4 Nights/5 Days in Oman: A Fun-Filled Itinerary for an Unforgettable Trip
Oman is a country rich in history, filled with warm hospitality, and brimming with experiences that can take you from the desert sands to lush valleys and the vibrant underwater world. This itinerary covers a diverse array of landscapes and activities, designed for those who want to see Oman’s highlights in five days. Here's a detailed breakdown to inspire your own unforgettable journey!
Getting There
Oman currently doesn’t have direct flights when departing from EWR or JFK, so we planned a layover in Jeddah and took the opportunity to do Umrah in Mecca before continuing on to Muscat. We did a layover for 1 night which was the perfect amount of time to perform Ummrah. Another option is to fly from EWR to Dubai or Cairo first, then connect to Muscat via direct flights.
Packing Tips for Oman
With Oman’s diverse range of activities, here’s a suggested packing list:
Bathing suit for snorkeling in Oman or swimming in the wadis
Abayas for mosque visits and cultural sites
Dresses and matching sets (pants + shirt) for versatility and wearing something light in the heat
Workout clothes for hiking Oman’s wadis
Shoes: Comfortable sneakers, Water Shoes, Sandals, Flats
Useful Tips for Travelers:
1 Omani Riyal (OMR) = 2.6 USD
The Omani people are extremely friendly and welcoming
Oman’s temperatures can be intense. Many shops close during peak hours (1:00 PM to 4:00 PM).
Day 1: Nizwa - History & Heritage
After landing in Muscat, we rented a car for flexibility—I highly recommend renting a car. Driving is easy and the roads are great.
Where to Stay in Nizwa: Bait Almuallem by Nomad
This boutique hotel in Oman’s historic district offered exceptional hospitality and convenient access to all the key sights in Nizwa. We stayed here for one night and because our trip was short, this was more than enough time for us to explore Nizwa and get a little feel of its history and culture. Adnan, the property manager was exceptional. Adnan knows so much about Nizwa’s history and the property itself is newly renovated and is 400 years old! Upon our arrival, Adnan welcomed us with a traditional Omani drinks, gave us a tour of the property and even upgraded our room. The location of Bait Almuallem is perfect, everything is within walking distance, we also had a parking spot for our car which was really convenient. Adnan created an itinerary for us which included historical sites and places to eat. All his recommendations were great! I would definitely come back here whenever I visit Nizwa again.
Explore Nizwa Fort
Nizwa Fort is a must-visit for history enthusiasts, offering views of ancient battle structures and historic architecture. We got to the fort around 4:00 PM. It costs 5 OMR per person to go into the fort. The views from the fort were incredible. The history here is rich, dating back over 400 years!
Traditional Omani Cuisine
Dinner was traditional Omani meal at Al Aqur Traditional Restaurant, featuring dishes like camel Mushkak. The food was really tasty! After dinner we headed over to the Date Souq which had over 50 different types of dates that you can sample. Across the street from the Date Souq is another Souq that featured a traditional Omani dessert called Halwa. You are also able to purchase Halwa and sample the different flavors and attend the Nizwa Souq. On Fridays there is a goat auction that takes place too, if your schedule allows for a stay on Friday, I would highly recommend attending!
Day 2: Bahla Fort & Desert Nights Resort
Breakfast at Kmkan Café
We checkout out of our hotel in Nizwa around 7:30 AM to go Bahla Fort. Kmkan Café is right next to the fort so it was the perfect location for our morning coffee and breakfast. The vibes at the cafe we immaculate; we had some delicious Spanish lattes, Kmkan’s signature lemonade, and a Omani breakfast.
Bahla Fort and Bahla Historical Masjid
Bahla Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of Oman’s top historical landmarks. The Bahla Fort is really big so I would dedicate anywhere between 1.5 to 2 hours to go through it in full. After we finished exploring the fort we headed over to the Bahla Historical Masjid, which dates back 900 years. Something I really enjoy is learning more about Islamic history in different parts of the world. Seeing the Bahla Historical Masjid was one of the highlights of this trip because I really felt connected how Islam has been practiced for hundreds of years.
Desert Nights Resort
There are many different kinds of desert resorts offered in Oman and after some research, we decided to go with Desert Nights Resort. This was the best decision beuase our experience was unforgetable. Once we finihsed expoloring Bahla Fort, we set out to our night in the desert. We had a mini SUV and the drive into the desert required a 4x4. Desert Night Resort had reached out to see if we needed a transfer, which we did - this costed 15 OMR roundtrip. We parked our car at a location provided by the resort and upon our arrival a driver in a 4x4 was waiting for us. We were welcomed to the reception with hot towel, Omani coffee and dates while we checked in. Once we completed the paperwork for our stay we were escorted to our boudin style tent room. During our stay we enjoyed a sunset ride to the sand dunes and complimentary camel rides. Half board meals are included with our stay which meant we had dinner and breakfast since we were only there for one night. Dinner and breakfast are both buffet style and during dinner there was a live band singing Omani music. There were many different activities to choose from during our stay and we opted for sand boarding, this was my first time sand boarding and I was really nervous and almost decided to just sit on the sand board the entire time. Our instructor was great and super helpful in teaching us how to properly sand board without falling.
Our Oman desert stay was unforgettable, I would highly recommend booking this resort. If you’re unable to find availability on their site, I would reach out to the company via their business WhatsApp number for additional help.
Day 3: Wadi Bani Khalid & Wadi Shab Adventures
Wadi Bani Khalid
We checked out from the Desert Nights Resort and headed to Wadi Bani Khalid. This oasis is about an hour from the desert resort and offers a short, easy hike with pools where you can swim. Wadi Shab is a longer hike (45 minutes each way) and takes about two hours roundtrip if you’re just walking.
Wadi Shab
With a longer, more challenging hike, Wadi Shab is ideal for those seeking scenic treks in Oman’s breathtaking landscapes. We drove about 2 hours from Wadi Bani Khalid to Wadi Shab. If you’re seeking a shorter hike, I would recommend just doing Wadi Bani Khalid. This was definitely a lot harder of a hike than Wadi Bani Khalid. This hike took us about 45 minutes one way and maybe it’s because I was really tired but the views (in my opinion) were a bit underwhelming. Don’t get me wrong, the views overall were extremely beautiful but 20 minutes in was probably enough for me. We returned to Muscat, about 1.5 hour drive for a restful night after a full day of exploration. There are so many delivery options in Muscat so we opted to order food to our hotel using the Talabat app.
Day 4: Al Daymaniyat Islands – Snorkeling with Turtles
Snorkeling Tour with Cruise Boat Oman
One of the highlights of our Oman itinerary was snorkeling with sea turtles at Al Daymaniyat Islands, known as the "Jewel of the Middle East". Cruise Boat Oman was the perfect company to do our half day sunset tour with. We drove from our hotel in Muscat to the sea port which was about 30 minutes. Their boat is really values taking less people than the other boats doing the same trip, we had about 10 people on our trip compared to the other boats with 15+ people. Cruise Boat Oman also offers a private boat tour if that was something you would be interested in. The tour came with snorkeling gear, drinks, snacks and lunch as well as 2 different stops to snorkel. This was not my first time snorkeling but it was definitely my first time snorkeling with sea turtles! It was absolutely amazing and such an unforgettable experience. With vibrant coral reefs, clear waters, and a stunning sunset on our way back, this tour is a must-do for any Oman travel plan.
Day 5: Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque & Shopping in Muscat
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
For our last day, we visited the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. The Islamic architecture at this masjid is one that is truly amazing. The Sultan Qaboos Mosque is a top attraction in Muscat. I recommend arriving as early as possible to be able to explore the masjid with limited tourists as it does get more crowded in the afternoon. It is important to dress modestly when going to the masjid. Women are required to cover their hair. Don’t forget to also take the opportunity to explore the masjid’s extensive library.
Shopping at Mall of Oman and Mutrah Souq
During the peak heat hours, I would recommend visiting some place indoors. We visited Oman’s largest shopping mall and afterwards enjoyed lunch at Al Luban, sampling different kinds of Omani cuisine. Mutrah Souq is a great place to go and explore a traditional souq in Oman for some souvenirs. We made sure to buy some Omani kufi’s! Muscat is also filled with so many women-only salons, so you already know I made sure to experience it at least once during our time here and it did not disappoint!
Final Tips for Your Oman Trip
Rent a car in Oman to easily reach various sites and enjoy scenic drives.
Plan around the heat with morning and evening activities.
Desert stays in Oman add a unique cultural experience to your trip.
Whether you’re seeking an adventurous itinerary or simply want to enjoy Oman’s natural beauty and warm hospitality, this 5-day Oman itinerary offers the perfect mix. From Oman’s historic forts and bustling souqs to scenic wadis and islands, this guide is designed for those who want a fun, well-rounded experience in this beautiful Middle Eastern destination. Hope this helps and happy traveling!