Oman is a good idea for travelling with children because they can explore a very different environment in one of the safest countries. Seeing the desert, visiting the wadis and the highest mountain in the country or witnessing sea turtles lay their eggs on a pristine beach are some of the spectacles that will delight all children.
Plan selection
A route through Jebel Shams
This is the highest peak in the country and the views from the top are incredible. Although this is an easy route, with a total height difference of around 300 metres, you may not reach the highest part with children because there are some narrow stretches with steep cliffs that may be dangerous for them. It is still worth walking part of the way and being able to see from the sky what the wadis look like and how deep they are.
Snorkeling among whales
Oman is a paradise for snorkelling and diving because of its amazing beaches, but especially because of the high presence of nutrients in the Arabian Sea which attracts many animal species such as whales, sharks and the famous turtles. One of the best places to dive and snorkel are the Daymaniyat Islands, where you can glimpse a marine paradise with just a mask and snorkel.
Beach in Al Fazayah
One of the best family plans if you are in the south-west of the country, in the Salalah area, is to spend the day at Al Fazayah beach, one of the most famous in Oman. It is a huge expanse of white sand with clear water and very curious rock formations.
In fact, this beach is also famous for the surrounding cliffs and Marneef Cave, where the water jets form limestone cavities and create a unique atmosphere.
Turtle nesting in Ras al Jinz
This deserted beach in southern Oman is a favourite place for turtles to lay their eggs between March and June. Inside the Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve, you will see how these giant animals enter and exit the water in a unique spectacle that will surely thrill all children.
You can see the turtles early in the morning. You have to get up early to see them emerging from the holes and entering the water. You can also see them at nightfall, when they return to their holes in the sand.
The Mutrah Souk
A stroll through a souk in any city in Oman is always a good idea for the whole family because of the variety of flavours, smells and colours at all the intersections.
Therefore, you must visit Muscat’s market, Mutrah Souk, with stalls where you can see up to 45 species of dates, incense burners with different aromas, and streets with wood and pottery craftsmen working on new works of art.
A bath in Wadi Bani Khaled
This incredible wadi is full of natural pools with very cold, emerald-green water, perfectly adapted for swimming, even for children.
In addition, Bani Khalid has an infrastructure of bridges that cross the canyon towards a small restaurant where you can relax with an incredible view over the wadi.
At the end of the marked route, you will reach a cave where you can access one of the most beautiful parts of the river in the entire wadi. This small adventure will surely delight the children.
The Wahiba Desert
Wahiba Sands is the perfect image of the desert, with a sea of dunes swaying in the wind, which we can all conjure up in our heads, but for children it is a stunning place that they will not forget. The best way to enjoy the trip is to take a camel ride on the fine and almost endless sand or, depending on the children’s age, a 4×4 tour. You can also visit the home of a local Bedouin family to see what their lifestyle is like and share some dates with them. This will be a unique experience for the whole family.
Splash Waterpark
There are some water parks which you can enjoy with children. Splash Waterpark can be found inside the Barceló Mussanah Resort hotel. Its 1,200 square metres are located in the resort’s leisure area, which also has gardens and a mini-golf course.
The children will enjoy three impressive slides, with heights ranging from two to seven metres. If you are staying at the hotel, you will also have two smaller slides and the children’s area with play structures including mushrooms, water jets and a water bucket and even a safe area for babies.
Dónde dormir en Omán
One of the best places to stay in Oman is the Barceló Mussanah Resort, Sultanate of Oman, a four-star hotel located on the beachfront in Al Batinah, overlooking the Gulf of Oman.
This resort has 234 rooms and 74 luxury apartments, almost all with sea views, and very flexible to meet the needs of all guests, including families who are more than welcome.
In addition to a private beach, surrounded by palm trees and with cabanas for sunbathing, the hotel has four swimming pools overlooking the sea and a children’s pool so that kids can also have fun.
The hotel has three restaurants: Mydan Restaurant, with international cuisine; Azure, with Mediterranean food; and La Dolce Vita, with Italian specialities. There are also three areas where you can relax with a cocktail such as the Compass Bar, the Pool Bar and The Deck Bar&Lounge.
The hotel also has the Zayna Spa and Health Fitness Club, with 10 treatments rooms, with spa, sauna, steam baths, jacuzzi and gymnasium.
