Oman Holidays

Cardamom-scented souks, rolling desert dunes and off-road rides through mountains; holidays to Oman are an astonishing Arabian adventure.

Oman is a wealthy country where hospitality is outstanding, tradition is prized and heritage rich. Experience that red-hot haze over desert sands, dawn’s evocative call to prayer, a capital city filled with cream-coloured architecture and indigo skies home to the brightest of stars. As dusk falls, light twinkles over Oman’s most beautiful buildings – the marble and sandstone Grand Mosque, the world-famous Royal Opera House and the private residence of the Sultan’s Palace. Oman holidays are an extraordinary adventure.

Life here is quieter than elsewhere in the Middle East, steeped in old Arabian tradition and filled with the scent of sandalwood and rose. We’ve been to Oman and can tell you first-hand that the hotels are out of this world – extravagant spas, magazine-worthy pools and sublime service – and that the landscape gives you a true feel of Middle Eastern customs; men and women are dressed in dishdashas and abayas, souks are filled with spices and leather and Malabar hardwood dhows bob up and down in the water. There’s the taste of sugar cane, coconut and strong Arabian coffee, the fluttering eyelashes of desert camels and wild spinner dolphins gleefully playing off the Muscat coast. Lie back on damask cushions as you sail by traditional Omani boat over Gulf waters through those photogenic Musandam fjords, discover ancient fortresses and tombs in the cities of Nizwa and Bahla and get ready for an epic 4x4 drive into a Bedouin desert.

Call one of our Personal Experts and we’ll start crafting your next Oman holiday.

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Oman - Perfect for

  • **Culturally rich heritage** Located on the ancient Silk Road and Spice Routes, Oman has a rich heritage of merchant trading.
  • **Diverse landscapes** A country boasting dramatic mountains, desert wilderness and picturesque coastlines.
  • **Glamping in the desert** Spend a night under the stars at an authentic Bedouin desert camp.
  • **Turtle watching** Five species of sea turtle migrate to Oman’s shores between July and October to lay their eggs.

Oman Regions

Our recommendations for the best places to visit in Oman

Muscat Holidays

Dine on fire pit-lined beaches overlooking the Arabian Sea, hunt for sandalwood and myrrh and cru...

Musandam Holidays

One of Oman's most remote and beautiful regions.

Nizwa Holidays

Visit Nizwa, the former capital of Oman and one of the Sultanate’s oldest cities.

Holidays in Oman

hotel
  • Musandam
  • 5 Star

Arrive in style at one of Oman’s most luxurious resorts, settled within a majestic mountain backdrop.

hotel
  • Muscat
  • 5 Star

A shiny newcomer shaking up the Muscat hotel scene with its striking design.

From £1,319 p/p
hotel
  • Muscat
  • 5 Star

The most central of the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa’s hotels and home to CHI, The Spa.

hotel
  • Muscat
  • 5 Star

One of Muscat’s most distinguished hotels with a reputation for exceptional personalised service.

From £1,393 p/p
hotel
  • Muscat
  • 5 Star

Featuring a treasure trove of facilities, this hotel has a fun and informal atmosphere — perfect for families.

From £1,285 p/p
hotel
  • Muscat
  • 5 Star

Beautifully designed with elegance and style, Al Husn is one of the finest hotels on the Arabian Peninsula.

From £1,573 p/p
hotel
  • Muscat
  • 5 Star

A chic and contemporary oceanside retreat set on the edge of Oman’s capital.

From £1,503 p/p
hotel
  • Muscat
  • 5 Star

Located in the heart of the Omani desert, Desert Nights Camp is a boutique experience that offers an unforgettable Arabian adventure.

hotel
  • Nizwa
  • 5 Star

A luxurious hotel that makes the most of the surrounding dramatic landscapes.

hotel
  • Nizwa
  • 5 Star

This resort is a mountaintop oasis combining Omani tradition and VIP glamour.

From £1,688 p/p

Get to know Oman and those important practicalities when planning your perfect holiday.

Capital
TIME DIFFERENCE

GMT +4 hours

CURRENCY

Omani Rial

FLYING TIME TO DESTINATION

7¾ hours

RELIGION

Islam

LANGUAGE

Arabic

Where is Oman? On the south-eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman shares borders with the United Arab Emirates to the north-west. The Musandam peninsula is an exclave separated from the rest of Oman by the United Arab Emirates, which juts into the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf.

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Capital culture Muscat, the capital of Oman, is at the centre of a strong traditional culture. Picture-perfect 16th-Century forts protect the Old Quarter’s 500-year-old walls and pearl-embossed swords stand stately in the Bait Al Zubair Museum. As they have done for centuries, locals head into the souks to trade as the scent of rosewater coffee with a side of Omani dates wafts from the gilded foyers of hotels.

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Fjord-like Musandam Separated by the rest of Oman by the United Arab Emirates, Musandam is perfect for thrill-seeking adventures with rock climbing, canyoning, hiking, sea kayaking and scuba diving just some of the activities available. Alternatively, opt for a more sedate experience with a cruise on a traditional dhow cruise around the stunning Musandam khors (fjords) as you try to spot the bottlenose and spinner dolphins that frequent these waters. 

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Desert oasis Set in a desert oasis and encircled by the Western Hajar Mountains and sprawling date plantations, the former capital of Nizwa is one of the Sultanate’s oldest cities and once an important trade and religious centre. Nizwa has a buzzing souk where you can haggle for silver works, spices and dates or local handicrafts. 

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Beaches If you prefer to snorkel and sunbathe, you’ve a choice of beaches from Al Qurum in Muscat, one of the most beautiful and popular in Oman; and Bandar Jissah, a resort just outside of the capital city of golden sands, bright blue seas and coconut and banana plantations. Between the months of July and October, loggerhead, leatherback, green, hawksbill and olive ridley turtles come to Oman’s beaches to lay their eggs.

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Multi-centre holidays You could contrast the traditional sights of Oman with the splendid isolation of the Maldives, or choose to continue the exotic feel with a stay on the spice island of Zanzibar. You could even explore more of the UAE and visit one of the lesser-known emirates such as Ras Al Khaimah, or experience the dynamic ambitious nature of Dubai.

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Shopping You’ll find both international and high street brands in lavish malls in Muscat but the real adventure lies in shopping in the traditional souks. Muttrah is the most famous of these, filled with a maze of tiny alleys with stalls selling everything from jewellery to wooden handicrafts and Arabian perfumes to decadently embellished textiles. In Nizwa and Salalah you’ll also find captivating souks, with the latter known for its famous Dhofari frankincense. And while the shopping malls may be filled with well-known brands, it’s the supermarkets that are a highlight, where you can pick up Yemeni honey, huge jars of dates, exotic spices and sandalwood soaps.

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Oman Weather

Oct - Apr

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