Muscat
Muscat is the capital and largest city of Oman. The city was once three towns which overtime have grown together to form the city. Having undergone much urbanisation and infrastructural development the city is dominated by the trade industry, however there are several activities on offer to visitors in Muscat such as scuba diving, rock climbing, night safaris and Dolphin spotting. The Grande mosque is situated in the heart of the city and is the third largest mosque in the world. The mosque is open for non-Muslim tourists to explore which gives an understanding to the religion and culture of the Arabian people. There are many traditional markets and modern shopping malls in and around the city to buy souvenirs and gifts.
Bahla
Bahla is a small ancient town in Oman which has become a known World Heritage site. The remains of Bahla fort is situated above the village and has not been restored over the years in an attempt to keep it as original as possible. The town is guarded by a seven mile wall which was constructed years ago to use as a defensive mechanism. The town is particularly known for its pottery making and much of this is sold at pottery souks which take place in the town centre.
Jebel Akhdar
Also known as 'The green mountain' in Arabic, the Jebel Akhdar is part of the Al Hajar mountain range which is situated inland along the Gulf of Oman coast. As one of the most popular tourist destinations in Oman, the mountain range is comprised of lush green valleys that accommodate the small peaceful mountain villages of Bani Habib and Sharijah. The mountains are one of the most scenic places in the country and with a warm climate all year round and friendly local people, tourism is booming.
Salalah
Among the southern region of Oman lies the fertile city of Salalah, it experiences four months of monsoon rain (Khareef) a year making the land rich with plants, trees, waterfalls and streams. As Salalah is situated along the coast it has several unspoilt beaches which during the summer months offer scuba diving, canoeing, sailing and jet skiing. The city is also known for the Al-Balid ruins which years ago were the city of Zafar. The city port is used for industry and trade and is a good entry point to Africa, the Middle East and India.
Sohar
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Oman, Sohar is a coastal city which is most famously known as the birth place of Sinbad the Sailor and has a strong sailing and fishing history. The Sohar fort which dates back to around 1st century AD is one of the most famous landmarks of the city.
Nizwa
Located in the heart of Oman and only an hour and a half away from Muscat, Nizwa is a city which was once the capital of Oman in ancient times and is renowned for its historical monuments, handicrafts, agricultural produce and gold and silver. The city is another location in Oman that holds a World Heritage site in the form of the Falaj Daris, an ancient water management system that is still in use today. Nizwa is a good place to start if you want to visit the mountain ranges in the northern part of the country. The city has a prime location of forming a crossroad link between Muscat and the lower regions of Dhofar.
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