The picturesque nature of the state of Oman, located in the southeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, favorably distinguishes the country from the promoted tourist destinations in the neighborhood. Omanis live in complete harmony with themselves and the world and willingly share their good mood with guests. But active and curious tourists are not content with only sandy beaches and warm sea. The question of what to see in Oman is quite legitimate if you want to spend your vacation rich and varied. For those who write their own travel guide to the world, Oman is ready to offer national parks, ancient forts, beautiful mosques, labyrinths of intricate medieval streets and rich expositions of national museums.
TOP 15 attractions in Oman
Bahla fort
The oldest defensive structure in the country was built in the 13th century as the residence of imams. Unfired brick served as a material for builders, and thanks to its strength, the fortress has survived to this day. Bahla Fort consists of 15 gates, a main palace of 55 rooms and 132 watchtowers of various heights and shapes. All this splendor is surrounded by a reliable stone 12-kilometer wall.
Of particular admiration is the irrigation system, thanks to which the territory inside the fort receives water from an artificial canal.
Fort Jabrin
Skillful woodcarving and ceiling paintings with magnificent floral ornaments are the main decorations of the ancient Jabrin Fort in the city of Bahla in Oman. You can look at a collection of brass crockery, jugs similar to Aladdin's lamps, handmade carpets and ceramic tiles with Arabic script.
The Jabrin fortress was built as the summer residence of the imam in the 17th century. The variety of premises allows one to imagine the life and concerns of the Omanis at that time. Within the walls of the fort are preserved a mosque, living rooms for the imam and his family members, madrasahs and even prisons - women and men. The system of wells and canals made it possible to supply the complex with water.
Sultan Qaboos Mosque
The most famous symbol of the capital of Oman, the Sultan Qaboos Mosque looks like a medieval building. In fact, its construction began in 1992, when the ruler of Oman decided that his state should also have a mosque that could compete with world celebrities. Some facts and figures impress even seasoned tourists:
- For the construction of the prayer hall, it was required to deliver 300 thousand tons of sandstone from India to the country.
- The mosque and the adjacent territory can accommodate 20 thousand worshipers at the same time.
- In the main prayer hall, which measures 74x74 meters, the floor is covered with a magnificent hand-woven carpet. Its weight is 21 tons, and 600 women made 1.7 million knots in 4 years.
- The minarets of the mosque are reproduced on 35 chandeliers illuminating the hall with Swarovski crystals. The largest weight is 8 tons.
The inner side of the dome is covered with gilded mosaics, the outer looks tracery and carved.
Matrah Market
The oldest market in the capital of Oman can be found in the ancient quarter on the waterfront next to the bay. Here you can buy whatever your heart desires: oriental spices, and aromatic coffee, and national clothes, and jewelry, and oils. Slender rows of shops invitingly gleam with the pot-bellied sides of embossed jugs, handmade belts adorn thousands of small mirrors and semi-precious stones, and antique weapons can become the most desirable gift not only for a collector, but also for an ordinary admirer of beautiful things.
Bargaining on the Matrah market is possible and necessary. But this should be done politely and correctly, not forgetting that such ceremonies take a lot of time.
Corniche promenade
The most beautiful street in Muscat, the embankment of the Gulf of Oman runs in the historical center of the city and is very popular with both tourists and locals. On the Corniche, you will find many gazebos with comfortable benches, fountains that bring coolness on a hot day, sculptures that give the city a special oriental flavor, and souvenir shops where folk craftsmen sell their works.
Among the architectural attractions on the embankment of the capital of Oman, the Al-Alam palace and two forts guarding the entrance to the bay stand out. There are a hundred steps leading to the observation deck, but they are worth crossing to admire the views of the city and the ocean.
Twin forts
A new day begins in Muscat with cannon shots in the Jelali and Mirani forts, and in the evenings, volleys of ancient guns proclaim that he has not lived in vain. Twin forts were built by the Portuguese at the entrance to Muscat harbor. This happened in the 16th century and since then, two fortresses have reliably guarded the capital of Oman. Police posts are still located in them.
You can get to Fort Mirani by a modern elevator, but real heroes climb the steep spiral staircase. Above, a magnificent panorama of the Gulf of Oman opens. In the halls of the fortresses, weapons and armor of the former defenders of the fortress are kept.
Fort Nizwa
Nizwa stands out among all the medieval cities of Oman. The former capital of Oman, the desert oasis is now the main tourist center of the country. The reasons are the luxurious shopping opportunities (Nizwa is famous for its jewelry markets) and the old fort.
The fortress was built in the 17th century to protect the city from enemy raids. The citadel was built of stone and baked bricks and has been perfectly preserved to this day. The city is dominated by a fortress tower, the height of which is almost 30 meters, and the diameter of the base is about fifty.
Al Alam Palace
In the architecture of the ceremonial residence of the Sultan of Oman, Arab traditions are clearly traced, but the uniqueness of this structure is that the author of the project also liked Indian motives. The simplicity and elegance of the palace attracts a tourist's eye, but the royal guard guarding the residence allows you to admire it only from the outside. But you can walk along the alleys of the picturesque park, laid out on the site in front of Al Alam and leading to the ocean.
Burial Bath
The oldest archaeological site in the northwest of Oman in the province of Al-Dahir, the burial of Bat dates back to 4000-5000 BC.
The burial ground was discovered in 1972. It is a round tower with small triangular gates. The buildings made of stone look good for their age and are of great interest to those who are interested in the history of the Middle East and Western Asia.
The archaeological site of Bath is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The necropolis, according to scientists, is a classic burial of the Early Bronze Age.
How to get there: From Ibri town 17 km along the N9 highway to Manjurin town, then turn right.
Wahiba Sand Desert
When you are in Oman for tourist purposes, do not forget to see what a real desert is. Go to the sands of Wahiba Sand and you will be happy with all that it implies - endless expanses, hot dunes, Martian landscapes and Bedouin villages that welcome overseas travelers.
Despite the fact that Wahiba Sand is a classic desert, its fauna and flora are quite diverse and life in the dunes is in full swing. You will see many species of lizards, insects, rodents and birds of prey. Another amazing property of Wahiba Sand is the ability of its 100-meter-high dunes to change the color of the sand from bright orange to almost white. The dunes look especially beautiful at sunset.
Find: 190 km south of Muscat. It is best to buy a guided tour from local agencies.
Al Tawra Hot Springs
In an oasis near the city of Nahal in the heart of the Omani desert, you will find hot springs, which, according to locals, are heated by gins. The mythical creatures living underground maintain a constant temperature of about 40 ° C and it is nice to relax in the natural baths after an excursion or jeep safari.
Wadi Al Nahur
Dry riverbeds in Arab countries are called wadis. The river gorges are filled with stormy streams during the short rainy season, while the rest of the time they are deep, scenic canyons used as roads.
Al Nahur gorge is surrounded on both sides by sheer inaccessible rocks. Its width in the narrowest places barely reaches three meters, and the road ends in a village located in an oasis with a date grove.
Find: North of Nizwa City.
Wadi Darbat
When you enter Wadi Darbat Nature Reserve, you forget that you are on the hot Arabian Peninsula. Waterfalls and lakes, caves and picturesque palm forests are not the only amazing surprises awaiting guests of the reserve. Tourists can look at the typical representatives of the local fauna - white storks and camels, and it is especially pleasant to relax after walking in the shade of the acacias park.
Rustak fortress
Translated from Arabic, the name of the fortress means "big village". One of the highest defensive structures in the country was erected in the 6th century and has been rebuilt and additionally strengthened more than once during its existence.
A striking example of Islamic architecture, the Rustak fortress is located in the city of Sohar. The fort is visible from almost anywhere in the city due to its strategic location. Rustak rises on a hill, and the Burj-al-Jinn tower on the territory of the fort, according to legend, was built by djinn.
Royal Opera
Keeping ancient traditions, Oman is trying to keep up with the times, and its builders are erecting new structures that are invariably the subject of admiration for foreign guests. A striking example of this is the Royal Opera House, half of which is occupied by magnificent gardens, and the remaining 40 thousand square meters. m. there is a concert hall, easily modernized for theatrical performances of any kind.
Features of the exterior decoration of the complex are the use of the unique mineral "desert rose" and the majestic colonnade.
