Best Places to Visit in Oman 2023, Tourist Places & Top Attractions

Most beautiful place in oman 2023

If you are in the process of planning your first trip to Oman and are not sure where to begin, this article is perfect for you. I spent a week road tripping around Oman, hopping from city to city, visiting some of the most impressive fortresses and canyons, and really getting to see just how beautiful Oman is. Although Oman may not be considered a backpacking destination by most accounts as it is impossible to travel there without renting a car, the country does have quite a lot to offer for those who are willing to pay a little more. Without further ado, here are the 10 best places to visit in Oman. Let's begin with the capital city of Muscat where you will likely start your journey in Oman. Oman is a small country, yet incredible attractions fill every corner of its cities, villages and towns. Between natural beauty, the authentic architecture, and the unique culture, Oman is a great destination for all. Here are the most mind-blowing places that must be included in a visit. The Sultanate of Oman is a destination for all travelers who love outdoors. Set amidst the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, the Middle East peninsula is known for its picturesque desert, historic forts, and spectacular mountain ranges. So if you’ve been thinking​ that your bucket list is complete. Wahiba Sands, Musandam Fjords, Ras al Jinz, Jebel Akhdar, Bahla, Masirah Island, Misfat al Abryeen, Wadi Darbat, Wadi Shab, Ras Madrakah Beach, Al Hoota Cave and many more. Known for its ornate Islamic architecture and natural beauty alike, the beauty of Oman begs to be witnessed by all. Whether it is the gold domed mosques that draw you to the country, or the gorgeous beaches that line it's coast, the tourist places in Oman promise to make your vacation here as memorable as possible. From adventure tours to heritage sightseeing, once can never run out of things to do in the country. Those desiring to settle for its gorgeous cities will be left spoilt for choice- from the postcard like beauty of Muscat, to the rolling green mountains of Barka, or even the rustic, old school charm of Rustaq, these places in Oman cater to every travellers' tastes and interests. If you're looking to explore the natural beauty of the country, the places to visit in Oman are many. You could head over to the turtle sanctuary at Ras al Jinz, or take a tour through the gorgeous dunes of the Wahiba Sands, or even simply enjoy a swim through the river in Wadi Shab. On the other hand, the historical tourist places here are equally charming, with the various castles and forts around the country demanding a visit.

#1-  Jebel Shams Canyon
Jebel Shams is the highest mountain in Oman and an excellent place to hike. The most popular hike is the Balcony Walk which has excellent views, steep dropoffs, and leads to an abandoned village. Although the hiking and four-wheel-drive roads are worthy of a visit by themselves, the real star of the show at Jebel Shams is the spectacular view into Wadi Ghul, a deep canyon that is known as the Grand Canyon of the Middle East.

#2- Ras Al Hadd
Ras Al Hadd is all about beautiful beaches and turtles – and who doesn’t love both of these? The remote beaches of Ras Al Hadd are mostly deserted with little to no amenities and crystal clear waters which are perfect for swimming. If you are visiting between April to August you will see large sea turtles nesting on the beach – it’s one of the best places in Oman to see them.

#3- Wahiba Sands Desert
If you want to live out your Lawrence of Arabia dreams, then there is no better place than Wahiba Sands. Wahiba Sands is an ocean of undulating dunes, stretching out to the horizon in all directions. There are numerous activities you can do in Wahiba Sands including dune bashing, camel riding, star gazing, and watching the epic sunsets. The best way to experience the dunes is by staying overnight in a Bedouin camp which range from traditional to luxurious and include dinner under the stars and the above-mentioned activities.

#4- Wadi Bani Khalid 
Wadi Bani Khalid is one of the most popular wadis to visit in Oman, and unlike Wadi Shab, it is very easy to access – it’s only a five-minute walk from the car park. There is a large main pool, a canyon you can swim through, and a few smaller upper pools – all of the pools are a clear, emerald green and look super inviting.

#5- Wadi Shab
One of the most popular wadis to visit in Oman, Wadi Shab is one of the most beautiful places in Oman with shimmering blue-green pools spread through a narrow canyon. There is even a waterfall you can only reach by swimming into a cave. A visit to Wadi Shab involves a short boat trip, a moderate hike, scrambling over rocks and boulders, a few gorgeous swimming holes, and a cave waterfall – it sounds like my kind of adventure!

#6- Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat is known as one of the most beautiful modern mosques in the world. The grand mosque is the largest in Oman, is full of beautiful mosaics and Islamic art, and is surrounded by manicured gardens. The mosque was built in 2001 and is one of the only mosques in Oman that permits visitors.

#7- Bimmah Sinkhole
Similar to a wadi (an oasis or flooded riverbed/valley) the Bimmah Sinkhole is a limestone depression filled with super clear, emerald-colored water where you can swim. It reminds me a lot of the cenotes in Mexico which I love, and technically, a cenote is also a sinkhole. If you want to spice up your visit to Bimmah Sinkhole with more adventure, you can cliff dive into the water – this is a popular activity with local teenagers.

#8 Musandam Fjords
The Musandam Peninsula is known as the Norway of the Middle East because of its stunning fjords. The rocky cliffs plunging down to aquamarine waters looks spellbinding and I want to experience this magical place in person. The best way to experience the fjords is by taking a traditional dhow boat where you can see dolphins playing in the clear waters. You can also kayak and swim in the fjords.

#9- Nizwa Fort
I love a fort – I basically based my time in India around visiting as many forts as possible – so I definitely want to visit the most famous fort in Oman: Nizwa Fort. There are a number of forts in Oman but Nizwa Fort is special because of the cylindrical shape of its main tower, which is also the largest fort tower in Oman. For anyone interested in getting a glimpse into what life in Oman was like in the past, Nizwa Fort is an excellent place to visit as there are numerous artifacts and exhibits about the history of the fort and what life was like there.

#10- Masirah Island
Masirah Island is the largest island in Oman and is a naturalist’s paradise. It is home to five species of turtle, flamingos, ghost crabs, and many species of native and migratory birds. Along with wildlife watching, Masirah Island is also known for its gorgeous white sand beaches that ring the island. Fishing, birdwatching, and kite surfing are popular activities on the island.