Oman is a quiet star of the Arabian Peninsula—an ancient seafaring sultanate whose fortunes once flowed from frankincense caravans and Indian Ocean trade. Today, its appeal is the contrast: whitewashed mosques and forts, wadis of mint-green water, golden deserts, and a coastline where dolphins cruise before breakfast.

Expect warm hospitality and deep tradition. You’ll wander labyrinthine souqs fragrant with oud, halwa, and cardamom; step inside powerful forts; and sip karak tea under starry skies. Fun fact: the monsoon-like khareef transforms Salalah into a green oasis each summer—rare in Arabia and beloved by locals.

Practical notes: modest dress is required to enter the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (arms/legs covered; women bring a headscarf). Winter (Nov–Apr) offers ideal weather; summers are hottest in the north but cooler (and misty) in Salalah. Cards are widely accepted, but keep some Omani rials (OMR) for markets and small eateries.

Muscat

Muscat is a string of scenic bays and neighborhoods—Mutrah’s crescent harbor and souq, Old Muscat’s palaces and museums, and Qurum’s beaches. It’s your soft landing in Oman: a capital that marries tradition with modern comfort, best explored between sea breezes and evening strolls along the corniche.

Getting here: Fly into Muscat International (MCT). Compare deals on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Airport to Mutrah rides cost roughly 6–9 OMR by taxi; to keep costs predictable, you can prebook a transfer via Viator (see below).

Where to stay (budget-friendly):

• Mutrah Hotel (classic, walkable to the souq): Check rates
• Search more stays on Hotels.com (Muscat) or VRBO (Muscat)
• Splash-out options if you decide to upgrade a night: Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel or Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah

Days 1–4: Muscat, Mutrah Souq, and coastal day trips

• Mutrah Corniche + Souq: Start with an evening promenade past dhows and the renovated fish market. The souq’s alleys are perfect for browsing frankincense, khanjars (ceremonial daggers), and silver. Tip: bargain politely; cash helps.
• Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque: Go early (non-Muslim visiting hours typically mornings, except Fridays). Admire the prayer hall’s chandelier and carpet—both record-setters in their time.
• Old Muscat: Walk Al Alam Palace’s forecourt, then visit the National Museum of Oman for a concise arc of Omani history. Nearby, Bait Al Zubair exhibits traditional dress and weaponry.
• Beach time: Qurum Beach for sunset; bring a picnic and watch locals play volleyball. If you’re keen, book a kayak at dusk (see below).

Great-value eats in Muscat:

• Kargeen (Madinat Qaboos): Lantern-lit courtyard serving Omani classics—try shuwa (slow-roasted lamb) and fresh khubz. Good prices for the quality.
• Bait Al Luban (Mutrah): Homestyle Omani cooking overlooking the harbor; order the mashuai (kingfish) or qabuli rice.
• Turkish House (Al Khuwair): Beloved for affordable grilled fish and mezzes—choose your catch at the counter.
• Third Place Café (Shatti Al Qurum): Specialty coffee, breakfasts, and sandos; ideal pre‑museum fuel.

Top activities (budget-friendly group options):

• Wadi Shab and Bimmah Sinkhole Group Full Day Tour

  

  Full day with swimming in turquoise pools and a short canyon hike, plus the dramatic limestone sinkhole. Count on 9–10 hours; typical prices run about $60–90.

• Discover Muscat: Group City Tour

  

  Hit the essentials—Grand Mosque, Mutrah, Royal Opera House, Al Alam Palace—in half a day. Expect ~$30–50, ideal if you won’t self-drive.

• Muscat Dolphin Watching and Coastal Sightseeing

  

  Morning cruise (2–3 hours) with good odds of spinner dolphins and coastal cliffs. Budget around $35–60.

• Muscat Sunset Kayak

  

  Paddle past rocky coves as the sky turns apricot; an atmospheric, low-cost alternative to private boat trips (~$40–60).

Logistics to Nizwa (Day 5 morning): Muscat → Nizwa is ~1.5–2 hours by road (160 km). Budget option: Mwasalat bus (roughly 3–4 OMR one-way). Driving offers flexibility for stops at Birkat Al Mouz or Wadi Tanuf. If you need a ride to/from the airport at either end of your trip, consider this Viator airport transfer for predictable pricing.

Nizwa

Nizwa was once Oman’s intellectual and commercial heart, ringed by date plantations and craggy mountains. Its fort—crowned with a massive round tower—guards a lively souq famed for silverwork, pottery, and the lively Friday goat market.

Where to stay (value picks):

• Nizwa Hotel Apartments (central, wallet-friendly rooms with kitchenettes)
• Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel (often great deals, pool for hot afternoons)
• Mountain splurge if you decide to treat yourself for a night: Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort
• Browse more on Hotels.com (Nizwa) or VRBO (Nizwa)

Days 5–7: Forts, old villages, and the Green Mountain

• Nizwa Fort & Souq: Climb the cannon-ringed tower for oasis views. In the souq, sample Omani halwa and browse silver khanjars. Fridays at dawn, the goat market is a spectacle of bidding and banter.
• Jabrin Castle and Bahla Fort (UNESCO): Jabrin’s painted ceilings and date-storage rooms reveal refined life; Bahla’s colossal walls feel timeless. Combine both in a half day.
• Misfat Al Abriyeen: A mountain hamlet of mud-brick lanes and terraced gardens irrigated by falaj channels. Have a simple lunch and mint tea with a view.
• Jebel Akhdar: Panoramic drives and short rim walks; spring brings rose terraces for distillation. Even without a 4x4, you can join a local tour up the mountain.

Affordable bites around Nizwa:

• Nizwa Fort Restaurant: Classic Omani plates—mashuai, harees, and dates—at friendly prices steps from the fort.
• Al Mandi Al Dhahabi (several branches in the region): Hearty mandi (rice with chicken or lamb) served on shared platters; budget-friendly and filling.
• Misfat village kitchens (Misfat Al Abriyeen): Many guesthouses offer home-style set meals—simple, delicious, and great value after a hike.

Hands-on and heritage (Viator):

• Heritage private Tour by classic carts

  

  A gentle circuit through historic quarters with a local guide—good for all ages. Budget ~1–2 hours and $20–40 per person depending on group size.

• Exclusive Lesson of Omani Clay Pottery (Bahla)

  

  Learn from a family master potter near UNESCO-listed Bahla Fort; craft a keepsake to take home. Expect ~2 hours, around $30–50.

Logistics to Salalah (Day 8 morning): Return to Muscat (~2 hours by road), then fly Muscat → Salalah (1h45–1h55). Typical one-way fares range ~$45–120; compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Ultra-budget option: overnight bus (about 12–13 hours); bring a warm layer for AC.

Salalah

Salalah is Dhofar’s coastal jewel—palm-lined beaches, banana plantations, and the ancient heart of the frankincense trade. In khareef (June–September), mist cloaks the hills and waterfalls run; outside of monsoon, expect clear seas, wide sands, and excellent day trips.

Where to stay (value-first):

• Salalah Gardens Hotel (central, good value near shops and inexpensive eats)
• Hilton Salalah Resort (often sharp deals; seaside sunsets)
• Splurge-once option by the ruins and museum: Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara
• See more options on Hotels.com (Salalah) or VRBO (Salalah)

Days 8–12: Frankincense trail, beaches, and waterfalls

• Al Baleed Archaeological Park & Frankincense Land Museum: A UNESCO site tracing maritime trade routes; the museum’s ship models and incense history are superb and affordable.
• Mughsail Beach & Blowholes: Dramatic surf spouts at high tide; continue west to the switchbacks of Fazayah for wild, cliff-backed beaches.
• Wadi Darbat and Ayn Razat: In khareef, expect waterfalls and emerald hills; in dry months, tranquil pools and picnic spots still reward the detour.
• Mirbat & Taqah: Stroll old coral-stone houses, see Taqah Castle, and visit the Bin Ali mausoleum. Combine with a coastal swim.

Low-cost eats in Salalah:

• Udupi Vegetarian Restaurant: South Indian staples—dosa, thali, and filter coffee—perfect for a budget-friendly feast.
• Awtad Restaurant: Local favorite for mandi and grilled meats; portions are generous and easy on the wallet.
• Al Mina and Sakalan (at Al Baleed Resort): Not the cheapest, but good for a treat night—Al Mina for Mediterranean grills, Sakalan for a wide buffet.
• Haffa Corniche fruit stands: Fresh coconuts, sugarcane juice, and bananas—iconic Salalah snacks for coins.
• Oasis Club: Long-running spot near the port—solid pub-style meals, great at sunset if you want a casual sit-down.

Guided overview (Viator):

• Salalah City Tour: Discover Oman’s Coastal Gem

  

  Efficient half- to full-day circuit covering mosques, souqs, Al Baleed, and local life. Expect ~$40–80 depending on inclusions—great value to get oriented.

Suggested day-by-day blocks

• Days 1–2 (Muscat): Mutrah Corniche and Souq; Royal Opera House exterior and Qurum Beach; Grand Mosque + National Museum + Al Alam Palace walk.
• Day 3 (Coastal adventure): Wadi Shab + Bimmah Sinkhole group tour (full day).
• Day 4 (Sea morning, free evening): Dolphin cruise or sunset kayak; roam Mutrah at dusk for street snacks and tea.
• Day 5 (To Nizwa): Morning bus/drive to Nizwa; afternoon fort and souq; halwa tasting.
• Day 6 (Forts): Jabrin Castle + Bahla Fort; pottery class in Bahla.
• Day 7 (Mountains): Misfat Al Abriyeen wander + Jebel Akhdar viewpoints; return to Nizwa.
• Day 8 (To Salalah): Return to Muscat and fly to Salalah; beach walk on arrival.
• Day 9 (City highlights): Al Baleed ruins and museum; Haffa Souq for frankincense; coconut stands on the corniche.
• Day 10 (West): Mughsail Blowholes and Fazayah beaches.
• Day 11 (East): Wadi Darbat, Ayn Razat, Taqah Castle, Mirbat old town.
• Day 12 (Buffer): Free morning for shopping or a final swim; fly out.

Budget tips:

• Group tours in Muscat and Salalah are cheaper than private 4x4s—and often include transport and water.
• Eat your big meal at lunch; many restaurants offer excellent value midday. A mandi plate can be 2–4 OMR and easily feeds two.
• City buses and shared taxis keep costs low; in markets, carry small bills. Tap water is generally safe when filtered; buy large bottles to refill.

When it’s time to depart, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com for flights, and consider a prebooked airport transfer in Muscat for a smooth finish: Muscat Airport Transfer.

This 12-day Oman itinerary stitches together coastal Muscat, the fortresses and highlands of Nizwa, and the lush Dhofar coast of Salalah. You’ll experience souqs and wadis, frankincense history, and starlit beaches—proving a rich Arabian journey can be both authentic and affordable.