7 Day Family Itinerary
If you have a bit more time, why not head to Oman’s far south and explore Salalah – the gulf’s only tropical destination.
Day 1
Muscat to Sur
The coastal road to Sur has several attractions along the way worth a small detour, including one of the largest water dams in Arabia. Wadi Dayqah Dam is one of the largest dams in the region and, thanks to its visitor friendly facilities, a great place to bring the family for a picnic overlooking the dam. Misfat Al Abryeen is a hidden gem and an easy wadi to explore, although a 4WD vehicle is required to reach it. Water pools and green vegetation all-year round make it a favourite with locals and visitors alike. Close to Bimmah Sinkhole and the village of Tiwi, Fins Beach is a great place to let the kids enjoy the white sand and pebble beach while setting up camp.
a favourite with bird watchers
The fishing village of Quriyat, en route to Sur, is a favourite with bird watchers. Species such as kingfishers and grey herons are known to frequent the surrounding lagoons.
spectacular views over the sea
Starting opposite Riyam park, the Riyam Walk begins with a steep climb at the end of which hikers are rewarded with spectacular views over the sea and surrounding area. The path gradually descends into an old abandoned village and takes you through to Muttrah, a great way of exploring the old part of Muscat first hand.
Hiking in Muscat, a capital city? Yes it is possible. One of the particularity of Muscat is that it is composed of neighborhoods separated by rocky hills. This means that you can climb those hills to get nice views, especially on trail C38 between Riyam and Muttrah.
a scientific museum
Set in two distinctive domes in the north of Qurum, the Oman Children’s Museum is a scientific museum that delves into biology, interesting optical illusions, and other interactive displays for children.
The Oman Children's Museum is a children's science museum, located near Qurum Nature Park. The museum was established by the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture and opened on November 17, 1990 by Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said on the 20th National Day celebration in Oman. The museum has 45 exhibits and two demonstrations and comprises 10,000 square feet (930 m2). It was the first science museum in Oman. The museum has many hands-on displays. These include experiences of a fake electric shock, trigger a lightning bolt, launching a hot air balloon, photographing your own shadow, and sending message through a whisper dish. There is also a display named "Eye Spy", which is series of perception panels with illusions designed to offer some insight into how your eyes and brain see things differently.Day 2
Sur & Ras Jinz
A day exploring Sur’s maritime history and turtle watching. If you ever wondered how Dhows were built, the last remaining Dhow yard in Sur offers a unique insight into this ancient tradition. The nearby Sur Maritime Museum is also worth a visit. Overlooking a lagoon and the ocean, the Al Ayjah lighthouse or watch tower was once built by the Portuguese. A walk through the neighbourhood of Al Ayjah, with its old merchant houses, offers a glimpse of Sur’s former importance as trading hub. The Ras Al Jinz nature reserve has been set up to allow for sustainable viewing of turtles in their natural habitat. At night, Green turtles scamper up the beach to lay their eggs. Rangers ensure that visitors do not harm the animals or their environments.
Amouage is a world-renowned luxury fragrance brand
Founded over a quarter of a century ago, Amouage is a world-renowned luxury fragrance brand with origins in the Sultanate. In the Amouage Factory, visitors can get behind the scenes and garner an insight into the creation of some of the world’s most exclusive scents.
An architectural masterpiece
This architectural masterpiece is Oman's pride and joy. Located in Bawshar, the mosque is home to the world’s second largest hand-woven carpet as well as a one of the largest chandeliers in the world which is decorated with hundreds of Swarovski crystals. The mosque is open to the public from Saturday to Thursday between 8am and 11am and a dress code applies.
Quietly imposing from the outside, this glorious piece of modern Islamic architecture was a gift to the nation from Sultan Qaboos to mark his 30th year of reign. The main prayer hall is breathtakingly beautiful. The Persian carpet alone measures 70m by 60m wide, making it the second-largest hand-loomed Iranian carpet in the world; it took 600 women four years to weave. Mwasalat buses stop outside the mosque. The mosque, which can accommodate 20,000 worshippers, including 750 women in a private musalla (prayer hall), is an active place of worship, particularly for Friday prayers. Visitors are required to dress modestly, covering arms and legs and avoiding tight clothing. Women and girls (aged seven and above) must cover their hair. An abaya (full-length dress) and scarf can be hired from the mosque cafe and gift shop for OR2.5; some form of ID is required as a deposit. Tours are available.
Rich in history and heritage
Opened in 2016, the National Museum of Oman is located opposite the Sultan’s Palace in Old Muscat and showcases the Sultanate’s rich history and heritage, from its earliest settlement through to present day.
Highlights of this historic waterfront
Located close to each other along Muttrah’s scenic corniche, Muttrah Souq and Fish Market are the highlights of this historic waterfront. Early each morning, local fishermen sell their fresh catch at the fish market and Muttrah Souq is the perfect place to barter for traditional silver jewellery, Frankincense, fabrics and many more unique souvenirs.
Day 3 – 4
A’Sharqiyah Sands
Setting off from Raz al Jinz, the desert awaits but not before a refreshing swim at one of Oman’s most well-known wadis. Wadi Bani Khalid is one of the most scenic in the Sultanate. Natural pools are hidden in beautiful rock formations and invite a refreshing swim. Locals live nearby, so please dress modestly at all times. There are plenty of activities in the desert to keep the entire family entertained, from camel riding to dune driving, from sandboarding to quad biking. Stargazing at night, around the campfire, is a favourite with all and offered by most desert camps in the region.
At the edge of the Sharqiyah Sands
Located 233km from Muscat, Bidiyah is a collection of villages at the edge of the Sharqiyah Sands. Home to Bedouin people from the desert, it is the perfect place to experience traditional camel or horse races or visit its famous Eid market.
A three- to four-hour drive from Muscat, Bidiyah is in the Sharqiyah Sands, the most popular destination in Oman for dune-bashing, desert-crossings, and camping. No visit to Oman would be complete without seeing these spectacular seas of sand.
Oman’s rich seafaring heritage
Showcasing Oman’s maritime history and traditional boatbuilding craftsmanship, the Sur Maritime Museum bears testament to the trade that marks Oman’s rich seafaring heritage. The famous, original Fatah Al Khair dhow is displayed here.
Sur City is famous for its maritime heritage, which highlights the leading role that Omanis played in maritime navigation across a long period in history. In order to preserve this heritage, and to ensure that the coming generations know of it, the Maritime Museum in the Wilayat of Sur was established to reflect various types of Omani maritime heritage. Efforts have been made by the citizens of the wilayat and researchers in Omani heritage to preserve this slice of history. The Museum was established in 1987 at the Al Orouba Club. Since its inception, it has been serving a scientific cause for the benefit of those interested in the Omani maritime history. The museum includes several sections. The emblem of the wilaya ‘Al Ghanja Ship’ is located at the entrance of the museum. In the middle of the ship section, there are different types of Omani ships. The visitors can see images of famous makers of ships, locally called Al Wistad, in addition to images of a number of sailors and captains of ships locally called “Nokhidha,” as well as photos of ports visited by those ships.
This traditional village is home to an old centre
Complete with aflaj (waterway) system, watch towers and mud brick buildings. The village is surrounded by date palms and its heritage souq has recently been restored.
Al Mudayrib has managed to keep its atmosphere and character. The historical center is surrounded by small hills with watchtowers which are visible from afar. Al Mudayrib is still inhabited as it always was, although here too new buildings are emerging around the old settlement. In the middle of the hollow the houses cluster around the only falaj. The oldest extant buildings in Al Mudayrib are from the 18th century. The comparatively good condition of the walls is thanks to the solid manner of construction – the stones were bound together with a mixture of clay and plaster. The large buildings equipped with defensive towers were used by the various clans as meeting points. In times of war they served as a defensive refuge for individual members of the tribe or for large families.
best explored on foot
Not far from Wadi Shab is Wadi Tiwi, which is lined by small villages and date and banana plantations. Although the wadi can be accessed by car, it is best explored on foot, with a two-day hike possible across the mountains to Wadi Bani Khalid.
A couple of kilometres south of Wadi Shab lies the almost identical Wadi Tiwi, another spectacularly deep and narrow gorge carved out of the mountains, running between towering cliffs right down to the sea. It’s less unspoiled than Wadi Shab surrounded by lush plantations of date and banana, and criss-crossed with a network of gurgling aflaj.Day 5
Jebel Shams
Oman’s highest mountain offers vistas to remember. The hike along the cliff edge, known as the Rim Walk, to the abandoned village of As Sab is a fairly easy hike, but not to be undertaken with smaller children. In such cases, we recommend smaller walks atop the plateau to enjoy the view of the ‘Grand Canyon of Oman’.
Highlights of this historic waterfront
Located close to each other along Muttrah’s scenic corniche, Muttrah Souq and Fish Market are the highlights of this historic waterfront. Early each morning, local fishermen sell their fresh catch at the fish market and Muttrah Souq is the perfect place to barter for traditional silver jewellery, Frankincense, fabrics and many more unique souvenirs.
a natural swimming pool
Located nearly 50km from the Wilayat of Mahdah, fresh water flows most of the year. The rocky mountain scenery leads to a natural swimming pool below where you can swim between the grey stones and into the channel.
Deep in a forest of trees
Nestled in a deep forest of trees, Jarzeez Spring is especially popular during Khareef – monsoon season – when the surrounding Iteen Plain turns into one of the greenest areas of Dhofar.
Dhofar is famous for the presence of springs distributed on the mountain brows and the edges of mountains adjacent to the coastal plain. Most of these springs have water all year round. Seasonal rains, known locally as AL Khareef, are the primary source of the underground reservoirs in the mountain and plain areas. Rain falls regularly on the plains region and the mountains adjacent to it from the end of June to September every year. Jarzeez Spring is one of the most attractive water spring for many tourists because of its proximity to Iteen plateau. From the intersection of Iteen plateau, the distance between Jarzeez Spring and the city of Salalah is about 7 kilometres. What distinguishes this spring is the forest of shady trees that sits at the foot of the surrounding mountains.
famous for its local handicrafts
Surrounded by mountains and accessible by boat, the village of Lima is famous for its local handicrafts - especially the Al Jarz, a small traditional axe. The boat trip itself will take you through stunning marine vistas where you can see unique rock formations.
This is a small village separated from Wilayt Khasab in Musandam Governorate by rugged mountainous peaks. That’s why the best way to reach this village is by boats that will take you through marine vistas that will be engraved in your memory for ever. There visitors will enjoy the fantastic rock formations of the mountain range directly overlooking the sea, and birds hovering over the sapphire waters through the distance that separates Khasab from Lima. The village is known for its local crafts specially the unique AlJarz.Day 6
Al Hoota Cave & Wadi Bani Awf
A visit to Al Hoota Cave is fun for the entire family, followed by crossing the mountain in a 4WD vehicle. An underground lake with blind fish and amazing stalactites and stalagmites formations make Al Hoota Cave a must-see when in the area. Not to mention the magnetic train operating inside the cave that brings visitors to the cave entrance. The mountain crossing to Wadi Bani Awf by 4WD vehicle is not for the faint hearted and should be undertaken by experienced drivers only. Visitors can expect amazing vistas and secluded mountain villages. Alternatively, there is a highway from Nizwa to Muscat.
A must-see attraction
A must-see attraction in the A'Dhahirah region, the Al Ayn and Bat Beehive Tombs are not only recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site, but also boast the title of the most complete collection of necropolises and settlements in the world, dating back to the 3rd Millennium BC.
More than 100 tombs stand defiantly on the hilltops of Northern Oman, all shaped like beehives. Little is known about the tombs, or the culture that constructed them, but they are thought to date from 3000 to 2000 B.C.E. All together they form one of the largest protohistoric necropoleis in the world. It is a bit difficult to spot the tombs at first, since they merge harmoniously with the hills they were built on, but upon closer inspection they are easily spotted. The tombs are arranged in three main clusters, the one in Bat, which is arguably the most famous, as well as the sites of al-Ayn and al-Khutm. The best preserved tombs of the site are the ones of the al-Ayn grouping.
a favourite picnic spot
Darbat Lake at the heart of Wadi Darbat is a favourite picnic spot, with visitors taking short boat rides or barbecuing nears its shores. A 30-metre waterfall feeds the lake during monsoon season (Khareef).
“Wadi Darbat” is located in Dhofar Governorate. The wadi is the most beautiful and spectacular place in Salalah city for the mountain and spring lovers. The place is fully packed with tourists in the autumn season. This wadi carves its way through hills and highlands until it reaches Khawr Ruri. During autumn, the wadi’s water descending from the mountains forms magnificent waterfalls cascading from a height of up to 30 meters (100 feet). “Wadi Darbat” is distinguished by its virgin nature and thick botanical cover, in addition to a natural spring and a number of caves. The wadi’s water is the source of the water filling Teeq Cave’s cells. “Wadi Darbat” is located only a few kilometers behind Taqa, a beach city in Dofar Region. It is located on the left side on the road to Tawi Attir. From Taqa, there are a road sign to “Wadi Darbat”. Follow the tarmac road to the end of the valley, but be warned that you cannot drive freely through the entire valley. The place offers everything that is needed for a memorable family day. You can enjoy with boat riding, Feeding fishes in the lake and you can easily place the BBQ grill, which is no other better place to have barbecue in the region other than “Wadi Darbat”. There are a safety area is exclusively for kids for their safety, and several restaurants and huts that sell food, sweet corns, pop corns and fruits. You can also bring eatable items from any other market on the way.
a great way to experience Musandam’s coastline
Dhow cruises are a great way to experience Musandam’s coastline in the traditional sense. Many marinas and tour operators provide dhow cruises that can include island visits, swimming, barbecues, and more.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Set in Dhofar’s largest nature reserve, the ruins of Samharam are part of the Land of Frankincense UNESCO World Heritage Site. The port played an important part in trade over 2000 years ago. Overlooking Khawr Ruri, the history of the settlement and port is showcased at the on-site museum. The Queen of Sheba is said to have once had a palace at Samharam.
Khor Rorī (Arabic: خور روري) is an ancient south Arabian archaeological site near Salalah. The fortified city was founded as main port for Frankincense trade at the end of the first century BC, initially it was founded primarily with defensive function then developed later into a city in the first century AD. The foundation of the city by the king of Hardamaut is closely associated with rising importance of sea trade at the end of the first century BC between the Mediterranean and India. In this period, the Hadrami kingdom was economically and politically dependent on its ability to control the coastal region. History Inscriptions at Khor Rori report that the town of Sumhuram was founded on royal initiative and settled by Hadhrami emigrants. The Dhofar region was the main source of frankincense in the ancient period, and it seems likely that the foundation of the settlement by the Hadhramaut was in part motivated by wish to control the production of this valuable commodity. Most scholars identify Khor Rori with the frankincense exporting port of Moscha Limen mentioned in this region in the first century CE merchants guide, the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea.Day 7
Muscat
Time to unwind and explore Oman’s capital. Including some time at one of the many city beaches, such as Qurum Beach which is great for beach walks or a swim. The Children’s Museum is a science museum housed in two unique, domed buildings not far from the beach. The Children Public Library is just opposite. What better way to end a family holiday than with a sunset Dhow cruise, offered by several tour operators. You might even spot dolphins!
great for off-roading
Located close to the old village of Al Khoud, Wadi Al Khoud is great for off-roading, with its stony bed and small water pools. It leads to the village of Fanja.
“Wadi Al Khoudh” is located in Wilayat Al Seeb, and is considered one of the largest wadi basins in the Sultanate. Pools are formed in the wadi following heavy rain. It is well worth a visit, to enjoy the green salience, the beautiful rock formations surrounding and its clear water pools and springs of water of the valleyHighlights of this historic waterfront
Located close to each other along Muttrah’s scenic corniche, Muttrah Souq and Fish Market are the highlights of this historic waterfront. Early each morning, local fishermen sell their fresh catch at the fish market and Muttrah Souq is the perfect place to barter for traditional silver jewellery, Frankincense, fabrics and many more unique souvenirs.
a scientific museum
Set in two distinctive domes in the north of Qurum, the Oman Children’s Museum is a scientific museum that delves into biology, interesting optical illusions, and other interactive displays for children.
The Oman Children's Museum is a children's science museum, located near Qurum Nature Park. The museum was established by the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture and opened on November 17, 1990 by Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said on the 20th National Day celebration in Oman. The museum has 45 exhibits and two demonstrations and comprises 10,000 square feet (930 m2). It was the first science museum in Oman. The museum has many hands-on displays. These include experiences of a fake electric shock, trigger a lightning bolt, launching a hot air balloon, photographing your own shadow, and sending message through a whisper dish. There is also a display named "Eye Spy", which is series of perception panels with illusions designed to offer some insight into how your eyes and brain see things differently.
