Best Places To Visit In Oman: 1 Week Road Trip Itinerary (2023)Home » Middle East » Oman Moving to a new country every two years Read more about me This 1 week Oman itinerary will help you to discover the best places to visit.I will share my experiences, driving From Muscat to the coast, through the Wahiba Sands desert and the mountains back to Muscat. One of the first things I noticed was the friendliness of the Omanis. The taxi driver told me all about the country, asked me where I was from, and recommended his favorite places to visit. Even security guys at the airport welcomed me to Oman!It is one of my favorite countries. Let’s go! Table of Contents Oman 1 week itinerary · Day 1 MuscatLet’s start in Muscat with a Muscat itinerary. I spent two days in the city and immediately noticed the cleanliness and how well everything was maintained. It has a certain Disney theme park vibe, from the grass along the road to the Arabian-style streetlights! Opera HouseThe first thing I visited was the Opera House, it’s not the number one most popular tourist place, but that made the experience so lovely. There were barely any people during the day. And the building is beautiful, with so much white marble and Omani-style architecture. I arrived just before a tour started. I joined the tour for a few OMR to learn more about the building and its instruments. Muscat boulevardThe old city center can be found near the boulevard of Muscat, where the Mutrah Souq market is. It’s a network of small alleys with local shops. Mall of OmanThe Mall of Oman is not a culturally rich area, but it’s nice to visit if you have some extra time in the evening.There’s even an area where you can ice-skate, snowboard and take a twirling zipline down while hovering over the skiing area, while it’s 50 degrees outside!Especially for myself, living in Erbil, there are few places to shop, so visiting the Mall of Oman was a nice place to shop. Parking is free. Oman 1 week itinerary · Day 2 · MuscatThere are many things to do in Muscat. Some say you can skip the city and go immediately to the wadis and desert, but I wouldn’t skip it at all. It has some beautiful places to visit.Sultan Qaboos Grand MosqueThe most beautiful structure in Muscat is undoubtedly the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Make sure you wear clothes covering your shoulders, knees, and ankles, and for ladies, their hair. If you forgot to bring them, don’t worry; you can rent a scarf and an appropriate dress for a small fee. It can get quite busy in the mosque, especially during the last few hours of the opening times.Opening times for visitors are between 8am and 11 am.Read the full story: Photographing The Beauty Of The Sultan Qaboos Mosque Muscat. Click here. Qantab BeachJust below Muscat on the coast, you can find Qantab beach. It’s a secluded beach located just 15 minutes from Muscat. The crystal-clear waters and the white sandy beach looked like being in Aruba. We met a local Omani that showed us the coastline and told us all about the turtles and the construction of the resorts that endanger the territory of the turtles. Luckily Qantab beach was still untouched and authentic. I prefer a tour with a local always above a commercial organized tour! Locals will tell you so much more and you get to hear the authentic story of Oman. Somewhere during the trip I somehow remembered Oman was the country where the famous DJ Aviici past away.The local guide pointed right at the hotel where it happened.It was so strange that I remembered it right at that moment! After visiting Qantas Beach the trip continuous on the coast to Fins.If you’re at Qantab Beach make sure to take a boat trip with one of the locals. It helps the local economy and it’s a lot of fun. Our captain was super friendly.Oman 1 week itinerary · Day 3 FinsThe distances in Oman are relatively short. Driving from Muscat to Fins will take around 1,5 hour. Bimmah SinkholeA nice place to visit is the Bimmah Sinkhole. It’s not the wildest and most remote location, but it’s fun to take a dive. It’s super easy to reach.Just follow the signs of Bimmah village, where you can take the road to the parking lot. After a very short walk, you’ll get to the sinkhole. Make sure to be there early; many tourists and locals will visit the place. In all honesty, it’s a great place to visit but not something to spend an entire afternoon. I would just take a dive and not spend more than an hour at the Bimmah Sinkhole. Wadi ShabWadi Shab is one of the best places to visit in Oman. Locals told me this is the most beautiful Wadi in Oman, and they’re right!After a hike, which was longer than I anticipated, I arrived at a stunning natural pool. The hike takes about 1,5 hour, one way. Make sure to wear some good shoes.I didn’t bring my camera because because when you arrive at the end you will either have to leave your stuff and pick them up later after swimming in the cave, or take them with you in a waterproof bag.So I took these photos with my iPhone. I was glad there were other tourists because I wouldn’t have dared to jump in and swim through the narrow opening.On the other side, it was spectacular. Oman 1 week itinerary · Day 4 · SurA small harbor town is Sur. What I like so much about Oman are all the different surroundings. Sur is, again, a very different city than most other locations. If you are passing through, make sure to quickly stop here. TurtlesRight on the edge of the country on the southeast side, there are several places where you can see turtles. In all honesty, I didn’t go see the turtles. I heard that it disturbs their habitat.But it’s incredible to drive along the coast, and the natural surroundings are very different from other parts of Oman. This valley used to be a sea, it was covered with coral turned into stone. It felt like being on a different planet. Oman 1 week itinerary · Day 5 · BidiyaDrive to Bidiya to visit the desert of Oman. Wahabi SandsMy favorite area of Oman is, the desert! In my opinion this is the best place to visit in Oman.Read my Ultimate Guide about sleeping in the desert of Oman and All You Need to Know when wild camping in Oman.Depending on the time you have left, spending two nights here would be a great choice. Wahabi Sands is one of the most spectacular locations of Oman in my opinion! Oman 1 week itinerary · Day 6 · MuscatTime to relax. After spending the night in the desert in Oman and camping in the wild, it’s nice to spend the last night in a comfortable bed. The last day before departing it’s a 3 hour drive back to Muscat.W HotelHotels in Muscat can be expensive, but the W hotel was well worth it for us. The huge pool is open until late, around 11 pm, the rooms are unique, and the rooftop pool is incredible. If you want a drink in a stunning location, check out the rooftop pool at the W hotel. It’s located right behind the Opera House.Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, the rooftop terrace is open for anyone wanting a drink or a bite. Especially the rooftop bar is relatively quiet. We were the only ones visiting on a Saturday.Oman 1 week itinerary · Day 7 · Flying backOne thing that surprised me is how early the sun goes down. So if you are planning to camp with a rooftop tent in Oman you will have to find a spot to sleep quit early.This makes the days quit short to be able to visit all the places in Oman. So camping one week in Oman becomes much shorter. Final thoughts on visiting OmanOman is in the Arabian Peninsula, with neighboring countries the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.There is so much to see and do in this beautiful country, from exploring ancient forts and museums to swimming in crystal-clear waters in the Wadi’s and going to the desert.To make the most of your 7 days in Oman, it’s best to rent a car.I rented my car from Nomad Tours.The main roads are in perfect condition, and people drive relaxed, but when you go off the main road, many roads don’t have asphalt and are mostly made of sand and small stones. Besides that, the roads can become quite steep! Even if you are not planning to visit the desert with a 4×4, I recommend renting a 4×4 in Oman. 8 facts about OmanOman is very safe, often compared to Japan. Read more.Arabic is the official language of Oman, but English is widely spokenThe best time to visit Oman is between October and MarchOman has an incredibly diverse range of landscapes, from deserts to mountains to beachesOman is known for its hospitality, and the locals are friendly and welcomingOman is a Muslim country, and visitors should respect local customs and traditionsDress modestly when visiting mosques and other religious sites. At Wadi’s or beaches, it’s ok to wear shorter swimwear.Oman’s currency is the Omani rial (OMR) F.A.Q. 1 Week in Oman Is one week enough in Oman?Oman has so much to offer that one week wouldn’t be enough to visit all places. Down in the south there are the Sugar Dunes which are beautiful but much further from Muscat. How many days is enough for Oman?Two weeks would be enough to visit all the beautiful locations in Oman Is Oman cheap or expensive?The prices in Oman are similar to countries in Europe. So it isn’t cheap but it also isn’t that expensive. 1 OMR is 2,50 euro/dollar. What is Oman famous for?Oman is famous for its diverse landscape and Omani architecture. The mountains, desert and coastline are the main features. Is Oman a safe country?Oman is a very safe country often compared to countries such as Japan. What is the name of the desert in Oman?The Wahiba Sands is the desert of Oman and stretches 160 km long/ Is Oman in Dubai?Oman is not in Dubai. It is a different country just below the United Arab Emirats (UAE). Dubai is the capital of UAE. Is Oman a desert country?Oman is not a desert country, its landscape is incredible diverse with mountains, a coastline, jungle like landscapes, dunes and an ocean. About the authorChris Oberman is the founder and author of Moving Jack and has been traveling the world for over 20 years to 40+ countries.He lives in a different country every two years which allows him to gain unique in-depth insights and experiences in new places abroad.Quoted on Gritdaily.com, NRC Newspaper, Vice,and Feedspot.Read more about the author. Updated on March 7, 2023 This post was about: Oman And things like: Digital Nomad, PhotosShare This Story: RelatedPosts Oman How Many Days in Oman is Enough? Complete Guide (+3 Best Routes) Oman, Photography Photographing Architecture: Sultan Qaboos Mosque · Best 5 Tips Oman Wild Camping in Oman: All You Need to Know + 6 Best Camp Spots Oman Sleeping in the Desert of Oman: My Ultimate Guide Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment *Name * Email * Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ
Home » Middle East » Oman Moving to a new country every two years Read more about me This 1 week Oman itinerary will help you to discover the best places to visit.I will share my experiences, driving From Muscat to the coast, through the Wahiba Sands desert and the mountains back to Muscat. One of the first things I noticed was the friendliness of the Omanis. The taxi driver told me all about the country, asked me where I was from, and recommended his favorite places to visit. Even security guys at the airport welcomed me to Oman!It is one of my favorite countries. Let’s go! Table of Contents Oman 1 week itinerary · Day 1 MuscatLet’s start in Muscat with a Muscat itinerary. I spent two days in the city and immediately noticed the cleanliness and how well everything was maintained. It has a certain Disney theme park vibe, from the grass along the road to the Arabian-style streetlights! Opera HouseThe first thing I visited was the Opera House, it’s not the number one most popular tourist place, but that made the experience so lovely. There were barely any people during the day. And the building is beautiful, with so much white marble and Omani-style architecture. I arrived just before a tour started. I joined the tour for a few OMR to learn more about the building and its instruments. Muscat boulevardThe old city center can be found near the boulevard of Muscat, where the Mutrah Souq market is. It’s a network of small alleys with local shops. Mall of OmanThe Mall of Oman is not a culturally rich area, but it’s nice to visit if you have some extra time in the evening.There’s even an area where you can ice-skate, snowboard and take a twirling zipline down while hovering over the skiing area, while it’s 50 degrees outside!Especially for myself, living in Erbil, there are few places to shop, so visiting the Mall of Oman was a nice place to shop. Parking is free. Oman 1 week itinerary · Day 2 · MuscatThere are many things to do in Muscat. Some say you can skip the city and go immediately to the wadis and desert, but I wouldn’t skip it at all. It has some beautiful places to visit.Sultan Qaboos Grand MosqueThe most beautiful structure in Muscat is undoubtedly the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Make sure you wear clothes covering your shoulders, knees, and ankles, and for ladies, their hair. If you forgot to bring them, don’t worry; you can rent a scarf and an appropriate dress for a small fee. It can get quite busy in the mosque, especially during the last few hours of the opening times.Opening times for visitors are between 8am and 11 am.Read the full story: Photographing The Beauty Of The Sultan Qaboos Mosque Muscat. Click here. Qantab BeachJust below Muscat on the coast, you can find Qantab beach. It’s a secluded beach located just 15 minutes from Muscat. The crystal-clear waters and the white sandy beach looked like being in Aruba. We met a local Omani that showed us the coastline and told us all about the turtles and the construction of the resorts that endanger the territory of the turtles. Luckily Qantab beach was still untouched and authentic. I prefer a tour with a local always above a commercial organized tour! Locals will tell you so much more and you get to hear the authentic story of Oman. Somewhere during the trip I somehow remembered Oman was the country where the famous DJ Aviici past away.The local guide pointed right at the hotel where it happened.It was so strange that I remembered it right at that moment! After visiting Qantas Beach the trip continuous on the coast to Fins.If you’re at Qantab Beach make sure to take a boat trip with one of the locals. It helps the local economy and it’s a lot of fun. Our captain was super friendly.Oman 1 week itinerary · Day 3 FinsThe distances in Oman are relatively short. Driving from Muscat to Fins will take around 1,5 hour. Bimmah SinkholeA nice place to visit is the Bimmah Sinkhole. It’s not the wildest and most remote location, but it’s fun to take a dive. It’s super easy to reach.Just follow the signs of Bimmah village, where you can take the road to the parking lot. After a very short walk, you’ll get to the sinkhole. Make sure to be there early; many tourists and locals will visit the place. In all honesty, it’s a great place to visit but not something to spend an entire afternoon. I would just take a dive and not spend more than an hour at the Bimmah Sinkhole. Wadi ShabWadi Shab is one of the best places to visit in Oman. Locals told me this is the most beautiful Wadi in Oman, and they’re right!After a hike, which was longer than I anticipated, I arrived at a stunning natural pool. The hike takes about 1,5 hour, one way. Make sure to wear some good shoes.I didn’t bring my camera because because when you arrive at the end you will either have to leave your stuff and pick them up later after swimming in the cave, or take them with you in a waterproof bag.So I took these photos with my iPhone. I was glad there were other tourists because I wouldn’t have dared to jump in and swim through the narrow opening.On the other side, it was spectacular. Oman 1 week itinerary · Day 4 · SurA small harbor town is Sur. What I like so much about Oman are all the different surroundings. Sur is, again, a very different city than most other locations. If you are passing through, make sure to quickly stop here. TurtlesRight on the edge of the country on the southeast side, there are several places where you can see turtles. In all honesty, I didn’t go see the turtles. I heard that it disturbs their habitat.But it’s incredible to drive along the coast, and the natural surroundings are very different from other parts of Oman. This valley used to be a sea, it was covered with coral turned into stone. It felt like being on a different planet. Oman 1 week itinerary · Day 5 · BidiyaDrive to Bidiya to visit the desert of Oman. Wahabi SandsMy favorite area of Oman is, the desert! In my opinion this is the best place to visit in Oman.Read my Ultimate Guide about sleeping in the desert of Oman and All You Need to Know when wild camping in Oman.Depending on the time you have left, spending two nights here would be a great choice. Wahabi Sands is one of the most spectacular locations of Oman in my opinion! Oman 1 week itinerary · Day 6 · MuscatTime to relax. After spending the night in the desert in Oman and camping in the wild, it’s nice to spend the last night in a comfortable bed. The last day before departing it’s a 3 hour drive back to Muscat.W HotelHotels in Muscat can be expensive, but the W hotel was well worth it for us. The huge pool is open until late, around 11 pm, the rooms are unique, and the rooftop pool is incredible. If you want a drink in a stunning location, check out the rooftop pool at the W hotel. It’s located right behind the Opera House.Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, the rooftop terrace is open for anyone wanting a drink or a bite. Especially the rooftop bar is relatively quiet. We were the only ones visiting on a Saturday.Oman 1 week itinerary · Day 7 · Flying backOne thing that surprised me is how early the sun goes down. So if you are planning to camp with a rooftop tent in Oman you will have to find a spot to sleep quit early.This makes the days quit short to be able to visit all the places in Oman. So camping one week in Oman becomes much shorter. Final thoughts on visiting OmanOman is in the Arabian Peninsula, with neighboring countries the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.There is so much to see and do in this beautiful country, from exploring ancient forts and museums to swimming in crystal-clear waters in the Wadi’s and going to the desert.To make the most of your 7 days in Oman, it’s best to rent a car.I rented my car from Nomad Tours.The main roads are in perfect condition, and people drive relaxed, but when you go off the main road, many roads don’t have asphalt and are mostly made of sand and small stones. Besides that, the roads can become quite steep! Even if you are not planning to visit the desert with a 4×4, I recommend renting a 4×4 in Oman. 8 facts about OmanOman is very safe, often compared to Japan. Read more.Arabic is the official language of Oman, but English is widely spokenThe best time to visit Oman is between October and MarchOman has an incredibly diverse range of landscapes, from deserts to mountains to beachesOman is known for its hospitality, and the locals are friendly and welcomingOman is a Muslim country, and visitors should respect local customs and traditionsDress modestly when visiting mosques and other religious sites. At Wadi’s or beaches, it’s ok to wear shorter swimwear.Oman’s currency is the Omani rial (OMR) F.A.Q. 1 Week in Oman Is one week enough in Oman?Oman has so much to offer that one week wouldn’t be enough to visit all places. Down in the south there are the Sugar Dunes which are beautiful but much further from Muscat. How many days is enough for Oman?Two weeks would be enough to visit all the beautiful locations in Oman Is Oman cheap or expensive?The prices in Oman are similar to countries in Europe. So it isn’t cheap but it also isn’t that expensive. 1 OMR is 2,50 euro/dollar. What is Oman famous for?Oman is famous for its diverse landscape and Omani architecture. The mountains, desert and coastline are the main features. Is Oman a safe country?Oman is a very safe country often compared to countries such as Japan. What is the name of the desert in Oman?The Wahiba Sands is the desert of Oman and stretches 160 km long/ Is Oman in Dubai?Oman is not in Dubai. It is a different country just below the United Arab Emirats (UAE). Dubai is the capital of UAE. Is Oman a desert country?Oman is not a desert country, its landscape is incredible diverse with mountains, a coastline, jungle like landscapes, dunes and an ocean. About the authorChris Oberman is the founder and author of Moving Jack and has been traveling the world for over 20 years to 40+ countries.He lives in a different country every two years which allows him to gain unique in-depth insights and experiences in new places abroad.Quoted on Gritdaily.com, NRC Newspaper, Vice,and Feedspot.Read more about the author. Updated on March 7, 2023 This post was about: Oman And things like: Digital Nomad, PhotosShare This Story: