14 Best Sights in Oman

The Sur corniche is a 4-km (2½-mile) oceanfront walkway around the oldest part of the city. Along the main stretch that runs along the sea, you can take in views of the beautiful wooden dhow in the harbor and the ancient watchtower across the bay in the village of Al Ayjah, while the inlet side offers views of the mosque-dominated skyline of the newer part of the city across the water. Along the route is a stretch of sandy beach, the dhow factory, and the maritime museum. It is the perfect place to walk in the evening, just before sunset when the weather is cool and the light is starting to wane. At night, it is a favorite hangout of local residents, who set up their folding chairs, little barbecue grills, and sheesha pipes along the road.

One of Oman's many restored forts, this 200-year-old fortress is not as impressive some of the others, including the mammoth Nizwa fort. This one was built to protect the city from inland attack, so there are some great views of Sur from its high walls. The locals who look after the fort are quite friendly and will invite you to sit with them and enjoy Omani dates and coffee.

An hour north of Sur, the aptly named Hawiyat Najm Park (Falling Star Park) is home to a 40 meter-wide sinkhole that, as legend has it, was created when a falling star struck the earth, creating an underground passage to the adjacent sea. Scientist have since spoiled the story, confirming that the natural wonder was caused by the shifting of tectonic plates and erosion, but the vibrant turquoise waters that await those who climb the long staircase down into the hole are pretty magical no matter how they came to be. The waters are filled with small fish that give natural pedicures, gently nibbling on toes and feet. The park is located an hour north of Sur, almost exactly midway to Muscat, and it is easily accessible from the highway with plently of parking and restrooms. The friendly guide who lives on-site is a wealth of information, and he will likely invite you to sit and have an Omani coffee and dates with him.

As the last remaining dhow-building factory in a city famous for its carved wooden trading vessels, this workshop is well worth a visit. Nowdays the ships are mostly purchased by rich boating enthusiasts from other GCC countries as pieces of art rather than for maritime commerce. The laborers start cutting thick planks and stretching them across wooden frames around dawn; they typically take a break for the afternoon and continue their work in the early evening. The shop is open to the public, and there is a small visitor center with information on the history of dhow-making in Sur, as well as small replicas and other woodwork for sale.

On the newer, northern side of Sur, between the Al Maha fuel station roundabout and the Sur Beach Holiday Hotel, there is stretch of white sandy beach, replete with gazebos and a well-lit walking path. A café provides toilets on the roundabout end of the stretch, and small juice and tea shops can be found on the hotel side for other refreshments. It is more popular for walking in the evenings than for swimming. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free). Best for: walking.

Along the main corniche in Sur is a very active beach with shaded sitting areas, opposite where old dhows bob in the harbor, fishing boats pull up directly on the shore, and local teenagers play football in the sand. It is a wonderful beach for relaxing and people-watching. There are limited facilities on the beach, but you'll find many small coffee shops and restaurants on the other side of the road and at either end of the Corniche where you can buy refreshments and find toilets. This is a public beach in a conservative town, so dress modestly. Wraps and cover-ups are recommended. Amenities: food and drink; toilets; parking. Best for: sunset; sunrise; walking.

As you approach Sur from Muscat on Rte. 17, you may notice small signs that read "The Ancient Village of Qalhat." Upon exiting the freeway, a small two-lane road weaves along the seafront until it dips back inland through a small, quite ancient-looking village surrounded by palms. Qalhat, which is still inhabited, is quite beautiful, with spectacularly colorful carved doorways on each of the crumbling living structures. Past this village, where the road begins to run along a river, just before reconnecting with 17, the ruins of the Bibi Mayram Mausoleum can be seen on the other side of the water, the last remaining piece of the once-famous town aside from a few small domed tombs and pieces of the old city wall. Submitted for consideration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Qalhat was a famous port city that was badly damaged by earthquakes in the 14th century, then destroyed completely by a Portuguese invasion in 1508. It is an unexpected historic treasure along an otherwise empty patch of freeway.

Just off the 17 freeway at the exit for "Ancient Town of Qalhat," you'll find a strech of pristine, virtually empty beach with concrete shade huts built directly in the sand. It is a great place to bring a cooler so you can barbecue in one of the shaded huts, taking dips in the water to cool down and likely seeing only one other group on the entire beach. This privacy comes at the expense of convenience, as there are no restroom facilities or shops nearby, so bring your own provisions, and be prepared to rough it a bit. Amenities: parking. Best for: solitude.

About 40 minutes south of Sur are the sprawling, remote beaches of Ras Al Hadd. The surrounding town has almost nothing in the way of amenities aside from a coffee shop or two, which are closed during the day. The beach itself is massive and quiet, with one set of public toilets at the parking lot close to town but no other amenities. The water is crystal clear and great for swimming. This is one of the places in the area where you can see giant sea turtles at certain times of year, so take care not to step on nests if you are there in turtle season. It is a true escape from civilization for those looking to get off the grid; just be sure to bring your own snacks and drinks. Amenities: parking; toilets. Best for: solitude.

Few people have the chance to see sea turtles belly-up to shore to lay their eggs and bury them in the sand, and even fewer have the opportunity to see the eggs hatch and watch the young creatures struggle down the beach to the awaiting sea. Each evening around 9 (or very early in the morning, around 4 am) visitors are able to see this phenomenon for themselves at the turtle reserve in Ras Al Jinz, about an hour to the south of Sur. There is a small turtle museum on-site, as well as a small hotel, though it is easier and more comfortable to stay in Sur and come just for the guided turtle-watching tour. It is good to note that there is often a checkpoint set up between Sur and Ras Al Jinz. The young, friendly soldiers will check your passport, driver's license, and car insurance and send you on your way, so have these documents at the ready.

The Sur fish market is a hive of activity in the early morning, when fishermen haul in their fresh catch and hawkers sell it off for the best price. Fishing has always been the lifeblood of Sur, so this is not simply a wonderful spectacle but a fantastic opportunity to witness an important part of daily life. It is also a great place for getting beautiful photographs; just be sure to ask permission before snapping pictures of any people, especially women.

This open-air museum houses beautifully restored traditional Arabian trading vessels called dhow. The city is famous for hand-crafting the wooden ships, and this is a great place to see them up close. Small placards next to each ship gives its brief history. There is also a display of traditional ship-building tools and a collection of photographs of Sur in the early 20th century. It is especially nice to visit just before sunset, as there are spectacular views across the bay.

The Sur Souq stretches over several blocks, beginning with an outdoor vegetable market near the old spice shops, where spices are still roasted and custom-blended for customers. Past these shops there are tailors, perfume shops, electronics stores, and finally a little strip of gold shops. It is a quiet part of town in the afternoon, but in the morning, you will find Suri ladies doing their grocery shopping, and in the early evening, there is a good showing of local residents wandering in and out of the other shops and taking tea along these narrow streets.

About 90 minutes south of Muscat and about 45 minutes north of Sur, Wadi Shab offers the opportunity to hike through the shallow water of the underground spring-fed riverbed for a half hour to reach the main pool, where you can swim into partially submerged caves. The waterfalls, palm trees, and striking aquamarine water, set against a backdrop of towering rock cliffs, make this one of the most gorgeous wadis in Oman. It's a must-see for any nature-lover or outdoor enthusiast.