Blessed with dramatic mountain ranges, fabulous seascapes, spectacular desert vistas and fertile terrains, Oman, “the Land of Frankincense”, is fast becoming the prime destination for travellers seeking a welcoming and safe place to explore with plenty of things to see and do to suit all ages, tastes and budgets: Hike along glorious wadis, watch magnificent turtles hatch, swim in crystal clear waters, visit one of five fascinating UNESCO World Heritage sites, check out state-of-the-art museums, art galleries and the opera too, explore hundreds of historic forts and castles, soak up the style at a shopping mall or simply relax and unwind on one of Oman’s many pristine beaches. The choice is yours in beautiful, friendly Oman!

With a fabulous climate year round, Oman is the place for adventure, relaxation and discovery; a country where fabulous scenery, extraordinary buildings and unique experiences await at every turn, the colours of the Omani landscape and its people unfolding as a beautiful tapestry on the edge of the Arabian Gulf.

A short drive from the Nation’s vibrant and cosmopolitan capital Muscat visitors arrive at Al Batinah where the amazing Barkha, Nakhal, Rustaq and Hazm forts and beautiful wadis, such as Bani Kharus and Bani Auf, explode with colour; nature and fortifications blending seamlessly.  Suddenly dry, rocky river beds across the region come to life as flash-floods dash through, gone in a second but leaving date palm oases refreshed and renewed with the promise of juicy dates in the year to come and offering a peaceful, cool place to rest in the meantime.

  Al Hootah, Dhofar 

In neighbouring Al Dhakhiliya, the craggy, gorge-filled Hajar mountain range, mostly shades of brown and grey in the heat of the summer, is transformed showing off magnificent vistas at every turn after winter rains breathe new life into the landscape.  A destination for adventurers, the famous mountains of Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams wait to be hiked or driven through, while hidden deep beneath the surface, intricately shaped stalactite and stalagmite grow at glacial speeds, clinging to the rocks of the mysterious Al Hoota caves.  Elsewhere water rushes through an irrigation system in Falaj Daris, part of an ancient engineering feat that keeps Oman alive. 

The less adventurous stroll at sunset through one of many hillside villages in the mountain ranges of Al Dhakhiliya; time seems to stand still as hues change with the setting sun and Oman gives one long exhale.  Others will discover an explosion of colour in the heart of the bustling Nizwa souq with its traditional fabrics, silver daggers, dazzling jewellery, decorative pots, incense burners and the fabulous goat auction all vying for just one second of the photographer’s eye – click, click, look there and here and there!  

Archaeologists and historians are sure to visit Al Dhakhiliya’s enormous Bahla Fort – another UNESCO World Heritage site – and the fascinating archaeological site at Salut before heading to their next destination in the Al Dhahirah Region; the Bat archaeological site where an ancient settlement waits to be discovered hidden on a parched hillside. Others may take the time time to venture off-the-beaten track in Al Dhahirah where Wadi Remey, in the foothills of Jebel Akhdar mountain range, is home to the ruins of a picturesque, fortified town, overlooking the wadi below.  But for a completely opposite colour palette, head below the surface to the “not-to-be missed” Falaj Al Sarani in the region of Al Buraymi where the darkness embraces adventurers as they hike along a section of the underground irrigation system of Oman.

Back above ground, year round the sea around Oman glistens, its colour reflecting the season - sun, wind and rain making for an ever shifting patchwork of blues, greens, silver and golden tones.  And no more so than in Al Sharqiya.  Here captivating waters along northern and eastern coasts, explored by swimmers and snorkelers, or more leisurely by boat users, provide respite from the heat of the summer, providing inspiration for a vast artist’s canvas and a myriad of beach and cliff side views as the coastal journey progresses.

During the rain season, a lake is created in Ramlat Al Safa

Walk softly on the beaches of the east coast of Al Sharqiya – especially at the eco-reserve at Ras Al Jinz - to see where giant turtles lay their eggs while hatchlings scurry into deep blue seas to continue the cycle of life.  And then, for a complete visual contrast, head into the Al Sharqiya desert to view a landscape blanketed in multihued red, orange, yellow and brown sands that the setting sun transforms into a stage for a night of star gazing.

Travelling south into Al Wusta, Masirah Island provides bird watchers, divers, snorkelers and windsurfers alike with an island retreat just a short ferry ride off the east coast.  Back on the mainland, the Rock Gardens of Duqm will send imaginations flying at the sight of its spectacular rock formations.  Elsewhere in Al Wusta nature’s flora and fauna is waiting to be uncovered, most especially at the Al Wusta Wildlife Reserve where the white hides of the endangered Oryx blend into the desert landscape.  Camping enthusiasts will enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches and crystal clear seas of the Al Wusta region too.

Journey further south to the Al Dhafor region during the Kharef season – July to September – and be prepared for a surprise!  Monsoon mists swirl around the hillsides while visitors picnic surrounded by greenery; it’s the perfect climate for the blessed Frankincense tree which grows in abundance in the region.  During the Kharef, numerous springs and wadis burst into life while waves crash against a rocky shoreline sending jets off water through blow holes. You may even see camels on the beach plodding along through the mist!  Yet, just a few kilometres inland the stark parched terrain of the Empty Quarter awaits exploration, as well as the spectacular landscape towards Oman’s southern border with Yemen, exceptionally beautiful in its own right though largely devoid of greenery much of the year.

And there’s more!  Way up in the north is Musandam, perhaps the jewel in the crown of Oman. The region is a sea, fjord and mountain lover’s paradise that somehow combines all of the colourful beauty of Oman in one location; it surely is the place in Oman for adventure and relaxation on land and sea.

Yet for the Friendship Arabia Team, the most vibrant colours of Oman are on the faces of its people; beaming smiles and sparkling eyes that welcome travellers from afar, as they have done for centuries, offering those who are weary a place to rest, abundant food and refreshing water, sweet tea or traditional ghawa.  They are a people always happy to share their culture and tell the story of Frankincense and the path it weaves through the lives of the Omani people.

Welcome to Oman, we are glad you came and sure you will be back soon!