Once I was planning our household journey to Oman for October half-term, I used to be in search of a rustic with loads to occupy us for every week, plenty of sunshine, however the place we shouldn’t find yourself exhausted making an attempt to suit an excessive amount of into an Oman itinerary with youngsters.
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Evidently, as soon as I began researching Oman, it could have been simple to fill a two-week journey – or longer. But when, like us, you’ve received seven days to burn, Oman with youngsters is a implausible possibility – particularly with a mid-haul flight of lower than eight hours and a three-hour time distinction to British Summer time Time.
So that is what I deliberate as my week in Oman with youngsters itinerary, with some assist from Cussed Mule (who organized my Cambodia journey) plus extra ideas when you’ve received longer to spend exploring.
Day 1 – Muscat
Except you drive from the UAE, you’ll fly in to Muscat earlier than heading out to discover the nation. If you happen to solely have sooner or later within the capital, you may’t miss the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque with its famously lovely adorned inside.
Do doublecheck the opening hours although, particularly when you arrive early after an in a single day flight, as you solely have till 11am to go to.
The opposite possibility is to go to the next morning in your manner out of the town.
Muttrah and the souk, with its spices, shiny textiles and gold stalls can be value seeing on even a quick cease – take a wander alongside the corniche too earlier than sitting all the way down to individuals watch over contemporary fruit juice.
We additionally discovered time to go dolphin recognizing within the Gulf of Oman, which was a magical approach to wake ourselves up after a really early touchdown.
Bought longer? Try the Oman Youngsters’s Museum with loads of interactive displays to whereas away a number of hours.
The place to remain
The Finest Western Muscat is central for a brief keep, plus there’s a small indoor pool, restaurant and really comfortable beds to fight jetlag.
If you happen to’re forking out a bit extra, the Al Bustan Palace could be a wonderful family-friendly five-star splurge though it’s additional outdoors the town which implies you’ll must consider Muscat’s visitors.
Day 2 – Nizwa and Jebel Shams
Leaving the capital behind, head to the traditional capital of Oman’s inside – Nizwa. Nizwa has its personal fort in addition to a souk, recognized for its silver and coppersmiths, and its previous jewelry. It’s additionally well-known for its halwa, a standard sticky candy.
Then on to Jebel Shams, nicknamed Oman’s Grand Canyon with its dramatic panorama the place the nation’s highest mountain plunges to a breath-taking canyon.
In case you have time, cease at the close by Jabrin Fort with its balconied courtyard and adorned rooms, in addition to Bahla Fort with its labyrinth of corridors and the tomb of one of many Imams who historically dominated the inside. You can additionally cease at each the next day on the way in which to the desert.
Learn what we thought of visiting the forts of Oman with youngsters
Since we visited Oman, the Oman Throughout the Ages Museum opened in 2023 – the nation’s largest museum, masking a whopping 66,591 sq. metres, there are some nice interactive galleries because it tells the story of Oman’s previous, current and hopes for the long run.
Try this nice evaluate of Oman Throughout the Ages Museum right here for extra particulars about visiting
The place to remain
The View lives as much as its identify, set out within the mountains with unbelievable views from the rooms onto the canyon and a beautiful infinity pool.
Day 3 – Wahiba Sands
Go away the mountains for the desert at Wahiba Sands – with huge dunes, you’ll want a 4WD to discover this large sand sea with the shifting sands blown over 100 metres excessive.
Rely the camels en route, cease at a Bedouin home for a style of conventional life or simply marvel on the colors of the limitless dunes in limitless shades of gold and burned orange.
Try what we received as much as throughout our keep in Oman’s desert
The place to remain
A standard Bedouin camp within the desert – 1000 Nights Camp has the choice of staying in a home or a number of completely different sorts of tents.
If, like me, you’re extra of a glamper than camper, the Sheikh tents are conventional Bedouin goat hair dwellings however there’s a rest room and bathe that’s open to the sky, plus electrical energy.
There’s additionally a pool, actions together with a camel safari and barbecue round a camp hearth below the celebs – climb the dunes behind the camp to observe the sundown too.
Or contemplate the Nomadic Desert Camp when you’d favor to not be proper out within the desert, particularly when you’re driving your self.
Day 4 – Sur and Ras al Jinz
The seaside city of Sur is known for its boatyards making dhows, the standard crusing boats of Oman in addition to fairly white buildings lining the streets and a corniche to wander alongside.
You can additionally cease at Wadi Bani Khalid on the way in which, a bit of oasis with swimming pools fed by pure springs within the mountains the place you may swim – or simply benefit from the date palms within the shadow of the mountains.
Make Sur your base or proceed to Ras Al Jinz turtle reserve, the place endangered inexperienced turtles come ashore to put eggs – the centre arranges visits to the seashore to watch with out disturbing the nests, each within the night (round 8.30/9pm) and round 5am.
Visitors get to go within the first group of the night which is good with youthful youngsters.
There’s additionally a small however beautiful museum, with info on the turtles, their place in fable and legends and extra in regards to the first individuals to reside on this space.
July to October is the height time to identify the turtles though you may nonetheless be fortunate and see them within the months both aspect as properly – 5 completely different turtle species reside within the seas right here.
The place to remain
The Ras Al Jinz Scientic Centre – there are rooms to remain in in addition to tents. All of the tents had been booked up so we missed out however the rooms had been fortunately air-conditioned after our earlier evening within the desert.
Try my evaluate of our keep or you may see a evaluate of the tents right here
If you happen to’re staying in Sur, the Finest Western Sur has its personal out of doors pool.
Day 5 and 6 – Muscat’s seashore
End the journey with a few days enjoyable by the coast simply outdoors Muscat – there are a number of completely different areas to select from, round an hour from the airport, with watersports and eating places in addition to the seashore itself.
If you happen to do get bored, Muscat itself is round an hour away so you may discover a number of the locations you missed in the beginning of the journey… though frankly a day and a half lounging by the pool and seashore suited us simply nice.
The place to remain
The family-friendly Sifawy Boutique Lodge is ready on a marina with a youngsters’s pool, snorkelling and boat excursions, an inflatable waterpark and the seashore in strolling distance.
Barely nearer to Muscat is the Hilton Muscat Al Bandar (beforehand the Shangri La Barr Al Jissah) has its personal family-friendly aspect in addition to loads of luxurious touches.
Day 7 Fly dwelling
Like me, I think you’ll be wishing you had longer (a LOT longer) to discover Oman and plotting a return journey – for now, day 7 is time to fly dwelling as soon as extra. We flew with British Airways direct from Heathrow to Muscat.
Keep longer
Some concepts when you’ve received two weeks to spend in Oman with youngsters – or if, like me, for subsequent time….
See one other aspect to Oman on a go to to the luxurious inexperienced south at Salalah
Discover the the north of Oman with youngsters – Sohar and the Musandam peninsula
Oman with youngsters: Must know
We had a driver/information for the entire journey – some days do contain a good bit of time within the automobile. If you happen to’re a assured driver, you possibly can do a lot of the itinerary your self though you’ll need good maps because the roads are being continuously up to date however the signposts are few and much between.
A four-wheel drive can be a good suggestion and important for the mountain and desert – fairly actually, I wouldn’t fancy driving within the desert until you’ve had observe, particularly on the subject of discovering someplace to let air out of the tires, not getting caught on the mushy sand and never getting misplaced!
As the entire lodges in our itinerary, bar the Finest Western, are comparatively remoted you’re additionally dedicated to consuming within the on-site restaurant. That is undoubtedly not a hardship, we had some great meals but it surely’s value taking into consideration when you’re taking a look at offers together with dinner.
For lunchtimes, we tended to cease at eating places en route recommended by our driver – usually nothing excellent to take a look at however we had some fabulous meals, often biryani and bread or different rice and meat dishes to share and lots to swimsuit youngsters.
*First printed 2017, up to date 2026*
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Disclosure: This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee. I paid for this journey myself other than a number of upgrades and meals courtesy of Cussed Mule (who I selected once more after having such an awesome vacation in Cambodia). All opinions and minor camel obsession stay my very own.
Essential picture & Jebel Shams courtesy of Depositphotos, all others courtesy copyright MummyTravels
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