Oman for families

Oman is an interesting country to visit where you can teach your children about a very different culture. The nation is predominantly Muslim, so you can expect to see lots of mosques while you are travelling around. It was also a stop-off on the trade routes from the east to the west and has therefore been influenced by various civilisations over the course of the centuries.

In addition to the cultural and historical attractions in its cities, Oman boasts a range of natural sights that you shouldn't miss - there are wildlife reserves, where you can see the likes of turtles and whales on the coast, as well as vast areas of desert and incredible valleys that will take your breath away.

A holiday in Oman is wonderful for active families, particularly if you have slightly older children who can take advantage of some of the more adventurous pursuits on offer.
 

Discover Oman's wildlife

Inquisitive youngsters will love having the opportunity to see some of Oman's weird and wonderful wildlife up close. Children will enjoy paying a visit to one of the turtle nesting grounds where you can see adult turtles laying their eggs after dark, and watch as the babies emerge from the nest and make their way to the sea for the first time.

The Ad Daymaniyat Islands are a good place to visit for catching sight of the turtles, as green, loggerhead and hawksbill turtles all nest here, while on Masirah Island you'll also find Olive Ridley turtles coming ashore to breed.

Another animal-related attraction that kids are bound to love is camel racing, with competitions regularly taking place in Oman. The A'Sharqiyah Sands is a good place to come if you want to watch a camel race, as well as to discover Oman's desert. This region often hosts races, while you can also go on a four-wheel-drive tour over the dunes.

To see picture-perfect sand dunes, head to Ramlat Tawq, which is easy to reach from the capital city of Muscat. The dunes stretch for tens of kilometres and are the quintessential desert landscape. Staring out over the vast expanse of empty sand isn't something you or the kids are likely to forget in a hurry.
 

Sightseeing with the family

The best way to arrange a holiday in Oman is to plan to spend some time exploring its cities - like Muscat and Nizwa - before heading to the Dhofar region, which boasts some of the country's most spectacular coastline.

There is a lot to see and do in Oman's cities, with its forts likely to be the monuments that attract the greatest attention from your little ones. There are many such landmarks dotted throughout the country - in Muscat you should visit Al Jalali Fort. Sadly, you can't go inside but you and the kids can have lots of fun imagining it in its heyday, when cannons protruded from its ramparts and the only entrance or exit was via a small staircase and a narrow bridge.

Nizwa's fort, meanwhile, is one of the oldest in the country and is close to the city's souks, so you can combine a trip here with some browsing in the colourful markets. What's really exciting about Nizwa Fort is that it's linked to the nearby castle - your children can have lots of fun imagining how people got from one to the other in days gone by.
 

When should I travel to Oman?

As with many countries in the Middle East, the weather in Oman during the summer tends to be oppressive and hot, making it difficult for those who aren't used to the excessively high temperatures to enjoy their time here. Therefore, the best time to book a holiday in Oman is during the winter months (unless you plan to stay in Dhofar) - typically from November to mid-March, when the climate is much cooler.

That's not to say it isn't still warm though - daytime temperatures during these months average around 25 degrees Celsius. It's worth noting that the amount of rainfall in the winter varies from region to region, so if this is something you're concerned about; ask our knowledgeable team of travel advisors to find out what the weather is like in the specific places you'll be visiting.

It's also worth pointing out that during the spring and summer (from March until August) dust-laden winds can blow in and cause sandstorms. These are known locally as Shamal and the winds can be particularly strong.

Dhofar and its microclimate

Dhofar is a region in the south of Oman and it has its own microclimate, which means its weather can vary quite significantly from the rest of the country. For instance, during the summer when the rest of Oman typically gets no rain, Dhofar can receive over 600 mm in what's known as the Khareef season.

This falls between June and October and it occurs because the area is affected by the monsoons that hit the Indian Ocean. This also means temperatures here are generally between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius cooler than elsewhere in the nation, making it a more pleasant place to be in the searing heat of the summer.

The coastal town of Salalah is found here and during Khareef season the foothills of the mountains are a stunning green as the rain helps vegetation flourish. It's a popular place for locals to come to escape the summer.