Discover Oman: World Heritage, forts and landscapes

The 3,000-metre-high peaks of the Al Hajar Mountains and the rich marine life around Masirah represent very different aspects of Oman's natural environment. Ancient sites and historic forts are among the country's cultural landmarks. When planning your trip, you can consider whether you would like to focus mainly on archaeological history and architecture, mountain and desert landscapes, or coasts and marine life. The places below offer concrete starting points for these interests.

Ancient heritage and historic forts

Nizwa is one of the Omani cities where you can explore the country's ancient heritage. Bahla Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was added to the World Heritage List in 1987. The Bahla Oasis lies 25 kilometres west of Nazwa. These offer different points of reference: Nizwa represents ancient heritage, the fort its World Heritage status, and the oasis a geographical landmark.

The Archaeological Sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn were added to the World Heritage List in 1988. The archaeological complex is among the world's most complete and best-preserved ensembles of settlements and necropolises dating from the 3rd millennium BC. A necropolis is a burial ground. Together with the settlements, the necropolises are one of the archaeological features that characterise the complex. Visitors interested in early settlements and burial sites will find both themes within the same archaeological context.

The forts, too, offer different historical and architectural points of reference. Nakhal Fort stands on a rocky outcrop in the Wilayat of Nakhal in Al Batinah South and was originally built in pre-Islamic times. Al-Hazm Fort is an example of Omani-Islamic architecture. Comparing the two reveals different perspectives: the pre-Islamic origins of one fort and the architectural classification of the other.

It is useful to distinguish between the dates: the 3rd millennium BC refers to the period of the settlements and necropolises at Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn. By contrast, 1987 for Bahla and 1988 for the archaeological sites are the years they were added to the World Heritage List. These details refer to different aspects: the historical period on the one hand and the UNESCO listing on the other.

Mountains, deserts and coasts

The Al Hajar Mountains include the 3,000-metre-high peaks of Jabal Akhdar and Jabal Shams. Oman's landscapes also include the dunes of the Shariqayh Sands. The Empty Quarter desert is associated with Dhofar and Al Wusta. Mountain peaks, sand dunes and a desert linked to two regions thus represent distinct landscape features.

Wadi Shab is located in the Wilayat of Sur in the South Al Sharqiyah Governorate and is considered a nature tourism area in Oman. Ain Al Kasfa offers a different connection with nature: its sulphurous hot water is associated with friction against the underlying volcanic rocks, and its surface temperature reaches 45°C. Here, the properties of the water and a geological context come together.

Al-Sawadi Beach in the South Al-Batinah Governorate faces a group of offshore islands. Masirah Island has a diverse natural environment and rich marine life. The distinction is a practical one for trip planning: at the beach, the focus is on an island group, while at Masirah, the island's natural environment and marine life take centre stage.

Discover more destinations: Al Wustá, Az Zahira, Musandam, Sharqiyah North Governorate, Muscat, South Ash Sharqiyah, Buraimi, Ad Dakhiliyah, Dhofar, North Al-Batinah

For the main travel overview: Asia.