Asia · Western Asia

Oman

Sultanate of Oman

Flag of Oman
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+04:00
🏛️ Capital
Muscat
👥 Population
5,343,630
📐 Area
309,500 km²
💱 Currency
Omani rial (ر.ع.)
🗣️ Languages
Arabic
📞 Calling Code
+968
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+04:00
🌐 Region
Asia / Western Asia

About Oman

Oman is the Arabian Peninsula's best-kept secret — a country of breathtaking natural beauty, warm traditional hospitality, and a depth of history that most visitors never suspect when they first arrive. While neighbouring Gulf states have built their identities around modern skylines and luxury retail, Oman has charted a different course: preserving its ancient forts, mountain villages, and desert traditions while modernising thoughtfully and sustainably. The result is an authenticity that is increasingly rare in the region and deeply rewarding for the curious traveller.

The geography of Oman is one of the most varied in the Arab world. The dramatic Hajar Mountains rise sharply from the coast, their ancient terraced villages and dramatic canyon roads offering some of the finest driving and hiking in the region. Wadi Shab, a gorge of deep turquoise pools accessible only by a short boat crossing, is one of the Arabian Peninsula's most spectacular natural swimming spots. The Wahiba Sands — an ocean of red and orange dunes rolling to the horizon — offers classic desert camping and camel encounters, while the southern province of Dhofar, transformed each monsoon season into a lush green landscape unlike anywhere else in Arabia, draws visitors with its frankincense groves and ancient trading history.

Muscat, the capital, is a city of low white buildings spread beneath ochre mountains, with a magnificent waterfront corniche, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque — one of the most beautiful in the world — and a souk culture centred on frankincense, silver jewellery, and the distinctive curved khanjar daggers that are a symbol of Omani identity. The legacy of Sultan Qaboos, who led a peaceful renaissance of the country from 1970 to 2020, is visible everywhere — in the hospitals, roads, schools, and cultural institutions that transformed one of the world's poorest countries into a stable, educated, and proud modern state.

History & Background

Oman has been inhabited for at least ten thousand years and was a centre of frankincense production and trade for much of recorded history. The ancient land of Magan — corresponding to modern Oman — supplied copper and diorite to Mesopotamia by 3000 BC, and the Dhofar region was the heart of the legendary "Land of Frankincense," supplying the precious resin to the ancient civilisations of Egypt, Rome, and the Arabian Peninsula. Falaj irrigation systems, some dating back more than three thousand years, still channel mountain water to Omani farms today — a feat of ancient hydraulic engineering recognised by UNESCO.

The arrival of Islam in the seventh century AD brought Oman into the wider Islamic world, and the country soon developed the distinctive Ibadi school of Islam — neither Sunni nor Shia, but following a third tradition rooted in early Islamic theology and emphasising justice, modesty, and good governance. The Omani maritime empire at its peak in the nineteenth century included Zanzibar, parts of coastal Kenya, the Malabar Coast of India, and the approaches to the Persian Gulf, making Muscat one of the Indian Ocean's great trading powers. When Sultan Qaboos bin Said came to power in 1970, he found a country with only three hospitals, a handful of schools, and minimal infrastructure. In fifty years, he built a modern state without sacrificing the cultural soul that makes Oman extraordinary.

Culture & People

Omani culture is one of the most genuinely hospitable in the world — a culture in which welcoming a stranger is not merely a social nicety but a moral obligation rooted in Islamic faith and centuries of trading tradition. You will be offered Omani coffee (qahwa) — flavoured with cardamom and saffron — and dates almost everywhere you go, from a government office to a roadside fuel station. Dress and behaviour are conservative by regional standards; Omanis take quiet pride in their traditions and expect visitors to engage respectfully. The khanjar dagger worn on the ceremonial dress of Omani men is a symbol of honour, courage, and national identity.

Oman's cultural heritage spans three thousand years of seafaring, trade, and empire. At its height in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the Omani Empire controlled the coastline of East Africa including Zanzibar and the island ports of the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean, making Muscat one of the most cosmopolitan trading cities of the pre-modern world. This maritime heritage has produced a rich tradition of dhow building, navigational knowledge, and a cuisine and culture that blends Arab, Persian, East African, and Indian influences in ways that are uniquely Omani. Traditional arts — weaving, silversmithing, and the poetry of tribal storytelling — are actively maintained and taught to new generations.

Food & Cuisine

Omani cuisine reflects the country's position at the crossroads of the Arab, Indian, Persian, and East African culinary worlds — a rich, spiced cooking tradition that is subtly different from the food of neighbouring Gulf states and deeply tied to the frankincense trade that defined Oman's historical identity. Shuwa is the most iconic Omani dish: whole lamb marinated for two days in spices, wrapped in banana leaves, and slow-cooked overnight in an underground sand oven, producing meat of extraordinary tenderness typically served on feast days and Eid celebrations. Majboos — fragrant rice cooked with meat, dried limes, and spices — is the everyday celebration dish equivalent to the Gulf biryani, eaten at Friday family lunches across the country.

Mashakik — spiced meat skewers grilled over charcoal and eaten with flatbread, raw onion, and tomato — are a popular street food alongside halwa, Oman's distinctive gelatinous sweet made with rosewater, saffron, and almonds that is the essential accompaniment to qahwa coffee. Muscat's restaurant scene has grown rapidly, with excellent Indian and Pakistani restaurants reflecting the large South Asian population, Lebanese grills, and a growing number of chefs working with traditional Omani ingredients in contemporary presentations. Seafood is outstanding: grilled hamour (grouper) with lemon and Omani spices, lobster from the Musandam peninsula, and shark along the Dhofar coast are all worth seeking out.

Top Attractions

  • Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat — One of the world's most magnificent mosques, open to non-Muslim visitors in the morning; the main prayer hall houses the world's largest hand-woven carpet and a spectacular crystal chandelier.
  • Wadi Shab — A breathtaking gorge of turquoise pools, waterfalls, and towering limestone walls reached by a short boat crossing, with a hidden cave swimming hole at its innermost point.
  • Wahiba Sands (Sharqiyah Sands) — An ocean of red and golden dunes offering camel riding, dune bashing, Bedouin camp nights, and some of the most spectacular stargazing in Arabia.
  • Nizwa Fort and Souk — The historic capital of Oman's interior, with a massive circular tower fort and a traditional souk famous for silver jewellery, khanjars, and Friday morning goat and cattle markets.
  • Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain) — A dramatically scenic plateau in the Western Hajar at 2,000 metres altitude, famous for rose water, pomegranates, terraced villages, and dramatic canyon rim walks.
  • Ras al-Jinz Turtle Reserve — A protected beach where thousands of endangered green turtles nest annually; nocturnal guided visits offer a humbling encounter with one of nature's great dramas.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Dress modestly outside of hotel pools and beaches — covering shoulders and knees is appropriate and respectful in cities, souks, and religious sites.
  • Oman is a conservative country — public displays of affection are inappropriate, and alcohol is only available in licensed hotel bars and restaurants.
  • A 4WD rental is highly recommended for exploring wadis, the Hajar Mountains, and desert areas; many of the best attractions are reached via off-road tracks.
  • Renting a car and self-driving is easy and rewarding — roads are well-maintained and signposted in Arabic and English, and traffic is generally orderly.
  • Carry cash in Omani rials for smaller establishments and rural areas; international cards are widely accepted in cities and hotels.
  • Photography of government buildings, military installations, and people without permission is prohibited — always ask before photographing individuals.
  • The Omani Rial is one of the world's highest-valued currencies — Oman is generally more affordable than its Gulf neighbours but international hotel rates are still significant.

Visa Overview

Oman has significantly expanded its visa-free access in recent years. Citizens of many countries — including the UK, EU member states, the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, and most GCC nations — can obtain a visa on arrival or an e-visa online before departure, valid for up to 30 days and extendable. The online e-visa portal on the Royal Oman Police website is the simplest option and can be processed within 24 to 48 hours. Citizens of some nationalities must obtain a visa through an Omani embassy before travel — always verify the current list before booking your flights.

Getting Around

Muscat International Airport is the main hub, with connections to major cities in Europe, Asia, and Africa via Oman Air and international carriers. A second international airport at Salalah serves the southern region. Within Oman, renting a car is by far the best option — roads are excellent and the country's landscape rewards an unhurried road trip. Public buses (Mwasalat) connect major cities cheaply. Taxis are metered in Muscat but agree on a price before departure elsewhere. Shared taxis and microbuses serve inter-city routes at very low fares but run on no fixed schedule.

Safety Notes

Oman is one of the safest countries in the Middle East and globally, with extremely low crime rates and a strong culture of hospitality toward visitors. The main risks are environmental: desert heat can be extreme from May to September outside Dhofar, requiring ample water and sun protection. Flash floods in wadis can occur with no warning during rain — never enter a wadi during or after a storm. Driving on off-road tracks requires experience and a well-equipped 4WD. Check your government's travel advisory before visiting border regions near Yemen.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Oman.

Omani rial (OMR) ر.ع.
Updated: 2026-10-05
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 24.903979
AAVE 0.014395
ADA 9.744213
AED 9.544388
AFN 167.607683
AKT 3.280549
ALGO 19.845725
ALL 212.475716
AMD 941.461040
AMP 4,107.514527
ANG 4.679346
AOA 2,384.698284
APE 15.491437
APT 3.287972
AR 0.580794
ARB 12.927033
ARS 3,982.052226
ATOM 1.492259
ATS 31.976875
AUD 3.746125
AVAX 0.238601
AWG 4.651996
AXS 1.984069
AZM 22,090.853131
AZN 4.418171
BAKE 10,822.193343
BAM 4.545056
BAT 25.302874
BBD 5.197760
BCH 0.008163
BDT 319.586140
BEF 93.743883
BGN 4.545056
BHD 0.977179
BIF 7,832.760074
BMD 2.598880
BNB 0.003289
BND 3.331451
BOB 31.126511
BRL 13.568648
BSD 2.598880
BSV 0.130008
BSW 6,256.262077
BTC 0.000030
BTCB 36.670315
BTG 3.928399
BTN 250.645062
BTT 6,940,035.109922
BUSD 2.592815
BWP 35.894144
BYN 7.811083
BYR 50,865.473978
BZD 5.230737
CAD 3.712433
CAKE 1.040519
CDF 6,007.304266
CELO 24.713615
CFX 48.195820
CHF 2.157164
CHZ 155.496612
CLP 2,546.488066
CNH 17.440408
CNY 17.425819
COMP 0.103669
COP 8,525.354634
CRC 1,190.539370
CRO 38.065170
CRV 6.786379
CSPR 1,008.160546
CUC 2.595178
CUP 62.235689
CVE 256.250957
CVX 1.115770
CYP 1.360089
CZK 56.765653
DAI 2.595636
DASH 0.043639
DCR 0.141030
DEM 4.545056
DFI 3,928.322299
DJF 463.454028
DKK 17.368563
DOGE 27.274856
DOP 155.564648
DOT 2.141754
DYDX 17.954068
DZD 347.447886
EEK 36.360447
EGLD 0.581896
EGP 136.818462
ENJ 77.746042
EOS 26.951997
ERN 38.983203
ESP 386.656133
ETB 424.299244
ETC 0.289937
ETH 0.000960
EUR 2.323850
EURC 2.319556
FEI 2.595262
FIL 2.477590
FIM 13.816986
FJD 5.857556
FKP 1.967476
FLOW 82.185452
FLR 359.766370
FRAX 2.618399
FRF 15.243458
FTT 10.164619
GALA 1,047.973164
GBP 1.967476
GEL 6.745125
GGP 1.967476
GHC 304,699.290131
GHS 30.469929
GIP 1.967476
GMD 192.502594
GMX 0.309915
GNF 22,874.111076
GNO 0.021510
GRD 791.851942
GRT 86.829762
GT 0.234154
GTQ 19.859157
GUSD 2.600117
GYD 543.239265
HBAR 25.192510
HKD 20.392561
HNL 69.937645
HNT 4.523805
HOT 5,804.445637
HRK 17.509049
HT 71.967401
HTG 340.075835
HUF 856.855770
ICP 0.798486
IDR 46,627.563213
IEP 1.830181
ILS 7.931354
IMP 1.967476
IMX 14.303333
INJ 0.343657
INR 250.645062
IQD 3,402.556376
IRR 4,532,579.561038
ISK 318.801663
ITL 4,499.601352
JEP 1.967476
JMD 411.100414
JOD 1.842606
JPY 410.818997
KAS 60.857475
KAVA 37.731242
KCS 0.346800
KDA 279.679855
KES 334.713150
KGS 227.285594
KHR 10,536.706707
KLAY 68.919035
KMF 1,143.259335
KNC 18.466124
KPW 2,335.660344
KRW 3,499.595647
KSM 0.504218
KWD 0.802811
KYD 2.156528
KZT 1,165.599452
LAK 58,575.416479
LBP 232,979.889719
LDO 5.573771
LEO 0.290924
LINK 0.184394
LKR 858.886362
LRC 246.984493
LRD 446.291176
LSL 43.490833
LTC 0.037111
LTL 8.023790
LUF 93.743883
LUNA 51.214513
LUNC 49,413.713100
LVL 1.633202
LYD 16.631730
MAD 25.622099
MANA 25.582951
MBX 87.327795
MDL 46.399946
MGA 11,581.444359
MGF 57,907.221797
MINA 16.233318
MKD 142.324267
MKR 0.001180
MMK 5,455.665773
MNT 9,353.901264
MOP 21.004338
MRO 1,043.720866
MRU 104.372087
MTL 0.997629
MUR 125.908637
MVR 40.177487
MWK 4,503.208294
MXN 47.373327
MXV 5.376025
MYR 10.624271
MZM 165,893.347047
MZN 165.893347
NAD 43.490833
NEAR 0.532921
NEO 1.020723
NEXO 3.021966
NFT 10,812,133.311046
NGN 3,449.027343
NIO 95.485737
NLG 5.121092
NOK 25.115983
NPR 401.220083
NZD 4.648732
OKB 0.020845
ONE 17.777230
OP 19.842315
ORDI 0.575830
PAB 2.598880
PAXG 0.000627
PEN 8.993403
PEPE 591,864.370371
PGK 11.673865
PHP 163.058417
PI 29.918964
PKR 719.613000
PLN 10.196589
POL 23.937288
PTE 465.890128
PYG 15,173.605849
QAR 9.459924
QNT 0.010421
QTUM 2.646143
ROL 124,191.992414
RON 12.419199
RPL 1.361867
RSD 271.532414
RUB 217.942517
RUNE 3.325926
RVN 1,089.712636
RWF 3,838.966965
SAND 35.600713
SAR 9.745801
SBD 20.969650
SCR 37.054796
SDD 155,997.690762
SDG 1,559.976908
SEK 26.210128
SGD 3.331451
SHIB 440,331.831768
SHP 1.967476
SIT 556.887453
SKK 70.008310
SLE 59.891446
SLL 59,891.446023
SNX 10.334947
SOL 0.021539
SOS 1,481.045759
SPL 0.433147
SRD 98.278920
SRG 98,278.920444
SSP 14,846.341068
STD 57,422.553203
STN 57.422553
STX 6.585652
SUI 2.134032
SVC 22.740202
SYP 33,742.495183
SZL 43.490833
THB 87.551940
THETA 11.476666
TJS 23.929771
TMM 45,480.236984
TMT 9.096047
TND 7.771359
TOP 6.245349
TRL 127,759,920.186276
TRX 7.746066
TRY 127.759920
TTD 17.610961
TUSD 2.596213
TVD 3.746125
TWD 82.652575
TWT 4.574844
TZS 6,839.882999
UAH 116.877560
UGX 10,365.669917
UNI 0.288519
USD 2.598880
USDC 2.595367
USDD 2.596486
USDP 2.600203
USDT 2.596011
UYU 104.669108
UZS 30,607.196545
VAL 4,499.601352
VEB 225,348,407,394.2890
VED 2,253.484074
VEF 225,348,407.394289
VES 2,253.484074
VET 298.986712
VND 67,607.042699
VUV 313.005065
WAVES 8.637954
WEMIX 13.303390
WOO 192.695340
WST 7.209753
XAF 1,524.345780
XAG 0.042676
XAU 0.000629
XAUT 0.000628
XBT 0.000030
XCD 7.033604
XCG 4.679346
XCH 1.650209
XDC 78.994147
XDR 1.919373
XEC 319,905.923432
XEM 4,545.417987
XLM 11.664313
XMR 0.004825
XOF 1,524.345780
XPD 0.002222
XPF 277.309088
XPT 0.001521
XRP 1.725838
XTZ 7.912352
YER 614.355985
ZAR 43.490833
ZEC 0.001973
ZIL 725.243333
ZMK 51,040.244172
ZMW 51.040244
ZWD 940.534750
ZWG 69.562575
ZWL 173,817.689447

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Cities in Oman 230
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'Ibri ‘Uwaynat al Murrah Ad Dashshah Al `Arja' Al Banah Al Bidi Al Buday‘ah Al Hajar Al Harim Al Harmali Al Hiyal Al Juwaif Al Juwayn Al khuwair Al Mandil Al Qafsah Al Qaryah al-Buraymi al-Khaburah al-Masna'ah al-Mudaybi Ar Rawḑah ar-Rustaq As Sa‘af As Sabghah As Sumayni as-Sib as-Suwayq Ash Sharm Ash Shiyah Ash Shuwayhah Az Zahir Az̧ Z̧ahrah Azaiba Bahla' Barkah Bawshar Bayl Dar al Bayda' Dar al Qil Dayqarah Falaj al Majaji`ah Far‘ Fulayj Fulayj al Mashayikh Hajar Bani Hamid حجر بني حميد Harat al Hawatim Harat az Zaharah Hayl Kalabi Hazm Qāshi‘ Ibra Jafr an Nudūd Janah Khasab Kubarah Luhsayyah Madinat Qabus Majhal Majzi Masqat Matrah Misfāt al Haţāţilah Musabihiyah Muscat Muţayd Muttrah Nizwa Qurayyat Qurm Rayy Rusayl Ruwi Saham Salalah Sayḥ Ẓahar al Khārij Shakhbūţ Shinas Shiyah Shūh Sidr al Ḩawājir Sitāl Suhar Sumayl Şunaybi‘ Sur Suri Thaqib Wadi Al Kabir Zahrat as Salam Zikt أبو بقرة أدم أسود إبراء إزكي الأنصب البداية البريمي الثرمد الجادي الجراديّة الجفنين الحائمة الحاجر الحارة الحرف الحمراء الحمرية الحويلات الحيل الشمالية الخابورة الخوض الخوير الدقم الرستاق الرسيل الروضة السّنادل السنينة السويق السّيح السيق الشرية الشعبية الشويمية الصّباخ الصويحرة العامرات العقر الغبرة الجنوبية الغبرة الشمالية الغونة الفليج القرم القطّارة الكامل و الوافي الكحل المزيونة المصنعة المضيبي المعبيلة الجنوبية الملدة الموالح الجنوبية الموالح الشمالية الوادي الكبير الوديات الوطية بخا بدبد بدية بركاء بلاد بني بو علي بهلاء بوشر بويدر بيت الفلج ثمريت حجر بني حميد حفيت حفيت حلف حي العرفان خصب خضراوين دارسيت دبا رأس الحد روضة روي زغي سداب سمائل سمد الشأن سناو سوق السيب سيما شار الدّار شعاب السّحار شليم شناص صحار صحم صلالة صور ضنك طاقة طوي بنت راشد ظهير سيح الظّاهر عبري عز عصي غضفان غلا غلّان الغزار غمضاء فرق فزح فلج الشام فلج القبائل فنجاء قدى قريات كحل كمزار لزق لوى ليماء مجيس محضة مدحاء مدينة الحق مدينة السلطان قابوس مدينة الطيب مرباط مرتفعات القرم مرتفعات المطار مسقط مشيحطان مطرح معمورة منح ميتن نخل نزوى هرويب هيماء وادي المعاول ولاية العوابي يتي ينقل

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Oman needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Oman?
The capital of Oman is Muscat.
What currency does Oman use?
Oman uses the Omani rial (ر.ع.) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Oman?
The official language(s) of Oman include Arabic.
What is the population of Oman?
Oman has a population of approximately 5,343,630 people.
What region is Oman in?
Oman is located in Asia, specifically in the Western Asia subregion.
What is the international calling code for Oman?
The international dialing code for Oman is +968.
What time zones does Oman observe?
Oman observes the following time zone(s): UTC+04:00.
What is the current time in Oman?
The local time in Oman is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Oman?
Oman covers a total area of 309,500 km².
How many states or provinces does Oman have?
Oman is divided into 18 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Oman in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Oman in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Oman?
Visa requirements for citizens of Oman vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.