Oman is the Arabian Peninsula’s quiet masterpiece—Ibadi traditions, Indian Ocean breezes, and incense-scented souqs shaped by centuries of seafaring trade. From the capital’s gleaming mosque and waterfront corniche to the rugged Al Hajar mountains and palm-lined wadis, the country rewards travelers with variety and warmth.

History runs deep: Bronze Age beehive tombs crown hillsides, the Nizwa Imamate once governed the interior, and frankincense built fortunes along the fabled incense route. Today you’ll wander restored forts, swim in limestone pools, and taste slow-cooked shuwa under desert stars.

Practical notes: dress modestly (shoulders/knees covered at mosques), avoid photographing people without permission, and plan for heat in most months (cooler on the Jebel Akhdar plateau). Salalah’s khareef monsoon (roughly June–September) turns the south emerald. ATMs are common; driving is straightforward on excellent highways.

Muscat

Muscat unfurls between mountains and sea—fortified headlands, whitewashed villas, and one of the Gulf’s most elegant waterfronts. Highlights include the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muttrah Souq, and the Royal Opera House. Offshore, the Daymaniyat Islands teem with turtles and coral gardens.

• Where to stay (Hotels.com & VRBO): Splurge at Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel or Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa. Excellent-value base near the corniche: Mutrah Hotel. Browse apartments and beach villas on VRBO Muscat or compare on Hotels.com Muscat.
• Getting in: Search flights to Muscat on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Taxi or pre-booked transfer to Muttrah/Qurum takes ~25–35 minutes.

Day 1: Arrive in Muscat, Muttrah Corniche welcome

Afternoon: Land in Muscat and check in. Consider a stress-free ride: Muscat transfer: airport transfer to/from hotel in muscat. Stroll the Muttrah Corniche—watch dhows slip past the Portuguese-era forts and peek into the lively Fish Market.

Evening: Explore labyrinthine Muttrah Souq for Omani frankincense, khanjars (ceremonial daggers), and handwoven caps. Dinner at Bait Al Luban (traditional Omani—try shuwa and date vinegar salad) overlooking the port, or Turkish House for charcoal-grilled kingfish, hummus, and fresh bread.

Day 2: Mosques, palaces, and museums

Morning: Visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (arrive early; modest attire required). Optional guided overview to hit the top sights in 4 hours: Half-Day Private Muscat City Tour - Top Landmarks in Just 4 Hours.

Afternoon: See Al Alam Palace’s blue-and-gold façade and the twin waterfront forts. Tour the National Museum’s beautiful galleries on Omani shipbuilding, silverwork, and falaj irrigation. Lunch at Ubhar-inspired spots have come and gone—today, head to Zahr El-Laymoun or a café near Qurum for mezze and manakish.

Evening: Photo stop at the Royal Opera House exterior, then garden dining at Kargeen—mishkak skewers, baba ghanoush, and lemon-mint under lantern-lit trees.

Day 3: Full-day Wadi Shab and Bimmah Sinkhole

Swap city streets for limestone canyons and turquoise pools on this classic day trip east of Muscat: Wadi Shab and Bimmah Sinkhole Full Day Tour. Bring grippy shoes, a dry bag, and a sense of wonder—the short boat hop, canyon walk, and swim to a hidden cave are unforgettable.

Post-tour, return to Muscat for a casual seafood dinner—think grilled prawns and calamari—at a beachside café near Qurum.

Day 4: Daymaniyat Islands snorkeling

Set out by boat to the protected Daymaniyat archipelago for coral gardens and turtle encounters: Daymaniyat Islands Snorkeling Sharing Trip. Expect two snorkel sites, clear water, and a laid-back crew; seas are calmest roughly October–May.

Back ashore, book a sunset table at Bait Al Bahr (seafood at Shangri-La) or enjoy Levantine grills in Qurum. Rest up—you head inland tomorrow.

Nizwa & Jabal Akhdar (Al Hajar Mountains)

Nizwa, the “Pearl of Islam,” anchors the interior with a commanding fort and date-filled souq. Above it, terraced villages crown Jabal Akhdar, where pomegranates and roses thrive in cool mountain air. Farther west, Jebel Shams drops into Wadi al Nakhar—Oman’s “Grand Canyon.”

• Where to stay: Mountain luxury with jaw-dropping views: Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort. In-town convenience: Nizwa Hotel Apartments or Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel. Browse more on VRBO Nizwa or Hotels.com Nizwa.
• Getting there from Muscat: ~1h45–2h drive (good highways). Many travelers rent a car; mountain roads to Jabal Akhdar require 4x4 beyond the checkpoint. Alternatively, arrange a driver.

Day 5: Muscat to Nizwa, fort and souq, sunset on the Green Mountain

Morning: Depart Muscat after breakfast for Nizwa (~1h45–2h). Drop bags and head straight to Nizwa Fort—climb the cannon-circled keep for views of date plantations and the old quarter.

Afternoon: Wander Nizwa Souq’s spice, pottery, and silver aisles; on Fridays, the goat market is a lively slice of heritage. Late afternoon, drive the switchbacks up to Jabal Akhdar for cooler air and terrace-village viewpoints (Wadi Bani Habib’s abandoned hamlets are photogenic).

Evening: Dinner with a view: Al Qalaa (Omani cuisine) at Anantara, or Bella Vista at Sahab Resort (Italian classics and sunset panoramas). Try rose-water lemonade and local pomegranate when in season.

Day 6: Nizwa, Bahla & Oman’s Grand Canyon (full-day)

Pack a full-day adventure across forts and high-mountain scenery: Nizwa and Oman's Grand Canyon: Full-Day Adventure. Typical routes include Nizwa Fort, UNESCO-listed Bahla Fort, the frescoed chambers of Jabreen Castle, and then the balcony walk vistas on Jebel Shams.

Back in the mountains or Nizwa, dine on grilled lamb chops and mezze at your hotel, or sample date syrup with fresh flatbreads in town. For desert (the sweet kind), try Omani halwa and cardamom coffee.

Salalah (Dhofar)

Fragrant frankincense trees, coconut-lined boulevards, and khareef-green hills set Salalah apart. Ancient Sumhuram guarded the incense trade; today beaches run ivory-white and the Qara Mountains hide waterfalls after the monsoon.

• Where to stay: Beachfront bliss at Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, excellent value downtown at Salalah Gardens Hotel, or classic coastal views at Hilton Salalah Resort. See more on VRBO Salalah or Hotels.com Salalah.
• Getting there from Muscat: 1h40–1h50 flight, from about $80–$160 one way. Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Day 7: Fly Muscat → Salalah, frankincense and the sea

Morning: Drive ~2 hours from Jabal Akhdar/Nizwa back to Muscat Airport. Fly to Salalah (1h40–1h50).

Afternoon: Check in, then visit Al Baleed Archaeological Park and the Museum of the Frankincense Land to trace Dhofar’s incense legacy and Oman’s maritime history.

Evening: Sunset at Haffa Beach with coconuts from roadside stalls. Dinner at Al Mina (Mediterranean by the water) or Mekong (Southeast Asian flavors) at Al Baleed; both are consistent and atmospheric.

Day 8: East Salalah—mountains, wadis, camels, and coast (full-day)

Spend the day weaving from mountain plateaus to turquoise inlets on the east side: East Salalah Mountain Safari, Wadi Darbat, Beach, Camels, Dunes. Expect Taqa Castle, Wadi Darbat (waterfalls in khareef), mirror-flat lakes, and beaches where camels roam.

Back in town, tuck into South Indian vegetarian thalis at Udupi or seafood grills at a beachfront hotel restaurant.

Day 9: West Salalah—Fazayah beaches and Mughsail blowholes (full-day)

Head west for cliff vistas and hidden coves: West Salalah Tour - Caribbean of Orient - Fazayah Beach with City. Walk the natural blowholes at Al Mughsail, continue along hairpin roads to Fazayah’s luminous bays, and picnic with toe-in-the-sand views.

Return for a relaxed dinner at Dolphin Beach Restaurant (Crowne Plaza) or sample Yemeni mandi (fragrant rice with slow-cooked meat) in town.

Day 10: Souqs and coconuts, depart

Morning: Browse Al Haffa Souq for frankincense resin, burners, and perfumes. Stop at roadside fruit stalls for papaya and coconut water—Dhofar’s unofficial breakfast.

Afternoon: Airport transfer and flight out. Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you have extra time before departure, unwind by the resort pool or take a last sandy stroll.

Optional add-ons and swaps (if you want more desert from Muscat)

• Swap Day 4 or Day 5 for dunes and palm pools: Full-Day Private Wahiba Sands Desert and Wadi Bani Khalid Tour (private 4WD, sand-dune thrills, and a wadi swim).
• If you prefer a shorter city intro, try: Half-Day Private Tour in Muscat.

Daily food & coffee cheat sheet

• Muscat breakfast/coffee: Mani’s Café (Azaiba) for eggs and good coffee; local qahwa with dates near Muttrah Souq; try luqaimat (honey-drenched dumplings) as a sweet bite.
• Muscat lunches: Turkish House (seafood), Bait Al Luban (Omani classics), or casual shawarma stands along the corniche.
• Nizwa & mountains: Souq stalls for fresh dates; hotel restaurants (Al Qalaa, Al Maisan) for polished Omani fare; Bella Vista for Italian with sunset views.
• Salalah eats: Al Mina and Mekong at Al Baleed; Dolphin Beach Restaurant (grills and sea views); look for Yemeni mandi/madhbi and fresh coconut stands.

Transport snapshot

• International and domestic flights: Use Trip.com or Kiwi.com to compare fares into Muscat and between Muscat–Salalah (1h40–1h50, from ~$80 one way).
• Driving times: Muscat→Nizwa ~1h45–2h; Nizwa→Muscat Airport ~2h. Good highways; 4x4 required for parts of Jabal Akhdar roads beyond the checkpoint.

Handy Viator picks (used in this itinerary)

• Muscat city highlights: Half-Day Private Muscat City Tour
• Wadi day trip: Wadi Shab & Bimmah Sinkhole
• Snorkeling: Daymaniyat Islands
• Mountains and forts: Nizwa & Oman's Grand Canyon
• Salalah east and west: East Salalah and West Salalah

In 10 days, you’ll cross Oman’s greatest hits: mosque to market, wadi to canyon, dunes to beach. Expect generous hospitality, safe roads, and scenery that swings from stark desert to green mountains and turquoise sea.

Pack for sun, bring curiosity, and leave room in your bag for dates and frankincense—the scents and stories will follow you home.