Oman holidays

Spice-filled souks, sweeping deserts and ancient fortresses – holidays to Oman are a slice of authentic Arabia.

Traditional Arabia

Oman might be sidled up to some of the Emirates’ modern metropolises, but this slice of the Arabian Peninsula’s stuck to its roots. Forget skyscrapers and mega-malls – spice-scented souks and under-the-radar mountain villages are more common here. Centuries-old sights like the ancient walled city of Qalhat and the UNESCO-stamped Bahla Fort add to the country’s authentic Arabian feel, while the capital, Muscat, is forging its own path on the tourism trail.

Magnificent Muscat

Oman’s biggest city might not grab the headlines that neighbouring capitals like Abu Dhabi do, but there are plenty of highlights packed into its charming city centre. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque boasts the second-biggest crystal chandelier in the world, while Muttrah Souk is the oldest market on the Arabian Peninsula. Then, there’s the cracker-coloured beaches. The closest – Azaiba Beach – is just a 10-minute taxi ride away from the city centre.

Lots of landscapes

Desert makes up most of Oman’s landscape, but that only tells a small part of the story. Head east, and vast mountain ranges and flora-filled valleys take the reins. In Wadi Shab, emerald-coloured rivers, cave pools and waterfalls are all primed for cooling off in, and as you get closer to the sea, Muscat’s old-school cityscape and a picturesque coastline come into the picture.