Overshadowed by glitzy neighbour Dubai, Oman is a world apart from it – a place of epic untamed landscapes, wild swimming, incredible hiking, and other outdoor adventures. Find centuries-old mud-brick forts, verdant oases where donkeys amble along, carrying baskets laden with dates, and remote beaches where turtles come to nest. There is beauty, history, culture, wildlife and action – as those we have taken on family holidays to Oman have attested. Some have very kindly shared their photos of Oman with us – have a browse and let yourself be inspired.
The endless rolling sand dunes of Wahiba Sands is an amazing spot for a desert adventure – go sandboarding in the afternoon, perhaps climb a dune to watch the sun set, then bed down in a traditional Bedouin tent or at a desert camp. See our 7-day Oman Short Break including Wahiba Sands.
Wahiba Sands are great for climbing and then hurling yourself down, or we can set you up with some thrilling dune-bashing by 4X4. Oman is well suited to self-drive holidays but you can hire a private driver if you prefer. Our Customer Reviews include feedback from families who have chosen one or the other option.
Jabrin and Nizwa forts are among the most enchanting in all Oman. The first, which dates back as far as 1675 but is well-preserved, has battlements that are fun to clamber over. Nizwa is huge and stands out for its 40m tower, which you can climb for views of date plantations and the Hajar mountains.
The views are splendid all along the Balcony Walk, and you can also carry on as far as an abandoned village from which locals fled from invaders. This seems to almost hang from a cliff face. Both our suggested Oman itineraries include Jebal Shams and this spectacular walk.
In the midst of rocky mountains, Misfah is a true picturebook oasis. Here you can walk through the date palms along irrigation channels, with donkeys laden with baskets lumbering past. If you are interested, you can even spend the night in a traditional old stone house, (check out our Top 10 Things to do in Oman with Kids for more).
Picture Wadi Bani Khalid; an idyllic green lake, surrounded by craggy cliffs. Toddlers will love paddling in the shallows. Tweens will love heading further up the wadi for a spot of cliff jumping. And adrenalin-seeking teens can challenge themselves to jump off ‘The Bridge’ into the deep pool below. Do you dare take up the challenge?
Beach camping is also a highlight of a trip to Oman (see our Highlights of Oman example itinerary). You’ll get a tent set up for you, with a sitting area, and dinner is a delicious barbecue. Swimming off the beach, you may be lucky enough to see turtles.
The Bimmah Sinkhole with its clear waters and limestone formations is another great place to swim in Oman. Its Arabic name, Hawiyyat Najm, means ‘the deep well of the (falling) star’. Local Omanis once believed it was created by a meteorite. See our 12-day Highlights of Oman itinerary including the Binnah sinkhole.
Muscat’s Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is truly impressive. Able to hold up to 20,000 worshippers at one time, it contains the second-largest single-piece carpet in the world. Check out our Places to visit in Oman for more on Muscat and nearby beaches.
Holiday photos of Oman – next steps
Dry and warm weather between October and March makes Oman an ideal family holiday destination during the October half term, Christmas, February half term, and Easter. For more about the weather in Oman, check out our When to Visit page.
If Oman appeals, ring us at 01728 752 751 to discuss your plans or email us using our website form.
You might also like to see other photo blogs with snaps taken by our Stubborn Mule visitors: