Welcome to Oman, a crossroads of frankincense routes and Indian Ocean trade where mountains meet sea. In Muscat, whitewashed neighborhoods hug turquoise bays, while the Bawshar district holds the resplendent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and golden city dunes.

Across a week, you’ll swim in wadis as clear as glass, snorkel with turtles in the Daymaniyat Islands nature reserve, and watch dusk fade from a traditional dhow. You’ll wander Muttrah Souq for silver and incense, then climb into the Hajar Mountains for cool air, terrace farms, and cliff-edge viewpoints that define romance.

Practical notes: Oman is welcoming and safe; modest attire is appreciated at religious sites (shoulders/knees covered, women bring a scarf for mosques). The best weather runs October–April. Driving is straightforward on modern highways, but a 4x4 is required for Jebel Akhdar. Weekends are Friday–Saturday.

Muscat (including Bawshar)

Muscat is a coastal arc of forts, coves, and low-rise elegance; Bawshar is its modern heart, home to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Royal Opera House Muscat, and Qurum’s beach promenade. Sunsets blush over Bawshar’s city dunes—an otherworldly patch of sand right in town.

• Top sights: Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muttrah Corniche & Souq, Al Alam Palace, Jalali & Mirani forts, Royal Opera House Muscat, Qurum Beach, Bawshar Dunes.
• Dining favorites: Kargeen (lantern-lit garden, Omani grills), Bait Al Luban (heritage Omani recipes), Turkish House (fresh grilled fish), Dukanah Café (Omani breakfast classics).
• Fun fact: The Grand Mosque’s prayer hall hosts one of the world’s largest handwoven carpets and a monumental chandelier sparkling with Swarovski crystals.

Where to stay (Muscat): For value and location near the Corniche, try Mutrah Hotel. For a beachy resort feel, Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa delivers romantic coves. For a splurge with mountain-meets-sea drama, Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel is legendary. Browse more stays on Hotels.com Muscat or apartments on VRBO Muscat.

How to get here: Fly into Muscat International Airport (MCT). Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. For hotel pick-ups, you can prebook an airport transfer: Muscat transfer: airport transfer to/from hotel in muscat.

Nizwa & Jebel Akhdar

Nizwa, the “Pearl of Islam,” was Oman’s capital in the 6th–7th centuries. Today, its honey-colored fort and lively souq brim with pottery, silver khanjars, and date stalls sweet with cardamom-scented halwa. It’s your gateway to the Hajar Mountains.

• Top sights: Nizwa Fort & Souq, Falaj Daris Park, Bahla Fort (UNESCO), Jabrin Castle, Jebel Akhdar terraces, Diana’s Point, pomegranate orchards.
• Vibe: Desert light, mountain air, and evenings cool enough for shawls even when Muscat is warm—a perfect two-day romantic escape.

Where to stay (Nizwa region): Midrange comfort at Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel or apartment-style at Nizwa Hotel Apartments. If you want a one-night splurge, the cliff-perched Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort is one of Arabia’s most romantic hotels.

Getting there from Muscat: Drive 1.5–2 hours (160 km) on Highway 15; the road is excellent. Expect 2.5–3 hours if you stop at Fanja or Izki. Private transfers typically run in the 25–45 OMR range per car each way as of 2025; confirm with your hotel.

Day 1: Arrive in Muscat, Bawshar Warm-Up

Afternoon: Land in Muscat and check into your hotel. If you prefer no-hassle arrivals, prebook a private airport transfer. Stretch your legs along Qurum Beach; the promenade is perfect for a first dip in the Arabian Sea.

Evening: Dine at Kargeen under fairy lights—order shuwa (slow-cooked lamb) with saffron rice and fresh lemon mint juice. Nightcap with a walk on Muttrah Corniche, watching dhows bob beneath the lights of the harbor. For a celebratory drink, Trader Vic’s at the InterContinental Muscat often has live music.

Day 2: Grand Mosque, Muttrah Souq, and Sunset Dhow

Morning: Visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (Bawshar). Non-Muslim visiting hours are usually morning; dress modestly. Coffee and Omani khubz rakhal wraps at Dukanah Café afterward. Tour the Royal Opera House Muscat’s marble halls if time allows.

Afternoon: Head to Muttrah: browse frankincense, silver, and khanjars at Muttrah Souq and sample karak tea. See Al Alam Palace and the cliffside Portuguese forts Jalali and Mirani from the exterior.

Evening: Toast the coastline from the water on a sunset dhow cruise: Omani Traditional Dhow Cruise: Sunset and Muscat Coastal View.

Pre- or post-cruise dinner: Bait Al Luban for date vinegar-dressed salads and qabuli rice with tender meat, in a restored house overlooking the Corniche.

Day 3: Daymaniyat Islands – Snorkel with Turtles

Spend a full day on the water at the Daymaniyat Islands, a protected reserve famed for clear visibility, colorful corals, and frequent turtle encounters. Join this well-reviewed trip with equipment and lunch included: Muscat Snorkeling Trip to Daymaniyat Islands with BBQ lunch.

Post-sea appetite: Turkish House in Qurum grills the catch of the day and serves creamy hummus and hot khubz straight from the oven—budget-friendly and beloved by locals.

Day 4: Wadi Shab and the Bimmah Sinkhole

Trade sea for canyon pools on a full-day adventure east of Muscat. Hike through palms and boulders to swim in Wadi Shab’s turquoise pools, then cool off in the luminous Bimmah Sinkhole. Book: Wadi Shab and Bimmah Sinkhole Group Full Day Tour.

Back in Muscat, keep it casual with a seaside shawarma along Shatti Al Qurum or head to The Beach restaurant at The Chedi for a special-occasion seafood dinner by candlelight.

Day 5: To Nizwa – Forts, Dates, and Mountain Air

Morning: Depart Muscat for Nizwa (1.5–2 hours). Stop for a quick photo at Fanja’s viewpoint over palm groves and adobe ruins. Check into Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel or budget-friendly Nizwa Hotel Apartments.

Afternoon: Explore Nizwa Fort—climb the giant circular tower for views over the oasis. Wander Nizwa Souq’s pottery quarter and date halls; sample Omani halwa and pick up saffron and frankincense.

Evening: Dinner at Al Qalaa Restaurant near the fort for grilled meats, shuwa, and mezze. Stroll Falaj Daris Park for an easy after-dinner walk under the stars.

Day 6: Jebel Akhdar or Oman’s “Grand Canyon”

Choose your mountain flavor today. If you have a 4x4, head up to Jebel Akhdar for terrace villages (Al Ain, Al Aqur), rose-water distilleries in season (Mar–May), and sunset at Diana’s Point. Alternatively, pursue big drama at Jebel Shams—the rim above Wadi Ghul is often called Oman’s Grand Canyon.

Prefer a guided day with logistics handled? Consider: Nizwa and Oman's Grand Canyon: Full-Day Adventure or Full Day Private Nizwa/Jebel Akhdar (coordinate pickup; many operators start in Muscat but can accommodate).

For a romantic finale, book afternoon tea with a view at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar (advance reservation recommended), then return to Nizwa for a relaxed evening.

Day 7: Back to Muscat – Bawshar Dunes and Beach Brunch

Morning: Drive back to Muscat (2 hours with a coffee stop). Detour to the Bawshar Dunes for a short walk on the ripples—go early when sand is cool and light is golden. Avoid driving on the dunes without experience.

Afternoon: Brunch near the coast: Dukanah Café for balaleet (sweet vermicelli with egg) and khubz rakhal, or Mani’s in Shatti for eggs and salads. Last souvenir run at Muttrah or the Opera Galleria.

Evening: If your flight is later, unwind with a sunset swim at Qurum Beach or a spa session at your hotel. Prebook an airport transfer if you like: Muscat transfer. Depart with salt in your hair and mountains on your mind.

Optional Swap: Desert Romance Day (from Muscat)

If you’d trade a mountain day for dunes and a wadi, consider this full-day classic: Full-Day Wahiba Desert and Wadi Bani Khalid Group Tour—orange dunes, Bedouin encounters, and a freshwater swim.

Meals & Coffee: Local Gems to Bookmark

• Dukanah Café (Qurum): Homestyle Omani breakfasts—try luqaimat (date syrup-drizzled doughnuts) and masala tea.
• Kargeen (Madinat Sultan Qaboos): Romantic courtyard, Omani grills, smoke-fragrant shuwa, and fresh juices at fair prices.
• Bait Al Luban (Muttrah): Elevated heritage recipes—qabuli rice, kingfish curry—plus harbor views.
• Turkish House (Qurum): Grilled local fish, mezze, and bread from the oven; a value favorite.
• Nizwa Souq Stalls: Snack on dates, halwa, and khubz rakhal wraps; sip strong Omani coffee scented with cardamom.

Budget & Practical Tips (aiming for a 50/100 budget)

• Choose group tours (Wadi Shab, Wahiba) over private to save, and balance one splurge dinner with casual shawarma nights.
• Base in Muscat for 4 nights and Nizwa for 2; public beaches and museum exteriors are free. Fuel is inexpensive; self-driving between cities is cost-effective.
• Pack reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes for wadis, and a scarf for mosque and mountain breezes.

Alternate/Additional Stays: Browse Hotels.com Nizwa or VRBO Nizwa if you prefer apartment space or a terrace view.

In seven days, you’ll touch Oman’s essentials: a serene capital anchored by the Grand Mosque, crystalline wadis, a protected marine reserve, and the storied oasis of Nizwa beneath cool mountain skies. The mix of coastline, culture, and canyons sets an undeniably romantic tone—one you’ll feel long after wheels up from Muscat.