Ultimate 4-Day Oman Itinerary for 2025: Arabia’s Most Underrated Gem

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When Sultan Qaboos took the throne of this absolute monarchy in 1970, Oman had just 10km of paved roads, slavery was legal and the vast majority of the country was without electricity. Half a century on, Oman is unrecognizable.

Now one of the wealthiest nations in the world, Arabia’s oldest country could easily fool you into believing it’s its newest. The Omani capital, Muscat, is a city of two halves. Its glitzy, modern CBD is a clear sign of Oman’s prosperity. A few kilometers south, Mutrah, Muscat’s old town, is proof that history still has a place in the uber-modern face of the Arabian Peninsula.

This 4 day Oman itinerary will take you on a journey through both of these worlds. Escaping booming, yet somehow genteel Muscat, you’ll traverse otherworldly deserts, snorkel amongst coral reefs and uncover the ruins of an ancient world. If this is your first Oman itinerary, Oman will surprise you.

Day 1: Muscat

There’s no better place to start any Oman itinerary than its forward thinking capital. Muscat’s modern international airport (MCT) is the country’s main gateway. It’s well connected to all the Middle Eastern hubs, with direct flights to several European and Asian destinations. Fast and frequent buses, with English language next stop announcements, connect the airport with the city center 24 hours a day. Metered taxis are also readily available.

Morning

Start your day in Mutrah, Muscat’s waterfront old city. Take a morning stroll along the corniche as the city stirs into life, pausing for breakfast at Bella Vista Café by the fish market. Their traditional shakshuka with khubz rakhal pairs perfectly with their fresh brewed coffee.

Travel tip: Muscat is a fairly spread out city. A guided tour is a great way to tick off the city’s top sights with just one day of your Oman itinerary to see it all.

Try your hand at bargaining in Mutrah Souq before heading along the corniche to Muttrah Fort. On the way, make a stop at the Place and People Museum. This is one of those blink and you’ll miss it gems. Their displays of traditional Omani life and culture are truly fascinating.

Mutrah is sometimes spelt Muttrah; the two spellings are interchangeable. Mobile map applications often use the single ‘t’, whereas some guidebooks use a double ‘t’.

Built by the Portuguese in 1580, Mutrah Fort only recently opened to visitors. Before parting ways with Mutrah, stop off for an al-fresco lunch overlooking the corniche. Most spots here exist purely to cater for tourists, but the view and atmosphere makes paying the slightly inflated prices worthwhile. Meta Grill’s arayes win my vote every time.

Afternoon

Kick start the first afternoon of your Oman itinerary with a visit to the National Museum. It’s a pleasant, half-hour walk along the corniche from Mutrah, but in the midday heat, it’s worth shelling out for a taxi. The museum’s 14 permanent galleries could easily fill the best part of a day. Even if you just learn a little about revolutionary Sultan Qaboos, the modest entry fee is well worth it.

Before heading for Muscat’s modern centre, take a look at Al Alam Palace, the Sultan’s ceremonial residence right opposite the National Museum. Next, head to the Royal Opera House. Built in 2011, it’s quirky whitewashed design is a mix of classical Italianate and traditional Islamic architecture.

If you want to stock up on designer goods, a visit to the sprawling Mall of Oman is your best opportunity on this Oman itinerary. As the sun begins to set, head down to Muscat Beach to watch the light fade over the Indian Ocean. Alternatively, I absolutely love hopping aboard a traditional dhow for a sunset cruise through Mutrah harbor.

Where to Stay in Muscat

Given just how spread out Muscat is, choosing a hotel close to the main sights is important. For this Oman itinerary, we recommend staying in Mutrah. Despite the old city’s popularity, hotels here are limited. Al Falaj Hotel is unequivocally the best of the bunch. A great budget alternative is Itlalat Al Shoruq Hotel, whilst Marina Hotel boasts the best location.

For more Muscat tips, don’t miss our detailed One Day in Muscat guide.

Day 2: The Daymaniyat Islands & Wadi Shab

Our Oman itinerary continues with an unmissable visit to one of Oman’s most impressive beauty spots. This morning, head for Seeb Port, just west of Muscat Airport to join a boat trip to the Daymaniyat Islands.

The highlight of the trip is the chance to don a snorkel and explore the turquoise waters for yourself. The Indian Ocean around the islands is home to a massive array of marine life, including sea turtles. Once you’re back on shore, take a hike up the rocky hillsides for the best views.

Back in Seeb, wander down to the Beach Park before stopping for a late lunch at Mirzab Café. This afternoon, bid farewell to Muscat and head out in the desert. For the remainder of this Oman itinerary, having your own wheels is a great advantage. If you haven’t rented a car already, consider picking one up from Muscat Airport after leaving Seeb. If you prefer not to, it is possible to join a tour to Wadi Shab and Bimmah Sinkhole from Muscat.

Make Bimmah your first stop on the journey south. The 20-meter deep sinkhole is a sight to behold, and even more impressive to take a dip in.

Continuing along the coast road towards Sur, branch off along the banks of the Wadi Shab river to discover a serene hidden waterfall. Most visitors turn back after reaching the first pool, but it pays to venture further along the valley. Beyond the crowds, you’ll find a stunning cave with honeycomb like walls, and if you’re lucky, you’ll be the only person in the water.

Where to Stay in Sur

The second day of our Oman itinerary ends in the coastal city of Sur, one of the oldest maritime cities in the world. Sur is fairly compact and very walkable, so wherever you choose to stay, you’ll be able to tick off all the sights. The Sur Hotel is our top pick. It’s simple and unfussy, with a price tag to match, and the location really couldn’t be better. If a room with a view is high on your list of priorities, Al Ayjah Plaza will be your first choice of hotel.

This evening, grab a table at cavernous Selfie Thattukada 3 for dinner. Their Omani-Indian fusion menu is the best in town. If fresh seafood with an ocean view is more your style, Sahari Restaurant, just across the creek from the city center won’t disappoint.

Day 3: Sur to Nizwa

Start the third day of your Oman itinerary with a lesson in boat building at the Dhow Factory. Ever since its founding in the 6th century, boatbuilding has played a huge role in Sur’s economy.

Sur’s location made it a hub for trade between Arabia and Africa, with dhows built in the city sailing across the Gulf of Aden to what are now Djibouti and Somalia. Round off your morning in Sur with a visit to the Traditional Souq to hunt for curios from the Horn of Africa.

This afternoon, head further south still to the charming village of Ras al Hadd. Make a pit stop at Barakath Al Andulas restaurant for a hearty lunch- their Chicken Haneeth is second to none- before paying a visit to the castle.

Just north of the village is Ras al Hadd’s biggest attraction: one of the most significant green turtle populations in the world. Walk past the lighthouse to find Turtle Beach.

If nature isn’t playing ball, don’t worry, the next stop on our Oman itinerary has more than its fair share of turtles too. Ras al Jinz is also one of Oman’s most important archaeological sites. Take a stroll along the beaches where fragments of boats dating back to 3000 BC have been discovered.

Where to Stay in Nizwa

Before setting out on the drive north to Nizwa, make one last stop at the easternmost point of the Arabian Peninsula.

Despite being one of Oman’s most visited cities, hotels in Nizwa are scarce at best. For this reason, booking as early as possible is highly recommended. Our number one spot is Nizwa Residence Hotel in the heart of the city. Aldiyar Hotel, just south of the center, is a great budget-friendly alternative.

Day 4: Nizwa to Muscat

The final day of our Oman itinerary is spent exploring ancient Nizwa. Start with a visit to Nizwa Fort, built in 1668, the 30m tall tower is the focal point. Next on the agenda is UNESCO-listed Falaj Daris, the largest irrigation system in Oman. Built in the year 500, the channels provided much needed water to the surrounding farmland.

Stop for lunch at riverside Liwan before browsing the souq for khanjars, the handmade curved daggers Nizwa is renowned for. This afternoon, head for the hills to visit Misfat al Abriyyin which stands 900 meters above sea level.

Returning to Muscat as your Oman itinerary draws to a close, make one final stop in Wadi Damm. “Damm” translates as “hidden”, and Wadi Damm’s crystal clear pools are certainly that. Few visitors to Oman make the trek from Muscat, but when you’re within touching distance, skipping a dip in them would be sacrilege.

Extend Your Oman Itinerary in Dhofar

Oman’s southernmost governate, Dhofar, is something else entirely. If you’re able to extend your Oman itinerary by a couple of days, take a flight from Muscat to Salalah, rent a car and explore some of the country’s most beautiful coastline.

Salalah itself isn’t the most attractive of cities, but it does have plenty of hotels and restaurants, making it a great base for discovering the region. The Museum of the Frankincense Land is a Salalah-must. It sits on the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is Al-Baleed Archaeological Park which is home to the ruins of the medieval city of Zafar.

Take a drive west from Salalah towards the Yemeni border and the village of Shaat, where you’ll find one of the best viewpoints in Oman. It’s a slow drive, not because of the roads – although the odd camel related delay is inevitable – but simply because you won’t be able not to stop for photographs at every turn. As you near the border, military checkpoints are commonplace, so make sure you have your passport handy.

Heading east from Salalah, follow the coast road towards Mirbat with its impressive fortress. Interestingly, the fort saw action as recently as 1972. The Dhofar Rebellion between 1963 and 1976 aimed to bring the governate independence from Oman and, on 19th July 1972, Dhofar guerrillas, known as the Adoo, launched an attack on Mirbat Fort.

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