Oman, also known as the ‘Pearl of Arabia’, has a reason to be rewarded with that title. Unlike all the countries in the Persian Gulf, hands down Oman has to be the most naturally diverse country with all four seasons in a year! Yes, you read that right! Apart from summers and some months of extreme summers, Oman also enjoys three or four months of winters every year. What makes winter in Oman the best time to visit the country is the subtle changes in the weather which are neither too cold forcing you to stay indoors nor too hot, forcing you to stay indoors again.
Winter in Oman allows visitors to experience the highly diverse terrain and topography of the country, which cannot be enjoyed completely during the rest of the year. Also, winter in Oman means to put on your adventure shoes and get in the wilderness to explore the real beauty of Oman. Here I have listed out the best activities to do during winter in Oman, and make the most out of your time in the Pearl of Arabia!
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Camping
Oman has some of the best terrains for camping not only in the Gulf region but in the whole world! From giant mountains, long stretches of lonely desert to blue water ‘wadis’ flowing through limestone rocks, you will never be short of a place to lay down a camp and enjoy. As Oman is not a populated country and tourism has yet not spoiled its natural beauty (thankfully), you can anywhere find peace, privacy, and solace within nature. Imagine sleeping next to a campfire on a starry night during winter in Oman? It will be nothing short of amazing!
Best Places For Camping: Wahiba Sands Desert, Yiti Beach, Wadi Bani Khalid, Jebal Shams
Hiking
Oman is a mountainous country with beautiful high and low terrains. Though driving through the beautiful landscape of Oman is an experience of its own, but to explore the real beauty of the Omani mountains you have to put on those hiking shoes and hike on it! The extreme summers of the country make it nearly impossible to venture out on the mountains, however, if you’re lucky enough to spend the winter in Oman, hiking has to be on your must-do things list.
Editor’s Note: Read my complete Guide On The Best Hiking Trails In Oman
Dune Bashing
It will be a shame if you’re visiting Oman and not trying dune bashing. The best part about trying dune bashing in Oman is you don’t have to travel to a desert far away from the city. High dunes of sands apt for dune bashing can be found in the cities as well! Astonishing, right? The Baushar area in the heart of the capital city of Muscat is widely popular for dune bashing. Quad bikes can be rented from a local rental shop just near the dunes. Dune bashing during summer can spoil your experience, so do not forget to try it during winter in Oman.
Best Places For Dune Bashing: Baushar dunes, Wahiba Sands, Rub Al Khali (The Empty Quarter)
Visiting Muscat? Check out these 10 Awesome Things To Do In Muscat
Beach Party
Have I told you that Oman has a 3000km long and pristine coastline? Yes, that’s true! It means you will never get enough far away from the sea to not enjoy a beach party. Also, the moderately chill weather of Oman during winters makes it extremely practical to enjoy the beach breeze without getting sick. The Omanis love to have their meals on the beach during winter, and I think you should also spend an evening munching snack in the cool breeze on a beach.
Read my complete Guide On The Best Beaches In Oman
Note: Barbecuing at the beach is ban in Oman, therefore, refrain from doing so. Also, it is a good practice to keep the beach clean after partying
Forts and Castles
Oman is one of the oldest countries in the Middle East. The country has a long history of Portuguese trade and frankincense culture. Centuries-old forts and castles can be found all across Oman, many of which have been converted into UNESCO World Heritage Sites. To witness and explore the long history and cultural vibe of Oman, visiting its forts and castles has to be the best thing to do during winter in Oman.
Best Forts & Castles To Visit: Muttrah Fort, Nizwa Fort, Bahla Fort, Al-Mirani Fort, Al Alam Palace, Al Naman Castle
Outdoor Eateries
I have mentioned it quite a lot of times that Oman has some of the best beaches, mountains, and wadis. This means that for obvious reasons, there would be eateries at all of these places offering beautiful views of the surroundings while you can enjoy your meal! Eating out at the outdoor eateries is one of my favorite things about winters in Oman. Imagine being seated on a mountain with the view of the valley below and enjoy your meal in the cool breeze? Winter in Oman just makes every simplest of the thing so beautiful!
Best Outdoor Eateries (Muscat): Food joints at Lovers Road, Jawarat Shatti, The Cave Complex, Al Mouj Marina
Check Out The Cheapest Flights To Oman
Looking for more adventure? Read my related Oman guides:
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Man, I miss this part of the world! We spent 3 years right across the border in the UAE 🙂 You make me want to go back this winter. My son would love dune-bashing!
I’m heading to Oman next week and so excited! Saving a bunch of these recs. 🙂
It looks like you can have so much fun in Oman! I would love to go hiking and camping there. Can you go on the dunes without a quad?
Castles and dunes in the desert look great. I would like to take some photos from these locations.
I never knew Oman has so many cool things to do in winter. Spending a day in the dunes would be great though it would get chilling cold in the dark. Plus the forts and castles seem really interesting. Also, you can camp and hike – that makes me plan my Oman trip soon.
That’s wonderful, Shreya! You should definitely plan a trip to Oman very soon!
I almost went to Oman last month. We were in Dubai and I had plans to go to Mussandam, but we went to Abu Dhabi instead. Oman looks very beautiful and, except for the dune bashing, I would enjoy going there.
Oh! I wish you would have come to Oman. However, if you reside in the UAE, it is actually very easy to visit Oman from there. I look forward to seeing you visiting Oman soon 🙂
There’s so much more to do in Oman in the winter than I realized. I’d love to go dune bashing – looks like so much fun! Plus I like visiting UNESCO sites so there’s lots of history to visit.
I didn’t know there was good hiking in Oman! I look forward to spending some time here next year. I checked out your hiking guide, it is super helpful.
That’s awesome Jimmy! Oman’s terrain is excellent for hiking. Do plan a hiking trip to Oman soon 🙂
Oman isn’t really on our list but it is now. We are definitely outdoorsy people and this looks extremely inviting. What would the temperature be during the winter months? Are we talking snow like temperatures?
Ahh no, you won’t find snow anywhere in Oman during the winters. Most of the country remains moderately pleasant and not very cold during the winters, which awesome for the outdoorsy people like you, Christina! I look forward to seeing you visiting Oman soon 🙂
oh wow – I need to get to Oman. What a different point of view from some of the stereotypes of this country. I have a cousin that lives there and you have definitely represented the beautiful parts of the country.
Yeah stereotypes, that’s what stops many travelers from coming to Oman. But now that you know how awesome it is, when are you planning your trip to Oman, Mireille? 🙂
Hmm never really thought about spending winter in Arabia, but this has intrigued me, there is something in beaches, hiking, outdoor camping and what not, but still I think I would miss the snow too much, that feeling when you wake up and see the white cover outside is just amazing. But still this will be placed for a summer trip most definitely, especially for the exploration of the forts and castles,