Oman for couples

Oman has a lot to offer couples, with the country boasting luxurious accommodation, stunning natural and historical sites and a friendly atmosphere. You can book a break that centres on one place, or organise a twin-centre trip that allows you to see a little more of Oman.

Oman also makes an excellent stop if you're planning to visit one of the Indian Ocean's favourite honeymoon destinations like the Maldives, Seychelles or Mauritius. Spending a few days or even a week here is a fantastic way to break up the long journey and means you get to experience a different culture too.

There are some incredibly romantic spots that you can visit as a couple, with overnight desert trips and evening strolls along the beach being just two of the things you can look forward to.
 

Enjoy exploring Oman's culture

Oman's cities are a delight to wander around, with fantastic architecture around every corner. In Muscat there are numerous cultural sites for you to discover, such as the historical Al Mirani Fort, the beautiful Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and the interesting Muscat Gate Museum, which is not only home to various exhibits about Omani history, but also boasts outstanding views.

Elsewhere, you can find out all about frankincense production by paying a visit to Wadi Dawkah. This area in the Dhofar province is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasts a host of frankincense trees. It is also a historically important source of frankincense, with the incense traded from here going as far back as the 2nd century BC.

Nizwa city, one of Oman's oldest settlements, is another must-visit during a holiday in the country. Simply wandering around its streets is a romantic experience in its own right, as there are several rivers that run through the city, as well as orchards and palm trees dotted among the buildings.
 

Discover the romance of the desert

There is nothing quite as romantic as relaxing beneath the night sky with the twinkling of thousands of stars being all that you can see. Spending a night in Oman's desert is a must if you want to fully appreciate this sight, as there's no light pollution to affect your uninterrupted view of the starry sky.

Head to the Wahiba Sands - a wonderful expanse of rolling dunes that stretch as far as the eye can see - for your very own Arabian Nights experience. Travelling with a Bedouin guide, you'll visit the dunes during the day to truly understand their scale and then have a sumptuous dinner for two that you can enjoy as the stars sparkle overhead. You can also arrange to meet a local Bedouin family and visit one of the oases, which are verdant spots of green in an otherwise barren and arid landscape.
If you want to really appreciate these wilderness areas, you can organise a tour that lasts for several days, allowing you to see a bit more of this spectacular landscape and maybe spot some of its inhabitants - like desert foxes and endangered Arabian oryx.
 

Relax and unwind on Oman's coast

Spending a few days on a beautiful beach is a wonderful way to round off any romantic holiday and you'll have plenty of stretches of coastline to choose from in Oman. There are some lovely beaches within easy reach of Muscat - such as Shell Beach or Marjan Beach, the latter of which is delightfully peaceful during the day but really comes alive once night falls; making it the perfect place for a seaside dinner.

The area around Salalah is also an excellent destination for couples, with this coastal town being surrounded by coconut groves and banana plantations, as well as boasting some of the country's most stunning stretches of sand.

There are glorious white-sand beaches right next to the town, while in the waters you'll find colourful coral reefs that are excellent for snorkelling or scuba diving. To see the coast from a different perspective - and to catch a glimpse of some of the Arabian Sea's inhabitants - take a dolphin or whale-watching tour. Common bottlenose, Risso's, spinner and striped dolphins can all be seen off Oman's shores, as can humpback, sperm and killer whales.
 

What to wear in Oman

As Oman's temperatures rarely drop below the mid-20s, it's advisable to pack predominantly lightweight clothing, with some thicker outer layers for any cool evenings. Equally, if you are planning to spend time in the desert or mountains, pack some warm coats, as here temperatures can slide quite significantly once the sun goes down.

Remember that Oman is a Muslim country and that it is best to dress conservatively - avoid wearing any shorts or skirts that come above the knee and make sure your shoulders and upper body are always covered (this goes for men as well as women).

At the private hotel beaches in Oman it is acceptable to wear bikinis and swimming trunks, but on the public beaches it is best to be respectful to the locals and cover up with lightweight long-sleeved tops and a sarong or pair of shorts.