5 best places to visit in Oman

Last updated: 08.08.23

Oman is a country that has blown me away with its beauty and I’m sure it will impress you too.

In this post you will find 5 must visit places you have to add to your itinerary when you visit Oman. The places are mix of beautiful architecture and breathtaking nature.  The best 5 places to visit in Oman are Bimmah Sinkhole, Nizwa Fort, Daymaniat Islands, Jabreen Castle and Wadi Shab.

Plan your trip before these hidden gems get too touristy!

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5 best places to visit in Oman

I’m so happy to share one of my new favorite countries with all of you and its unique attractions. It’s such an underrated country. I don’t know anyone of my friends or family who have visited this country, which is a shame! This is such a hidden gem and it got my highest recommendations! If it isn’t already on your bucket list, now is the time to add it.
I really love that the country isn’t too crowded.
All the spots is easy to visit by car.

The top things to do in Oman you can’t skip:

Bimmah Sinkhole

A natural pool in a sinkhole with turquoise water. When you visit Oman you can’t skip a swim in this natural pool in a sinkhole! It’s such a cool and unique place.

How to get there: It’s a 1,5 hour drive from Muscat and easy to find if you rent a car.

Price: It’s free to visit.

Opening hours: Everyday: 8.00 am to 8.00 pm.
When we arrived it looked closed but it was open. There were just not many people and you have to open the gate to the park area yourself.

Can you swim there: Yes you can swim there.

Other: There are small fish living in the Bimmah Sinkhole who tickles you – it’s like a “free fish spa”.
Dress respectfully – You are visiting a Muslim country.

Is it worth a visit: YES!! This place is so incredible and the turquoise color of the water is so beautiful! We were lucky and had almost the entire place to ourselves (we visited during Ramadan – I don’t know if the amount of people is different when it isn’t Ramadan).

Nizwa Fort and Castle

A popular well-preserved Fort and Castle in Nizwa with impressive architecture looking like a movie set. This is the most visited monument in Oman.

Location: It’s located in the heart of the city Nizwa – around 1,5 hour drive from Muscat.

Price: Adult: $13,0, children (6-12 years): $7,8 and children below 6 years: free. If you’re local you pay a bit less.

Opening hours: Everyday: 8.00 am to 8.00 pm. Friday it’s closed between 11.30 am and 1.30 pm.

Is it worth a visit: 100 % it is! When you are in Oman you can’t miss this impressive architecture and historical place. Add this place to your Oman itinerary.

Daymaniat Islands

Nine small islands surrounded by crystal clear water. A postcard worthy place with amazing snorkeling spots. Here you can swim with colored fish and sea turtles.

You can find more information about it in this article – Daymaniyat Islands snorkeling trip.

What is it: It’s nine small islands surrounded by crystal clear water and a snorkeling hotspot.

How to get there: You get there by boat. We did it as a tour, which I highly recommend.

How a tour looks like: First you sail to a snorkeling hotspot. You can swim in clear blue water with colored fish, corals and sea turtles.
After that you can get off on one of the beaches. Where you can explore one of the islands (this is season dependent).

Price of tour: The price is around $100 per person.

Highlights: Swimming in the clear water with turtles and exploring the beaches on an island.

Other: Be aware there can be some kind of jellyfish at the spot you snorkel.
It wasn’t crowded as you would expect such a postcard worthy place to be!

Is it worth it: YES!! This place is a hidden paradise. I would love to visit again especially when it’s whale shark season.

Jabreen Castle

Another impressive castle with beautiful architecture and a fairytale vibe. It’s one of Oman’s most magnificent forts.

Location: It’s located in a small palm oasis. A 1 hour and 45 minutes drive from Muscat and it’s easy to find if you arrive by car.

Price: We paid $8,2 per person.

Opening hours: Everyday: 7.30 am to 9.00 pm.

Is it worth a visit? YES it definitely is!

I loved strolling around and exploring all the corners of Jabreen Castle. It felt like a movie set! We only saw a few other tourists there, so most of the time we had it all to ourselves.

Wadi Shab

A breathtaking gorge with emerald colored water. This is one of my favorite places in Oman.

What is it: Wadi Shab is a breathtaking gorge with beautiful emerald colored water. It’s the perfect place for a swim or to enjoy the beauty of nature.

Where is it located: It’s located in Tiwi and it’s a 1,5-2 hour drive away from Muscat.

How do you get there: From the parking lot you have to take a very short boat ride to cross the river and start the hike to the pools. The hike to get there is under 1 hour (one way).

What is the price: Wadi Shab is technically free. BUT to cross the river to get to the starting point of the hike you pay 1 OMR (~$2,6). The boat trip back is included.

Is the water deep: It varies! Some places it wasn’t that deep and other places I couldn’t touch the bottom. To get to the cave you have to be a confident swimmer.

Anything else: Remember Oman gets pretty hot, especially midday (try to avoid the worst heat). Hiking in the sun always use sunscreen when hiking in the sun. Bring water and maybe a hat.

Another note is we visited the place without a guide – it’s easy to find.

Is it worth it: YES!! This place has my highest recommendation. I would love to visit again, it’s such a beautiful place and still it wasn’t crowded.

Prices of experiences in Oman

Place	Price
Nizwa Fort	$13,0
Daymaniat Islands	$100
Bimmah Sinkhole	$0
Jabreen Castle	$8,2
Wadi Shab	$2,6

As mentioned we visited in April 2023 during the Ramadan – this may had an impact on the low number of tourists.

I hope I have convinced you to add these beautiful places in Oman to your bucket list.

If I go back I would love to visit the desert and one of their beautiful mosques. So consider adding these experiences to your itinerary too.