Oman is somewhat deprived of the attention of tourists, although it can offer a lot to visitors who are fascinated by the beauty of nature and historical monuments. This exotic country is famous not only for the natural charm that can be found in every corner of Oman, but also for the stunning architecture of houses, castles, forts, museums and mosques. If you ever decide to visit Oman, you should know the list of attractions that you need to see with your own eyes. We have chosen 20 memorable places of this state, and we will tell about them right now.
1
Sook Matrah
Matrah is the center of Muscat province. One of the main attractions of the city can be called Souk Matrah, a traditional oriental bazaar located near the promenade. The bazaar includes several small shops where you can find classic Omani goods, for example, colorful fabrics, national clothes, jewelry made of gold and silver, as well as many souvenirs. The bazaar in Matrah is rightfully considered one of the centers of attraction for tourists in the “big Muscat”, where you can not only find useful goods, but also have fun making some memorable photos.
2
Sultan Qaboos Mosque
The second name of this religious building is the Muscat Cathedral Mosque. It is the most famous of the mosques built by order of Sultan Qaboos. Looking at this magnificent building, it is hard to believe that it was built in 2001. The builders managed to preserve the traditions of Arab architecture, creating a real masterpiece in Muscat. All parts of the mosque, including minarets, a huge golden dome, a central crystal chandelier and unique lamps can be called without a doubt the architectural miracle of the 21st century.
3
Musandam beaches
Musandam is one of the regions of Oman that are called governorates. It is separated from the rest of the state by the territory of the UAE, being a semi-exclave. Musandam from the north is washed by the Arabian and Omani Bays, and is famous for its excellent beaches, which annually receive thousands of tourists from all over the world. Transparent water and clean white sand make Musandam beaches an ideal place to relax from the bustle of the city. The most visited place in this region is Khasab beach, it is located on the shores of the Omani fjord. Here you can not only sunbathe and swim in plenty, but also book a boat tour by chasing dolphins.
See photos and descriptions of other beautiful beaches around the world on our site most-beauty.ru in this article.
4
Ras Al Jeans
Ras al-Jinz Nature Reserve is located in Al Hadda, a village in the eastern region of Oman. It is inhabited by green turtles, listed in the Red Book, as an endangered species. Each year, about 20 thousand females of these animals return to the reserve to lay eggs. The city itself is located on a cape that delimits the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. It is famous for its wonderful beaches with crystal clear water and golden sand. However, tourists are most interested in the process of laying eggs by turtles, during which females dig small pits. Some lucky ones even manage to capture the moment of birth of the cubs, who immediately return to the sea. The management of the reserve organizes special morning tours, just then the birth of turtles takes place.
5
Shatti al-kurum
Al-Kurum is one of Oman's longest beaches and the most visited beaches of Oman. It is located in the northern district of the capital Muscat. Every year, the beach receives hundreds of thousands of tourists who are satisfied not only with the natural beauty of Shatti Al-Kurum, but also with developed infrastructure with numerous hotels, shopping and entertainment centers, cozy cafes and chic restaurants.
6
Wadi Bani Khalid
Wadi Bani Khalid without a doubt can be called a miraculous paradise on Earth. The name Wadi is translated as “valley”, it is located in the Al-Shakriya region, and boasts several water basins, as well as a source that maintains water levels throughout the year, which is an unusual rarity for desert Oman. Wadi Bani Khalid also includes several picturesque Arab villages with plantations irrigated by the spring. The oasis is surrounded by cliffs of a reddish hue, which only increases the excitement of what is seen in the valley.
7
Castles and Forts
In the photo: Nazva Fortress.
The unique heritage of Oman is characterized by its ancient history and developed culture, which we can appreciate through the prism of various architectural monuments. A special place among them is occupied by forts and castles scattered throughout the territory of the Sultanate. A visit to Oman must be accompanied by a guided tour of historical places, for example, Djibrin Castle, Nizwa and Nahal forts. Also, travelers and tourists are impressed by Al-Rustak and Al-Hazmi forts, each stone of which is saturated with the great history of the Arab state.
8
Salalah
Salalah is an unusually beautiful city located in the southern part of the Sultanate in the province of Dofar. It is Oman's second city in terms of population, second only to the capital in this indicator. Salalah is famous for the monsoon Kharif, "blowing" the village every year from July to September. Add soft rains and favorable soil here, and you will get an incredibly beautiful green carpet of plants and palm trees, covering most of the city. Every tourist who visits Salalah is simply obligated to enjoy this natural splendor.
9
Jabal El Ahdar
El Ahdar is part of the Hajar Mountain System, which extends into the El Dahlia region. One of the main peaks of this mountain system is called "Green Mountain". The name speaks for itself, rocky ground is almost completely covered with trees and mountain plantations. El Ahdar has several hiking trails running between villages. The local population survives thanks to small farms where they breed animals. Despite the fact that the mountain system is not very popular among tourists, experienced travelers consider it their duty to admire the local beauties at least once in a lifetime.
10
National Museum of Oman
The date of foundation of the national museum in the capital of Oman is considered to be 2016, although in fact it existed several years before its official opening. It is the main state showcase of the heritage of the Sultanate. The museum covers an area of 13,700 m², which is divided into several galleries, where visitors can get acquainted with the culture and history of Oman. Most of the halls are equipped with modern monitors that drive the exhibits displayed in the museum. Galleries are divided into several sections: Oman and the world, spiritual heritage, the maritime history of Oman, Earth and people, ancient history, currency, weapons, armor, etc.
In total, the building houses more than 7,000 exhibits, allowing you to immerse yourself in the world of Islam and the history of the peninsula. In addition to spiritual food, tourists can enjoy material things - the museum has a cozy cafe and a small shop with souvenirs.
11
Ash sham
We have already talked about the mountain system of El-Akhdar, and Ash-Sham or "Mountain of the Sun" is the highest point of this system. As the top of a mountain range, Ash Sham is the first place in the country from where the rising sun is visible, which is the reason for the second name of the mountain. To climb to the top, you can use one of the hiking trails laid by residents of nearby villages. The view from the top of Al-Sham has not left anyone indifferent.
12
Masirah Island
Mariah Island © Marlon Cureg / Flickr
Masirah is the largest island of Oman. It is located in the Arabian Sea east of the mainland. Favorable geographical location historically contributed to the development of shipbuilding. In the main village of Masirah Ras Hilfe, you can find several abandoned ships that add romanticism to this place. Today, the main source of income for the local population is fishing and textile production. The connecting link with the mainland, steam, regularly runs from port to port.
13
Majlis al-Jinn
Majlis Al Jinn By: Michaelmcandrew | Wikipedia Commons.
The Majlis al-Jinn is the second largest cave chamber in the world, rising a little less than 1400 meters above sea level. You can only get inside the chamber by going down through the natural manholes at the top of the chamber. The cave attracts many travelers. Adventure lovers and climbers. Once inside, you will get an incredible location for photos, and you can admire the interior of the cave. The popularity of the cave chamber breaks all records, outstripping many world resorts in the number of “visitors”.
14
Royal Opera House
Royal Opera House | © Prasad Pillai / Flickr | © Prasad Pillai / Flickr
The Royal Opera House of Oman was erected at the beginning of the 21st century in the metropolitan area of Shatti al-Kurum. Traditional Omani architecture makes it look like a rich palace. All Muscat's elite gather here, as well as numerous tourists who come to the opera house in search of the beautiful. The Royal Opera House has a huge impact on the development of art in Oman, offering visitors a variety of performances featuring artists from around the world.
15
Wadi damme
Wadi Damm | © Marco Zanferrari / Flickr
Another valley on our list of Omani attractions has many names, among which the most famous are Wadi Damm and Wadi Dham. It is located in the governorate of Al-Buraimi, in the region of Dahir. Of particular interest are rocky formations with a diverse relief. Some hills are smooth, others have a special pattern, others even with cave chambers. For lovers of hiking, Wadi Damm with their water pools and impassable trails is a real treasure!
16
Sand dunes of Rub al Khali
Author: Nepenthes | https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Nepenthes
The Rub el Khali desert is not only one of the largest in the world, but also one of the driest and hottest deserts on Earth. All fans of sand dunes urgently need to visit this place. Translated from Arabic, Rub al-Khali means “empty quarter”, the desert covers the western part of Oman, and also extends to the north of the Arabian Peninsula, occupying Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. The total area of the desert is 650 thousand km². Moreover, it has unique vegetation and is the most oil-rich place on the planet.
17
Well Bimma
Bimma is a natural hollow well located near the capital in eastern Oman. It was formed due to the decomposition of limestone in the interior of the massif, which led to the "erosion" of the surface to the state of the depression. The cavity is flooded with water of a turquoise hue, which looks especially bright against the background of rocks that serve as the natural walls of the well. As in the case of the Majlis al-Jinn, the Bimma well attracts many adventure lovers from all over the world, considered one of the main natural attractions of Oman.
18
Sur
Sur, Oman | © Andries Oudshoorn | flickr
Sur, this is the main city of the province of Al-Sharqiya, located in the north-eastern part of the Sultanate. It is famous for its original beaches, as well as its history. For many centuries, Sur has been an important maritime city where the construction of the dhows, a special type of Arabian ships, took place. Fans of natural beauty will like the nature reserve and the magnificent bay, architecture lovers will appreciate the two forts that have long guarded Sur. Interestingly, for a long time the city was a center of trade, including slaves. The horses of human trafficking were laid by the British government, which prohibited the slave trade in the 19th century.
19
The starry sky of Al-Sharqiyah
Stargazing | © Tristan Schmurr | Flickr
In the eastern part of the Sultanate of Oman, there is a wonderful region of Al-Shakriya, which “sheltered” the many attractions described in our article, including the Ras al-Jinz nature reserve, where everyone can admire the process of birth of turtles. We have already told you about the beauties of the Bani Khalid valley, which is an ideal place to set up a camp and feel unity with nature. If you stay in the valley for the night, do not forget to look at the starry sky. From here you can see many stars and constellations that are hard to see in other regions of the Earth.
20
Muscat
Muscat differs from most world capitals in that it is considered not only the main city of the state, but also combines both the architectural and natural beauty of Oman, offering tourists many diverse sights. Most-beauty advises starting an acquaintance with Oman from this city.
Here you will be greeted by an incredibly beautiful opera house, boutiques selling the best designers from around the world, luxury hotels and comfortable beaches. Muscat is also rich in nature, which will surround tourists, no matter where in the city they go.