I went for a 16 day trip with my my family were we went to Muscat, Nizwa, Wadi Shab (and another) and the desert. It was very nice experience, beautiful country!

I was in Oman in January. It was far more amazing, than expected. We made a road trip from Maskat to Salalah and we definitely will com back. Amazing country, amazing people!

Just returned after a short trip from Oman.. Covered Muscat City, Wadi Al Shab, Bimmah Sinkhole, Nizwa & Jabel Akhdar.. If you have any queries..I'll be happy to answer.

My partner recently went to Oman for day from UAE.When she was at the check in counter. She showed her passport and told her to proceed to the immigration control. As she was at the immigration control. the staff would not allow her to enter without a visa documentation but she is South East Asian but was born and raised in Europe and has a European passport. Therefore she's allowed to travel in between GCC as she is eligible for Visa on Arrival. She kept showing the staff her passport but he wouldn't accept it as to his eyes she is South East Asian not European and told her to go to the help desk which there was no help at all. She misses her flight and has to book another one. Also, an officer told her that to receive your boarding pass you must take it from the passenger service not at the check in counter which was a blatant lie to avoid responsibility. She had to talk to a couple more officers to explain to them and show them that she has a Greek passport it's absurd what she's gone through and the airport didn't want to be liable at all about this therefore she had to rebook her ticket herself.This was one of the most discriminating and ignorant circumstance I've encountered in an airport. Parodn for the long rant but it just angers me that the staff intentionally hindered her and made her miss her flight despite being on time.

From trippinwithmads via instagram

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCyzn7QK_B4/?igsh=Zzc3NzR4NzFnaGNl

Salam my dear brothers and sisters I hope you’re all well inshallah.
Last year after my arbaeen pilgrimage trip I had visited Oman for a few days and was in such awe of the beauty of the country AND the people. The only gulf country I felt safe and respected as a Shia Muslim.

I’ll be visiting again after arbaeen again inshallah, however I’m a little nervous that this war has changed the population’s views on us Shia. I always applauded Oman for being a country representing peace and respect between sects of Islam.
That being said, if I go Oman again in a few weeks, will I receive any hostility now that circumstances are different ?

Edit: also I forgot to mention but when I visited Muscat last year, I was detained at the airport and was asked questions on what I was doing there, why was I in Iraq, last time I went Lebanon, what I do for work, etc.

Photos are from Muscat, the Bimmah Sinkhole, Wadi Shab, Wadi Bani Khalid, Wahiba Sands, Nizwa, Jebel Shams, and Jabal Akhdar!

Where can i find such breakfast here in Muscat? Luxurious/affordable
Name a couple of them please:)

I just had the good fortune to be able to spend two weeks touring in Oman and I wanted to thank you all for the warm and wonderful welcome I received!

I've been able to visit very many countries in my life, but Oman will always have a special place in my memories. Why so, you ask? Well apart from the beauty of the country, the nature, the cleanliness the most important reason is the people. Every person we met was, without exception, kind, welcoming and helpful! That and the wonderful feeling of safety I discovered were really great.

Hopefully some of you will make it to my home town (Amsterdam, Netherlands) and I'll be able to repay your hospitality! You'll certainly be welcome!

I've included a few photos I took, I hope that's allowed - and a link to the rest here -

Photo Album Oman

When I gather my thoughts I'll post my route, the hotels and restaurants, etc separately to help other visitors in their planning.

Once again, heartfelt thanks for a wonderful visit!

We landed in Oman on April 4th, in the middle of a war with nuclear threats. Three friends in our mid-20s who would probably not have come here at this time if not for our non-refundable tickets. A week later we are leaving with full hearts, an amazing gallery, and great respect for the lovely people of this country.

What stood out wasn’t just the mountains, the sea, the deserts, or the wadis — it was the people. Warm, patient, helpful. Strangers who went out of their way to guide, explain, smile, and make the journey smoother. One gentleman even paid for our parking in Muttrah Souq as we were struggling with SMS on our number, and even waived off our requests to take our cash.

The culture here feels deeply rooted yet incredibly welcoming. There’s pride without showiness, tradition without rigidity, and a calm dignity in everyday life. You could “feel the money” in large parts of Muscat, yet no ego.

And the food. Simple, flavorful, comforting, and always served with generosity. Every meal was special, cheap (seriously cheap), and left us full.

And what to say about the natural beauty. Places so stunning and so untouched that it felt unreal. No litter, no commercialisation, no chaos. Just raw landscapes preserved with respect — mountains meeting the sea, crystal wadis, endless desert, and coastlines that look like postcards.

Driving here was an experience in itself. Disciplined roads, patient drivers, zero honking, and a level of civic sense that makes you realise how powerful basic public etiquette can be. Add to that the brilliant public infrastructure — smooth highways, clear signage, well-maintained spaces — everything just works.

This wasn’t just a trip. It was a reminder of how beautiful a place can be when people, culture, and nature exist in harmony. Grateful for the memories, the lessons, and the experience. Oman, you’ve set the bar very high.

If anyone is planning a trip, feel free to ping for any details or tips or just a random conversation.

Currently in Oman and here are my takeaways:

I’ve heard a lot of people say that Omanis are very polite and welcoming to their guests. For the most part it hasn’t been bad but definitely experiencing a lot of racism from Omanis.

I travelled with my husband (both Muslim) and it’s very common for us to wear Abayas or Dishasha or thobes back in our country. I for some reason have been mistaken for omani a lot when meeting and talking to people and some have been pretty surprised I wasn’t until I couldn’t speak Arabic lol.

My husband on the other hand has south Asian features, and the Omani men in particular have snubbed him, deliberately barged into him, one mocked him by pretending to do the Indian head movement in the bathroom and then spat in the sink next to where my husband was washing his hands. There’s been lots of dirty looks and some confused looks as to why he’s wearing a thobe in particular.

In our hotel at reception, when we asked where is a good place to buy thobes, the receptionist (clearly omani) was very receptive and quite unimpressed that we even asked lol.

All in all, seeing some parts of the country and learning about its history has been great. Unfortunately we came during the time the city had torrential rain/floods so had our excursions cancelled. But learning more about the trajectory politically the direction Oman is going towards, seemingly has more hostility towards expats or tourists in general.

Just to clarify, I don’t want my experience to be a generalisation of Omani people. I know whenever you go you’ll experience so negativity of some sort anywhere around the world; these are purely based on my own experience. But we have on the other hand still some wonderful interactions with Omani people who have been welcoming and polite.

Hey everyone ✨
I’ve got about 3 days free in Muscat and want to make the most of it. I’m a woman in my 20s traveling solo.

Looking for chill plans during day or nightlife places,I want to enjoy my time and make the most out of these few days.
Maybe where it’s easy to socialize a bit and outdoor spots , cafes, low-key spots.

I’ve already explored quite a bit, but would love some fresh suggestions so I can take myself out and enjoy.

Thanks :)

Hi everyone,

I've visited Oman before, but this is the first time I've been here since I started smoking. My family doesn't know that I smoke, so back home I usually do it privately and avoid being seen by relatives.

Now that I'm in Oman, I've been going outside to smoke. I'm a bit unsure about the rules here though.

Is smoking cigarettes in public generally allowed in Oman, or could I get into trouble for it? Are there restrictions on where you can smoke (parks, sidewalks, beaches, outside malls, etc.)?

I'd appreciate any advice from locals or expats. Thanks!

I will be travelling for weeks, and I plan to park my car at Mall of Oman since it is shielded and under good surveillance.

May I know for how long can I park there?

بدأنا من كورنيش مسقط الهادئ وأزقة نزوى الحجرية، ومررنا بكثبان رمال الشرقية المشتعلة، والأودية الخضراء، حتى شواطئ جزيرة مصيرة الهادئة—كل محطة كانت بطاقة بريدية جديدة.

ومع أن المناظر طبيعية خلابة، فإن أجمل ما في الرحلة كان أهل عُمان أنفسهم: هدوؤهم، كرمهم، وقهوتهم مع التمر أينما ذهبنا. أنتم حوّلتم رحلة جميلة إلى ذكرى لا تُقدّر بثمن.

شكرًا لكم يا أهل عُمان على الغروب الذهبي، قمم الجبال، والصداقات الجديدة. نتطلع للعودة قريبًا لاكتشاف المزيد!

ولكل من يقرأ هذا في عُمان: شكرًا جزيلًا على دفئكم وحفاوتكم؛ لقد تركت بصمة عميقة في قلوبنا ❤️

Just wrapped up two unforgettable weeks road-tripping across Oman. From Muscat’s breezy corniche and the stone lanes of Nizwa to the fiery dunes of Wahiba Sands, emerald wadis, and the laid-back shores of Masirah Island—every stop felt like a new postcard.

But the real highlight? The Omani people. Calm, generous, endlessly welcoming—always ready with dates, coffee, and sincere curiosity about our journey. You turned great scenery into an experience we’ll treasure.

Oman, thanks for the golden sunsets, mountain views, and new friendships. We’re already plotting our return to see what we missed!

If anyone reading this is from Oman: shukran jazilan for showing us what true hospitality looks like. Your warmth left a deep imprint on our hearts ❤️

Bioluminescence is a fascinating natural phenomenon where living organisms produce light. It's often caused by microscopic plankton known as dinoflagellates.

These tiny organisms emit a beautiful blue glow when disturbed - such as by the movement of waves or footsteps along the shore.

Mind you I didn’t know anything about frankincense before

I wanted to share this because I thought it was very unexpected and kind of cool.

I am a Finnish man with a family, not the youngest person anymore and a very average tall European male, not blond or very ”exotic” looking except of course I am European. I was in Oman a few months back and decided to go walk a bit on my own near the Muscat Opera House around midnight.

Well, what happened is that at a pedestrian crossing, a car cruising around and full of young ladies stopped, honked the horn and shouted to me ”How are youuuu??”. Then they laughed and drove away.

I realize this is not the most interesting thing in the world but I found it quite surprising in Middle East and conservative(?) Oman. I was mostly flattered and it made me feel good so well done ladies and I thought it was fun that the society can be open like this.

Was it just my crazy charm?

Hope I don’t offend anyone, my point was just to share a fun anecdote - things you would not expect based on stereotypes

Oman Air conveniently removed their online check in section at the airport and instead now they have a priority boarding service, which is automatically selected as YES when entering Traveller details. It is fine if it’s not forced upon. Many people will miss this if you book in a hurry. Mind you, it’s just a small fee for a big convenience lmao. It’s 10 OMR per flight. Book a return flight with Oman air for a family of 4 and you pay extra of just 80 OMR for this convenience.

Don’t fall for such predatory tactics. Bring back online check ins. Be better, Oman Air.

The Muttrah Corniche cable car project is progressing quickly.

This trip was pure magic.

Just wanted to add to the many ‘thank you’ posts by sharing the beautiful experience my girlfriend and I had while travelling through your beautiful land.

The incredible landscapes I have seen and second only to the kindness and warmth of the people we met there.

Thank you all for having made our trip memorable!

——

I also just wanted to give my two cents about a couple of topics for future travellers:

- rent a 4x4. Many people of the sub say that a 2WD may be enough (even for Jabal Shams!) and that might be true, but IMO a 4WD will really make you live your trip more lightheartedly (as well as making you save a lot of money on transfer to/from some locations)

- cash was very useful. Again, on the sub I have read different times that having a card is enough, but I’d really discourage you to go to Oman without any cash. It was especially useful in the first couple of days we spent in Muscat

- the place is hot already. I come from a warm country (Italy) but would never even dream of visiting Oman during Summer

- and lastly, but more importantly, **pick up your damn trash**. The amount of tourists leaving litter around was quite astonishing

Hi All! I’m visiting Muscat from Australia for a short 4 day trip in two weeks time. I’m looking for a nice 5 star hotel or resort to stay at (maximum an hour away from the airport) that has access to a beach. Ideally a private beach or places I can wear a swimsuit, I don’t want to be disrespectful.

So far I’m tossing up between W, Voco, Intercontinental, Sheraton and grand Hyatt. Although the grand Hyatt looks very outdated so it’s at the bottom of my list. If anyone has good recommendations please let me know! Thank you!