Oman travel guide
Oman is a country where deserts, mountains and sea meet, and where traditional culture remains part of everyday life. You can swim in turquoise pools in a wadi, camp among amber dunes, walk around old forts and souqs, and watch turtles come ashore on the coast. Nizwa is the heart of the interior, with its fort and Friday livestock market, while Jebel Akhdar offers cool terraced mountain villages. Bidiyah is the gateway to the Sharqiya Sands, Sur and its dhow yards lead on to Ras Al Jinz and Wadi Shab, and Salalah in the south turns green during the khareef monsoon. Khasab, in Musandam, is known for dhow cruises through fjord-like inlets. Forts, villages and viewpoints along the way make the drives between regions as rewarding as the stops. The cooler months from October to April are the best time to travel. Oman suits road-trippers, nature lovers and travellers who prefer calm. You can plan your itinerary city by city with Zippy Trips.
Capital: Muscat.
Before you go to Oman
- Currency
- OMR ﷼
- Emergency number
- 9999
- Plug type
- Type G, C, D
- Tap water
- Drink bottled water
- Tipping
- Optional
- Bargaining
- Common
- eSIM
- Available
- Card networks
- Visa, Mastercard, Amex (limited)
- ATM fees
- Small or none locally; your home-bank foreign-withdrawal fee is usually the bigger cost
Cities in Oman
- Muscat Oman's capital on the Gulf of Oman, framed by the Al Hajar mountains — home to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Royal Opera House, the…
- Salalah Capital of the southern Dhofar region, transformed each summer by the khareef monsoon into a green, misty landscape of waterfalls. Ancient…
- Sur A coastal town in Ash Sharqiyah known for its centuries-old dhow-building shipyards, the Al Ayjah lighthouse across the lagoon, and its…
- Khasab Capital of the Musandam peninsula, an Omani exclave of dramatic fjord-like khors jutting into the Strait of Hormuz. Base for traditional…
- Nizwa The historic capital of Oman's interior in Ad Dakhiliyah, famous for its round-towered 17th-century fort, the bustling souq and Friday…
- Jebel Akhdar Oman's high Al Hajar plateau country — the terraced rose-water villages of the Saiq Plateau (Jebel Akhdar) and the rim of Wadi Ghul on…
- Bidiyah Gateway town to the Sharqiya (Wahiba) Sands, a vast sea of amber dunes where Bedouin desert camps offer dune drives, camel rides and some…
Frequently asked questions about Oman
- What currency is used in Oman?
- The currency in Oman is the Omani Rial. ﷼1 is about ₹248.
- Can I use cards and ATMs in Oman?
- Accepted card networks: Visa, Mastercard, Amex (limited). Decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card machines.
- Should I tip in Oman?
- Tipping in Oman: optional. Not obligatory but appreciated; round up or ~10% in tourist restaurants, and tip drivers/guides.
- Is tap water safe to drink in Oman?
- Drink bottled water. Tap water is desalinated and generally safe in cities; most visitors drink bottled water, especially in rural/desert areas.
- What plug type does Oman use?
- Oman uses Type G, C, D plugs.
- What is the emergency number in Oman?
- Emergency: 9999. Police: 9999. Ambulance: 9999.
- Can I get a SIM or eSIM in Oman?
- SIM and eSIM available in Oman.
- What is the capital of Oman?
- The capital of Oman is Muscat. Time there: IST - 1 h 30 min.