel Harim Mountain, Shim Gulf and Strait of Hormuz are the most important attractions in Musandam

Forts and Citadels
Forts, citadels, towers and numerous historical sites serve as magnificent reminders of the rich heritage of Oman. The remote past of Oman dates back to several thousand years when man first appeared. When he settled and looked after his land and animals, he started building forts and citadels for his protection. Most of the forts, towers and fences were built in flourishing cities and urban areas for protection against intruders and as symbols of mightiness. Forts and citadels in Oman have a unique architectural designs and artistic patterns. The following are some of the most important and largest forts and citadels of Oman.