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You’ll find unspoilt desert landscapes, traditional Bedouin culture, pristine beaches, and ancient tombs in Oman. One of the highlights of a trip is the variety of things to see and do. Oman often doesn’t come to mind first when thinking of a Middle Eastern destination, but it surprises most visitors with its mountains and fjords, dolphin and whale watching, and delicate architecture.

For example, you could spend a night under the stars in a desert camp, watch turtles lay eggs on the beach, visit traditional villages and livestock markets, or explore the mellow city of Muscat with its thriving souqs and imposing forts. Alternatively, you could venture into Oman’s interior to explore plains and mountains or tour historic towns and dramatic canyons, head for the coast to take a dhow cruise through steep-sided fjords, or simply spend some time relaxing on the beach.

In Oman, you can stay in traditional palatial buildings, sleek, modern resorts, boutique hotels, and desert camps. Muscat offers a good choice of places to stay with everything from luxurious international hotels with pools, spas, and tennis courts to a former’s Sultan’s residence set in lush gardens on a private beach.

Outside the capital, the options are more limited and range from simple but comfortable hotels to pool-side villas by a private marina, as well as a Bedouin camp deep in the desert dunes. To get an idea of what’s on offer, browse our collection of places to stay in Oman.

In Oman, most visitors head to Muscat, Nizwa, and other coastal regions. In the low-rise capital of Muscat you’ll find white-sand beaches as well as the Sultan’s Palace, twin forts guarding the port, and a Portuguese influence in the historic architecture. Head to Nizwa and the surrounding mountains for dramatic scenery, massive fortresses, and lively markets.

In the remote Musandam Peninsula, you can sail on a dhow in crystal-clear waters, while in Raz al Jinz you can watch as greenback turtles come ashore to nest. For something a little different, you can explore empty desert dunes and learn about Bedouin culture in the Wahiba Sands or fly to Salalah for palm-fringed beaches, a dramatic coastline, waterfalls, and frankincense trees.

The best time to see turtles nesting in Oman is from May to September. Ras al Jinz is one the largest nesting sights and the best location to see them with 50 to 60 green turtles nesting here each day in this season. You might also see turtles here over the winter months but in much smaller numbers.

It takes around 14 hours to fly from Toronto, Canada to Oman and around 15 hours from Vancouver.

The time zone in Oman is UTC+4 hours. Oman does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

The best way to get around Oman is either to drive shorter distances or take domestic plane journeys for longer distances. Renting a 4x4 is straightforward and will get you out into the desert interior with complete freedom, but if you’d prefer a driver-guide we can easily arrange this for you.

Use our travel tool to find up-to-date visa and passport requirements for Oman. Enter where you’re traveling to and from (including any stopover destinations en route or flight layovers), along with your intended travel dates and passport details, for a full list of requirements.

• Entry requirements travel tool

Your doctor can provide you with immunization advice for Oman, but you should also ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations for your home country. You can also check the recommended vaccinations by visiting the .

Oman is noticeably quieter during the day in Ramadan, but livelier at night. Practicing Muslims fast from dawn until dusk during Ramadan and you should not eat, smoke, chew gum, or drink in public during daylight hours out of respect.

Although days are quiet and many restaurants remain closed, you can still eat at your hotel. By contrast, the evenings during Ramadan feel festive with people spilling out onto the streets to break their fast, meet friends and family, and stroll through parks or along the beach. At the end of Ramadan, Omanis celebrate Eid al Fitr for four days and local businesses may close during this time.

Both men and women should dress modestly while in Oman. While shorts are fine on the beach or at your hotel pool, you should always cover your shoulders and knees anywhere else in public. Loose, long clothing shows respect for the traditional values held in this conservative Muslim country. Women should also carry a scarf to cover their heads at mosques.

In Oman, it’s recommended to follow local etiquette by greeting people with a smile, eating with your right hand, and not using rude gestures of any kind. Other things to remember include using an open palm to gesture toward something, asking permission before taking a photo of anyone, and never taking photos of military establishments.

Members of the opposite sex don’t generally touch, so men should allow women to extend their hand first rather than offering a handshake in greeting. When eating out you may be offered a hot towel before the start of a meal, which you should use to clean your hands. After you’ve finished eating, leave your plates as they are, stacking the plates for waiters to collect is considered impolite.

If you’re lucky enough to be invited to a private home, bring a small gift, remove your shoes at the door, and eat whatever is offered.