Culture
Generous hospitality extended to guests
Oman’s culture is deeply rooted in the Sultanate’s proud heritage and history of seafaring, trading and exploration. Today, long-standing traditions blend seamlessly with modern day living, with the latest fashion and electronics brands sold alongside traditional hand-made crafts, jewellery, and even goats and cattle at souqs around the country.
Despite Oman’s relatively rapid transformation to a modern society since His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said ascended the throne in 1970 but the country has never lost sight of its roots. Traditional Omani culture is embedded in nearly every aspect of daily life, from clothing and food, arts and crafts, to the way Omanis welcome visitors. The uniquely Omani culture and heritage continues today in many of the same ways it has been for hundreds of years.
The Sultanate
The Sultanate of Oman is the only country in the world composed mostly of oceanic crust and rocks that originate from the Earth’s mantle. Evidence of continental drift can be witnessed in many of the unusual rock formations and topography around Oman, including the coastline around Muscat.
History
The Sultanate of Oman is a country of breath-taking natural beauty, interwoven with a kaleidoscope of history and legends. As the oldest independent state in the Arab World, Oman has embraced modernisation and progress while retaining the core aspects of its culture and heritage.
Geography
Oman is a wonderland for travellers with a keen interest in geology. Geological stories can be found just about anywhere, from Oman’s highest mountain, Jebel Shams, to the mega-dunes of the Empty Quarter (Rub Al Khali) and the Rock Garden at Duqm.
People
His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has successfully united all tribes since his ascension in 1970, ensuring that the country and its people work together to build the country. Oman has a population of just over 4 million people.
OMAN REGIONS
BEAUTY TO MATCH EVERY TASTE
Al buraimi
Located in the north-west of Oman and bordering A’Dhahira, Al Buraimi is a semi-desert plain which descends from the southern slopes of the western Al Hajar Mountains. Ruins in the area, such as those found at the villages of Sharm and Madhbah, highlight the existence of ancient trade routes.
Adventure
- Climbing
- Caving
- Camping
- Biking
- Paragliding
- Camel Riding
Nature
- Geology
- Deserts
- Wildlife Watching
- Mountains
- Caves
- Wadis
Culture
- Heritage & Crafts
- Museums
- Arts
- Shopping
- Dining
- UNESCO Sites
Al Batinah South
South Al Batinah Governorate extends between the Sea of Oman in the east and the foothills of the Western Hajar Mountains in the west, and by virtue of its location, economic potential and population density, it has played an influential role throughout Omani history.
Adventure
- Paddle Boarding
- Water Sports
- Camel Riding
- Camping
- Paragliding
- Climbing
Nature
- Beaches
- Caves
- Mountains
- Wadis
- Deserts
- Geology
Culture
- Museums
- Forts
- Crafts
- Shopping
- Dining
- UNESCO Sites
Al Batinah North
Al Batinah North governorate is an expansive coastal area that hosts a fertile agricultural plain that extends along the coast and extends over its lands agricultural fields and population centers.
Adventure
- Paddle Boarding
- Water Sports
- Camel Riding
- Camping
- Paragliding
- Climbing
Nature
- Beaches
- Caves
- Mountains
- Wadis
- Deserts
- Geology
Culture
- Museums
- Forts
- Crafts
- Shopping
- Dining
- UNESCO Sites
Muscat
Muscat is the modern capital of Oman and offers visitors a stunning combination of old and new. From the architectural masterpiece that is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, to its rugged mountain backdrop and breath-taking beaches, this city never fails to entertain and inspire.
Adventure
- Water Sports
- Golf
- Climbing
- Paragliding
- Caving
- Camping
Nature
- Beaches
- Wadis
- Geology
- Mountains
- Deserts
- Caves
Culture
- Dining
- Forts
- UNESCO Sites
- Museums
- Shopping
- Crafts
A’Sharqiyah North
Consisting of the governorates of North and South Ash Sharqiyah, this part of Oman is widely considered the geographical jewel of the Sultanate. It is here that stunning coastlines give way to the unique ecosystem that is Sharqiyah Sands, making this region a paradise for adventurers and explorers.
Adventure
- Paddle Boarding
- Biking
- Caving
- Kite Surfing
- Camping
- Camel Riding
Nature
- Geology
- Beaches
- Deserts
- Caves
- Wadis
- Mountains
Culture
- Dining
- Forts
- Shopping
- Museums
- Entertainment
- UNESCO Sites
A’Sharqiyah South
The South A’Sharqiyah Governorate is the north-eastern facade of the Sultanate of Oman. It overlooks the Arabian Sea from the east and is connected to the Sharqiyah sands from the south and Al-Dakhiliyah Governorate from the west. South A’Sharqiyah governorate includes five districts: Sur, Al-Kamel Wa Al-Wafi, Jalan Bani Bu Hassan, Jalan Bani Bu Ali and Masirah Island.
Adventure
- Paddle Boarding
- Biking
- Caving
- Kite Surfing
- Camping
- Camel Riding
Nature
- Geology
- Beaches
- Deserts
- Caves
- Wadis
- Mountains
Culture
- Dining
- Forts
- Shopping
- Museums
- Entertainment
- UNESCO Sites
A’Dakhiliyah
A’Dakhiliyah, meaning ‘The Interior’, is a land-locked governorate comprised of a portion of the Al Hajar Mountain range and eight separate districts: Adam, Al Hamra, Bahla, Bidbid, Izki, Manah, Nizwa and Samail.
Adventure
- Hiking
- Camping
- Caving
- Biking
- Paragliding
- Climbing
Nature
- Wadis
- Wildlife
- Mountains
- Geology
- Deserts
- Caves
Culture
- Entertainment
- Museums
- Forts
- Shopping
- Dining
- UNESCO Sites
A’Dhahirah
Once situated in prime position on the ancient trade routes, A’Dhahira in Oman’s west is traditionally the bridge between Oman’s stunning mountain ranges and the neighbouring UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Adventure
- Biking
- Camel Riding
- Caving
- Climbing
- Paragliding
- Camping
Nature
- Mountains
- Deserts
- Caves
- Geology
- Wildlife
- Wadis
Culture
- Entertainment
- Dining
- Museums
- Shopping
- Forts
- UNESCO Sites
Al Wusta
Flanked on the east by the Arabian Sea, on the west by the Rub Al Khali – The Empty Quarter – and by Oman’s most southern governorate – Dhofar – to the south, Al Wusta covers a large area in the middle of the Sultanate.
Adventure
- Camel Riding
- Biking
- Climbing
- Kite Surfing
- Paddle Boarding
- Camping
Nature
- Geology
- Deserts
- Wadis
- Beaches
- Wildlife
- Caves
Culture
- Dining
- Forts
- Crafts
- Museums
- Forts
- UNESCO Sites
Dhofar
Although Dhofar lies over 1,000 kilometres from the capital city of Muscat, planning a trip is easy with daily flights between Muscat and Salalah and direct connections from other Arab Gulf states.
Adventure
- Caving
- Biking
- Kite Surfing
- Camping
- Golf
- Camel Riding
Nature
- Caves
- Mountains
- Wildlife
- Deserts
- Geology
- Beaches
Culture
- Crafts
- Entertainment
- Shopping
- UNESCO Sites
- Dining
- Forts
Musandam
The exclave of Musandam is Oman’s northernmost governorate, separated from the rest of Oman by the UAE and home to some of the Sultanate’s most dramatic landscape.
Adventure
- Paddle Boarding
- Water Sports
- Kite Surfing
- Camping
- Paragliding
- Caving
Nature
- Mountains
- Geology
- Deserts
- Beaches
- Caves
- Wadis
Culture
- Dining
- Forts
- Crafts
- UNESCO Sites
- Shopping
- Museums
