Updated December 2018
のどかな住人、豊かな伝統、魅力的な自然。オマーンは、ドバイやアブダビなど近隣の中東諸国の都市ほど華美ではないかもしれませんが、エキゾティックな魅力と未知の穴場がいたるところに潜む美しい土地です。
Whether you’re exploring wind-blown deserts or soaking up the atmosphere of an ancient souk, you’ll be struck by the ease and willingness with which Omanis welcome you into their country.
The sparkling emerald waters of the Bimmah sinkhole in Hawiyat Najm Park provide welcome relief on a hot day
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Tip top
Tipping is very uncommon in Oman and not part of the culture. Restaurants and taxi drivers will often find it strange if you tip, but will appreciate a heartfelt thank you.
Discover Oman -
Bargain hunt
Souks and markets stalls are part of Muscat life. If you order coffee from a local café, don’t be surprised if it comes with a side of sweet date palms, it’s tradition.
Muscat deals -
But Oman is known for its low-key, laid-back charm. Even its new buildings are whitewashed like their predecessors and can’t be more than seven stories high. The result is a city that blends seamlessly into its volcanic and limestone surroundings, as well as its centuries-old history. No wonder that it was recently voted the number one ‘big, soul-satisfying place to visit’ by travel website Skift.
Hop-on Hop-off Muscat sightseeing
Do as the locals do and take life at a leisurely pace. Who needs retail therapy in shopping malls when you’ve got the beautiful Mutrah Corniche road to stroll along? (Bicycles are available to borrow for free.) Or you can while away the hours wandering the frankincense-scented alleyways of the Mutrah Souk – just remember to look up at the traditional roof of woven palm leaves and wood.
If you crave wide-open spaces, rent a four-wheel drive to explore Wahiba Sands, a 7,767-mile expanse in Oman’s interior, home to sand dunes, salt flats and Bedouin desert dwellers, who greet you warmly along the way. Or explore one of the largest canyons in the world, Wadi Ghul, known locally as the ‘Grand Canyon of Arabia’.
With the mercury rising to 27°C from December to February, the sparkling emerald waters of the Bimmah sinkhole – in Hawiyat Najm Park, between Muscat and Sur – provide welcome relief on a hot day. So too do the beaches along the country’s pristine 1,000-mile coastline. Snorkel in clear-blue waters, in the Arabian Sea and look out for turtles, porpoises and dolphins in their natural habitat – magical Oman at its best.
