Interesting places to visit around Muscat for a tourist during a tour of Oman

Muscat is the Sultanate’s sprawling modern capital. A large part of the city consists of a largely featureless suburban sprawl. Most visitors start their journey from the capital city. The city proudly boasts of an alluring medley of exclusive hotels which includes some of the Middle East’s most lavish Arabian style structures – with splendid decor, beautiful beaches, and a collection of Sultanate’s finest restaurant and bars.

The regional capital of Nizwa is Oman’s most historic and personable town. The town provides a convenient base from which one can discover the uncountable attractions of the surrounding mountains, including the mighty Jebel Shams which is the highest peak in the Sultanate of Oman, the spectacular traditional villages of the Saiq plateau and an exciting off road drive down Wadi Bani Awf.

One can also witness lovely traditional Mud-Brick town of Al Hamra and the picture perfect village of Misfat al Abryeen. A little ahead one can observe country’s two absorbing forts: monumental Bahla and Jabrin. Monumental Bahla is the largest fort in Oman whereas Jabrin is the more intimate one, whose perfectly preserved interiors offer a captivating insight into traditional Omani lifestyle.

Northern Muscat lies in the coastal region of Al Batinah in the shadow of Western Hajar. The coast is sprinkled with low-key towns such as lively Seeb, sleepier Barka and sprawling Sohar which is one of the country’s oldest cities. The reminiscence of its long and illustrious culture still survives. A day long drive around Rustaq loop which winds the inland in the shadow of the mountains via the majestic forts of Nakhal, Rustaq and Al Hazm is one of the main attractions. The drive also provides access to Oman’s beautiful wadis such as Wadi Bani, Wadi Abyad etc.

Extreme northern end of the Sultanate is inhabited by Musandam peninsula. Here, one can find some of the Sultanate’s most vivid landscapes. Most of the visitors stay in the regional capital of Khasab as it provides a good base for expeditions up into the beautiful interior, pivoted on the rugged heights of the Jebel Harim.

The southern Muscat lies in Shargiya region which is a microcosm of Oman containing ancient forts, majestic mountain canyons, progressing dunes and beautiful beaches.

The coastline is the major attraction in the southern region. All credit goes to its generous patterns of splendid sand, the ancient town of Sur and the turtle-watching beach at Ras al Jinz. Shargiya is located on the craggy Hajar Mountains. On the far side of the mountains, most visitors go to the magnificent dunes of the Wahiba Sands, while it’s also worth visiting the old-fashioned towns of Ibra and Jalan Bani Bu Ali nearby, home to some of the country’s premium traditional Arabic architecture.

Dhofar, which lies in the south-western corner of the country, is separated from the rest of Oman by almost a thousand kilometres of stony desert.

The subtropical city of Salalah is located at the centre of region. The city is famous for its annual inundation by the monsoon rains of the Khareef. The surrounding hills turn into lush foliage, improvising the water into rivers, rock pools, and impromptu waterfalls. This city makes a convenient base for expediting into the Dhofar Mountains and the everlasting sands of the Rub al Khali, which is Oman’s final frontier, extending across northern region of Dhofar and advancing into Saudi Arabia

Oman is one of the best places to visit if you love adventure, architecture, and food. There are several restaurants, hotels and luxury villas in Oman which offer delicious food and world class accommodation.

Nestled in an oasis of thirty acres of gardens, enclosed by sprawling greens and clusters of mango trees, Al Nahda Resort & Spa provides the ultimate in tranquility and relaxation.

The resort’s 109 rooms are designed in apartment, free-standing villa and bungalow styles and boast some of the largest rooms in Oman.

The Eram Spa is one of the most unique spa concepts in the Middle East with 25 treatments offering wellness and healing therapies, as well as signature treatments and a host of other relaxing, medical and rejuvenating experiences.