Looking for a 7-day itinerary to explore Oman’s cultural highlights?
This guide brings together the top places to experience Oman’s rich culture and history in just one week. It’s shaped by over four years of living in Oman and learning firsthand from Omani people about their traditions, history, and daily life.
Oman offers a very different experience compared to many of its neighbours in the Gulf region.
When I am back in Europe, people often ask me where I live. They look puzzled when I answer, “Oman.”
“Oman? Where?”
It’s true that Oman is less known than places like Dubai, which focuses on futuristic skylines. In contrast, Oman has kept a strong connection to its traditions, landscapes, and slower pace of life.
Oman is a land of striking contrasts. In this 7-day cultural trip around Oman, you will start off by discovering the winding alleys of Muttrah Souq and the grandeur of Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat. You’ll also explore the imposing fort of Nizwa, the dramatic mountain landscapes of Jabel Akhdar, and stay at a Beduin-run desert resort in the Wahiba desert (Sharqiya Sands). You’ll even have breakfast in a Fort-like restaurant and wander around a mudbrick village – Birkat Al Mouz – one of my personal favourites. It will give you an insight into traditional Omani lifestyle and heritage.
Muscat’s Mosques and Palaces: Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Alam Palace, Royal Opera House
Forts, Oases, and a Fabulous Museum: Birkat al Mouz, ‘Oman across Ages’ Museum, Nizwa Fort.
Wondering when to plan your trip? Oman has something to offer all year round, but some seasons are better suited for cultural exploration than others – it’s difficult to make the most of outdoor exploration in extreme heat.
My favourite time is December/January as the temperature is simply perfect! (around 22-23° during the day) but anytime between November and April is good.
For more details about the weather in Oman during the different seasons and in different areas, click on ‘Find out More.’
Reaching Oman is straightforward. You can either fly into Muscat or enter by land – by car or by bus.
Most visitors arrive by air at Muscat International Airport, which is well connected to major cities across the Gulf, Europe, and Asia. There are direct flights from cities like London, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, and Mumbai, among others. (See my blog post “A Comprehensive Guide to Muscat Airport in 2025” for more details about the airport.)
If you are already travelling within the Gulf region, you can also enter Oman by land. There are several border crossings from the United Arab Emirates, and driving between Dubai and Muscat takes around five to six hours.
I have done this route several times myself. It’s easy, and the road is in excellent condition. However, you must have the correct car insurance to cross the border.
There is also the possibility of travelling by bus with Al-Khanjry Transport from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah.
I have taken this bus as well, but it’s a long journey, taking around seven hours.
There are currently no passenger trains operating between Oman and neighbouring countries, so air or road travel remain your main options.
For most 7-day itineraries, I recommend starting and ending your trip in Muscat, as this offers the easiest flight connections and car rental options.
The best way to move around Oman is by hiring a car. (For a complete guide on renting a car in Oman, check out my blog post on the subject.)
Public transport exists in the cities (such as Muscat’s Mwasalat bus system), but it does not reach many of the places you will want to explore on this 7-day itinerary — especially the mountains, wadis, and desert.
Hiring a car gives you the freedom to travel at your own pace and reach more remote areas (If you want more details about driving in Oman, see my blog post “9 Essential Tips to Survive Driving in Oman.”)
If you prefer not to drive, private transfers and guided tours are available between major destinations.
I suggest you check out my blogposts 'Top Tips For Visiting Oman For The First Time: What Every Traveller Should Know.' (just click on the title in this box to access)
Please note that this itinerary’s shaped by my own experience living in Oman for over four years, and by countless trips I’ve taken across the country—sometimes with a plan, sometimes just following where the road led. Every stop on this route is somewhere I’ve explored myself, often more than once, and I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) what makes each place special—and what to skip.
In the itinerary, you’ll get a good mix of landscapes, culture, and local colour – from coastal villages to mountain viewpoints, heritage sites to desert nights. If you’re a first-time visitor, it will give you a good introduction to Oman and its cultural highlights. For each day, I’ve included practical tips, local transport details, and personal suggestions on where to stay and what not to miss – so you can plan with confidence and enjoy Oman at your own rhythm.
I always suggest you start your discovery of Oman by exploring Muscat first – especially if it’s your first time in Oman. After arriving at Muscat’s International Airport or at the Bus Terminal in Ruwi, head to your hotel accommodation and settle in.
If you’re coming from the airport, you may want to rent a car there or take a taxi (there’s an O’ Taxi stand right outside the Arrival Terminal). If you’re coming from the Bus Terminal in Ruwi, you’ll need to get a taxi there. Use the O’Taxi app for this.
Hostel: Legacy Hostel
Budget-friendly: Swiss-Belinn Airport Muscat
(you can see my blogpost on the this hotel to see my full review).
Mid-range: Intercity Hotel Muscat
Another option is Naseem Hotel
Luxury: The Chedi Muscat
Rental: The Blue Gate
If you want to consider other options, read my ‘Where to Stay in Muscat in 2025: A Guide to the Best Hotels & Areas – with Map.’
Start your trip with a taste of culture — quite literally. This day is all about soaking up Oman’s heritage, from your breakfast table to the historic district of Muttrah. You will be spending 2 days in Muscat so it’s about hitting the cultural highlights.
Begin your Omani adventure at Rozna, one of Muscat’s most atmospheric restaurants. Designed to look like a traditional Omani fort, it’s complete with towers, wooden doors, and clay pots. Here, you won’t get just a meal. It’s a mood-setter.
You can either sit at a table in the large central room or go for a more local experience and sit on the floor in one of the small private dining rooms. I recommend you have one of the breakfast trays which comes with delicious Omani bread called Khubz rakhal (hot and paper-thin!). You can even see someone making it on the spot! For my full review of Rozna – with a picture of the menu, check out my blogpost. Also, check out my blogpost on Omani breakfast specialities.
📍 Tip: Rozna opens at 8:00 am, so aim for an early start. It’s located in Al Ghubra, a short drive from central Muscat.
After breakfast, drive to Old Muscat and visit Bait Al Zubair, a privately owned museum housed in a beautifully restored Omani house.
⏱️ Suggested time: 1–1.5 hours
👉 See my post on the Bait Al Zubair Museum
For a midday pause and if you are hungry, I suggest you go to one of my favourite traditional restaurants in Mutrah a few kilometres away from Bait al Zubair.
Bait Al Luban is near the Corniche. Once again, it is set in a traditional décor and the menu offers authentic Omani flavours with sea views. If you are visiting during the winter months, you can sit out on the balcony.
Have a stroll along the Corniche —the emblematic seaside promenade with views of dhows bobbing in the harbour.
Then duck into the Muttrah Souq, one of the oldest markets in the Arab world. It opens at 4.00 pm and stays open until around 10.00 pm. There, you’ll find:
🛍️ Tip: Bargaining is expected to a certain degree, so you may want to try your hand at it.
📷 Check out my blogpost on Mutrah Souq to get more information about its history and community connections.
Sunset: Viewpoint at Riyam Park or Al Bahri Road
For a peaceful end to the afternoon, walk or drive up to the Riyam Park Viewpoint, where the giant incense burner monument offers sweeping views over the sea and Muttrah.
If you prefer something easier:
Stroll along Al Bahri Road (connecting Muttrah to Old Muscat), especially at golden hour, with the sea on one side and dramatic rock cliffs on the other.
Evening: Dinner by the Sea or Return to Hotel
Option 1: Dine at Ramssa Omani restaurant in Al Qurum or, if you prefer more international cuisine, go to Thalassa (Greek restaurant) which offers a beautiful setting near the sea.
Option 2: If you’re staying nearby, relax at your hotel and prepare for an early start the next day.
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