Julia Slaska

Have you ever been to a country that both is super modern and retains its authentic, original beauty? One whose preserved culture can be seen everywhere around? This place is exactly what you can expect from Oman. Here’s what to see while traveling to this Middle Eastern country.

Muscat, a capital that’s a must-see

If it’s your first time visiting Oman, you can’t miss stopping by the capital city, Muscat. It is often referred to as the most beautiful, elegant, and unique place in the whole of Middle East. The city is clean, modern, and well taken care of by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, who has ruled Oman since January 11, 2020. But you might be wondering what there is actually to see in this city?

Well, the absolute must-see is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. It is the biggest mosque in Oman, covering about 416 000m², and it can fit up to 20 000 worshipers. It is built from 300 000 tons of different sandstones, and it features five minarets, representing the Five Pillars of Islam – the tallest one reaches 90m! If you thought that this was impressive, try going inside. The floor of the main prayer hall is covered by a unique, second-largest Persian carpet in the world. It contains about 1.7 million knots, weighs 21 tons, and its production took more than 600 workers over 4 years to complete. Not only the floor is stunning, but the ceiling is what you wouldn’t like to miss either. Looking up, you can see a massive, 14-meter-tall chandelier, which used to be the biggest one in the world. It weighs about 9 tons and features over 1122 halogen bulbs. But what is truly impressive is not only the fact that it is finished with 24k gold plating, but the fact that it is made of 600 000 Swarovski crystals! One of the largest chandeliers, it cost approximately $8.17 million to create and install.

Another must-see place in the capital is the Royal Opera House Muscat. It is definitely one of the most beautiful buildings in the whole of the city. If you’re interested in classical music, book a ticket in advance as the place is very popular with both locals and tourists. But even if you’re more of an architecture fan, you for sure won’t regret walking around the opera as it really is majestic.

What you really can’t miss is the old town and particularly the Muttrah Souqs. Located on the Muscat waterfront, the city’s vibrant, indoor souqs, are the perfect place for you to buy a variety of Omani spices, antiques, and other souvenirs (here I bought a lovely camel keychain, which you can see on the photo below!). They are quite loud, but they show the real culture of Oman.

The dessert

Another attraction that you will remember for a long time is a trip to a nearby desert located about 2h from Muscat. It is one of the most beautiful deserts in the Middle East. I specifically recommend visiting it when you’re around the time of sunset. What truly is a unique experience is the chance to ride a camel! As there are small farms at almost every stop of your journey, for a small price, you can enjoy a safe ride along some beautiful views.

Omani food

Omani cuisine is truly memorable. It’s a part of Khaleeji cuisine and is strongly influenced by Arab, Indian, Greek, Iranian, Asian, and African food. Most dishes are based on a variety of meats, such as chicken or lamb, as well as a wide range of seafood, like fish or shellfish. Pork, however, is forbidden to Muslims in Oman as it’s not approved by the Islamic law.

Omani food differs from other cuisines in the Arabian Peninsula as it is generally less spicy and not so often served hot. The national dish, called Shuwa, consists of marinated lamb, goat, or even camel, cooked for 1-2 days in an underground pit, usually served with flavourful rice. Another popular Omani dish is Majboos, which is a one-pot rice dish flavoured with saffron, cardamom, and other mixed spices, usually accompanied by meat or fish. All dishes are served with the Omani bread, which is a thin, crispy, crepe-like bread, sometimes filled with cheese and honey. Omani people like to end their meal enjoying a karak tea, which is a rich, creamy, and spiced milk tea, simmered with sugar and cardamom, and served with some delicious Omani dates.

Oman truly is a perfect place for either a solo, friend group or even a family trip. While there, you can enjoy great weather, fascinating sights, and delicious food. The country itself, is very safe to travel to, and it’s often referred to as ,,The Switzerland of the Gulf “.A lot of different flights from Warsaw make it a very comfortable holiday destination:).