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: 2026-05-19
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 28.405088
AAVE 0.029194
ADA 10.339744
AED 9.547188
AFN 162.500395
AKT 3.224911
ALGO 24.209300
ALL 213.353894
AMD 956.753585
AMP 3,107.071362
ANG 4.683616
AOA 2,387.966199
APE 18.026222
APT 2.753537
AR 1.216860
ARB 22.242753
ARS 3,629.341713
ATOM 1.263563
ATS 30.728571
AUD 3.642454
AVAX 0.281673
AWG 4.653361
AXS 2.213918
AZM 22,097.049169
AZN 4.419410
BAKE 3,516.054288
BAM 4.367627
BAT 26.832689
BBD 5.199285
BCH 0.006842
BDT 319.453902
BEF 90.084336
BGN 4.367627
BHD 0.977466
BIF 7,744.527853
BMD 2.599643
BNB 0.004048
BND 3.327665
BOB 18.017725
BRL 13.023677
BSD 2.599643
BSV 0.172802
BSW 3,037.212202
BTC 0.000034
BTG 6.757873
BTN 250.577273
BTT 8,080,292.881881
BUSD 2.600960
BWP 35.342282
BYN 7.148991
BYR 71,489.906163
BZD 5.232392
CAD 3.573945
CAKE 1.838925
CDF 5,966.050522
CELO 32.306451
CFX 44.147751
CHF 2.042850
CHZ 52.872723
CLP 2,342.346288
CNH 17.688010
CNY 17.681916
COMP 0.118000
COP 9,876.405650
CRC 1,176.900466
CRO 37.200689
CRV 11.018341
CSPR 880.021042
CUC 2.599643
CUP 62.378546
CVE 246.247505
CVX 1.497821
CYP 1.306994
CZK 54.288989
DAI 2.600932
DASH 0.060607
DCR 0.154440
DEM 4.367627
DFI 2,647.373302
DJF 462.577466
DKK 16.687678
DOGE 24.924820
DOP 153.888065
DOT 2.081750
DYDX 17.972918
DZD 345.123440
EEK 34.941018
EGLD 0.663239
EGP 138.619355
ENJ 60.527367
EOS 32.136696
ERN 38.994641
ESP 371.561960
ETB 409.353586
ETC 0.291896
ETH 0.001220
EUR 2.233132
EURC 2.231392
FEI 2.609561
FIL 2.693907
FIM 13.277602
FJD 5.732437
FKP 1.938159
FLOW 72.043023
FLR 311.211318
FRAX 2.617935
FRF 14.648388
FTT 8.045974
GALA 773.171006
GBP 1.938159
GEL 6.944906
GGP 1.938159
GHC 297,396.991792
GHS 29.739699
GIP 1.938159
GMD 192.044401
GMX 0.392910
GNF 22,803.509191
GNO 0.021979
GRD 760.939850
GRT 103.361726
GT 0.366439
GTQ 19.818065
GUSD 2.605442
GYD 543.706497
HBAR 28.880617
HKD 20.358547
HNL 69.156335
HNT 3.156586
HOT 6,552.009153
HRK 16.825536
HT 17.927364
HTG 340.261115
HUF 805.254254
ICP 1.006568
IDR 46,078.978001
IEP 1.758735
ILS 7.545015
IMP 1.938159
IMX 15.271349
INJ 0.498773
INR 250.577273
IQD 3,406.209479
IRR 3,426,746.862700
ISK 320.229205
ITL 4,323.947183
JEP 1.938159
JMD 411.073300
JOD 1.843147
JPY 413.171484
KAS 75.225510
KAVA 45.139110
KCS 0.324527
KDA 312.529236
KES 336.181700
KGS 227.408369
KHR 10,426.374186
KLAY 49.978178
KMF 1,098.629100
KNC 18.106074
KPW 2,339.627536
KRW 3,912.919441
KSM 0.522074
KWD 0.800277
KYD 2.162261
KZT 1,219.831146
LAK 57,021.864337
LBP 233,052.564973
LDO 7.299248
LEO 0.257701
LINK 0.268216
LKR 865.780803
LRC 160.406862
LRD 476.459368
LSL 43.282224
LTC 0.047873
LTL 7.710559
LUF 90.084336
LUNA 41.073272
LUNC 33,074.702306
LVL 1.569445
LYD 16.507424
MAD 23.924454
MANA 29.497326
MBX 66.389124
MDL 44.987051
MGA 10,877.801540
MGF 54,389.007702
MINA 45.507606
MKD 137.615009
MKR 0.001508
MMK 5,457.288024
MNT 9,304.068394
MOP 20.969304
MRO 1,039.400044
MRU 103.940004
MTL 0.958684
MUR 122.919001
MVR 40.150396
MWK 4,524.567104
MXN 44.986172
MXV 5.090646
MYR 10.331839
MZM 166,040.248603
MZN 166.040249
NAD 43.282224
NEAR 1.611123
NEO 0.899137
NEXO 2.922721
NFT 9,191,537.575798
NGN 3,564.274414
NIO 95.556657
NLG 4.921176
NOK 24.108095
NPR 401.111569
NZD 4.440274
OKB 0.031792
ONE 1,268.252271
OP 20.248416
ORDI 0.624557
PAB 2.599643
PAXG 0.000573
PEN 8.896571
PEPE 705,921.697905
PGK 11.485536
PHP 160.426878
PI 17.126595
PKR 724.276160
PLN 9.473769
POL 28.598889
PTE 447.702841
PYG 15,822.577223
QAR 9.462700
QNT 0.034744
QTUM 2.879008
ROL 116,333.977702
RON 11.633398
RPL 1.497894
RSD 262.101656
RUB 188.409000
RUNE 5.808793
RVN 470.379481
RWF 3,800.973884
SAND 36.098529
SAR 9.748660
SBD 20.813167
SCR 38.164324
SDD 156,038.597964
SDG 1,560.385980
SEK 24.460212
SGD 3.327665
SHIB 451,014.817598
SHP 1.938159
SIT 535.147837
SKK 67.275345
SLE 59.544482
SLL 59,544.481801
SNX 8.392407
SOL 0.030586
SOS 1,485.529358
SPL 0.433274
SRD 96.771191
SRG 96,771.191479
SSP 12,256.350625
STD 55,301.544778
STN 55.301545
STX 10.882717
SUI 2.456971
SVC 22.746874
SYP 287.353220
SZL 43.282224
THB 84.801156
THETA 13.167785
TJS 24.198286
TMM 45,587.617194
TMT 9.117523
TND 7.549645
TON 1.291915
TOP 6.184349
TRL 118,500,762.053970
TRX 7.288451
TRY 118.500762
TTD 17.633494
TUSD 2.602810
TVD 3.642454
TWD 82.246902
TWT 5.440481
TZS 6,764.324382
UAH 114.752280
UGX 9,797.265733
UNI 0.736257
USD 2.599643
USDC 2.600518
USDD 2.602304
USDP 2.603166
USDT 2.602022
UYU 104.203118
UZS 31,278.971368
VAL 4,323.947183
VEB 134,486,312,183.4458
VED 1,344.803123
VEF 134,480,312.310745
VES 1,344.803123
VET 385.926855
VND 68,449.653208
VUV 308.665812
WAVES 6.839866
WEMIX 9.623493
WOO 153.933411
WST 7.006180
XAF 1,464.838800
XAG 0.034155
XAU 0.000572
XAUT 0.000573
XBT 0.000034
XCD 7.038141
XCG 4.683616
XCH 0.936624
XDC 83.627766
XDR 1.901799
XEC 354,397.323122
XEM 3,906.094214
XLM 17.707726
XMR 0.006725
XOF 1,464.838800
XPD 0.001855
XPF 266.483574
XPT 0.001320
XRP 1.880780
XTZ 7.602999
YER 620.326568
ZAR 43.282224
ZEC 0.004541
ZIL 661.222866
ZMK 49,133.241589
ZMW 49.133242
ZWD 940.810710
ZWG 67.357320
ZWL 168,307.365331

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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.