Places

A tidal inlet where the sea meets a wadi channel. Birdlife is the main draw, especially in winter.

One of N- Al-Batinah's many forts, built from local stone. Small but worth a stop if you're passing through.

Manal village is ringed by more than fourteen historic watchtowers and small forts, of which four have been restored by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture. Built from mud and lime mortar known locally as saroog, they once guarded the village from every side.

Sur Port, a working harbor where fishing boats still land their catch and dhow builders keep a centuries-old craft alive. Sur has long been one of Arabia's most storied boat-building centers, once sending vessels as far as India and China.

One of Musandam's less-visited beaches. No facilities, just the sea and the sand.

A natural creek surrounded by mangroves and mudflats. Best visited early morning when the birds are active.

An Omani castle with traditional architecture: carved doors, wooden ceilings, and a central courtyard.

Open coastline with views for miles. The sand is firm enough to walk on near the water.

A natural park with trails through the local landscape. Bring water: facilities are basic.

A traditional Omani house that's been preserved or restored. The interior shows daily life from generations past.

This fort sits at a crossroads that was once strategic. Now it's a quiet monument in the middle of Sohar.

One of the oldest mosques in A'Dakhiliyah. Simple whitewashed walls and a quiet courtyard.

A natural park with trails through the local landscape. Bring water: facilities are basic.

Walk through centuries of Omani architecture in one neighbourhood. Best in the morning light.

One of A'Dakhiliyah's heritage villages. The houses are stacked against the hillside, connected by stone paths.

A well-preserved fort overlooking Manah. Thick walls, wooden doors, and views from the watchtower.

Named for the telegraph cable relay station built here in 1864, part of the line that once carried messages between Bombay and London through the Persian Gulf in a matter of hours rather than the month a letter would take by sea. The station was abandoned once better cables made relay islands like this one unnecessary, but its old stone foundations and steps still remain.

Calm waters and a sandy shore, easy to reach from Salalah. Bring your own shade: there's none.

An ancient water channel still in use by local farmers. Walk alongside it through the date groves.

A small island in the Musandam waters. Visited mainly by fishermen and the occasional day-tripper.

This castle has been restored and is open to walk through. The rooms give a sense of how the garrison lived.

Excavated ruins that hint at how people lived here thousands of years ago. Signage is limited: read up before visiting.

Defensive towers and thick mud-brick walls. The interior is simple: the history is what makes it.