It was a National Public Holiday, and we decided to spend the extended weekend in Oman. We left Dubai early and crossed the border at Hatta. This went smoothly, taking about 45 minutes in total. After a long but beautiful drive of about 450 km, with several stops along the way, we arrived in Muscat. 

The first night, we rented an apartment in Muscat, Al Mouj, wich is a trendy destination west of Muscat center. We enjoyed dinner at one of the charming local restaurants and took a leisurely stroll around the marina. 

Day 2: Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

Next day, we visited the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque of Muscat, which is a stunning example of modern Islamic architecture in Oman. It features one of the world’s largest hand-woven carpets and an impressive crystal chandelier. We strolled across the mosque’s impressive and expansive grounds and felt a wonderfully serene calm. 

After Birkat al Mouz, we continued driving to Nizwa, where we arrived around lunchtime. Nizwa is among the oldest and most historically significant cities in Oman. For centuries it functioned as a major center of trade, religion, education, and artistic activity within the region. At the heart of the city stood its great mosque (Jama), which served as an important hub for Islamic scholarship and religious instruction.

Because of this central position, merchants, travelers, and scholars frequently passed through the city, and a large portion of the country could be accessed from Nizwa. This made Nizwa both a cultural and religious hub, as well as an important trading center.

We continued to Tanuf. First thing we see were the Tanuf Castle Ruins, they were once part of a lively and fully functioning village, inhabited by the ancestors of the present-day residents of Tanuf until the 1950s. The village was severely damaged during the Jebel Akhdar War, after which it was gradually abandoned. Today, only the stone houses, narrow alleys, and remnants of the settlement remain, giving visitors a glimpse into the past.

The ruins themselves are spread across a small hillside, with crumbling walls, old doorways, and roofless houses built from local stone and mud. Walking through the remains, it is easy to imagine what daily life once looked like here—families living close together, children playing in the narrow paths, and farmers tending their terraces.

Our final stop of our day was Misfat Al Abriyeen, a historic mountain village that is believed to be around 300 years old, although the area itself has likely been inhabited for much longer. Settlers established the village centuries ago after discovering a natural water source in the mountains, allowing them to create a small oasis in an otherwise dry landscape. 

When we arrived, the sun had just set, and with the little daylight that was left, we found our way to our guesthouse. Since cars are banned in the center of the village, that was quite a challenge. If you want, you can “order” a donkey to carry your luggage to your hotel. We were stubborn, and with our daypacks, we made our way through all kinds of narrow streets, little passageways, and steep stairways going down. Loved it! 

Because of the darkness, we couldn’t capture this properly in a photo. The picture above was taken the next day, when we checked out and walked back to our car.

In the evening, we joined the house for dinner. A live-cooking BBQ had been prepared for us, with something for everyone. We finished with tea and sweets. Exhausted from a day of exploring, we went to bed nice and early.

Day 3: Morning stroll

The next morning we were already awake early, and we set out on foot to watch the sunrise. Walking through the cobbled streets and ancient pathways gives a real sense of stepping back in time.