Oman blends ancient maritime heritage with dramatic landscapes—fjords of rock, emerald wadis, and a 3,000-kilometer coastline dotted with fishing villages. Once a seafaring empire tied to East Africa and India, it still burns frankincense, pours spiced qahwa, and wears the silver-hilted khanjar with quiet pride. You’ll feel that depth the moment you step onto Muscat’s corniche or walk a palm oasis in Dhofar.

In one week, you can savor Muscat’s mosques, markets, and sea, then fly south to Salalah for coastal drives and mountain wadis. Swim through Wadi Shab’s turquoise pools, crest the dunes of Wahiba Sands, and watch a blood-orange sunset from a wooden dhow. Omani hospitality shines in everyday moments: dates offered with coffee, a fisherman’s smile, a souq vendor explaining fragrant luban (frankincense).

Practical notes: Visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque on weekday mornings (Sat–Thu for non‑Muslim visitors; modest dress required). Peak season is October–April; Salalah’s monsoon (Khareef) runs June–September and paints the south green. Weekends are Friday–Saturday, and driving is straightforward with good highways; for mountain tracks and desert, hire a 4x4/guide.

Muscat

Muscat curls between mountains and sea, its whitewashed neighborhoods stitched together by corniches and coves. Highlights include the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Mutrah Souq, the National Museum, and the clifftop forts of Al Jalali and Al Mirani near the ceremonial Al Alam Palace.

• Top sights: Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Royal Opera House Muscat, Mutrah Corniche & Souq, National Museum of Oman, Riyam “Incense Burner” viewpoint.
• Why visit: Access to iconic wadis (Wadi Shab, Bimmah Sinkhole) and desert day trips (Wahiba Sands), plus dolphin and snorkeling cruises offshore.
• Food & drink: Try shuwa (slow-cooked lamb), mashuai (kingfish with rice), halwa for dessert, and cardamom coffee with dates.

Getting to Muscat: Compare flights into MCT on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Old Muscat/Mutrah is 25–35 minutes from the airport by taxi; metered fares are typically 8–12 OMR ($21–31).

Airport transfer option: Pre-book a pickup with this service: Muscat transfer: airport transfer to/from hotel in muscat.

Where to stay (Hotels.com/VRBO picks):

• Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel — vaulted lobby, private beach, and a dramatic bay backed by crags.
• Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa — family-friendly coves, lazy rivers, and turtle encounters.
• Mutrah Hotel — simple, walkable to the corniche and souq.
• Browse more: Hotels.com Muscat or VRBO Muscat.

Day 1: Arrival, Mutrah Corniche, and Sunset on the Water

Afternoon: Land in Muscat and settle into your hotel. Stretch your legs along the Mutrah Corniche, where dhows bob in the harbor and the air smells faintly of frankincense. Duck into Mutrah Souq to browse silver, khanjars, and fragrant resins; vendors will happily explain grades of luban.

Evening: Unwind on an old-school wooden dhow at golden hour. Book Omani Traditional Dhow Cruise: Sunset and Muscat Coastal View to glide past Al Bustan Palace and rugged headlands.

After docking, dine nearby: Bait Al Luban (Mutrah) serves heirloom recipes like shuwa with dates and saffron rice; or try Rozna, a fort-inspired spot known for harees and qabouli. For a sweet finish, sample pistachio halwa with Omani qahwa.

Day 2: Grand Mosque, City Highlights, and an Alfresco Omani Dinner

Morning: Cover key landmarks on the concise Half-Day Private Muscat City Tour - Top Landmarks in Just 4 Hours.

Expect the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (intricate mosaic and a famous handwoven carpet), Royal Opera House, and Mutrah Fish Market. Dress modestly for the mosque; non‑Muslim visiting is mornings Sat–Thu.

Afternoon: Lunch at Turkish House (Qurum) for grilled hammour, calamari, and mezze—locals swear by it. Then browse the National Museum (Omani seafaring, archaeology) and stroll to Al Alam Palace for photos. Coffee break at Mani’s Café (Al Shatti) for carrot cake and a flat white.

Evening: Book a table at Kargeen, a garden courtyard lit by lanterns; the khubz rakhal wraps with spiced meats are crowd-pleasers. If the schedule aligns, cap the night with a performance at the Royal Opera House; otherwise, people-watch along the Al Mouj Marina and grab gelato.

Day 3: Wadi Shab and Bimmah Sinkhole Adventure

Full-day guided excursion. Lace up for a short boat hop, a scenic wadi walk, and swims through turquoise pools to a hidden cave waterfall. Book the popular Wadi Shab and Bimmah Sinkhole Group Full Day Tour (8–9 hours; bring water shoes).

Many tours include a stop at Fins Beach; sun protection is essential.

Post-tour dinner: Treat yourself at The Beach Restaurant (The Chedi) for a refined seafood menu with sea breezes, or keep it casual at Slider Station (Shatti Al Qurum) for creative sliders and milkshakes.

Day 4: Wahiba Sands Desert and Wadi Bani Khalid

Another classic full-day that pairs emerald pools with towering dunes. The Full-Day Wahiba Desert and Wadi Bani Khalid Group Tour includes dune-bashing by 4x4 and time to swim beneath date palms.

Prefer a private pace? Consider the Full-Day Private Wahiba Sands Desert and Wadi Bani Khalid Tour for flexibility.

Dinner back in Muscat: Rozna’s rooftop for qabouli with lamb and date vinegar, or Bait Al Luban for lemony kingfish (mashuai). If you have energy, a short night stroll to the Riyam “Incense Burner” viewpoint offers city lights and sea views.

Optional swap: Ocean lovers can exchange Day 4 for snorkeling with turtles at the Daymaniyat Islands: Daymaniyat Islands Snorkeling Sharing Trip or Muscat Snorkeling Trip to Daymaniyat Islands with BBQ lunch.

Salalah

Fly south to Dhofar, where the scent of frankincense drifts from wadis, and white beaches frame a sea the color of polished jade. In Khareef (monsoon) the hills turn emerald; the rest of the year they glow gold, dotted with ancient frankincense trees.

• Top sights: Al Baleed Archaeological Park & Museum of the Frankincense Land, Haffa Souq (frankincense), Wadi Darbat, Taqah Castle, Sumhuram/Khor Rori, Mughsail Beach blowholes.
• Vibe: Slower, breezier, with coconut stalls along the road and camels meandering the coast at sunset.

Muscat to Salalah flight: Morning departures take about 1h 45m; fares often range $60–150 one-way. Search and book on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Taxis from SLL airport to the resort strip are 10–20 minutes.

Where to stay (Hotels.com/VRBO picks):

• Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara — beachfront villas, superb spa, and a private gate to Al Baleed Archaeological Park.
• Hilton Salalah Resort — sea views, palm gardens, and a large pool.
• Salalah Gardens Hotel — central location with mall access.
• Browse more: Hotels.com Salalah or VRBO Salalah.

Day 5: Fly South, Frankincense Heritage, and Beach Sunset

Morning: Check out and fly Muscat–Salalah (aim for an early flight). Bookable on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; flight time ~1h 45m. Drop bags at your hotel.

Afternoon: Explore Al Baleed Archaeological Park and the Museum of the Frankincense Land for spice routes, shipbuilding, and Dhofar’s ancient ports. Then browse Haffa Souq for resin, burners, and myrrh soaps—ask vendors for “Hojari” (the region’s prized grade).

Evening: Catch sunset at Al Haffa Beach where camels sometimes wander the shore. Dinner at Al Mina (sea-to-table mezze, grilled prawns) or the Hilton’s Al Maha Café for Omani‑Arab plates and fresh juices.

Day 6: East Dhofar Safari—Castles, Wadi Darbat, and Coastal Vistas

Spend a full day on the East Salalah Mountain Safari, Wadi Darbat, Beach, Camels, Dunes, taking in Taqah Castle, the Sumhuram ruins (Khor Rori), and the lush valley of Wadi Darbat where waterfalls roar in Khareef.

Photo stops and a picnic-style lunch are common; bring light layers for mountain breezes.

Dinner: Try Mekong (at Al Baleed) for Thai/Vietnamese classics—green curry, tamarind fish—or Baalbek for generous Lebanese grills and fresh-baked bread.

Day 7: Mughsail Blowholes, Coconut Stalls, and Departure

Morning: Drive 40 minutes west to Mughsail Beach to see wave-plumed blowholes and limestone cliffs; the nearby hairpin bends toward Yemen offer dramatic overlooks. On the way back, sample fresh coconut water and papaya from roadside stalls—Dhofar’s tropical bounty in a cup.

Afternoon: Early lunch at the Crowne Plaza’s Dolphin Beach Restaurant (sea views), then depart from SLL for your onward flight. Search fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you have extra time, pick up last-minute frankincense at Haffa Souq.

Insider tips: Dress modestly (shoulders/knees covered) in traditional areas and religious sites. Hydrate constantly in wadis and desert; carry a dry bag for phones. For mountain tracks like Jebel Akhdar/Jebel Shams, a 4x4 and experienced driver are recommended—consider guided day tours if you want to add Nizwa or Oman’s “Grand Canyon” from Muscat, such as Nizwa and Oman's Grand Canyon: Full-Day Adventure.

In one unforgettable week, you’ll walk marble mosques, sail at sunset, swim in canyon pools, and trace ancient incense routes. Oman rewards curiosity—with every bend in the road, a new view, a new flavor, and a friendly hello.