Oriental architecture, bustling markets and absolute dream hotels on the turquoise sea are just your thing? Then come with us to Oman!
Finally it was time! After the suitcases were packed, the trip to the airport could begin. The suitcases were checked in on time, so we could wait comfortably for boarding with a drink. Thanks to the professional service and the great entertainment in the plane, the time passes like in a flash! Upon arrival we euphorically get into a cab and drive to our first accommodation:
Hotel tip:<link hotel intercontinental-muscat-oman-hid-7314>Intercontinental Muscat
Here we spend the first four days of our trip. A nice hotel (more for business people), but if you want to discover the city and enjoy an excellent breakfast and service, you are in good hands here!
Sightseeing in Muscat
On the first day we also go to the famous district of Mutrah, now the international seaport of the capital. Besides the harbor and the restaurants Mutrah is also known for its souk! Here we enter a world like from 1001 nights. The old town is decorated with numerous stalls offering various handicrafts. Actually, you don’t know where to look first.
The next day we drive to one of the largest mosques in the world, the Sultan Qaboos Mosque. Especially the huge chandelier with thousands of Swarovski crystals makes us speechless.
But at the entrance we first have to take our heads& Covering shoulders, at least for the women. Men, however, should not necessarily show up there in shorts either. If you don’t have the right clothes, you can borrow them at the entrance.
The closer you look at the individual buildings, the more details and different architectural styles become visible. The small information boards explain which style from which environment and epoch was used.
If you are already in Muscat, you should also see the city of Nizwa. After about 2 hours drive you reach the former capital of Oman. Nizwa is still a very traditional city, where there is a lot to discover, for example.B. Fort Nizwa and of course the Souk of Nizwa.
It’s best to visit the city on Fridays, because that’s the weekly market day. Then one can experience not only the lively market hustle and bustle, but also practice one’s trading skills. You are taken back to a time which you don’t even know nowadays.
Hotel tip:<link hotel the-chedi-muscat-oman-hid-7312>The Chedi Muscat
After so many experiences and events now the deserved rest in one of the most luxurious hotels in Muscat, The Chedi. It is an architectural masterpiece! The hotel is located directly on the beach. The reception is friendly, the service in the restaurant is professional and the pool staff is very courteous. If you want to be pampered and relax, this is the place to be! Here every wish is fulfilled. I could tell you a lot more about this hotel, but I think pictures say more than 1000 words:
We have enjoyed Oman with its diversity very much and will definitely come again.
In this sense SHUKRAN
In the cities lively bazaars, historical fortresses and museums fascinate especially culture enthusiasts. Here the inhabitants have preserved their oriental identity.
Experience the Orient and Nature in Oman
The UNESCO-protected Hisn Tamah fortress in the oasis town of Bahla, with its 15 gates and 132 defense towers, is the most imposing structure in the Sultanate. It was developed in the 17. Century built from straw and mud bricks. Oman’s largest tower, 36 meters in diameter, is located in the nearby city of Nizwa at the foot of the Hajar Mountains. It overlooks the vast palm groves of the oasis as well as the traditional souk, where seductively fragrant oriental spices and handmade household goods are offered. The mountainous region of the Omani inland invites with its green oases and with its mountains crossed by wadis and gorges to hikes. Especially idyllic is the Wadi Sham, which is crossed by a river.
On the foothills of the Hajar Mountains, the capital city of Muscat is located on the coast. The Sultan Qabus Mosque in the city center and the Ruwi Clock Tower in the bustling suburb of the same name are popular attractions. A number of museums are dedicated mainly to the cultural heritage of Oman. The Bait Al Zubair Museum displays traditional Omani living quarters, as well as numerous artifacts such as jewelry and everyday objects of the country. The Muscat Gate Museum and the National Museum, which also presents exhibits from the Sultan’s Palace, provide information about its history. The coastal town of Suhar, further north, is known for its important seaport.
Camel or jeep safaris are ideal for exploring the vast desert areas. Hotels and camps in Al Wasil offer visitors comfortable accommodations amid sandy seclusion. Snorkelers and divers discover unique natural beauty on the almost untouched reefs of the Omani coastline. Numerous nature reserves are home to stingrays, whale sharks and dolphins. The small chain of Daymaniyat Islands is a maritime wonderland with its steep cliffs and colorful reefs. Water sports enthusiasts can marvel at coral species unique in the world here. The Arabian Oryx Sanctuary has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Arabian oryx turtle, which was thought to be extinct, lays its eggs here.
Discover the exclave of Musandam
The exclave of Musandam is located about 100 km from the border of Oman on the Strait of Hormuz. Its offshore islands and numerous fjords gave it the nickname "Norway of Arabia". Here, luxurious resorts near the cities of Dibba and Khasab invite visitors to vacation on an almost untouched coastline. White sandy beaches lined with palm trees make for paradisiacal relaxation. One of Portuguese in the 17. Tower built in the nineteenth century and the Cacapo fortress are Musandam’s most important sights.