When in Oman

In my 8th visit to Oman, I realized that I do not have a post with suggestions and recommendations for Oman or Muscat..

So here it is!

Oman is an Arab country on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Trade of fish, dates and some agricultural products along with tourism form a significant portion of the economy of Oman.

Oman has four sites that were declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They include: Bahla Fort, the Archeological Sites of Bat, Al Khutm and Al Ayn, the exceptional irrigation systems of Al Aflaj around the country, and the Land of Frankincense (referring to a splendid area in the Dhofar region in southern Oman, which has Wadi Dawkah, the caravan oasis of Shisr/Wubar, and the ports of Khor Rori and Al-Baleed). This area represent the place where the ancient frankincense trade took place in Oman.

The capital of Oman is Muscat, which is where I always visit mostly, then start all my trips from there whether staying in Muscat, or going to the mountains. One mountain i would land instead in Dubair to go to is Zighy Bay.

Recommended Hotels in Muscat

• Mysk AlMouj (modern, excellent location)
• Chedi (upscale, resort)
• Coral Muscat Hotel & Apartments (stayed once there in an apartment, very spacious, clean & well priced)
• Shangri La Hotel (Resort, upscale-ish)
• Grand Millenium (good for families)
• Rotana Sundus
• Grand Hyatt

 

Places to see in Muscat

• Souq Mutrah
• Sultan Qaboos Mosque
• Checkout The Wave Area and the marina
• Qasr Al Alam
• Oman National Museum
• Take a boat from Bandar Khairan and go island hopping (Needs to be pre-organized with a guide)
• Fishing
• Dimanniyat Island for diving and snorkeling
• Qantab Beach (where shangri la is)
• Alseifah Area (Seifaway resort) for water sports and beach
• Hiking from Mutrah to Qantab
• Mutrah hike from Riyam park ending at the edge of the Souq
• Opera Galleria (A mall near Opera House)
• Muscat City Center
• Muscat Hills Al Jessa (not the residential one! The one near Al Jessa)
• Souq Nizwa (need a car to drive there!)

Food Recommendations

• There are many Restaurants at The Wave (B+F is one of them!)
• Slider Station in Shatti AlQurum (opposite Jawharat Al Shatti)
• Kargeen (Omani & Yemeni Food, also international food)
• The pizza place inside Kargeen – La Fattoria de La Pizza (really delicious pizza)
• Bite (Intl’ food)
• Graffiti (Burgers)
• China Mood (Al Bustan Hotel Roof)
• Tokyo Taro (Japanese, Al Falaj Hotel)
• Mani’s (breakfast at the wave)
• Osolo Mio (Italian, un Radisson blue hotel)
• Shua Express in Bariq Alshatti (fast food typical omani food – modern shuaa)
• Mandoos (Shuaa with rice – low scale but really good food)
• Restaurants at Shangri-La hotel are generally all good
• Angham restaurant at the opera house (Omani upscale food)
• Salsa truck next to the wave area (North Mawaleh)

Another place I like visiting when going to Oman is Jabal Al Akhdar

Al Jabal Al Akhdar are arabic words for “The Green Mountain”

Recommended Resorts when in Jabal Al Akhdar:

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort

Alila AlJabal Al Akhdar

Things to do when staying at resorts in Jabal Al Akhdar

• Hiking in the three known Jabal Akhdar villages where there is a trail you could follow.
• Wadi of the waterfalls (advanced level hike)
• Wadi Al Bawaarid (intermediate to advanced hike)
• Sunrise yoga usually offered at the resorts I recommended
• Luxury Picnics are usually offered in the resorts I recommended
• Wadi Bani Habib
• Rose Water of Jabal Al Akhdar Cultural Walk
• Souq Nizwa is also common as a drive to go see it

Final Words

Omani’s are very very kind hospital people. They are also very shy! Before taking a picture of older people, i recommend you to ask first! They sometimes feel shy and upset when taken pictures of.

A local told me to visit Maabela corniche for a nice stroll on the corniche. I never tried it, but she said don’t forget to look out for the sugar cane station!

Enjoy Muscat!

Xoxo