Oman

Family holidays to Oman

Family holidays to Oman offer a proper desert adventure, with vast drifting sand seas begging to be explored. This is a destination that is relatively little visited by tourists, especially compared to its glitzy big sister, Dubai. But it is all the more charming for this, with plenty of scope to get off-the-beaten-track and to catch a glimpse of traditional Arabia.

With a coastline boasting year-round sunshine, the beaches are a big draw card and there’s a good selection of luxury beach hotels that are ideal for families. But for us, the great attractions of Oman are found in the interior, in the spectacular craggy Al Hajar mountains with its dramatic canyon and the huge sand dunes of the Empty Quarter. Here you’ll also find impressive forts, picturesque fishing villages and beautiful oases, with donkeys plodding along narrow irrigation channels through the date palms.

And perhaps most importantly, there is also a long history of hospitality that will make you feel at home from the moment you arrive.

Child on Christmas family break in Oman with ocean in background

Omani hospitality is legendary

Oman family holidays also work well because the flight from London isn’t too long, and the time difference is only four hours. This means it’s an ideal destination not just for the Christmas and Easter holidays but for October and February half term too. The weather throughout this period will be beautiful.

Why take the kids to Oman?

If guaranteed sunshine, spectacular landscapes and historic forts are not enough, Oman offers a great array of activities to keep the children happy.

Some of our favourite activities on family holidays to Oman include:

Staying at a Bedouin desert camp and learn about nomadic culture
Swimming in the clear turquoise waters of a limestone sinkhole
Taking in the majestic Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
Getting up early to go turtle-watching in Ras Al Jinz
Exploring a restored Omani fort (favourites include Jabrin and Nizwa)
Hiking in the jaw-droppingly spectacular Al Hajar Mountains
Luxury wild camping on the beach near Fins
Snorkelling from a traditional dhow in the waters of the Musandam Peninsula

See our Oman with Kids blog for more ideas and photos of family-friendly activities.

Family playing in dunes, Oman, October half term

It’s hard to resist hurtling down the dunes at Wahiba Sands!

This really is an ideal destination for toddlers, tweens and teens! Younger ones will enjoy riding a camel through the empty Wahiba Sands and exploring the labyrinthine corridors of Jabrin Fort. Older ones will relish the challenge of hiking Jebel Shams (Oman’s answer to the Grand Canyon). They will also love careering down sand dunes and spending the night on a deserted beach, drinking tea freshly brewed over the campfire.

Everyone will enjoy rounding off an Oman family holiday with a couple of days on the beach. You can choose a mid-range hotel or upgrade to one of the incredibly beautiful five-star properties.

Oman with kids holiday - teenager on the Balcony Walk

Hike along the Balcony Walk and take in stupendous views

Getting around Oman

You have two main transport choices for your family holiday in Oman; we can either provide you with your own 4WD and you can drive yourselves around, or we can arrange a driver / guide for you. If you make your own way, we will give you masses of on-the-ground support, as well as in-depth notes about places to stop en route. You have the freedom of the open road, but with all the support that you might need. Check out Mike Unwin’s blog about his self-drive holiday in Oman with Stubborn Mule Travel and see our Best Family Road Trip roundup for inspiration.

If you prefer to have a driver / guide, this is easily arranged and you can spend your time enjoying the view out the window, safe in the knowledge that someone else has an eye on the signposts!

Oman family holidays - visiting Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

Visit the spectacular Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

Family holiday itineraries to Oman

All of our itineraries are bespoke, which means that they are tailor-made for your own specific family, taking into account the ages of your children, your interests, your budget, and so on. However, to give you an idea of what you could do on a family holiday in Oman, have a look at our example itineraries, Highlights of Oman, and Oman Short Break.

Also, check out some of the other places that you might like to visit on your trip, and if you need further inspiration, have a look at our Oman photo gallery.

Lastly, don’t forget to check what the weather will be like at the time that you want to travel. Or simply give us a ring and we’ll be delighted to advise you on the best family holidays to Oman.