Oman Travel

Each year the atmosphere and landscape of Salalah, the most populated city in the south of Oman, changes with the rainy season known as Khareef. Brown and dry mountain faces transform into lush and green views you will remember for a lifetime. The number of things to see and explore in the Salalah area during this time are endless, but one of the greatest activities for you in the city is the Salalah Tourism Festival. This carnival-like event, also called …

Celebrate Salalah at the Khareef Festival Read More »

Five Essential Foods/Drinks to Try One of the greatest joys of traveling to new countries is the opportunity to try different, local, and traditional foods. Oman is famous for many foods and beverages, but the following five are essential to taste while visiting the Sultanate. Halwa: Perhaps the most popular and specifically Omani sweet found in the Gulf is halwa. This sticky, jelly-like sweet is made from a sugar or honey base with saffron and other special spices added, and …

Taste of Oman Read More »

A Showcase of Modern Tradition While 1970 was a turning point for Oman developmentally, this Arabian nation has retained its rich cultural heritage in many ways from traditional familial structure and Arab hospitality all the way to the architectural design of new homes and city planning. While exploring the Sultanate you will notice many architectural themes: richly decorated front doors, carved wooden ceilings, and traditional arched windows. These are design motifs that have been carried to today from Oman’s rich …

Oman’s Unique Architecture Read More »

A Day trip to Jebal Akhdar Although the city of Muscat has many interesting areas to explore and beautiful sights to see, a day trip out of the city is a wonderful way to experience more of Oman. There are many options for these types of trips (See 3 day trips from Muscat blog), but if you crave mountain views and freely exploring village ruins, this specific day trip is the one for you. Jebal Akhdar, translated ‘Green Mountain’, is …

Abandoned Villages and Mountain Views Read More »

Your trip to Oman will surely be one you want to remember for years to come, and there are many items unique to Oman that will remind you of your experience immediately. Here are six souvenirs that are sure to bring you back to your time in the Sultanate. Luban (Frankincense) and Medkhan (Incense burner): Oman is known as the Land of Frankincense, so bringing this tree-sap incense back with you will make your home feel like you are still …

Greatest Omani Souvenirs Read More »

One of the most prized pieces of architecture found in the Sultanate of Oman is not a fort that protected the people in ancient times, one of the many palaces of a past or present sultan, or a village that has stood for centuries; it is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Located just outside of the capital city, the Grand Mosque sits elegantly on an open plain between the Sea of Oman coast and the foot of the beautiful mountains …

Your Guide to Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque Read More »

Day trips from Muscat Muscat is a beautiful area with many things to see and do, but if you need some time out of the city, here are three day trips to experience more of Oman’s natural beauty, history, and culture. Barka and Nakhal: Just an hour drive northwest along the coast from downtown Muscat is another large city in Oman, Barka. While visiting here, be sure to check out the showroom at the Barka Halwa Factory, where you can …

A Break from the City Read More »

In the Islamic month of Ramadan (link in bolded text to Ramadan blog) daylight abstinence from food and drink is strictly observed in Muslim-majority countries. During this time, non-Muslim expats in Oman or visiting tourists might find it a challenge to locate options for daytime meals. The following is a list of reliable locations we’ve discovered while hosting a few of our guests in Muscat and Salalah. Just remember that if you choose partake, please do so respectfully, and out …

Where to Eat Lunch During Ramadan in Muscat & Salalah Read More »

When traveling to any new country, one of the best experiences is simply getting out and about amongst the local people and seeing what daily life is like. Well, in Oman, nothing encompasses this better than visiting the local souq, or open-air marketplace. Arab souqs (pronounced “suːk”) have been a longheld practice for hundreds of years, originating from caravans that would travel through the desert and set up camp outside of cities to sell their goods. These caravans often brought …

3 Tips to Mastering the Omani Souq Read More »

An exploration of Oman wouldn’t be complete without a visit to its second-largest city, Salalah. Located in southern Oman, Salalah is an hour and forty-five minutes away from Muscat by plane. It is a unique city, boasting an incredible monsoon season in July and August (called Khareef) and beautiful places to wander year-round. Here are our recommendations for five must-see things in this special place (although there are certainly more than just these)! 1. Khor Rori Beach It takes about …

5 Places To Visit In Salalah Read More »