Oman is where the Arabian Peninsula reveals its gentler side—forts and frankincense, green mountain terraces, turtle-nesting coasts, and a capital that still smells of the sea. From the Portuguese-influenced corniche at Mutrah to the mountain citadel of Nizwa and the coconut-fringed shores of Salalah, this country rewards unhurried exploration.

Historically, Oman’s sailors navigated monsoon winds to East Africa and India; inland, oasis towns thrived on aflaj (ancient irrigation channels) and date palms. Today you can snorkel with sea turtles at the Daymaniyat Islands, trek Wadi Shab’s jade pools, and wander souqs where silver khanjars and rosewater still trade hands.

Practical notes: Oman is safe and welcoming; modest attire is appreciated, especially at mosques (Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque admits non-Muslim visitors most days 8–11 am, Sat–Thu). Driving is excellent on major roads. Summers are hot in the north; July–September’s khareef transforms Salalah into emerald hills. Coffee lovers: try Omani qahwa with dates; foodies, don’t miss shuwa (slow-roasted lamb) and halwa.

Muscat

Muscat curves along a rocky coast—whitewashed villas, jagged mountains, and coves that glow at sunset. Old Muscat and Mutrah preserve the city’s maritime soul, while Shatti Al Qurum and Al Mouj bring cafes and a seafaring marina vibe. It’s ideal for markets, museums, and sea adventures.

• Top sights: Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Mutrah Souq, Royal Opera House Muscat, National Museum, Al Alam Palace (exterior), Qurum Beach, and the coast to Yiti and Bandar Al Khairan.
• Best experiences: snorkel the Daymaniyat Islands, a dhow cruise at sunset, and a day hiking Wadi Shab with a swim into a secret cave waterfall.
• Where to eat: Kargeen (garden seating, Omani/Levant), Bait Al Luban (heritage Omani overlooking Mutrah), Turkish House (grilled seafood), Al Angham (elegant Omani near the Opera House), Dukanah Cafe (traditional Omani breakfasts).

Where to stay (Muscat): Resort icon: Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Beach escape: Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa. Mutrah budget classic: Mutrah Hotel. Browse more stays on Hotels.com (Muscat) or apartments on VRBO (Muscat).

Getting in: Fly into Muscat (MCT) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Driving within Muscat is straightforward; taxis and ride-hailing are widely available.

Nizwa (and the Hajar Mountains)

Nizwa once anchored Oman’s interior trade routes; its sandstone fort and lively souq still hum with energy. Nearby lie UNESCO-listed Bahla Fort, Al Hamra’s mudbrick lanes, and the terraced orchards of Jebel Akhdar (“Green Mountain”). Clear desert light, palm oases, and pomegranate groves define the plateau.

• Top sights: Nizwa Fort and Souq, Bahla Fort, Jabreen Castle, Al Hamra & Misfat Al Abriyeen, Jebel Akhdar terraces, and Jebel Shams—Oman’s “Grand Canyon.”
• Best experiences: Friday livestock market at Nizwa, village walks in Wadi Bani Habib, and sunset over Wadi Ghul’s immense canyon walls.
• Where to eat: Nizwa Souq stalls (mishkak skewers, dates, halwa), Golden Tulip Nizwa’s Birkat Al Mawz Restaurant, and on the plateau—Anantara’s Al Maisan (pan-Arab) or Bella Vista (Italian, canyon views).

Where to stay (Nizwa & Jebel Akhdar): Mountain splurge: Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort. Reliable and central: Nizwa Hotel Apartments or Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel. See more on Hotels.com (Nizwa) or VRBO (Nizwa).

Getting there from Muscat: Drive 1.5–2 hours (160 km) on Route 15. Fuel is inexpensive; expect ~$8–12 in petrol. If you prefer not to drive, shared buses run (~2.5 hours); for private transfers, ask your hotel. You can also bundle interior sights with guided day tours from Muscat.

Salalah (Dhofar)

Salalah feels like a different country—coconuts and bananas at roadside stalls, the scent of frankincense, and hills that turn emerald during the khareef monsoon. White-sand beaches, sea blowholes, and ancient ports tell the story of Oman’s incense trade.

• Top sights: Al Baleed Archaeological Park & Museum of the Frankincense Land, Haffa Souq (frankincense), Wadi Darbat, Taqah Castle, Sumhuram (Khor Rori), Mughsail Blowholes, Al Fazayah Beach.
• Best experiences: coastal drives west to Mughsail or east to Mirbat and the waterfalls of Wadi Darbat (seasonal), sunset on Haffa Beach, and sampling smoky luban (frankincense) tea.
• Where to eat: Al Baleed Resort’s Sakalan (international) or Mekong (Pan-Asian), Al Mina (beach grill), Hilton Salalah’s The Beach Restaurant (seafood), and Indian and Yemeni spots around Al Haffa.

Where to stay (Salalah): Beachfront luxury: Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara. City convenience: Salalah Gardens Hotel. Coastal classic: Hilton Salalah Resort. Explore more on Hotels.com (Salalah).

Getting there: Fly Muscat–Salalah (~1 hr 45 min; often $60–120 one-way) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Rent a car locally for day trips; roads are excellent.

Day 1: Arrive in Muscat, Mutrah Corniche and Souq

Afternoon: Land at Muscat (MCT). Check in, refresh, and taxi to Mutrah. Stroll the Corniche past dhows and the fish market’s curved roof. Duck into Mutrah Souq for silver khanjars, frankincense, and colorful tasselled kumma caps.

Evening: Sunset from Mutrah Fort’s stairway viewpoint, then dinner at Bait Al Luban—order shuwa lamb, qabuli rice, and cardamom coffee with dates. For a nightcap walk, the promenade glows softly against craggy mountains.

Food & drink tips: Pre-dinner coffee? Try Omani qahwa and halwa at souq stalls; for fresh juice, grab mango or pomegranate from a waterfront kiosk.

Day 2: Muscat Essentials—Grand Mosque, Old Town, Opera Galleria

Morning: Join a guided city overview: Half-Day Private Muscat City Tour - Top Landmarks in Just 4 Hours.

Admire the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (note: non-Muslim visiting hours 8–11 am, Sat–Thu), then swing by the Royal Opera House and the seaside Al Alam Palace area.

Afternoon: Lunch at Al Angham near the Opera—mahshi eggplant and date-syrup desserts are standouts. Explore the National Museum’s bronze-age pieces and ship models to decode Oman’s seafaring past.

Evening: Dine under the stars at Kargeen (book a garden table). Try mishkak beef skewers and lemon-mint. If there’s a performance at the Royal Opera House, consider a dressy cultural night.

Day 3: Daymaniyat Islands—Snorkel with Turtles

Morning: Early breakfast at Dukanah Cafe (khubz ragag, eggs with zaatar), then transfer to Al Mouj Marina for a boat to the nature reserve. Join: Daymaniyat Islands Snorkeling Sharing Trip.

Expect bright reefs, hawksbill turtles, and calm turquoise water.

Afternoon: Second snorkel stop; many boats provide a simple lunch/snacks. Return to shore mid-afternoon for a swim at Qurum Beach or coffee at the Opera Galleria.

Evening: Go casual at Turkish House—order the grilled jumbo prawns, calamari, and fattoush. Walk Shatti Al Qurum promenade in the sea breeze.

Day 4: Wadi Shab Hike and Bimmah Sinkhole

Morning: Depart Muscat around 7:30 am (1 hr 40 min) along the coast. Take a guided day out: Wadi Shab and Bimmah Sinkhole Group Full Day Tour.

Cross a short boat, hike the canyon (expect some boulder-hopping), and swim into the hidden waterfall cave.

Afternoon: Picnic by jade pools, then cool off at the Bimmah Sinkhole’s blue bowl. On the return, quick stop for roadside karak tea.

Evening: Back in Muscat, go seaside at Bait Al Bahr (fresh kingfish, hammour) or keep it traditional with camel sliders and dates at Kargeen if you missed it.

Day 5: Travel to Nizwa, Forts and Souq Life

Morning (travel): Depart Muscat by car after breakfast—about 1.5–2 hours to Nizwa via Route 15. Fuel cost roughly $8–12. If you prefer to organize transport while you fly into Oman, compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com and arrange a local driver through your hotel.

Afternoon: Explore Nizwa Fort’s massive round tower and the adjacent souq. Sample dates, halwa, and watch silversmiths at work. For lunch, grab mishkak skewers and khubz from stalls, or sit down at Golden Tulip Nizwa’s Birkat Al Mawz Restaurant for Omani specialties.

Evening: Check in: choose in-town convenience at Nizwa Hotel Apartments or a mountain escape at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort (about 1 hour uphill). Dinner at Al Maisan (try the spiced Omani fish) with starry skies.

Day 6: Jebel Akhdar—Terraces, Villages, and Mountain Air

Morning: If you’re based in Nizwa, drive 45–60 minutes up to the Sayq Plateau (4x4 required). Join a small-group outing: Nizwa and Jebel Akhdar Discovery: Guided Small Group Experience.

Wander old stone villages like Wadi Bani Habib and see terraced pomegranate orchards.

Afternoon: Light lunch picnic with mountain views, or sit down at Bella Vista for wood-fired pizza and espresso. Short walks along the “Three Villages” trail reward with aflaj channels and rose fields (blooms peak in spring).

Evening: Return to your hotel. If you’re in town, try a simple local mandi (slow-cooked rice with meat) near the souq; if on the plateau, linger over sunset desserts at Al Maisan.

Day 7: Bahla, Jabreen, and Oman’s Grand Canyon

Morning: Early start to UNESCO-listed Bahla Fort, then on to Jabreen Castle—look for painted ceilings and hidden stairways. Continue to Jebel Shams (allow 2–2.5 hours from Nizwa with stops).

Afternoon: Walk part of the Balcony Walk above Wadi Ghul (carry water; paths are exposed). Join a guided option if you prefer: Nizwa and Oman's Grand Canyon: Full-Day Adventure.

Picnic lunch with mountain panoramas.

Evening: Back to Nizwa for dinner—look for grilled chicken mishkak and fresh juice stands near the souq. Pack for tomorrow’s flight south.

Day 8: Fly Nizwa/Muscat to Salalah, Al Baleed and Haffa Souq

Morning (travel): Drive ~1.5–2 hours from Nizwa to Muscat Airport. Fly Muscat–Salalah (~1 hr 45 min). Compare fares and times on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Taxi 15–20 minutes to your hotel.

Afternoon: Explore Al Baleed Archaeological Park and the excellent Museum of the Frankincense Land—incense burners, Dhofari costumes, and maritime galleries set the scene. Lunch at Sakalan (great buffets and à la carte).

Evening: Browse Haffa Souq for frankincense resins and oils. Dinner at Mekong (Pan-Asian classics) or head to The Beach Restaurant at Hilton for grilled snapper as waves roll in.

Day 9: East of Salalah—Taqah, Sumhuram, and Wadi Darbat

Morning: Drive east 40 minutes to Taqah Castle for a lens into Dhofari life, then continue to Sumhuram (Khor Rori), once a bustling port on the incense route. Watch flamingos in the lagoon.

Afternoon: Picnic or simple lunch in Taqah town (fresh fish thali or Yemeni mandi are common). Head inland to Wadi Darbat for lakes, camels, and (in khareef) cascades. Paddle a rental boat if available; otherwise walk the valley and sip luban tea from a stall.

Evening: Return to Salalah. For dinner, try Al Mina (beachside grills) or a local Indian favorite like Udupi for dosa and filter coffee.

Day 10: West of Salalah—Mughsail Blowholes, Fazayah Beach, Departure

Morning: Drive west 45 minutes to Mughsail Beach and its blowholes; stroll the dramatic limestone cliffs. Continue along the switchbacks to Al Fazayah Beach if seas and time allow—secluded coves and aquamarine water.

Afternoon: Picnic lunch under a cliff overhang; swim if conditions are calm. Return to pack. Afternoon departure from SLL (or evening connection via Muscat). Check flight options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening (if staying one more night): Sunset walk along Haffa Beach with coconut water from a roadside stall; celebratory dinner back at Mekong or Hilton’s The Beach Restaurant.

Optional Add-Ons (if you extend a day in Muscat)

• Traditional sunset dhow cruise off Muscat’s coast: Omani Traditional Dhow Cruise: Sunset and Muscat Coastal View.

  

Where to book your stays: Muscat—browse Hotels.com (Muscat) and VRBO (Muscat). Nizwa—see Hotels.com (Nizwa) and VRBO (Nizwa). Salalah—compare Hotels.com (Salalah).

In ten days, you’ve traced Oman’s story from maritime Muscat to mountain citadels and the frankincense coast. Expect to leave with sand in your shoes, sea salt in your hair, and a lingering scent of luban—plus a resolve to return for more wadis, more sunsets, and another pot of cardamom coffee.