How to Plan a Perfect Family Trip to Oman – A Nation of Many Wonders

 Oman is a wonderful country to explore with your family as it offers attractions that will appeal to visitors of all ages. Here, you can experience lovely landscapes, natural marvels and historical attractions that are truly captivating. An ideal transport option for a family trip would be renting a vehicle, preferably a four-wheel-drive (along with a driver, if needed), while you can also easily travel by air to destinations further away. Some suggestions for visiting Oman are provided below.

Image via Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara

 Experience Muscat

The Omani capital Muscat would be a great place to commence your exploration of the country. The magnificent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, one of the major Oman attractions should undoubtedly be on your itinerary as it happens to be a remarkable religious attraction with a stunning interior. In the afternoon, you could take the opportunity to take a relaxed walk on the Muttrah Corniche which is an attractive promenade where people gather later in the day. Another must-visit feature of the city would be the Muttrah Souk, a traditional marketplace where you will encounter a mesmerizing selection of goods. You may also choose to experience Old Muscat, a historical quarter with some interesting sites.

 Explore Salalah

Your family could reach the city of Salalah via a brief flight from the capital Muscat. Choose to stay at a beach resort where you can unwind amidst the area’s scenic coastline known for its shimmering waters and inviting white sands. An interesting sightseeing attraction in Salalah would be the Al Baleed Archaeological Park and the Museum of the Land of Frankincense; also of interest is Taqah Castle which happens to be a handsome structure with many striking features. Additionally, you could undertake many exciting excursions; these can include a mountain safari, a trip to the Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve, a visit to the local fishing community, a dolphin watching trip or a sunset cruise. An accommodation choice to consider from which you could enjoy such adventures would be Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara which offers clubs for kids and teens too, ideal for those planning a family holiday.

 Visit Nizwa and Al Hajar mountains

You could also plan a trip to the city of Nizwa from which you could experience the nearby mountains. Amongst the local sightseeing highlights would be Nizwa Fort, a colossal structure that you could explore for hours with your kids. At the nearby souk, you will find an array of interesting souvenirs and various trinkets. After experiencing the other local sightseeing attractions such as Jibreen Castle and Bahla Fort, you could make your way to the Al Hajar Mountains which present an imposing sight for the visitor.

 Camp at the Wahiba Sands

A family trip to Oman wouldn’t be complete without camping out in the desert, and a great choice for this experience would be the Wahiba Sands; it happens to be the nearest desert to the cities of Muscat and Nizwa. As you might expect, you will find plenty of engrossing things to do on your visit to the desert, such as riding camels, quad biking and dune bashing; the latter entails an experienced driver taking passengers on a ‘rollercoaster’ ride across the dunes at high speed in a four-wheel-drive vehicle!

 Admire Wadi Bani Khalid, Sur and Ras Al Jinz

You will find that Wadi Bani Khalid would be a great place at which to relax and unwind during your sightseeing trips and proficient swimmers could enjoy a leisurely dip in the waters here. Your family’s next stop would be the seaside town known as Sur which happens to be renowned for its time-honoured shipbuilding industry. You will also have the chance to admire the local sightseeing attractions such as the corniche, forts and the well-known Al Ayga Lighthouse. Finally, the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve would be a delight for visitors of all ages. Here, your family members will have the opportunity to view threatened green turtles as they come to shore to nest.