An AWESOME 1-Week Oman Itinerary (Without A Car)

If you’re looking for a 1-week Oman itinerary without a car, you’re in the right place! 

The words  “underrated” and “hidden gem” often get thrown about too loosely these days, but those words 100% ring true when it comes to talking about Oman. 

Oman is a country that has often stayed well under the radar when it comes to travel in the Middle Eastern Gulf Countries. You’ll often see most travellers flock to places like the UAE and Qatar for their Middle Eastern Adventure, not knowing that the beauty of Oman is hiding right around the corner. 

Oman is not just a country that has a deep and rich culture, but it’s also home to some incredibly stunning nature. From the sand dunes of Wahiba Sands to the canyons and wadis between, to the surprisingly crystal clear waters of the Daymaniyat islands that are often referred to as Oman’s mini Maldives, there is just so much to explore. 

Honestly, with how incredible Oman is, I’m so surprised that people continue to visit places like Dubai time and time again, when this stunning country is just an hour away. 

I have completely fallen in love with Oman, and I think you will too (and I’m already planning my trip back).

So, if you’re wondering what to see in Oman in 7 days (without a car), I have the perfect itinerary for you! 

Let’s get into it!

_{Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and has been partially sponsored by Husaak Adventures.  If you decide to make a verified purchase through the links in this post, I will earn a small commission. This will be at no extra cost to you. Thank you.}

⬇️Oman At A Glance⬇️

⛵WHAT TO DO⛵
– Visit the stunning Daymaniyat Islands
– Book a tour with Husaak Adventures
– Enjoy a Sunset boat cruise in Muscat
– Visit Nizwa Cultural Village

🛌🏻WHERE TO STAY🛌🏻
– Fraser Suites Muscat 
– Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah 
– Remas Hotel Suites

✅Travel Essentials For Oman✅
– Book flights with Skyscanner 
– Download the “Otaxi” App
– Stay connected with an eSIM from Airalo
– Get covered by SafetyWing Travel Insurance

📅WHEN TO VISIT📅 
The best time to visit Oman is during the cooler months from October to April. During these cooler months, temperatures range from 20°C to 30°C.

About This 1-Week Oman Itinerary 

This 7-day Oman itinerary follows the exact route I took during my own trip to Oman. 

If you’ve been sitting there wondering, “Can you visit Oman without renting a car?” you absolutely can, you just have to become a little inventive (and you’ll soon learn that’s exactly what I did).

This itinerary has been formulated specifically for people like me, who are unable to rent a car (and it probably won’t make too much sense if you are able to rent a car). 

This itinerary will enable you to see some of the best things that Oman has to offer, including exploring the capital city of Muscat, visiting the historic town of Nizwa, snorkelling in the Daymaniyat Islands and hiking through some of Oman’s more beautiful Wadis and Canyons. 

Your 1 week in Oman will look like this: 

• Day 1 – Explore Muscat 
• Day 2 – Boat Trip To The Daymaniyat Islands 
• Day 3 – 5 – Desert, Wadi’s and Canyons Tour With Husaak Adventures 
• Day 6 – Visit Jebel Akhdar 
• Day 7 – Explore Niwa & Birkat Al Mouz

Oman Without Renting A Car 

To be completely honest with you, Oman is best explored with a car, so if you have the means to rent a car, then I would really recommend doing so. 

However, if you’re like me and plan on solo travelling in Oman, and just don’t feel comfortable tackling the long drives on your own, and camping or staying in remote parts of the country by yourself, then this itinerary will be suitable for you. 

It’s also important to know that public transport in Oman is fairly limited, and I don’t feel like they have the public transport infrastructure just yet to support tourism.

This itinerary will involve a mixture of using Otaxi (Oman’s version of Uber), booking on group/guided tours and also hiring a driver for a couple of days. 

Hiring A Driver In Oman 

An alternative to not renting a car in Oman is to hire a driver for the full duration of the trip. You can absolutely do this, but it’s super important to do your due diligence to ensure that you’re hiring a driver who knows the roads, has the right equipment and understands whether it’s safe or not to visit certain places (due to weather conditions, etc). 

As the tourism scene in Oman slowly continues to rise, it has paved the way for charlatan tour guides to pop up as well, and I heard some sad stories from some of the locals I met. 

Also, if you are travelling solo, then hiring a driver for 7 days in Oman might work out extremely costly for you, as you’ll have to foot the total bill by yourself.

I do, however have a personal driver recommendation, and if you want to hire him out for the full duration of your week in Oman or just for a day or two (like I did,) then you absolutely can, and I have provided his contact details (with his permission) further down this post.  

Arriving in Muscat 

Flight 

Oman is well-connected with lots of direct flights into the country. You can catch direct flights from places like London, Istanbul, Qatar, India, Malaysia, the UAE and lots more. I booked my flight to Oman through Skyscanner and flew direct from London Heathrow to Muscat with Oman Air. 

Bus 

You can travel to Muscat by bus from other cities in the Gulf, including Abu Dhabi in the UAE. There is one bus from Abu Dhabi to Muscat which takes around 10 hours and costs approximately $30 (click here to find out more information).

How To Get Around Muscat 

Muscat is one of the most unwalkable cities I have ever been to. Things might look close on the map, but most major attractions are at least 20 minutes from each other by car. Walking is virtually impossible, unless you want to spend hours walking on the side of a highway (no, thank you). 

The best way to get around Muscat without a car is to download the Otaxi App, which is Oman’s version of Uber. There are always taxis to hail down in Muscat too, but these will almost always charge you more than the Otaxi App, as a lot of drivers will try their luck.  

Something I learnt very quickly on my first day in Muscat is that a lot of the taxi drivers that you hail down will say something like “how much do you want to pay?” rather than giving you a set price, which often sees you paying a lot more than you need to. For the first couple of journeys in Muscat (before I knew about Otaxi), I was paying 5 Omani Rial for a 10-15-minute journey. 

This is what the average taxi fare in Muscat should look like: 

• 10-15 minute journey: 1-2 Omani Rial
• 15-30 minute journey: 2 – 4 Omani Rial
• 30-45 minute journey: 5-7 Omani Rial 
• 45-60 minute journey: 8+ Omani Rial

Where To Stay In Muscat 

As a city, Muscat is fairly spread out, so no matter how close you stay to a top attraction, you’ll always be a little bit away from the next one. There are 2 main areas I would recommend staying in Muscat, which I have listed below: 

Azaiba 

Azaiba sits right between the airport and downtown Muscat, making it super convenient whether you’re landing, exploring the city, or heading to the beach (this is where I stayed during my time in Muscat, and I found it to be an extremely convenient spot).

Some of the best places to stay in Azaiba are: 

• Fraser Suites Muscat 
• Movenpick Hotel
• Citadines Al Ghubrah 
• The Chedi Muscat 

Seeb/Al Mouj

Seeb/Al Mouj is a great spot to stay in Muscat, especially if you want something convenient that is super close to Muscat International Airport and Muscat’s main port. 

Some of the best places to stay in Seeb are: 

• Season Inn Hotel 
• Remas Hotel Suites
• Boulevard Hotel Oman
• Mysk Al Mouj Hotel 

Luxury Hotels In Muscat 

Alternatively, if you are looking to stay at a luxury hotel in Muscat, the majority of these are all located in the Al Jissah area. This is further outside of the main city, about a 40-minute drive from Muscat International Airport.

Some of the best luxury hotels in Muscat include:

• Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah 
• Jumeriah Muscat
• Al Bustan Palace Ritz-Carlton 

Day 1 – Explore Muscat 

Muscat is an intriguing city, and one that is holding on to its culture, unlike some of the other cities you may find in the Gulf, like Doha, Dubai or Abu Dhabi. At the moment, Muscat has banned the building of skyscrapers, and a local told me that they are not allowed to build anything higher than 8 storeys. 

Muscat feels like you’re getting a more authentic experience, and probably what Dubai and Doha looked like 20 years ago. 

I personally don’t feel like there is a lot to do in Muscat, but enough to keep you occupied for one day. 

Things To Do In Muscat 

Visit The Sultan Qaboos Mosque

Built in 2001, the Sultan Qaboos Mosque is the largest mosque in Oman and can hold up to 20,000 worshippers. It is also home to one of the biggest chandeliers in the world. The mosque is open to non-muslim visitors every Monday-Thursday from 8 am-11 am.

Even if you’re not a fan of religious buildings, it’s hard to ignore the beauty of this mosque, and it’s well worth a visit. The mosque is quite big, so give yourself a minimum of 90 minutes to explore.

If you’re a woman, be sure to have your hair, legs and arms completely covered as you may be refused entry otherwise. 

Visit Muttrah: The Corniche, Fort & Souq 

All located just a stone’s throw from each other, visiting the Corniche, Souq, and Fort will give you a taste of Muscat’s traditional roots. 

The Corniche is a beautiful little waterfront where you can admire authentic dhow boats. Opposite the Corniche, you’ll find the Muttrah Souq, which is a traditional Middle Eastern market. You can buy goods like frankincense,  spices, clothes, and jewellery. 

Just a short walk from the souq, you’ll find the 16th-century Muttrah Fort, which was built by the Portuguese. A short hike up rewards you with stunning panoramic views of the harbour and city below. Entrance to the fort will cost you 3 Omani Rial. 

The view from the Fort was one of my favourite parts of my 24 hours in Muscat, so make sure this is one thing you do not skip.

Visit Old Muscat 

Old Muscat is the historic part of the city. It’s tucked between mountains and the sea. Here you can find the stunning Al Alam Palace and the old Portuguese forts Al Jalali and Al Mirani. The area feels super traditional and peaceful, and is perfect for a chilled walk.

It’s also where you can explore museums like the National Museum or Bait Al Zubair to get a feel for Oman’s history.

Watch A Show At The Royal Opera House 

The Royal Opera House is one of Muscat’s most elegant buildings. Even if you’re not catching a show, it’s worth visiting just to see the architecture and walk around the grounds.

Inside, you’ll find a mix of performances, from classical music and opera to regional and international acts. There are also a few shops and cafés nearby, so it’s a nice spot to stop by during the day, whether you’re seeing a performance or just exploring the area. If you are in the mood for a coffee, then I recommend visiting ARAM Cafe nearby, which is a chilled, Balinese-style cafe.

Relax on Qurum Beach 

Qurum Beach is one of the most beautiful in Muscat. It’s a long stretch of palm-tree-lined sand, and if you much prefer watching your sunsets on land rather than at sea, Qurum Beach is the best place to watch the sunset in Muscat. 

You’ll find locals playing football and tourists hanging out, especially around sunset. There are cafés and restaurants nearby, so it’s easy to grab a coffee or a bite while you’re there. Whilst it’s not the most authentic food, I recommend heading to the Crepe Cafe if you fancy a bite to eat. Not only are the crepes delicious, but the restaurant is also in a prime sunset viewing position.

Day 2 – Boat Trip To The Daymaniyat Islands 

The Daymaniyat Islands (also spelt Dimaniyat) are a place in Oman that surprised me to know the end. Now I know this is probably very naive of me, but when I pictured Oman in my head, I thought about desert, sand, canyons and not Islands with crystal clear waters and bright white sand that looked like something from Sardinia or Greece. 

Well, that’s exactly what a day trip to the Daymaniyat Islands offers. They are located just an hour off the coast of Muscat, and there are two trips out there a day. One in the morning from 8 am-1 pm and one in the afternoon from 1:30 pm-6:30 pm. 

The Daymaniyat Islands are also a great place to enjoy marine life, and as part of the boat trip, you’ll get the opportunity to snorkel too. Depending on what time of year you visit, you’ll be able to see turtles, dolphins or even whale sharks if you are really lucky. I was there during turtle nesting season (February), and I saw the largest amount of turtles in one spot I had ever seen in my life (think 20 plus!!). 

It is also possible to Scuba Dive here, but please ensure you talk to your providers first before booking if this is something you want to do, as not all providers offer this as an option. 

For the best experience,  I recommend booking either with Blue Whale Tours or Global Scuba. Boat trips depart from the Al Mouj Port in Seeb, and you will have to make your own way there. 

NOTE: If you’re a woman and wondering what swimwear to wear, I saw both bikinis and swimsuits being worn. If you want to remain respectful, I recommend a swimsuit. 

Day 3 – 5 – Desert, Wadi’s and Canyons Tour With Husaak Adventures 

Undoubtedly, one of the best things to do in Oman is to explore its natural beauty, like its deserts, wadis and canyons, which is really difficult to do without a car, as often a lot of these spots are “in the middle of nowhere”. 

That’s why I really recommend booking a 2/3 day guided tour so that you can enjoy nature without worrying about the logistics and camping equipment, etc. I booked a 2-day tour with Husaak Adventures, which I can highly recommend. 

I booked onto their “Sands and Splash” tour, which involved visiting Wahiba Sands, Wadi Hawar and the more famous Binmah Sinkhole. With Husaak, you’ll get all the safety and camping equipment you need as well as guides who truly know the area. Here’s what you can expect on the tour:

Day 3

The tour starts at 1 pm, where you’ll head to the beautiful Wahiba Sands, which is Oman’s famous desert and sand dunes, which are said to be as big as Slovenia (so pretty big). You’ll get to ride up and down the sand dunes and watch the sunset behind the desert. In the evening, you’ll set up camp on the dunes and enjoy a wholesome camp BBQ and admire the clear night sky underneath a campfire. 

Day 4 

On the second day of the tour, you will head to Wadi Hawer (which is part of the better-known Wadi Bani Khalid). Wadi Hawer isn’t as accessible as other wadis in Oman, so we often have the entire place to ourselves, which felt like such a unique experience. Here you will spend 5-6 hours scaling rocks, hiking and swimming through the Wadi. 

You will get completely submerged on this hike, so make sure that you only pack waterproof electronics (Husaak will provide you with dry bags). 

This day in particular was my favourite day during my 7 days in Oman and one of the best things I’ve done in all of my travels, so I really recommend doing this if you can.

In the evening, you will head to the coast close to a town called Sur, where you will set up camp right next to the ocean.

Day 5 

On the final day of the tour, you can wake up early to watch the sunrise over the Ocean, and then you will head to the beautiful Binmah Sinkhole. It’s about 50–70 meters wide and around 20 meters deep, filled with clear turquoise water from a mix of sea and freshwater.

Locals once believed it was created by a meteor, but it actually formed when limestone collapsed into an underground cavern. I also learnt that apparently it is connected to the sea via an underground tunnel. 

You’ll then make your way back to Muscat and be there for around midday. 

Days 6 & 7 – Visit Jebel Akhdar  & Explore Nizwa 

For Days 6 & 7 of this itinerary, you will need to hire a driver to take you to the next 2 spots on this as they are both located 2 hours outside of Muscat. 

I can personally recommend my driver, Marwan, who was friendly, knowledgeable and ultimately made me feel very safe as a solo female traveller in Oman. You can contact Marwan at [email protected] (make sure to say Christina sent you). Part of the areas you will be heading to require that you have a 4×4 car, so if Marwan can’t help you, he can definitely put you in touch with someone he knows. 

When it comes to these next 2 days, you have two choices: either stay overnight close to Jebel Akhdar and make your way to Nizwa the next day (which you can arrange directly with the driver) or head back to Muscat and drive back out to Nizwa the following day. It all depends on your preference (but it definitely makes more sense to stay overnight). 

Both Nizwa and Jebel Akhdar are a 2-hour drive from Muscat, and they a both a 2-hour drive from each other. 

Alternatively, you can combine a visit to both areas in just one day with a guided tour; however, as you can probably expect, it will be slightly more jam-packed. If this is something that sounds interesting to you, then I really recommend looking into this tour. 

Day 6 – Jebel Akhdar

Jebel Akhdar means “Green Mountain”. It’s part of the Al Hajar mountain range and is probably one of the most popular mountains in Oman. 

Jebel Akhdar sits pretty high up, so it stays cooler and gets more rain than most places in Oman. Thanks to that, you’ll find all kinds of plants growing there, including pomegranates and apricots, and those damask roses which they use to make traditional Omani rose water.

There a lots of beautiful hiking trails in this area with lots to cater to different experience levels, ranging from easy to difficult. One of the most popular easy hikes to do here is the “Four Village Walk” that will take you through stunning mountain villages like Ash Shirajah & Al Ayn. This walk takes just 2 hours, so it’s perfect for a simple and quick hike.

As an alternative to Jebel Akhdar, you could visit Jebel Shams instead, which is the highest peak in the Al Hajar range, standing at 3018 meters. Here you can enjoy the famous 4km Balcony Walk route.

Day 7 – Nizwa & Birkat Al Mouz

Nizwa is one of Oman’s oldest cities and was once the country’s capital. It’s best known for its stunning fort, aptly named the Nizwa Fort. The fort is open from 8 am-6 pm from Saturday – Thursday and from 8 am-11:30 am and 1:30 pm – 6:30 pm on Fridays. Entrance to the fort the 5 Omani Rial for Adults, 3 Rial for children above 6 years old.

Right next door is the Nizwa Souq, which is a lively market where you can browse everything from silver jewelry to daggers to dates and spices. Nizwa Souq is generally open daily from 6:00 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm. 

If you happen to time things right and are in Nizwa on a Friday morning, be sure to visit the famous and chaotic goat market for a real traditional experience.

Birkat Al Mouz is a quiet village just a short drive from Nizwa at the base of the Jebel Akhdar mountains. It’s surrounded by date palms and is home to one of Oman’s ancient falaj irrigation systems, which is even listed as a UNESCO site.

Be sure to visit the old part of the village, with its mudbrick houses and narrow pathways and enjoy a refreshing drink at Banana Cafe nearby (which you’ll most certainly need after walking around in the intense Omani heat). You’ll be pleased to know that entrance to Birkat Al Mouz is free.

Whilst Nizwa is obviously stunning, a little part of me much preferred Birkat Al Mouz because it was a little more rugged and understated, and I just love rooting for the underdog!

Other Ways to Travel Oman Without A Car 

Another way to travel Oman without a car is to base yourself in Muscat and to take multiple day trips across the course of the week. There are lots of incredible and highly rated tours on both GetYourGuide and Viator, so I’m sure you can find the perfect day trips for you! 

When Is The Best Time To Visit Oman? 

​​The best time to visit Oman is during the cooler months from October to April, when the weather is warm and ideal for outdoor activities. During these cooler months, temperatures range from 20°C to 30°C, making it perfect for exploring cities like Muscat, hiking in the mountains, or relaxing on the beach.

Summer (May to September) gets extremely hot, especially inland, and temperatures can range from 40°C to 50 °C. However, if this is the only time that you can visit, I recommend heading to Salalah, which is a region in Oman that experiences cooler temperatures and even rain. 

Do I need a Visa For Oman? 

As always, whether you need a visa for Oman will depend on what country you come from. 

Oman offers a 14-day visa-free to around 100 countries, including the UK, US and Australia. There are also a handful of countries that don’t require a visa at all, including other GCC countries. 

I recommend checking your government website to check the entry requirements before you travel.

Is Oman Safe For Solo Female Travellers? 

In my experience, I would say that Oman is safe for solo female travellers. There were some moments during my time when I felt uncomfortable with the amount of stares I was getting (despite being dressed very modestly), but to be honest, this isn’t an uncommon experience, no matter where I travel (and I’m sure if you are a woman reading this you can relate).  

I recommend practising the usual caution as we always do as women, such as not walking alone in quiet places at night and ensuring you have battery and data on your phone. I recommend Airalo or Holafly if you need data during this trip. 

When it comes to camping and hiking alone, I probably wouldn’t do this myself in Oman. I did hear one or two discouraging stories that were apparently “swept under the carpet” and not reported in the media.

However, you have to do what you feel most comfortable with and as a whole, Oman is definitely safer than my home country of England. 

What Should Women Wear in Oman? 

As a woman in Oman, I know it is important to dress modestly. Oman is still fairly conservative in comparison to its UAE neighbour. You must ensure that your shoulders and knees are covered and that your hair is covered if you are entering a mosque. 

As a standard, I usually wore a t-shirt and long linen trousers for the majority of my trip and always carried a scarf and linen shirt with me if I needed to cover up further. 

It’s important to mention that when you are doing things like hiking, it’s ok to wear shorts. In some more touristy Wadis like Wadi Shab, it’s ok to wear a swimsuit. However, I would err on the side of caution and carry a quick-dry t-shirt and shorts to wear over your swimsuit if need be. 

What I will say is that Muscat is more laidback than the rest of the country, and I often saw women wearing shorts and skirts. While this is okay for the city, it’s best not to do this in the rest of the country, just to be respectful. 

Final Thoughts On This 1-Week Oman Itinerary

Oman truly took me by surprise in the best possible way. In just one week, I was able to explore some of the best things that Oman has to offer, all without needing to rent a car. 

While having a car would definitely open up even more possibilities, this itinerary proves you can still experience some of the country’s best bits without one (even if you do have to get a little creative with the route).

I am certainly already planning a trip back because there is so much more to see and do (and next time I’ll bring my boyfriend along so he can do the driving).