🇴🇲 Oman

The most comfortable season in northern Oman runs from October to March, when days are warm rather than punishing, evenings are cool in the mountains and the sea is ideal for swimming and snorkelling. This is also when Muscat is at its liveliest, with concerts at the Royal Opera House and outdoor dining along the coast.

From around April to September the north is extremely hot, especially from May to July, and outdoor activity is best limited to early mornings. The exception is Dhofar in the far south: from roughly June to early September the khareef monsoon brings mist, drizzle and green hills to Salalah, drawing visitors from across the Gulf, so book well ahead if you go then.

Islamic holidays, including Ramadan, move about eleven days earlier each year; travel is still possible, but opening hours change.

Most of Oman is hot and arid. Coastal areas such as Muscat are humid in summer, while the interior is drier and can feel even hotter. Rain is rare and most likely between December and March, but when it falls it can cause sudden flash floods in wadis and on roads.

The Hajar Mountains, including Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams, are markedly cooler and can be chilly on winter nights. Dhofar in the south has its own monsoon season in summer.

Citizens of around 100 countries, including the UK and most EU states, can enter Oman without a visa for up to 14 days, normally stamped free of charge on arrival. Border officers may ask to see a return or onward ticket, a hotel booking and travel health insurance. Some nationalities qualify only if they hold a valid visa or residence permit for countries such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan or the Schengen area.

For longer stays, or if your nationality is not exempt, apply online through the Royal Oman Police e-visa portal (evisa.rop.gov.om); the French foreign ministry lists a 30-day single-entry tourist e-visa at 20 rials (fee checked October 2026). US citizens can obtain a tourist visa through the e-visa site or on arrival. Your passport should be valid for at least six months. Overstays are fined per day.

Confirm the current rules for your nationality with the official source before booking. Checked October 2026.

Most visitors arrive at Muscat International Airport, served by Oman Air, SalamAir and many international carriers, with frequent flights from Gulf hubs such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Oman has no passenger railway.

The easiest way to explore is by hire car: highways are modern and well signposted, and speed cameras are everywhere. A four-wheel drive is needed for mountain roads such as the climb to Jebel Akhdar, where police at the checkpoint enforce the rule, and for driving in the sands. Drive cautiously at night on rural roads, where lighting is poor and camels or goats may wander onto the tarmac.

State-run Mwasalat operates city buses in Muscat and intercity coaches to towns such as Nizwa, Sur and Salalah. Taxis and ride-hailing apps work in the capital; agree the fare in advance if there is no meter.

Oman is a mid-range to expensive destination, though usually cheaper than its wealthier Gulf neighbours. Accommodation ranges from simple guesthouses and desert camps to international resorts; small family-run hotels in Nizwa or the mountains offer good value.

Car hire and fuel make up a large part of a road-trip budget, especially for a four-wheel drive. Eating in local Omani, Indian and Pakistani cafés is inexpensive, while hotel restaurants are much pricier and are among the few places that serve alcohol. Entry tickets to forts and museums are generally modest; for reference, the Experience Oman website lists admission to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque at 8 rials (checked October 2026). The rial is divided into 1,000 baisa, and cards are widely accepted in towns.

Omani society is conservative and courteous. Dress modestly in public, with shoulders and knees covered, and keep swimwear for hotel pools and beaches. Women should cover their hair when visiting mosques; the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque lends abayas and scarves at the entrance.

Greetings matter: exchange a few pleasantries before getting to business. Use your right hand for eating and passing things, and ask permission before photographing people, especially women. During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours. Alcohol is available only in licensed hotels and restaurants, and public drunkenness is an offence. If offered kahwa (cardamom coffee) and dates, accept at least one cup; gently shake the cup when you have had enough.

Omani cooking draws on Arabia, Persia, India and East Africa. Rice dishes such as qabuli and majboos are cooked with meat or fish and fragrant spices, and shuwa (lamb or goat marinated in spices, wrapped and slow-cooked underground) is a festive speciality. Look out also for mishkak grilled skewers, harees (slow-cooked wheat and meat) and very fresh fish along the coast.

Sweet, sticky Omani halwa, flavoured with rosewater and saffron, is served with kahwa; Nizwa is famous for it. In Muscat you will find everything from traditional Omani restaurants to excellent South Asian food, reflecting the country's large expatriate community.

Oman has a low crime rate and a reputation for courtesy towards visitors. The main everyday risks are on the road and in nature: wadis can flood within minutes after rain, even rain falling far away in the mountains, so never enter a wadi or drive through running water when storms threaten. Take heat seriously, carry plenty of water and be careful of currents when swimming off open beaches.

Be aware of the regional situation: the UK government reported in July 2026 that strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran had affected several locations in the region, including Oman, and warned of possible flight cancellations and airspace closures. Stay away from military sites and follow local authorities. The US State Department advises against all travel to the Yemeni border area.

Local laws are strict on drugs, and some prescription medicines need approval, so check before you travel. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal. Read your own government's travel advice before booking and again shortly before departure.