Captivate your senses
Finding cheap flights to Oman usually isn’t difficult, so when you’re planning your next adventure, consider visiting Oman’s capital, Muscat. Filled with ornate mosques and colonial Portuguese forts as well as modern skyscrapers and museums, you’ll always be able to find something to do. Wander through the labyrinth that is the open-air market, Mutrah Souq, and allow your senses to take in everything from fresh dates and pears to Damascus roses and gold. Visit ancient forts and castles, like the Mutrah Fort, Al Jalali Fort and Fort Al-Mirani. February visitors will enjoy traditional music, cuisine and folklore at the Muscat Festival.
Take a hike through history
Hike in the majestic mountain ranges of Al Hajar and Al Jabal al Akhdar. Visit the small, rustic town of Nizwa, known for its breath-taking mountain views and its 5,000-year old handmade, stone aflaj (irrigation systems). Take a trip to other small towns like Jabrin for impressive forts and ancient castles. If you decide to head north, make sure to tour Al Hoota Cave, a natural wonder. For a manmade wonder, head to Jabreen Castle to gaze at the beautiful, calligraphic Arabic decorating the walls and listen to traditional Omani music in the courtyard.
A few diamonds in the rough
When traveling in Oman during the summer months, do as the locals do by seeking refuge from the heat along the southern coastal region. Salalah takes the cake thanks to its pristine beaches, gorgeous sunsets and fresh fruits. Visit the Mughsayl Blowholes at Marneef Cave or just take a relaxing stroll along the Ad Dahariz Beach Walkway. Take advantage of the khareef (monsoon rains) to visit overflowing waterfalls like Ayn Hamran and Wadi Ayn. Trek up the mountains of Ittin Park for a bird’s-eye view of the city. If you’d like to get away from the crowds for a bit, try heading to Fazayah Beach.
When to go
Oman is an arid Arabian desert, making its summer months from mid-March to September very hot. The Apricot Festival is celebrated during the month of May; additionally, you’ll be able to find exquisite peaches, figs and pears just about everywhere.
Oman’s hottest months – when temperatures reach almost 40 degrees Celsius - are June, July and August. July does, however, mark the beginning of turtle nesting season along the Sultanate Shores. Many tourists and locals venture to the southern coast during these summer months to seek a respite from the heat in cities like Salalah, which has a more Mediterranean climate during the summer.
Oman’s winter months last from October to March and are also hot with temperatures hovering around 30 degrees Celsius during the day. This is the ideal time to visit Oman; not only is the weather optimal for travel, but you may also get to see interesting cultural events, such as the month-long Muscat Festival. Keep in mind that prices for flights and accommodations increase during the holiday season, particularly around Christmas and New Year’s, so be sure to book your travel well in advance to get the best bargains.
Airports and airlines
Compare Oman flights with Netflights. Search by specific dates, flexible dates or by month to find what schedule best fits your budget.
You can find direct flights from London to Muscat with Oman Air. When flying to Oman, the cheapest option often has travellers leaving from London Heathrow Airport. Plan your holiday in advance, especially during Christmas and New Year’s, to avoid high ticket prices. You can also fly with other carriers, such as Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, Swiss, Jet Airways, KLM, Qantas Airways and Egypt Air. Flights to Oman with these carriers, however, will include either one or two stopovers in a major city. Some stopover possibilities include Istanbul, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Zurich, Frankfurt and Cairo.
