7 Unusual Places to Find Visual Inspiration for a Trip to Oman

In this guide, I share seven unusual places to find visual inspiration for a trip to Oman, created especially for independent travellers planning their own journey — travellers who want more than the standard highlights and prefer to build their trip with curiosity and intention.

Before bookings or itineraries, most of us look for images that help us feel a place: its colours, light, textures, and everyday scenes. Yet a quick search for Oman often returns the same visuals on repeat. Beautiful, yes, but limited. The sources I’ve gathered here go beyond algorithm-driven imagery, offering perspectives shaped by artists, makers, maps, and visual storytellers who reveal Oman through daily life, overlooked details, and creative ways of seeing.

1. Place #1: Oman’s Unseen Instagram

Beyond the travel influencers, the key is to follow local creators who see the country from the inside out. They capture the unposed portrait of a shopkeeper in a souq or dishes enjoyed throughout the country.

• Alia Farsi: I love the colours in this Omani painter’s work! Alia is a fantastic Omani artist whose work is an explosion of life! Alia will give you a modern and creative view of every day life here.
• Jokha Al Harthi: The Omani author Jokha al-Harthi paints pictures with her words. In her beautiful novel, Celestial Bodies, she doesn’t just tell you a story; she transports you into the heart of an Omani village. You can almost feel the heat, hear the whispered conversations, and see the colours of the date palms.
• Maadh Albadi: For a dose of pure, positive energy and a look into the life of Oman’s younger generation, Maadh al-Badi is a must-follow. As a popular vlogger and creator, he shares his adventures with an infectious enthusiasm that is impossible to resist. You’ll also get an insider’s view of Omani food!
• Rachel Maciver: While not Omani by birth, photographer Rachel Maciver has lived in Oman for years. Her feed is a beautiful and compelling story of her life here. She captures everything from the grand spectacle of a royal parade to the quiet, everyday moments of her family exploring a wadi.
• Zuhair al Siyabi: a free-lance Omani photographer with breathtaking pictures showcasing a wide variety of areas and events in Oman.

2. Place #2: Inspiring Guesthouses in Oman

Omani boutique hotels and eco-lodges are full of creative details — palm-woven baskets, roof-top terraces, and soft desert tones. They will you give you a unique insight into Oman’s culture through its places.

• Bait AlSabah Heritage Inn & Café in Birkat al Mouz: Nestled next to the old ruins in Birkat al Mouz. This inn gives you a base for visual inspiration — from mud-brick walls to rooms with traditional details, you can even see the falaj running under it.
• Koofan Heritage Lodge in Salalah: This is a heritage house turned lodge with genuine Dhofari architecture. The house has been restored with care — thick stone walls, wooden doors, and colourful elements that keep the feeling of old Dhofar.
• The Suwgra Heritage Inn (Jebel Akhdar): High in the mountains, The Suwgra Heritage Inn is one of those places that helps you understand Oman’s relationship with its landscape. The restored stone houses and terraces give you a real sense of how people adapted to life here. It’s simple, resourceful, and close to the earth.
• Misfah Heritage House (Misfah al Abriyeen): Misfah Heritage House sits right in the middle of one of Oman’s most beautiful mountain villages. It’s a place that helps you see what daily life in a mountain village really looks like — stone paths, rooms that open onto views of the date palms, and simple spaces that make sense in the heat.

3. Place #3: Local Artisans’ Workshops

Oman’s creative traditions are alive and changing. Craftspeople across the country still work with natural materials — clay, palm leaves, silver, and frankincense — but they adapt their designs and methods as life changes around them. Their work is about keeping a connection between heritage and the present moment.

1. Frankincense sourcing (Dhofar, Oman): Explore the visual world of frankincense. This site, focused entirely on Omani frankincense, is a deep dive into the trees, the golden resin, and the ancient landscapes of Dhofar.
2. Balqees al Wahaibi: A young Omani artist who is breathing new life into traditional silver jewelry. Her work is a fantastic, specific starting point for understanding the powerful symbols and intricate patterns of Omani heritage through the eyes of a modern creator.
3. Saleh Al Shukairi that will give you insight into how a young Omani is blending traditional Arabic calligraphy with modern expression.

4. Place #4: The Perfumer’s Salon

In Oman, scent is a core part of identity, capable of creating powerful mental images. The culture of bakhoor (incense) and attars (perfume oils) is tied to place, memory, and atmosphere. Exploring this world is a truly unconventional way to find visual inspiration!

• Amouage: For a deep dive into the art of fragrance, start with Oman’s world-renowned perfume house, Amouage. Their salons are like galleries for the senses. As I once told a shopkeeper, “Your shop is both heaven and hell—heaven for the fragrances and hell for the prices!”
• Omanluxury: Another incredible brand to explore is Omanluxury, which tells the story of Oman through its beautifully crafted scents. Following them online gives you a feel for their aesthetic and storytelling.

Place #5: Omani Film & Documentaries

I’ve always found that film captures a side of Oman that words can’t. These Omani films and documentaries aren’t glossy or staged; they show real textures, faces, and landscapes that I recognise from daily life here. If you’re gathering visual inspiration for your trip, these stories will help you feel Oman’s atmosphere long before you arrive.

• Jewel of Arabia Expedition The Project: A modern expedition recreating a 1,000-mile journey across Oman. The project includes films, a podcast, and stunning photography. Here is a link to a teaser for the films (‘Arabia Untamed’). I can’t wait to see the three films!
• Zayana — contemporary Omani road-trip drama. It’s also the first ever Omani-Indian film.
• The Turtle’s Song The Film: A gentle, allegorical short film by director Salim Bahwan about a boy who rescues a turtle. It features detailed visuals of Oman’s coastline.
• Bedouins of Oman: Life in the Endless Desert. A documentary.

Place #6: The Soundscape of Oman

Visual inspiration doesn’t have to come from your eyes. Sometimes, the most powerful way to build a mental picture of a place is to listen to it. I find that a place’s unique sounds are what spark my imagination the most, creating a scene in my mind long before I’ve even packed my bags.

• Music of the Oud: The deep, resonant strings of this instrument have been the soundtrack to life in the region for centuries.
• Oman National Day by Lulu – Salah Al Zedjali. This song will give you a feel for traditional songs from the country as well as the pride that Omanis feel for their country.

Place #7: The Uncharted Google Map

This might sound strange, but one of the most powerful tools for visual discovery is already on your phone: Google Maps. Not for directions, but for exploration. Uncover its different layers and features in a creative way.

• Switch to Satellite View: This is the most important step. Toggle from the default map to the satellite view and just… explore. Follow a faint track leading from a village into the mountains. Trace the coastline and look for hidden coves and beaches that aren’t marked.
• Dive into User Photos: Once you’ve found an interesting spot on the satellite map, drop a pin and click on the user-submitted photos. Instead of the polished, professional shots you find elsewhere, this is a raw, unfiltered look at a place: a blurry photo of a fantastic meal at a tiny cafe, a snapshot of a sunset from a random hilltop.

Ultimately, these are just starting points. The real goal is to trust your own eye and build a collection of images and feelings that are meaningful to you. Have a wonderful, creative, and deeply personal journey.