Why visit Oman

Oman offers mountains, a long coastline, deserts and a culture with deep roots in trade and hospitality, often within a few hours' drive of each other.

Mountains

The Hajar Mountains run through the north of the country. Their canyons, terraced villages and high plateaus are the source of many of the wadis described on this site. Jebel Shams, in the range, is among the highest peaks in Oman.

Coast

Oman has a long coastline on the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. Beaches, fishing towns and sea cliffs sit close to the mountains, which is why some wadis end at the sea.

Desert

The Wahiba Sands (also called Sharqiya Sands) is a large area of dunes, and the Empty Quarter lies across Oman's south-western border region. Desert and mountain landscapes are quite different, and many visitors see both.

Culture and hospitality

Oman has a long seafaring and trading history. Forts, watchtowers and old market towns survive in many places. Visitors often remark on the welcome they receive; offering coffee (kahwa) and dates is a traditional gesture of hospitality.

Climate and seasons

Summers are very hot in most of the country. Cooler months, roughly October to April, are the usual choice for hiking and sightseeing in the north. The Dhofar region around Salalah is different: its summer monsoon, called khareef, brings mist and green hills from about June to September.

Next: learn what a wadi is.