Some of the Popular Destination in Oman include-
Bahla in Oman
Recognized as a World Heritage Site, Bahla in Oman receives a regular stream of visitors every day. A third BCE town, Bahla boasts of seven miles of fortified walls which is a grand testimony to the town antiquity. Babla is known throughout the ancient kingdoms for its pottery. Also located near Babla is the scenic Al Hamra village.
Jebel Akhdar
Standing 3000 meters above sea level, Jabel Akhdar's beauty comes as a collage of tall date palm groves, verdant valleys and picturesque villages such as Bani Habib and Sharijah. Meaning 'the Green Mountain' in Arabic, Jebel Akhdar also has a fortress of Al Hazm which was built in 1708. Visitors can also find the burial places of some of the early rulers of Oman in the town known as Rostaq. Jebel Akhdar is one of the most Popular Destinations in Oman and must on the itinerary list of every traveler to Oman.
Muscat
The capital as well as the largest city in Oman, Muscat is an ancient port which still retains some of its ancient walls. Apart from some fascinating sights which come in splendid shapes such as the Portuguese forts, exquisitely carved gates and many others, Muscat is also known for being a wonderful shopping place, which offers the best of traditional handicrafts of Oman.
Nizwa in Oman
Nizwa had served as Oman's capital during the sixth and seventh centuries. Here the tourists can see the Oman's oldest as well as the largest fort. Nizwa is known particularly for its gold and silver works. It is owing to its sheer grandeur that Nizwa is counted upon as one of the Popular Destinations in Oman.
Salalah
The fertile land of Salalah boasts of lush vegetation which includes numerous coconut groves and banana plantations. The city is also skirted by scenic beaches. Salalah is known for the Al-Balid ruins, which was once the prosperous city of Zafar.
Sohar
Of all the Popular Destinations in Oman, Sohar remains a unique one. One of Sohar's claims to fame is that it is the birthplace of the famous Sinbad the Sailor. Sohar is an interesting town whose history of sailing goes back a long way. There is a nice little museum for the visitors to see.
Sur
A town whose history is rife with tales of shipping adventures, Sur is an ideal place to go to if one is interested in the traditional art of shipbuilding. Sur seafaring days go back to sixth century CE, when a trade relation with Africa was forged.
Oman Overview
The country of Oman is officially known as the Sultanate of Oman. The country is located in the southeast coast of Arabian Peninsula. The capital of the country is Muscat. The Oman Overview gives information about the various important aspects of the country.
The History of Oman can be divided into different phases like the advent of Islam, the country's attainment of independence and the formation of the Omani Empire. It also includes the rise of the empire and the different rulers under whom Oman flourished.
Oman Geography is very diverse as the country has mountains,valleys,deserts and coastal plains.
Oman climate is very hot in the months of summer and mild and pleasant in winters. Winters are the perfect time to visit the country.
Oman Overview also gives an idea about the population,economy and politics of the Sultanate of Oman.
Oman Population is mostly Arab but there are also some non-nationals who come to Oman for livelihood. The total population of the sultanate of Oman is about 2,622,198 as on July 2001. The most populous city of Oman are Muscat and Matra . The Population density of Oman is 7.5 per square kilometers. Nearly 91 percent of Oman population stay in the rural areas .
Oman Economy and Politics are very much inter related . With the change in politics of the country the economy of the Sultanate of Oman started booming. The economy of Oman is mainly dependent on crude oil. Also the traditional sector which is based on agriculture contributes about 3% of the GDP. Tourism of Oman is developing and also contributing to the economy.
Oman Overview also shares about the language, currency and communications of the country.
Oman Language is Arabic although Urdu and English are also spoken in some parts of the country.
Oman Currency is Rial. Tourists coming to Oman will not have any problem with the Oman currency as it is well accepted by most of the international banks.
Oman Communications are mainly through the media of telephone, radio service and the Internet.
Tourists can get to know the various attractions of this wonderful country in an Overview of Oman.
The Sultanate of Oman has many tourists attractions. The present ruler of Oman has introduced many progressive changes in the country which has helped in growing Oman Tourism. The Sultanate of Oman has tourists from many parts of the world. The diverseness of the country of Oman and the recent changes in the government policies has made Oman tourism grow in leaps and bounds.
Oman tourists attractions: Tourists in Oman can enjoy the various natural locations of the country like the deserts, mountains, plains and beaches. Oman tourist attractions include activities that suit the tastes of each and every tourist. The tallest mountain in Oman is the Jebel Shams. This place is a popular camping destination among the tourists. The major cities of Oman are Muscat, Salalah, Sohar, Nizwa and Sur. These cities have museums, parks, palaces and forts besides natural attractions.
Oman Overview is very convenient guide for tourists who want to know every little detail about Oman.
Culture of Oman
Oman is deeply rooted in the religion of Islam. The Culture of Oman is very strongly depicted by the Religion in Oman which has made up its own kind of Islam after its founder Abdullah ibn Ibadh, known as Ibadhism. Both the Sunni and Shia Muslims are found in Oman. Occasions like Ramadan,the Islamic month of fasting and other Islamic festivities are very important features of Omani culture. The people of Oman are not only tolerant towards the belief of different Muslim divisions but they are tolerant towards other religion as well where the followers of different religion are allowed to go to the temples and churches.
The history of Oman dates back to thousands of years and the Omanis are rightly very proud of their history and heritage. In Oman there are different national dresses for men and women which varies slightly in different areas. The women wear very colorful outfits which mainly comprises of a dress worn over trousers called sirwal and a headdress called the lihaf. The dresses of the women vary from region to region but all of them are mostly very colorful and well decorated. The jeweleries worn by the ladies are mainly made of gold though the traditional metal is silver. The traditional footwear of the women are wooden platform shoes called qurhaf. Now instead of that most of the people wear western type of footwear or sandals. The national dress of the men are very simple, consisting of a collarless gown with long sleeves which goes till the ankle and is called the dishdasha. The dress is worn with certain accessories that includes a khanjar, a cane or stick called assa and a turban called the muzzar. The dresses of the people which depict the Culture of Oman , are so colorful that pictures of people wearing these traditional costumes are used in the stamps of Oman.
The Culture in Oman has various other features as well. Oman has been a seafaring nation almost for eternity. A permanent symbol of the Culture of Oman is the traditional Dhow. The ships which are over hundred years old, are now used for fishing, tourism and exporting. One of the largest vessel of its time is Shabab Oman which is still very much active and seaworthy. Being an important ambassador of Oman, she visits many countries and also participates in various international events and celebrations. The ship serves as a reminder of ancient maritime history of Oman and is an important feature of the Culture at Oman.
The other important features of the Culture of Oman include the traditional folk dances which come under the Music and Dance in Oman. Not only this the traditional Art and Crafts in Oman also forms an important part of the Omani culture along with the various fortified buildings, mosques and houses which is included under the Architecture of Oman.
Sightseeing in Oman
Oman, or the Sultanate of Oman is a nation of Southwest Asia. Oman is situated on the southeaster coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. There are many tourist attractions and places of interest in Oman. Sightseeing in Oman is always a unique experience. There are many Popular Destinations in Oman. No wonder that sightseeing in Oman
attracts tourists in large numbers from different parts of the world. There are numerous Oman Museums, Oman Parks and Gardens, Oman Festivals and Events that make your tour to Oman a memory to cherish forever.
Some of the well known attractions of sightseeing in Oman are sites like Al Jalali and Al Mirani Forts in Muscat, Al Alam Royal Palace in Muscat, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat, Watchtower in Muscat, Dolphin Boat Trips in Muscat and Qurum Beach in Oman.
One of the most famous tourist destinations in Oman is Muscat. These twin forts lie by the side of the Sultan's Al Alam Palace. These marvelous edifices used to serve as fortress in order to protect the old city and Muscat harbor from intruders.
Guests can go for a visit of the Al Alam Royal Palace in Muscat. This edifice was built in the year 1972. The construction boasts of blue pillars that are wrapped in wrought iron and the edges are green. The frontal view gives a golden tinge to the onlookers. Though tourists are not allowed to enter the site, the edifice is highly impressive from the outside.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat is another significant part of sightseeing of Oman. The mosque is apread over a sprawling area of 416,000 square meters. The entire structure has been built from approximately 300,000 ton of Indian sandstone. One of the unique characteristics of the interior is that the floor of the prayer hall is covered with prayer carpet.
Apart from these places, tourists also enjoy visiting the beautiful parks, gardens and museums of Oman. The festivals and occasions add more color to the experience of sightseeing in Oman.Oman Festivals & Events
Sporting a peaceful political climate, attractive locales and much more; the Sultanate of Oman is frequented by tourists all round the globe. The country with its capital at Muscat was previously known as Muscat and Oman. The name changed during the reign of the 14th heir to the throne, Sultan Sayyed Qaboos. Apart from sightseeing destinations, Oman Festivals and Events in Oman see hoards of tourists from all over the Arabic world and rest of the world as well. Oman Festivals and Events of Oman opens a window to the tourists who want to know this country better.
A highly anticipated cultural event, Muscat Festival in Oman is held every year in January. Continuing for a month, this festival showcases traditional arts, culture and heritage of Oman and is one of the most visited of the Oman Festivals and Events in Oman. The festival is categorized into 5 different sections like Cultural Events, Desert Panorama, Family Village Events, Skill Shows and Events for Women. Rated very high among Oman Festivals and Events in Oman, Muscat Festival attracts orators, poets and theatre personalities not just from Oman but from the other Arab countries as well. Held in several important cultural venues, the festival offers a glimpse into the cultural vibrancy of Oman.
Celebrated every year on 18th of November, the National Day and Birthday of Sultan Qaboos in Oman is the time when every nook and corner of this country gets a complete makeover. Brightly lit lights garland every building and the city streets too sport a shiny look. This important part of Oman Festivals and Events in Oman sees firecrackers bursting all through the night. Huge cutouts of the reigning Sultan, Sayyed Qaboos bin Sa'id Al 'Bu Sa'id adorn all the government buildings. This is the occasion when the National Flag of Oman flies high. If you are planning to visit Oman, try to schedule your travel itinerary in conjunction with Oman Festivals and Events at Oman.How to Get in
Oman is situated in southwest Asia on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Bordered by United Arab Emirates in the northwest, Saudi Arabia in the west and Yemen in the southwest there are various ways to get to Oman.
By air:
Getting to Oman by Flight is easy as there are a number of Airlines that fly in from most of the important cities in the world. The main international airport of Oman is located in Muscat named Seeb International Airport.
Getting to Oman by road is easy as there are border crossings from United Arab Emirates. But while entering you need to pay for your visa. If you are entering Oman by car, then you need to produce evidence at the border that the car is insured in Oman
Hotels in Oman
