The Sultanate of Oman on the Arabian Peninsula… Not exactly the most obvious holiday destination, but definitely a top recommendation! Moreover, traveling here is very easy and perfectly doable on your own. Rent a 4×4 with a rooftop tent, and you’re free to go wherever you want. We mapped out a 10-day itinerary for an adventurous road trip through Oman, hoping to inspire more adventurers!
Highlights of Oman
How many days do you need for a road trip through Oman?
For a road trip through Oman with your own 4×4 and rooftop tent, 10 days is ideal. This gives you enough time to discover the country’s highlights, such as the Hajar Mountains, the Wahiba Sands desert, and the lush wadis. You can travel at a relaxed pace, enjoy the stunning landscapes, and camp at unique locations along the way. Only have a week? In 7 days, you can still discover all the major highlights of Oman. The trip will be a bit more intense, but you will still get an amazing impression of everything the country has to offer!
How to get to Oman?
The easiest way to get to Oman is by flying to Muscat International Airport, the capital of Oman. From Brussels or Amsterdam, it’s about 9 to 11 hours of flying, usually with a layover in Germany or Turkey. If you book a few months in advance, you can get a round-trip ticket starting from €500. Tips for finding the cheapest flights can be found in this article.
Our itinerary for Oman
In the fall of 2021, we took a 10-day round trip through Oman in a rented 4×4 with rooftop tent. Get inspired by our itinerary and plan your own road trip!
Day 1: Flight to Oman
On the first day of your holiday to Oman, you fly to the capital, Muscat. We flew with Turkish Airlines and arrived after 11 hours of flying.
Oman is either 2 or 3 hours ahead of Belgium and the Netherlands, depending on daylight saving time. The local currency is the Omani rial (OMR 1.00 ≈ €2.33). The official language is Arabic.
Getting from the airport to the city
You will probably arrive in Muscat late in the evening or even after midnight. Therefore, it is a good idea to stay in a hotel near the airport. Most hotels offer airport shuttle services, but these can cost around OMR 10 per person. Taking a taxi is less expensive, with an average fare of around OMR 7 per trip.
Accommodation near the airport
There is no shortage of modern hotels in Muscat. We stayed at Swiss Belinn Muscat, a short 10-minute drive from the airport, and slept like roses.
Day 2: Muscat ➔ Fins Beach
Today, you begin your road trip through Oman! Wild camping is allowed throughout the country, so a 4×4 with a tent or rooftop tent is the perfect way to explore Oman in an adventurous way. You can rent a car from places like iDrive4x4 or Nomad Tours. They provide you with a tent or rooftop tent and all the camping gear you need, such as cooking equipment, sleeping bags, and chairs.
Driving in Oman is considered safe due to strict enforcement. You’ll often come across speed cameras on the highways, and it’s important to watch out for the large (and sometimes hard to see) speed bumps on the inner roads. The traffic rules are similar to those in Europe.
Wadi Al Arbeieen Location
After picking up your rental car in Muscat, head straight onto the road towards Wadi Al Arbeieen. Here you can enjoy an adventurous hike through the riverbed. You’ll climb and scramble over rocks and occasionally wade through the water. Allow about five hours for this trip, including swimming. Wadi Al Arbeieen is not well known, so you’ll probably have the gorge all to yourself.
Read all about our hike in Wadi Al Arbeieen.
Bimmah Sinkhole Location
If you have some time to spare, be sure to visit the Bimmah Sinkhole, a large sinkhole with crystal clear turquoise water where you can take a refreshing dip. The sinkhole is located in Hawiyat Najm Park and is open daily until 8 pm. Parking is free and restrooms are provided.
Fins Beach Location
You will spend the night on Fins beach. Here you will find the so-called “blow holes”, where water is forced into the air. If you’re lucky, you might even see a herd of goats passing by in the morning!
Day 3: Fins Beach ➔ Wahabi Sands
Wadi Shab Location
Another day, another wadi, but this one is of a different level. Wadi Shab is more touristy, but for a good reason: it is absolutely breathtaking. After crossing the river in a small boat, you will walk for about forty minutes until you reach the first pool. From there, you’ll swim through several pools until you reach a narrow passage that leads to a cave with a waterfall. It’s an extraordinary experience!
Watershoes come in handy here. The shallow paths are filled with small stones and the rocks can sometimes be slippery. It’s also important to have a dry bag to keep your belongings safe and dry while swimming and exploring. That way, you don’t have to leave your valuables (car keys, passport, smartphone, etc.) unattended.
Wahabi Sands Location
Feeling refreshed, you get behind the wheel for a trip to the desert: Wahiba Sands. Make sure you arrive in time to choose a beautiful spot and watch the sunset. Afterwards, there’s nothing left to do but fall asleep peacefully under a magnificent starry sky.
Day 4: Wahabi Sands ➔ Hadjar mountains
Set your alarm and enjoy a stunning sunrise in the heart of the desert! Pick a high dune, climb it and marvel at the spectacular view. You’ll feel like you’re in a story out of the Arabian Nights. Afterwards, you can wash off the sand at the next stop on your roadtrip.
Wadi Bani Khalid Location
This paradise-like wadi is perfect for swimming and a great place for lunch. The first and largest pool is easily accessible. You’ll find plenty of places to swim, sunbathe or picnic. Then put on your hiking boots and make the short climb to Muqal Cave. The cave itself may not be too impressive, but you’ll find crystal clear pools and small waterfalls along the way that are well worth exploring!
Hajar Mountains Location
After visiting Wadi Bani Kahlid, head to the Hajar Mountains in the northwest of Oman. Park your car somewhere on a mountain slope and prepare for the significantly lower temperatures compared to the rest of the country. We found a spacious campsite with an incredible view of the canyon.
Day 5: Hadjar mountains ➔ Jebel Shams
Get ready for a day of hiking! The trail starts right from your campsite and is about 13 kilometers long. The trail is well marked, but there are a few turns to watch out for. You’ll start by following the W10h trail, then take a short section of the W8 trail to the right before turning left after one kilometer to a viewpoint. You’ll then return the same way.
Jebel Shams Location
After the hike you will drive to the Jebel Shams Resort where you can use the sanitary facilities for a fee. You can also opt for the buffet dinner for OMR 7 per person and enjoy a good breakfast for OMR 3. Across the road you can venture off the beaten track to find a campsite on the edge of the Al Nakhur Canyon. It’s called the Arabian Grand Canyon for a reason, and it’s a stunning place to spend the night.
Day 6: Jebel Shams ➔ Nizwa
Enjoy the sunrise from your rooftop tent over Jebel Shams, which at 3,009 meters is the highest mountain in Oman and the third highest on the Arabian Peninsula. Jebel Shams literally means ‘Mountain of the Sun’ in Arabic, and it is named so because it’s the first place in Oman where you can see the sun rise.
Balcony Walk Location
It’s time for the famous Balcony Walk (W6), which starts a few kilometers from your campsite. This hike takes you along the edge of the 1,500 meter deep Wadi Ghul canyon, with spectacular views all the way. After 3.5 kilometers, at the end of the trail, you’ll find a large pool where you can take a dip. You’ll then return to your car along the same route.
Fort Bahla Location
After an active morning, it’s time for some culture! Bahla Fort is one of the oldest and largest forts in Oman, and it’s the only one in the country to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the highest point of the fort, you’ll enjoy a beautiful view of the city of Bahla and its surroundings. Admission to Bahla Fort is OMR 0.5 per person.
Jabreen Castle Location
Jabreen Castle is a 17th century fort that, unlike many other forts in Oman, was built during a time of peace. The castle served as an important center for the study of astrology, medicine and Islamic law. One of the most beautiful rooms in Jabreen Castle is the Sun and Moon Room, a special reception hall for important guests with stunning eye-shaped ceiling paintings. Visiting the castle on your own costs OMR 0.5, but we highly recommend taking a guided tour for OMR 3.
Nizwa Location
Tonight you’ll be staying just outside the city of Nizwa, where the goat market is held tomorrow morning. Visit the many souqs where you can buy local products as well as souvenirs.
Day 7: Nizwa ➔ Muscat
The goat market Location
Get ready for an early start today, because every Friday the goat market in Nizwa opens at seven o’clock in the morning. People from far and wide, dressed in traditional clothes, gather to trade their goats and other livestock. Hundreds of people form a circle, watching the sellers as they walk around with their goats, waiting for interested buyers. The goats are thoroughly inspected from head to toe, and ownership is transferred after intense price negotiations. It’s an authentic and unique experience to witness!
The geitenmarkt of Nizwa is only held on Friday mornings. Plan your trip accordingly to make sure you are in Nizwa on a Friday, as it is definitely worth it!
Jabal Stairway Trail Location
After the goat market, you can stroll through the souks of Nizwa and then venture into another, more eastern part of the mountains. A highly recommended but very strenuous and challenging hike is the Jabal Stairway Trail. This hike takes you through an old village and into a deep canyon. At the bottom you will find a long stone staircase leading to an oasis of date palms.
Read all about the Jabal Stairway trail
Tired but satisfied, you drive back to Muscat and say goodbye to the 4×4 and most of all to the tent. After seven days without a proper bathroom, it feels wonderful to relax in a comfortable hotel bed.
Day 8 + 9: Muscat
The last two days of your holiday in Oman can be spent exploring the capital, Muscat, on foot and by taxi. Oman doesn’t have Uber, but they do have Otaxi. Download the app, and you’re good to go! A 15-minute ride will cost you around OMR 2.5. Some highlights you definitely don’t want to miss:
Sultan Qaboos Mosque
The first stop is the magnificent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, which can only be visited by non-Muslims between 8am and 11am. This is the largest mosque in Oman. Inside the prayer hall you will find the second largest Persian carpet in the world and above it is an impressive 8.5 ton, 14 meter high chandelier decorated with 600,000 Swarovski crystals!
Al Alam Palace
Al Alam Palace is one of the six residences of the Sultan and is located in the old part of Muscat. The palace has a striking blue and gold facade and is guarded on both sides by the impressive Al-Mirani and Al Jalili forts.
Muttrah Corniche and the souq
Finally, you can stroll along the Muttrah Corniche, the coastal promenade. From the fish market at the end of the boulevard, you’ll have a wonderful view of Muttrah’s many white buildings and the fort. Be sure to visit the souq, a maze of alleyways lined with shops selling just about anything.
Most shops in Muttrah Souk open around 4 PM. When you want to make a purchase, it is very common to negotiate the price. Bargaining is a typical practice in the souk, so feel free to engage in friendly haggling to get the best deal.
Spending the night in Muscat
After a week full of adventure and camping, there’s nothing better than treating yourself to luxury in a hotel in Muscat. Many hotels in the capital offer beautiful swimming pools where you can relax and unwind after your road trip. It’s the perfect way to end your holiday in Oman!
Tips for a vacation in Oman
What is the best time to travel to Oman?
The best time to travel to Oman is from October to April. The temperatures are pleasant, ranging from 17°C to 35°C. Avoid the summer months, as temperatures can rise to 40°C, with occasional peaks reaching 50°C! Rain is rare. The highest chance of rain is in January and February, but these usually consist of only a few short, heavy showers.
What does a round trip through Oman cost?
Renting a car in Oman isn’t very cheap, but combining it with a tent or rooftop tent can save you quite a bit on accommodations and meals. Gasoline costs only a quarter of what it would in Belgium or the Netherlands, and nearly all attractions are free. We’d like to give you an overview of what this road trip through Oman has cost us.
- Accommodations: For this road trip, we rented a car with a rooftop tent for a week and stayed in a hotel in the capital, Muscat, only on the first and last nights of our trip. A nice hotel with a pool costs around €75 per person per night.
- Food and Drink: There are hardly any cozy restaurants in Oman. The locals don’t usually dine out, and most restaurants are run by Indians. However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that the food is delicious! Often, you’ll pay around €5 to €8 per person for a hearty meal, including a soft drink. In larger supermarkets like Lulu Hypermarket, you can also find delicious salads, spiced rice dishes, hummus, and other prepared meals at affordable prices. These are perfect for when you’re camping far from civilization in the desert or mountains! We spent about €10 per person per day on food and drinks this trip.
- Transportation: We rented our car with a rooftop tent from Nomad Tours. A 4×4 with a comfortable rooftop tent, including all camping gear, costs about €1,100 for a week. A more affordable option could be a smaller vehicle with a standalone tent. Driving around for a week also cost us an additional €125 in gasoline.
- Activities: Entrance to most attractions in Oman is free. To access the start of the hike to Wadi Shab, you pay €2.5, while a visit to Jabreen Castle or Bahla Fort costs €1.5. Additionally, all hikes and wadis are free, and most attractions in Muscat cost nothing. In total, we spent about €10 on activities during this trip.
So for a 10-day round trip through Oman with a 4×4 with rooftop tent, excluding airfare, count on about €900 per person.
Do you need a visa for Oman?
Since December 2020, travelers from Belgium and the Netherlands no longer require a visa to visit Oman. A passport that is valid for at least 6 months is sufficient, as long as your stay does not exceed fourteen days. However, there are still numerous agencies that try to sell you an e-visa for a fee. We traveled to Oman without a visa and were warmly welcomed!
What is the currency in Oman?
The currency in Oman is the rial, and one rial consists of one thousand baisa. The rial is one of the few currencies in the world that is worth more than the euro, approximately 2.33 euros. Although most things in Oman are much cheaper than here, you might still find yourself surprised, for example, when trying to bargain for a souvenir.
In the larger cities like Muscat and Nizwa, you can easily find an ATM where you can withdraw cash with your credit or Maestro card. Make sure to always have enough cash on hand, as many places only accept cash payments.
What clothing do you wear in Oman?
While the Omani people are incredibly friendly, welcoming and tolerant, they also have strong religious beliefs. Many men and especially women wear traditional clothing, which means minimal skin exposure. If you are hiking in the middle of nowhere, you can feel free to wear shorts, but it is important to be respectful in more crowded areas. As a woman, it is advisable to cover your shoulders and knees as a sign of courtesy.
This rule also applies to swimming. In some wadis, you will find tourists wearing normal swimwear, including bikinis. However, in other places, such as Wadi Bani Khalid, it is important to respect local customs and traditions regarding swimwear. It is recommended to dress modestly and respect the local norms in such places.
Can I use mobile internet in Oman?
You can easily use your Belgian or Dutch smartphone on the mobile network in Oman. The most cost-effective option is to buy a local SIM card. Immediately to the left in the arrivals hall at the airport, you can purchase a SIM card from Omantel for €12, which is valid for 10 days and includes 6GB of data.
Do you need a travel adapter in Oman?
In Oman they use a different type of socket, type G. These sockets are not compatible with European plugs, so you will need a travel adapter. We bought this universal travel adapter and are very happy with it. You can instantly charge a number of USB devices simultaneously with it, so you’re not constantly looking for that one extra outlet!
