An Oman road trip is an unforgettable experience and one we definitely recommend. This country is so underrated yet has so much to offer! We spent four days self-driving around the country and experienced the incredible beaches, desert and mountains. If you only have four days in Oman and want to road trip around the country, follow our road trip itinerary to make the most of your Oman trip!
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Overview
With 3165km of coastline and at almost 4x the size of the UAE, Oman is quite a large country with a lot to see! Four days in Oman is just enough to scratch the surface of some of its northern attractions.
Most people begin their Oman road trip at Muscat International Airport. However, it is also possible to drive from Dubai to Oman, which is what we did. The Oman itinerary below is the exact itinerary we followed for our road trip in Oman.
This road trip itinerary allows you to see some of the highlights of Muscat, Wahiba Sands, Nizwa and Jebel Akhdar in a short amount of time. It is a great introductory itinerary for Oman, and left us wanting to return to explore more of the country!
What To Know About Driving in Oman
Before we get into our day by day Oman road trip itinerary, let’s cover what you need to know about driving in Oman. Hop on over to our Driving in Oman post where we’ve covered everything in detail!
Do I need a 4×4 in Oman?
To self-drive this exact road trip itinerary, yes, you will need a 4×4. However, you can modify it a bit and get by with a 2WD – more details on this below.
Where to Stay in Oman
Oman has a wide range of accommodations available, from luxury beach resorts to business hotels to budget rooms.
Since we were celebrating our anniversary, we chose more upscale accommodations. These are the exact hotels we stayed at and recommend:
Muscat: W Muscat
Wahiba Sands: Starry Domes Desert Camp
Jebel Akhdar: Alila Jabal Akhdar
What to Wear in Oman
Since Oman is predominantly a Muslim country, the locals dress modestly and more conservatively. I prefer to try to blend in a bit more when we travel, so I stuck with keeping my shoulders, knees, and cleavage covered.
I wore long skirts, capri pants and flowy tops. However, I didn’t feel the need to cover to my wrists, ankles and neck as I have done in other more conservative Muslim countries.
At the hotels, there were lots of European visitors and expat workers, so we felt comfortable wearing whatever we liked while there. We weren’t concerned with covering up that much at the hotels.
However, when you visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, you will definitely need to cover up entirely.
Oman Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1 – Muscat
Where is Muscat located?
Muscat is located in northeast Oman and is the country’s capital. The city lies on the Arabian Sea along the Gulf of Oman. It is approximately 312km from the Hatta UAE border.
What to do in Muscat
Morning:
Arrival in Muscat
As mentioned above, we began our Oman road trip from Dubai. We left Dubai around 9am and drove to Muscat, arriving in the early afternoon.
If you are flying into Oman, you will land at Muscat International Airport, located about 30km from the centre of Old Muscat.
Make sure you check Oman visa requirements prior to your arrival. As of 2023, 103 countries are exempt from needing an entry visa for stays 14 days or less. Otherwise you can apply for an Evisa online. You can find all the latest information on the Oman Government website.
Afternoon:
Visit Qurum Beach
While in the seaside city of Muscat, you must check out one of the city’s fabulous beaches! Qurum Beach is a lovely public beach with many coffeeshops, restaurants and hotels running alongside it.
Since our hotel was facing the beach, we had easy access and enjoyed a very relaxing afternoon by the beach and pool. It’s the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon after the long journey to Muscat.
Evening:
Explore Mutrah Fort
After soaking up some afternoon sun, drive yourself over to Old Muscat to experience the capital’s old-fashioned charm.
Begin with a visit to Mutrah Fort, perched high above the sea and offering fantastic views over the coastline. It was originally built by the Portuguese in the 1500s and used for military purposes.
Mutrah Fort Hours (as of June 2023): 8am-9pm daily
Wander Mutrah Souq
After checking out the fort, walk back down and head to the famous Mutrah Souq. This is a popular place so it may be hard to find street parking in front of the souq. However, just keep driving and you will eventually find a spot (we found ample free parking in a lot located off the main road just past the souq. The location is pinned on our map below).
Tip: Stop at one of the ATMs along the corniche to take out some cash.
This is probably my favourite souq I’ve ever been to! Unlike other souqs (eg. Marrakech, Dubai), I didn’t feel like I was being harassed or scammed. You’ll be able to find all kinds of souvenirs, textiles, frankincense, perfumes, shoes, clothing, jewelry, and food.
I ended up buying a nice abaya and scarf here to wear when visiting the mosques.
Mutrah Souq Hours: 9am-1pm, 4pm-10pm Daily
Stroll along the Corniche at sunset
The two-kilometre-long Corniche is a lovely, scenic place to stroll along and take in the sunset. It’s also a great place to people-watch and admire Old Muscat.
Have dinner at Punjab Sweets
While there are plenty of restaurants in Mutrah, we were craving some authentic Pakistani food. We decided to head a bit inland to Ruwi, Muscat’s business and commercial district, to experience more of a “local” vibe there since Ruwi is home to many of the city’s expat Indians and Pakistanis.
We love hole-in-the-wall-type restaurants, and when we saw Punjab Sweets featured in a YouTube video, we knew we had to eat there!
If you love Pakistani food, you must come here for a delicious, inexpensive meal.
The food is so flavorful that this meal ranks as one of our most memorable we’ve ever had across our travels. We couldn’t stop ordering more dishes.
In fact, the man working (maybe the owner) was so pleased with how much we enjoyed the food that he asked to take a photo with us 🙂
Punjab Sweets Hours: 4am-12am Daily
Hit up the grocery store to stock up on snacks
After dinner, head next door to the LuLu Hypermarket to pick up some snacks and drinks for Day Two of your Oman road trip!
LuLu Hypermarket – Ruwi Hours: 8am-12am Daily
Where to stay in Muscat
Luxury: W Muscat
We absolutely loved this trendy beach resort right on Qurum Beach.
It has an amazing outdoor pool that reminded us of Vegas pools, complete with large unicorn floaties, a live DJ, and servers handing out free popsicles.
There is lots of free parking, or you can use the valet if you prefer. Rooms are spacious and clean. The breakfast buffet is extensive and delicious!
We found the hotel’s location to be ideal as it was easy to get on and off of the Expressway and was pretty central to get to Old Muscat, the airport, and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
Read our full review of the W Muscat!
Day 2 – Muscat to Wahiba Sands
Morning:
Breakfast
If you stay at the W Muscat as we recommend, start your day early with an indulgent buffet breakfast to fill up for today’s road trip.
Alternatively, hit up one of the many nearby cafes and restaurants. Jawharat Al Shati Complex is just a couple of minutes down the road and has a number of beachside cafes and restaurants to choose from.
Or you can of course head back to Punjab Sweets for a delicious Pakistani breakfast. We were very tempted to head back there for more!
Visit Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
After breakfast, head to the majestic Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
This is the only mosque in Oman that is open to non-Muslims and it is a must-see!
It is definitely one of the most opulent, grandest mosques you will ever visit.
The mosque has capacity for up to 20,000 worshippers, contains the world’s second largest carpet, and once the world’s largest chandelier (a 14 metre Swarovski crystal chandelier!)
Note: Children under 10 are not permitted to enter the mosque.
Due to its limited hours and being the only mosque open to non-Muslims, it can get very busy. It is best to head there right when it opens at 8am, before the crowds appear.
Important to note: There is a strict dress code. We saw numerous people turned away for not being dressed appropriately. Women must cover their hair and dress modestly, meaning no bare arms, legs or chest. Men must wear long pants. Shorts are not allowed.
If you aren’t prepared with appropriate attire, you can rent or buy some at the gift shop. They had a huge and beautiful selection to choose from! The cost was 2.5 OMR to rent an abaya.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque Hours: 8am-11am Saturday-Thursday, CLOSED FRIDAYS
Cost: Free!
Afternoon:
Bimmah Sinkhole
After your morning visit to the mosque, it’s time to hit the road! Drive about 125km to the unusual, but fantastic, Bimmah Sinkhole.
About 15 minutes before reaching the sinkhole, you will likely encounter a police checkpoint. Nothing to worry about – these are common (check out our Driving in Oman post for more details).
Follow signs for Hawiyat Najm Park, the official name for the park containing the Bimmah Sinkhole. There is ample free parking. If you need a toilet break, there are some toilets located right by the entrance.
Note that there is a sign at the entrance that visitors must be dressed modestly. I wore a long skirt and cotton button-up blouse over my swimsuit until we got to the water. There are lots of local families here so I felt more comfortable covering up.
From the parking lot, it is a quick walk over to the sinkhole, which just seems to magically appear out of nowhere. Along the way, there is a playground for kids, and some picnic tables and benches.
It’s a bit of a steep climb down the staircase to the sinkhole, which you notice more on your way back up.
It is very rocky down there and once you are in the water, the rocks are pretty slippery. I ended up cutting open my toe and had to get out.
Tip: Bring water shoes if you have them!
The turquoise water is very inviting and it is such a cool place to float around in. There are tons of tiny fish that nibble your toes. It creeped me out haha, but others think of it as a free foot spa 😉
The sinkhole is about 20 metres deep and 100 metres in circumference. There are signs all over warning visitors that diving is not allowed. Despite this, we did see a man climb over the fence and jump off the upper edge. All was fine, but it definitely seemed risky and we were all scared watching him.
Bimmah Sinkhole Hours (as of June 2023): 8am-8pm
Cost: Free!
Visit the beach
After the sinkhole, the road takes you along the beach and you will probably be tempted to pullover. We couldn’t help but stop and admire the beautiful blue water. It was just so pretty!
Evening:
Wahiba Sands
After a quick stop at the beach, time to complete the final leg of today’s road trip and head to Wahiba Sands. The journey will take you about two and a half hours to the town of Bidiyah. This is the entry point to the vast Wahiba Sands Desert aka Sharqiya Sands.
Bidiyah is where the paved roads end and most cell reception stops. It is the last stop to pick up any necessities and fill up on gas.
How to get to Wahiba Sands
You need to have a 4×4 vehicle and some experience driving in sand in order to make it into Wahiba Sands. There is little cell reception in the desert and navigating can be quite difficult.
For those inexperienced or uncomfortable driving in the desert, don’t fret! Transportation from Bidiyah can easily be arranged for a small added cost. Also, if you have a rental car, most companies do not allow you to drive off-road and into the desert anyway.
We arranged a pick up through our desert camp and left our rental car at the camp owner’s house. The cost for this was 30 OMR round trip (per car, not per person).
Where to stay in Wahiba Sands
Luxury: Starry Domes Desert Camp
The highlight of a visit to Wahiba Sands is staying at one of the many desert camps. There are all kinds to choose from to suit a range of budgets.
We chose the newly opened Starry Domes Desert Camp due to its unique dome accommodation and intimate setting.
It was absolutely amazing and the owners are so kind! We definitely recommend a stay here.
Read our detailed blog post all about our stay at Starry Domes Desert Camp!
What to do in Wahiba Sands
Dune Bashing
Just getting to the camp is an experience in of itself, but dune bashing is another big draw for many visitors to Wahiba Sands. This can be arranged through your desert camp. An experienced driver will take you on a thrilling ride up and down the dunes.
We decided to skip this as I am prone to motion sickness and I unfortunately couldn’t handle the adventurous driving. It looks like a lot of fun though!
Starry Domes Camp charges 25 OMR for dune bashing (per car).
Camel Rides
If you’ve always dreamed of riding a camel through sand dunes, you can make that wish come true here in Wahiba Sands.
Starry Domes Camp charges an additional 15 OMR to add on a sunset camel ride to your dune bashing activity.
We decided to skip the camel ride as we have ridden plenty throughout the Middle East. However, I would say Wahiba Sands is definitely the most scenic place to ride one.
Zipline
If you stay at Starry Domes Camp, make sure to take at least one ride on their free zipline!
Sunset and nighttime photography
The highlight for us was snapping photos of the stunning desert landscape surrounding our desert camp. Standing atop the dunes and admiring the sunset was a magnificent experience.
What we loved about Starry Domes Camp was that they have so many “IG-worthy” photo ops.
Swings, mirrors and props – all made for fantastic photos.
Once it got dark, the stargazing was incredible. There is no light pollution in Wahiba Sands so the stars are so clear. Bring a tripod (sadly we did not) and capture some amazing shots!
Dinner under the stars
Dinner is offered for an additional 7 OMR per person at Starry Domes Camp. Considering there are no restaurants anywhere nearby and no cooking facilities in your tent, we recommend adding on dinner. It was quite delicious and a lot of food!
We wanted to dine outside under the stars but it was way too windy the evening we were there. Instead, we sat inside our comfy dome tent and enjoyed an intimate dinner.
Day 3 – Nizwa and Jebel Akhdar
Morning:
Enjoy an outdoor breakfast at sunrise
Breakfast is included with your stay at Starry Domes Camp. We had ours delivered to our tent and set up on the dining table outside. What a peaceful way to start the morning, dining outside in the quiet desert as the sun rises.
Go for a desert walk
After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely walk through the desert.
You will be amazed how many tracks you can find in the sand. We saw tracks leading right up to our tent and wondered what kind of wildlife attempted to visit us in the night.
Drive to Nizwa
After a calm morning, drive or catch a ride back into Bidiyah where you will continue your Oman road trip. Today’s destination is Jebel Akhdar, with a stop in Nizwa.
Nizwa is located in Oman’s interior region, about 185km from Bidyah and 160km from Muscat. This historic city was once the capital of Oman and is now most famous for its large fort.
Driving from Bidiyah to Nizwa will take about two hours and fifteen minutes. About 70km before Nizwa, you will likely encounter an Army checkpoint. It’s the same drill as usual – they ask for your license and registration, and then you’re on your way again.
Afternoon:
Visit Nizwa Fort
A stop in Nizwa must include a visit to Nizwa Fort, Oman’s most visited national monument.
This enormous fort was originally built in the 17th century.
Spend an hour or two here exploring and taking photos.
There are so many great photo ops.
However, make sure to bring some water and a hat, as it gets quite hot here in the afternoon.
Nizwa Fort Hours (as of June 2023): 8am-8pm Daily (except Fridays when it closes between 11:30am-1:30pm)
Nizwa Fort Entry Cost: 5 OMR for adults, 3 OMR for children 6-12, free for children under 6
Eat lunch in Nizwa
There are some cafes within steps of the Nizwa Fort entrance. However, they looked pretty touristy to us so we decided to wander a bit further across the street to where we saw all locals eating.
Across from Nizwa Fort you will find this little hole-in-the-wall restaurant and we definitely recommend it! Unfortunately we did not get the name of it, but we will put a pin marker on the Oman Road Trip map below. It is the restaurant in the photo above with the white sign and red letters.
We ordered the mutton biryani and it was utterly delicious. It does not look like anything special from our photo, but it was so flavorful and perfectly spiced. We wish we had ordered two!
The papaya and mango smoothies we ordered were just what we needed. So tasty and refreshing after the midday heat at the fort.
Our entire meal came to only 3.300 OMR for the both of us!
Drive up Jebel Akhdar
After filling up at lunch, time to continue your Oman road trip and head up Jebel Akhdar! This is the most exciting and scenic drive of the entire Oman road trip, in our opinion. And due to the altitude, you’ll get a break from the heat!
How to get to Jebel Akhdar
From Nizwa, it is about a 30 minute drive to the police checkpoint located at the base of Jebel Akhdar.
Every car must stop here and be inspected. You will need to show your license and registration, and the officer will confirm that your vehicle has 4WD. If you do not have 4WD, the police will not let you drive up. They are very strict with this.
If you do not have 4WD, you can park your car at the adjacent lot and arrange for transportation up the mountain. Your hotel in Jebel Akhdar can arrange this, but it does come at a cost.
Once through the checkpoint, the road up is nicely paved and it is a very scenic climb. The road is indeed very steep, but not scary. It will take about 45 minutes to an hour to reach the top, depending on where you are staying.
Where to stay in Jebel Akhdar
Luxury: Alila Jabal Akhdar
There are a number of good accommodation options in Jebel Akhdar, ranging from budget to luxury. Considering it was our anniversary, we opted for a luxurious hotel: the Alila Jabal Akhdar.
Set on the edge of the canyon with magnificent views everywhere you look, this resort hotel is just incredible. It ranks up in our top three hotels we’ve every stayed at! We are so glad we got to experience it and regret we did not have more time there.
From the infinity pool, to the many hikes right from the hotel grounds, to star gazing and free yoga, to rock climbing, there is so much to do at this stunning hotel. We highly recommend a stay here.
Stay tuned for a detailed review of our stay at Alila Jabal Akhdar – coming soon!
Evening:
Explore the trails around the resort
There are a number of hikes that can be done right from the resort. Stop at the concierge desk where you can pick up a trail map. Here you can discuss hiking route options and plan out your activities for tomorrow. You can also book a paid guided hike, if you wish.
Considering it is now evening, you’ll have just enough time for a peaceful walk along the Butterfly Trail, beginning right from the hotel lobby. This almost three-kilometre walk has numerous fun activities along the way. The trail is well-marked – just follow the butterfly trail markers.
This easy trail takes about one hour to complete and is very family-friendly.
Sunset dip
The hotel has a lovely infinity pool. It was quite busy in the late afternoon, but right around sunset, the pool cleared out and we had it all to ourselves.
Being so high up in the mountains, the temperature does get quite cool at night, which might explain why the pool cleared out as soon as the sun went down. However it was still warm enough in the water – just have a towel and robe ready for you when you get out.
Floating in the infinity pool and watching the beautiful sunset is the perfect way to end off the day.
Dinner at Juniper
Enjoy a delectable dinner at the hotel’s Juniper Restaurant. You can choose to eat indoors or out on the heated patio. We chose the latter.
The menu offers Arabic and Omani dishes, as well as European, Asian and plant-based options. It was all beautifully presented and delicious.
Prices are on the higher end, but still reasonable for a high-end hotel.
Star gazing
The hotel offers complimentary star gazing sessions – sign up with the leisure concierge when you check into the hotel. Since there is no light pollution up high in the mountains, it is the perfect place for star gazing and nighttime photography!
Learn about the galaxies, stars, and planets, and peek through the provided telescope.
We were signed up for a late night session but unfortunately fell asleep and missed it – oops!
Day 4 – Jebel al Akhdar to UAE or Muscat
Morning:
For the final day of your Oman road trip, wake up early and enjoy a peaceful coffee with a view.
The Alila Jabal Akhdar has balcony rooms overlooking the ridge. Sitting out here and enjoying the view is the perfect start to the day.
Breakfast at Juniper
After coffee, head back to Juniper Restaurant for a superb breakfast out on the patio. Breakfast is included with your stay and you can order anything and everything off of the menu!
The servers brought us so much food – we were so full! But everything was so tasty. We couldn’t resist filling up on as many dishes as we could.
What to do in Jebel al Akhdar
Hiking
After fueling up at breakfast, lace up your hiking shoes and explore the trails! Choose from any of the easy, moderate or challenging trails of varying lengths. Make sure to remember to bring enough water!
For a moderate hike, why not try the “Mirage in the Mountains“? You can obtain a route map and hike details from the concierge desk. This hike will take about three hours and is 6.5km roundtrip. You will hike right from the hotel, passing a cave, a wadi, a dam, and through an abandoned village.
Via Ferrata Cave Adventure
If you’re up for something more thrilling, try out the Via Ferrata course right at the hotel! You’ll get harnessed up for your adventure, suspended over the valley down below. This activity is not for those afraid of heights.
This is sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience you won’t forget!
Cost: 65 OMR
Duration: 2 hours
Mountain Biking
If you prefer to explore on two wheels, you can borrow mountain bikes from the hotel!
Afternoon:
Drive back down to your point of departure
Depending on your travel plans, finish off your Oman road trip by driving back down Jebel Akhdar to either the UAE or Muscat.
Make sure to take care when driving down the mountain so that you don’t fry your brakes!
From Jebel Akhdar to Muscat International Airport, it is about 170km and will take you around 2 hours and 15 minutes to drive. If you are headed back to the UAE, like us, the drive is much longer at around 475km, which should take you about six hours (including border crossing time) via the Hafeet/Mezyad border post.
What to pack
Here’s our list of things we found useful and recommend for your Oman road trip:
- Water Shoes (for Bimmah Sinkhole)
- Collapsible Water Bottle
- Oman Plug Adapter
- Car Charger
- Nike Trail Shoes (these are the exact ones I have and I love them!)
- Packable Hiking Backpack
- Hiking Shorts
- Oman Guide Book
- Offline Google Maps
Oman Road Trip Map
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