The Desert: Life Among the Dunes

Few landscapes capture the imagination quite like the Al Sharqiyah Sands. Stretching for around 200 kilometres, this vast sea of dunes has long been home to Bedouin tribes who still welcome visitors to their camps. Staying overnight in a traditional tent brings a peace that is hard to find elsewhere. As dawn breaks, climb a dune and watch the first light sweep across the sand, turning the desert from deep red to gold. Evenings end quietly, with talk around the fire and the vast stillness of the desert above.

The Oasis: Wadi Bani Khalid

Just a few hours from the desert, the scenery changes completely. Wadi Bani Khalid is one of Oman’s most beautiful and accessible oases, a ribbon of turquoise pools surrounded by cliffs and palm groves. A short walk from the entrance leads to calm, clear water that is perfect for a swim, while the upper pools offer a quieter escape deeper into the canyon. It is a natural contrast that captures Oman’s diversity in a single day, from dunes to cool mountain water.

The Fort and Souq: Nizwa

At the foot of the Hajar Mountains lies Nizwa, once Oman’s capital and still one of its cultural heartlands. The seventeenth century Nizwa Fort dominates the skyline, its round tower standing as a symbol of the country’s long history of trade and defence. Inside, the rooms and corridors tell stories of life in earlier centuries, while outside, the souq comes alive with the scent of spices and frankincense. Craftsmen sell silver jewellery, pottery and dates, timeless pieces of Omani culture still made by hand.

The Capital: Muscat

Muscat balances tradition with modern elegance. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is one of the region’s most beautiful religious sites, with vast prayer halls, marble courtyards, intricate mosaics and striking chandeliers. Nearby, the Royal Opera House showcases Oman’s growing cultural scene, its architecture combining Omani design with understated sophistication. Muttrah Souq remains a maze of narrow lanes where traders offer textiles, lamps, frankincense, perfume oils and handicrafted goods. Walking through the market at dusk, with the call to prayer echoing from nearby mosques, you feel the energy of everyday life in the capital.

The Green South: Salalah in Monsoon

Between late June and September, Salalah in the Dhofar region transforms into an unexpected paradise. Known locally as the Kareef, this monsoon season brings mist, waterfalls and lush green hills, a rare sight in Arabia. Locals picnic by the cascades of Wadi Darbat or drive through the frankincense covered mountains, while the coastal air fills with the scent of rain. For travellers, it reveals a tropical side of Oman.

The Coast: Ras Al Jinz and the Turtles

On the eastern tip of the country, Ras Al Jinz Beach is part of one of the most important green turtle nesting areas in the Indian Ocean. Each year, thousands of turtles return to this stretch of coast to lay their eggs, continuing a cycle that has lasted for generations. Guided night tours allow visitors to watch the turtles come ashore in near darkness, their movements gentle and deliberate, while early morning visits sometimes reveal hatchlings making their way to the sea. It is a moment that captures the quiet, natural wonder of Oman’s coast.