For beautiful coastlines, rich cultural tapestry, and diverse culinary experience close to home, visit Oman for a short weekend trip or a long vacation. This Middle Eastern gem is an exciting country waiting for you to explore.
The Sultanate of Oman, a hidden gem at the tip of the Arabian Peninsula, encompasses a fascinating combination of ageless heritage and modern life. With its rich wildlife, this region is popular among nature lovers. Travelers worldwide are welcome to join locals and stroll along the lovely waterfront, where white buildings and mosques are adorned by mountains and forts that glow gold in the evening light. Oman is the only country in the world made up primarily of oceanic crust and rocks originating from the Earth’s mantle. Even as summer temperatures rise sharply in the rest of the Gulf region, the Sultanate of Oman has cooler temperatures in Dhofar and the mountain peaks of the Al Hajar range. The magnificent ecology, diverse flora, and fauna are protected by nature reserves such as the Daimaniyat Islands near Muscat, Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve, and the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary.
Oman offers a lot to visitors and adventurers looking for a unique holiday experience, such as hiking, scuba diving, fishing, kitesurfing, and caving, to name just a few. With an abundance of natural beauty, breathtaking mountains, windswept deserts, and pristine coastlines, Oman mirrors the modern face of Arabia, embellished with its ancient soul.
Oman’s low-rise towns retain their traditional charm, while Bedouin values remain at the heart of Omani hospitality. Locals often invite visitors for Omani coffee and dates, a local courtesy and tradition. What makes the Sultanate of Oman a unique and exciting destination to visit over and over again is the hospitality of the Omani people.
Bilateral Relations
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman have a long historical relationship. In 1971, Oman and Saudi Arabia established official diplomatic relations. Oman has an embassy in Riyadh and a consulate in Jeddah, while Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Muscat. Diplomatic ties are developing and flourishing based on the strong ties established by the founders of the two countries. Saudi Arabia and Oman have many joint investments in energy, petrochemicals, renewables, healthcare, and tourism.
In 2021, Oman and Saudi Arabia entered a new economic cooperation era, aiming to stimulate bilateral trade between the two countries and create huge investment opportunities. Saudi Arabia became the first country visited by the Sultan of Oman, HM Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, on his first official trip abroad since his accession to the throne in 2020.
His Majesty Haitham bin Tariq was greeted by HRH King Salman and HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. During this two-day visit to the Kingdom, the two countries welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council, which will be led by the foreign ministers of the two countries.
The parties also agreed to expedite the opening of the border crossing point between the Kingdom and the Sultanate, integrating supply chains and allowing citizens of Saudi Arabia and Oman to travel smoothly between countries. During this trip, the officials also developed a number of agreements to expand cooperation in various fields, including economy, trade, investment, security, culture, diplomacy, and education. The two countries also pledged to continue the bilateral cooperation and coordination achieved in the political, military, and security fields. In December 2021, HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made a state visit to Oman. During this visit, 13 MoUs worth $30 billion were signed between leading Saudi and Omani companies.
Saudi Arabia and Oman are full of promising investment opportunities that create fertile ground for establishing diverse investment partnerships between the two countries’ business sectors. The MoUs are expected to increase investment in a number of areas, which will impact the development of services and the achievement of the Saudi Vision 2030 and Oman Vision 2040 goals.
What To Do
Shop at Muttrah Souq, one of the oldest traditional markets in Oman, offers an exceptional collection of authentic Omani products such as colorful fabrics, traditional clothing, silver and gold jewelry, ceramic incense burners, silver jewelry, pashminas, turbans, genie lamps, fluffy camels, and souvenirs.
Scuba dive in Musandam, famous for its breathtaking fjords, desert mountains, blue waters, and white sandy beaches. Visitors can take a dhow, a traditional Omani boat, to explore the coasts or spot dolphins.
Go hiking on Jebel Akhdar, a part of the Al Hajar mountain range, with lush green spaces dotting the hiking trails.
Explore Nizwa Fort, a 17th-century fort with its circular tower overlooks the breathtaking mosques, souqs, distant rocky mountains, and the date palms surrounding the oasis city.
Where To Go
Built in 2001 in the Bawshar district of Muscat, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is truly an architectural marvel with its immense golden dome, minarets, arches, engraved walls, blue mosaic tiles, handmade rugs, decorated interior, unique lamps, and central crystal chandelier.
Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve is a natural reserve for endangered green turtles, with approximately 20,000 turtles in the untouched golden sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. The picturesque fishing village of Al Ayjah, adjacent to the reserve, has a must-see yard for building dhows.
Wadi Bani Khalid is a beautiful piece of paradise with several water pools and a spring flowing inside the valley all year long.
Masirah Island is the biggest island of Oman. Explore the famous abandoned shipyards along the sunny beaches, watch over 30,000 turtles arriving on the island during hatching season, and enjoy fishing from a dhow boat.
