5 Days to Explore Some of the Most Underrated But Best Places to Visit in Oman with Family

Oman is a truly fantastic family holiday destination. While, it may not be the first place to spring to mind when thinking about family travel, but it certainly deserves it. An underrated sultanate in the Middle East, Oman is a country proud of its ancient past and educated future. Oman is where the deserts stretch out endlessly and coastlines are spread as far as the eye can see. It is where historical sites do not compete with modern development but instead co-exist peacefully. Arabian culture here is prevalent as much in its wind-blown deserts as in its luxury spa hotels. And there is no dearth of places to visit in Oman that will surprise you with their magnificence. All these storybook settings, forts that look like sandcastles, and Arabian horses unite to make Oman a magical destination to explore with family.

Muscat, the capital city, is a great place to start your Omani adventure. Head over to Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque for a spiritual start to the day. The only mosque in the entire country that allows non-Muslims inside, this place is a true wonder. Set against the commanding Hajar Mountains and clad in smooth marble, the mosque is one of the largest and most impressive structures in Oman. Where the outside sparkles in polished marble, the inside has a massive eight-tonne chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The domes and pillars are equally stunning, covered in mosaic tiles in cobalt blue, sea green and shimmering turquoise.

Price: Entry is free, but you need to cover your head. A scarf or abaya is available for rent for 2.50 OMR (Omani Rial) or ₹425

Time: Saturday to Thursday, 8am to 11am, for non-Muslims

Besides, you can also explore other tourist places to visit in Oman like the Bait Al Zubair Museum (about half an hour away from the mosque) for a peek into Oman’s rich heritage. Originally the residence of Sheikh Al Zubair bin Ali, an advisor to the former sultans, it has now been converted into a museum. Here you can see a fine collection of Omani artefacts, from jewellery to weaponry and even traditional attire.

Price: 2 OMR (₹340) for adults, 1 OMR (₹170) for kids aged 10 and above, free for kids under 10

Time: Saturday to Thursday, 9.30am to 6pm

After getting a taste of spirituality and culture, it's time to head over to experience some age-old customs. Muttrah Corniche of Old Muscat is the city's old commercial centre where you can see the impossible blue of the Gulf of Oman in beautiful contrast with sepia-coloured buildings constructed with arched doorways and latticed windows. You can end the day with a walk along the waterfront, some people-watching or simply feeding the seagulls.

Start your second day super early and head to the sea to spot some dolphins! The Arabian Sea is the natural habitat of dolphins and the waters off Old Muscat are home to a large numbers of bottlenose, common, and even the elusive spinner dolphins. Zahara tours conducts cruises out to the Gulf of Oman throughout the year.

Price: 17 OMR (₹2,878) per person

Time: The tours begin at 8am and 10am every morning. They last for about three and a half hours.

After an exhilarating trip in the morning, it's time to head to the funkiest looking royal palace ever, Al Alam Palace! It is the most important of the six residencies of the reigning sultan. The palace is Oman’s most flamboyant example of contemporary Islamic design, with two long wings centred on a colourful, cube-like central building, its flat, overhanging roof supported by mushroom-shaped blue and gold columns. It is not open to the public, but the front facade is worth a visit.

A few steps away is the National Museum, one of the best places to visit in Oman to understand the history and culture of the nation. There are interactive exhibits and a few short films that explain the history and keep you engaged. A couple of hours and you will have a full account of what Oman is all about. Do try the dates and qahwa at the museum cafe.

Price: 5 OMR (₹850) for adults. Free for children and students, aged 26 or below.

Time: Saturday to Thursday, 10am to 5pm. Friday, 2pm to 6pm.

End your day navigating through labyrinthine alleys of the famous Muttrah Souk. The streets of this traditional market are sheltered from the sun with carved timber roofs and stained-glass domes. Shop for traditional daggers, copper pots, gold and silver. You can also spot some exquisite Indian merchandise such as kajal and pashmina wear. Must try while shopping on the streets is Omani halwa, a wobbly, jelly-like sweet flecked with nuts and flavoured with rose. It is available with many street vendors throughout the market.

Time: Saturday to Thursday, 8am to 1pm and 5pm to 9pm, Friday, 4pm to 9pm.

Today morning, leave for Nizwa. The ancient capital of Oman, Nizwa is spread around its traditional souk, historical buildings and the imposing circular-towered fort built during the mid-17th century by Imam Sultan bin Saif Al Yar’ubi. If you think that the Muttrah souk was impressive, wait till you visit the one in Nizwa. If you love shopping in old bazars, and collecting oriental artefacts, then Nizwa is the place for you. The magnificent Nizwa Fort looms over a fascinating souk that houses the most delicate of silver necklaces and ornamental candle stands. Traders advertise their goods by hollering to customers. With fresh dates and figs, intricately carved pots and pans and hundreds of other trinkets to buy, this is one market where you can easily spend an entire day and still not feel satiated.

Time: 6am to 1pm and 3pm to 10pm from Saturday to Thursday. On Friday, it is open from 5am to 11am.

How about a visit to a UNESCO Heritage Site today? An hour away from Nizwa lies the the sand-coloured Bahla Fort, a fine testament to Oman’s rich heritage. Of the more than 500 castles and forts in Oman, this is the only fort to have made it to the UNESCO World Heritage List. One of the oldest forts in the country, some estimates say parts of it are from 500 AD.

Price: Entry tickets are for 0.50 OMR (₹85).

Time: Saturday to Thursday, 9am – 4pm. Friday, 8am to 11am.

Come back to the city and proceed to the Nizwa Fort. Built in the mid-17th century, Nizwa Fort stands tall, and serves as a reminder of how and why Nizwa once served as Oman’s capital and was also its strongest city. Thick walls surround it and a 112-foot central tower dominates it. The fort is built like a typical Omani fortress, characterised by geometric layouts.

Price: Adults, 1 OMR (₹170); Children, 0.50 OMR (₹85)

Time: Saturday to Thursday, 9am – 4pm. Friday, 8am to 11am.

With 10,359 square kms of rippling-gold sand and dunes towering over 300ft, Wahiba Sands or Ramlat al-Wahiba is the most accessible desert in Oman. Camping in the desert is probably an experience that your kids will cherish for the rest of their life. Bedouin-style tents in the silky sands of Wahiba, spectacular craggy mountains in the distance and crystalline wadis will escalate your holiday experience immensely. Spend the day bashing sand dunes and sand boarding, and the nights stargazing. Quad-biking and camel rides are also fun activities you can opt for here. In the early evening, drive up to a high dune to witness the sunset before returning to camp. Enjoy a traditional Bedouin-style dinner at the camp under the starlit sky.