Located on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman is a country that is rich in culture and natural beauty. With towering mountains and pristine beaches, it’s no wonder that Oman hotels are becoming increasingly popular tourist destinations.
Whether you’re looking for a luxurious resort or a simple Bed and Breakfast, Oman has something to offer everyone.
What are the Best Places for Camping in Oman?
Imagine that you’re in a tent away from the hustle and bustle of the city, drinking your tea while you look at the stars and think about your life.
This is something that people don’t do very often these days. It’s a good idea to go camping in Oman if this picture has already made you want to go on a trip.
We have all the information you need. There are a lot of different things to do in the country because of its many different landscapes, like swimming, diving, off-roading, and camping.
Putting up a tent in public places, called “wild camping,” is also legal in Oman. This makes camping in Oman a great choice for experienced campers who want to enjoy a trip alone. No, it can’t.
1. Bandar Al Khiran
You can get there in an hour by car from the capital of Oman, Muscat. The cove of Bandar Al Khiran is a beautiful sight. The camping site can only be reached by walking through the forest in the middle of sandy cliffs.
A small lake of clear blue water has formed on the rocky beach, which marks the beginning of the sea. You can swim and fish right next to the lake in this place. This is a great place for people who enjoy these things.
It could flood during high tide if you set up your tent too low. Camping in Oman is a popular way to spend time outdoors. It’s best to go on a weekday so that you can have the whole place to yourself.
GPS Location: N23° 30’ 4.5” E58° 44’ 2.2”
2. Wadi Suneik
This is a slice of heaven. It is calm and serene. This is a beautiful place to go camping in Oman because it has a lot of ridges and palm trees around it.
Take a dip in the pool to cool off from the hot weather. There aren’t many people around Wadi Suneik. You might not see anyone there, and you might be the only one there, too!
3. Jebel Shams
For people who like to go hiking and camp at the same time, this is the best choice. The mountain range is about three and a half hours away by car from Muscat. A beautiful view can be seen while you are atop mountain peaks.
The cool weather, which is between 10°C and 15°C, makes this a great place to go camping during the summer. It’s possible that the oxygen level will drop a little because the mountains are so high at 3005m.
The best place to camp is at the edge of the canyon. One of the best things about camping in Jebel Shams is being able to take a picture of the night sky.
4. Fazayah Beach
This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Oman. It is 64 km from Salalah International Airport. The view from the beach is so beautiful that it will be the perfect way to end or start your trip.
5. Masirah Kiteboarding Camp
In the east of Oman, the island is a beautiful sight in itself. Now, if you want to have some fun as well, the kiteboarding camp is a good choice for you. There are a lot of water activities you can do at the camp, which is on a beautiful turquoise sea.
These include water-skiing and kiteboarding, as well as fishing, windsurfing, canoeing, and snorkelling. For water sports fans, this is a great way to meet people who share your interests.
Camps have already been built here next to the Masirah beach camp, and they will be ready soon. You’ll be able to use the bathroom and shower, and drinking water will also be there.
6. Khor Rori
An archaeological site in Oman will show off the history of the country because it is only a few minutes away from the Sumhuram ruins, which are a lot of history.
This desert is in the Dhofar region of Oman, and it’s a great place to go camping. A camel that comes near the creeks will also be near you.
The Wadi Darbat gives the Khor (creek) a lot of freshwaters, so you can use the water from here to cook.
7. The Wahiba Sands
A trip to the middle east isn’t complete unless you visit the deserts, and camping in deserts is a whole new thing. 240 km from Muscat, the desert is also known as the Sharqiya Sands.
It takes about 2 to 3 hours to drive from Muscat to the desert by car. While the mountains are best for the summer, the desert is a great place to go in the winter.
The sand dunes are a beautiful sight to see, but you need to be a good 4WD driver to get around them. If you want to fully enjoy the desert experience, you can also book a desert safari.
Enjoy camel rides, quad biking, and hot air balloon rides. if you don’t want to drive in the desert and set up the camp, you can book a trip with an operator. The Desert Nights Camp and the Arabian Oryx Camp are two of the best places to stay.
8. Wadi Shab – Wadi Tiwi
These are two of the most beautiful wadis in Oman, and they’re a great place to stay if you want to camp in Oman. The Wadi Shab is less than two hours away from Muscat.
There are peaceful blue pools in the area that can be reached after a short hike. For people who want to get away from the crowds but still want to enjoy the beauty of Wadi Tiwi, which is close by, Wadi Tiwi will be more ideal.
Keep in mind that the rocks in this area are very sharp, so it’s best to bring a lot of padding for sleeping and walking so that you don’t hurt yourself.
9. Wadi Damm or Dhum
Damm is a word that means hidden, and there could not be a better way to describe this wadi. The wadi is about 45 km from the city of Ibri. It’s a beautiful sight to see.
When you look at this place, you’ll see a lot of different rocks and small pools that are tucked in between them To enjoy a trekking trip to the small pools, you will not have to worry about the trek itself.
The small pools are very slippery. Though the beautiful blue-green shallow lakes and small waterfalls will be worth all the work.
There are tombs at Al Ayn and Bat that might be worth a visit while you’re camping in this area: What to keep in mind while camping in this area is that the tent might get wet, so choose a place high up.
10. Sugar Dunes
These sand dunes are about 500 km away from Muscat. You can only get there with a 4WD. This desert has mystical white sands that make it look like something out of this world.
When you look out over the desert, you can see turquoise water from the Arabian Sea. Because the whole place is so beautiful, it’s hard to pick a place to go camping.
The place is a lot more peaceful and quiet than the Wahiba Sands. This will make the experience even better. While you’re there, you might also want to check out the Al Khaluf village.
Best Hotels in Oman
You can’t help but be spooked by Oman’s beauty in the Middle East. Because of recent events in the world, tourists and people in the Middle East are afraid.
However, Oman is a safe country, even though it’s in a dangerous place. It should be on your bucket list. If you think about the country’s beautiful landscapes, you’ll think of myths, stories, and dreams that have been passed down through the generations.
Oman has beautiful mountains, deserts, beaches, villages, and wildlife that is hard to find. Oman is a welcome and authentic break from the modernism of its neighbour, the United Arab Emirates. With its low-key tourism profile, Oman still has a sense of the oriental spirit of 1001 nights.
Now is the best time to get lost in the mysterious beauty of Oman, because the country is getting ready to get a lot more tourists. A new airport, a big conference centre, and a lot of new hotels are all coming to the country.
10. JUMEIRAH AT SARAYA BANDAR JISSAH, MUSCAT
Jumeirah at Saraya Bandar Jissah is still being built, but it is expected to open next year (2019). The resort will have two wings: one with 206 rooms and one with 112 rooms.
It will be in Bandar Jissah, a beautiful cove near Qantab, nestled between the Hajar Mountains and the Gulf of Oman, close to Muscat. As part of this whole project, there will be an amazing Talise Spa and an amazing dive centre.
There will also be a lot of sports and recreation facilities for people to use. There will also be restaurants and bars, and a kids’ club. Hundreds of high-end residential townhouses and villas will be built as part of the project. The resort will be one part of the larger project.
Hotel website: Jumeirah
9. INTERCONTINENTAL MUSCAT
The InterContinental Muscat is in the heart of Oman’s capital. It is set in 35 acres of lush palm gardens between the Hajar Mountains and the sands of the Gulf Coast. There are old rooms in the hotel, though (although the hotel is currently refurbishing some guestrooms).
In this case, it’s right next to the beach, but the beach here is public and not very pretty. But even though there are some problems, the hotel has a lot of amenities. It has two floodlit tennis courts, a 25 m (82 ft) Olympic-size pool, a leisure pool, a fully-equipped gym, a sauna, and a jacuzzi.
It also has a sauna and a gym. The hotel has a lot of fun things to do, is close to Muscat’s main business areas, and is only 15 minutes from the airport. It’s still a favourite for both business and pleasure travellers (although I would not rank it as a luxurious hotel).
Hotel website: InterContinental Muscat
8. DESERT NIGHTS CAMP, AL WASIL
If you want to go on a trip through the desert in Oman, the only luxury desert camp there, Desert Nights, is the best place to start.
The desert is full of spectacular craggy mountains in the distance, endless dunes, and crystal clear wadis.
In two hours, you can be there. The camp spreads out over 10 acres of silky sands in the Omani desert. Luxurious Bedouin-style tents come in 30 different styles and are fully air-conditioned.
The tents have cosy sitting areas, luxurious beds with linen covers, tiled rooms with tasteful Arabian furniture, and boutique bathrooms. Each night, guests eat traditional Omani food while the campfire lights up the night sky.
Hotel website: not yet available
7. AL BALEED RESORT SALALAH BY ANANTARA, SALALAH
Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara is in the middle of a private beach and a freshwater lagoon. It is the first and only luxury pool villa resort in Salalah.
Dhofar has a rich history, and Middle Eastern design is based on the region’s famous coastal fortresses. Intricate, artistic touches add to the princely comforts. Walkways are surrounded by tall palm trees, tropical gardens, lush water features, and peaceful journeys to new discoveries.
At the infinity pool, guests can relax and enjoy the view of the sea. They can also go to the resort’s own private beach. The resort has 30 rooms with views of the beach, sea, or garden, as well as 106 one, two, and three-bedroom villas that are great for romance and vacations with family and friends.
Hotel website: Al Baleed Resort Salalah
6. ANANTARA AL JABAL AL AKHDAR RESORT, AL HAJAR MOUNTAINS
Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort is a two-hour drive from the city of Muscat in the middle of the desert. Oman’s fabled Green Mountain is home to a five-star hotel that is 2,000 m above sea level on the rim of a great canyon.
The hotel is in the Saiq Plateau, which is made of rocky cliffs. Elegant buildings show off the mountains and Oman’s artistic traditions, with modern design motifs that show off the region’s ancient forts.
A beautiful infinity pool with a belvedere is the perfect place to relax. Guests of the Anantara spa are pampered with cleansing rituals from the Middle East, and the spa helps you find your own rhythm in hot yoga.
Guests can also look at the stars from the same spot where Princess Diana stood when she was there. Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort is a place where you can enjoy the best of Omani splendour in the most beautiful natural settings.
Hotel website: Anatara Al Jabal Al Akhdar
5. THE CHEDI MUSCAT – A GHM HOTEL, MUSCAT
As soon as the Chedi Muscat opened, it was one of the first stylish and ultra-sleek hotels in the Gulf of Oman. Today, it is still a good example of quiet luxury, and with its simple design, it is still Oman’s most elegant and exclusive resort.
It has a long private beach and 21 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, but its setting isn’t as dramatic as the hotels below. That’s why I didn’t give it a higher rank.
Through the windows in each of the 158 tasteful, well-appointed guest rooms and suites, you can see sparkling waters, vibrant gardens, and dramatic mountains from all over the world.
In addition, there are six different restaurants, a thirteen-suite Bali spa, three swimming pools, and a health club that’s both beautiful and well-equipped.
Hotel website: The Chedi Muscat
4. AL BUSTAN PALACE, A RITZ-CARLTON HOTEL, MUSCAT
You can find Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel on the beach, between the rugged Al Hajar mountain range and the Sea of Oman.
The hotel is set in beautiful gardens. Because of the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit and Sultan Qaboos’s 15th birthday party in 1985, this hotel was first built. Arab and art deco influences make the hotel look elegant, especially in its 38 m (124 ft) high, domed lobby.
It has 250 guest rooms and suites, each with a private balcony where guests can look out at beautiful mountains, sea, or garden views.
People who stay at this hotel can enjoy the most beautiful beach in the area near Muscat. In 2015, a beautiful Six Senses spa was added to the hotel. It was built into the stone and rock cliffs that surround the hotel.
Hotel website: Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel
3. SHANGRI-LA AL HUSN, MUSCAT
The Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa is the only one of its kind in Barr Al Jissah. It is tucked away in the middle of the mountains and the waters of the Gulf of Oman.
The resort is made up of three separate hotels: Al Waha, Al Bandar, and Al Husn. Al Waha is the first family-friendly hotel in Oman, and Al Bandar is the second. The latter is Shangri-best La’s service, amenities, and privileges.
It has 180 rooms and suites that are some of Oman’s largest and most luxurious. The rooms and suites are decorated in a style that is based on royal Arabian palaces and includes authentic Omani art.
As part of their stay, guests can enjoy free minibars, free afternoon tea, and free cocktails and canapes before dinner.
Hotel website: Shangri-La Al Husn
2. ALILA JABAL AKHDAR, AL HAJAR MOUNTAINS
Jabal Akhdar, which means “Green Mountain” in Arabic, is part of the Al Hajar mountains range, one of the most beautiful places in Oman.
When you stay at Alila Jabal Akhdar, you can see this amazing landscape of unspoiled beauty from above. It’s set at a height of 2000 meters (6560 feet).
Overlooking a dramatic gorge and with a view of the Hajar Mountains, a hotel is a great place for adventurers, nature lovers, and people who want to get away from the desert heat.
The 78 suites and villas at the resort are spread out across the clifftop in groups of four to six, with plenty of space between each group to ensure privacy and uninterrupted views of the mountains and the gorges below.
Hotel website: Alila Jabal Akhdar
1. SIX SENSES ZIGHY BAY, MUSANDAM PENINSULA
A person has six senses: hearing, sight, smell, and touch Zighy Bay is an ultra-luxurious “hidden gem” in Oman. It’s only a two-hour drive from Dubai, but it feels like a world away.
There are dramatic mountains on one side of this beautiful, indigenous village-style resort, and a 1.6 kilometre (1 mile) sandy beach on the other. It has its own marina.
The resort makes you feel like you’re in another country, but it has everything you need, is easy to get to, and has the barefoot luxury that you can’t even imagine.
The rooms are based on traditional Omani homes and have high indigenous-style ceilings, colourful cushions for the living area, and a cloud-like bed made of unbleached cotton sheets topped with your choice of ergonomic pillows.
All villas have their own private pools, where guests can cool off in the privacy of high cobblestone walls.
Hotel website: Six Senses Zighy Bay