Come winter season and Oman wears a unique look with attractions for local, regional and international tourists. Oman is a star attraction in the Middle East on account of several reasons. Oman’s winter, for the most part, is like a moderately warm season for Europeans, who experience extreme cold and snow in their countries. But Europeans are not only the only tourists who visit Oman in winter. There are tourists from within the country, as well as from the Gulf region, Indian Sub-continent and many other countries who like to visit Oman in this season.
During the winter season, breathtaking landscapes, thousands of years of culture and traditions and the cordiality of its people are the qualities to draw the European tourists. They are fascinated by the chance to experience a strong connection with nature but, at the same time, to enjoy the luxury of refined restaurants and hotels, and moreover, the friendship of Omani people that make everybody to feel at home.
The Sultanate’s winter tourist season is a very pleasant time for visitors from within Oman, the Gulf region and the world at large to tourist spots in almost all the wilayats of the country.
During winter (October to April) tourists from around the world visit Oman and tour around the country. This benefits the hospitality sector in a big way. Some of the wilayats in Oman are surrounded by mountains of stark beauty, limestone rock faces rising into the sky. Coastal areas of Oman are also very scenic. Oman’s 1,700 kilometre coastline is a sparkling juxtaposition of wet and dry.
These are great places to spend a few days, unwind, get sporty, relax and enjoy nature. Tourists who have visited Oman several times say keep your eyes open as you stroll through the coastal areas. You will find unspoilt virgin beaches, wadis, mountains, mangroves, date palms and beautiful birds. Oman is an exciting travel destination. For tourists, Oman has much to offer. More than 1,000 forts, castles and watchtowers are scattered all over the country.
The Sultanate interweaves verdant wadis, spectacular deserts and dramatic jebels in its geographical fabric. Oman is often called the ‘true Arabia’ and displays rich heritage and culture dating back to 4000 BC. This second largest country in 
the GCC has beautiful, natural and unspoiled beaches, and a stunning contrast between its mountains, wadis and beaches.
In addition to a number of the projects by Ministry of Tourism, Omran, established and owned by the government, has more than 10 projects under development, including some of Oman’s most high-profile developments with a budget of around RO 4 billion.
Oman has set its sights on attracting 12 million visitors by 2020. In 2008 alone, the visitor turnout in Oman exceeded three million largely because Oman is a year-round destination.
The uniqueness of Oman is that it is an absolutely safe travel destination and a country whose state income goes back to the people in the form of free access to education, free healthcare and almost no taxes to pay.
Experts say there’s much that the Sultanate can offer year-round, given its cool mountain regions and the different weather system of Salalah.
Oman is the perfect choice for different kinds of holidays: cultural, luxury, adventure and lifestyle. The Sultanate offers far more than an unforgettable break: it is a unique world to be explored and experienced that combines a sustainable economical development with its timeless traditions. The result is a vibrant but peaceful nation that welcomes the discerning traveller.
Year-round destination
Oman is a year-round destination. Oman is dotted with tourists spots. Jabal Shams is a popular destination throughout the year. Unlike in the summer, when Jabal al Shams at 10,000 feet offers a pleasant 25 degrees centigrade temperature, in the winter months temperatures sometimes approach freezing. What tourists like most is a light dusting of snow during the winter which adds to the charm of Jabal al Shams.
Jabal al Shams, about 236 km from Muscat, is a favourite place of tourists for camping, picnicking and sightseeing. It is an isolated area of untouched natural beauty with unique icons of scenery.
Tourists say during winter Oman’s mountainous areas from Muscat to Nizwa, including Bahla, Hajar mountains, Jabal al Akhdhar and Jabal al Shams are worth visiting.
Jabal al Akhdhar (The Green Mountain), located about 10,000 feet above sea level, is the highest peak in the Eastern Hajar mountains and one of the highest points in Oman. The thrilling views from Jabal al Akhdhar, as well as 
its balmy climate, are among the qualities that distinguish it as one of the top tourist spots in Oman. At Jabal al Akhdhar, the summer does not exceed 30°C, while in winter the temperature can plunge below 6°C.
All year round in general and during the winter season in particular Muscat is invariably one of the region’s top draws for international cruise liners specially following the setting up of a Passenger Cruise Terminal at Port Sultan Qaboos in February 2010.
Ras al Hadd offers a host of most significant locations for turtle watching. Situated at about 400 km southeast of Muscat and not far from the ancient dhow-building port of Sur, this stunning bay is nested in by green turtles all year round in numbers greater than anywhere else in the Indian Ocean.
Oman is home to several types of turtles. The green turtle, loggerhead, olive ridley and hawksbill all return year after year to fill sandy nests with hundreds of eggs.
During the winter season tourists also like to visit the pristine beaches of Ras al Jinz, which is known for green back turtles. Marked by a 120 square kilometre coastal area bound by a 45 kilometre coastline and stretching a kilometre into the sea, Ras al Jinz hosts thousands of tourists all year round who visit the reserve to have a first-hand experience of watching the green turtles in their natural habitat.
Dolphin watching is quite popular among visitors during the winter. Dolphins are sighted all year round in pods, which number up to 100 members. Over 21 species of Cetacean have been identified along the Omani coast. The most frequently sighted of these are spinner, common, bottlenose dolphins, and humpbacked whale.
Muscat, Al Hamra and Nizwa, among other places, are the hub of tourists during the winters. Everything in these places is worth visiting and enjoying thanks to its pleasant cool weather.
During the winter season, tourists like to visit the oasis city of Nizwa, the largest in the interior province. It was the capital of Oman in the 6th and 7th centuries. Today it remains one of the most popular tourist attractions with its historical buildings and imposing forts. The town's immense palm oasis stretches for eight kilometres along the course 
of two wadis. Waterfalls of Tanuf are inspiring and the magnificent Nizwa Fort, built in the mid 17th century, is a wonder on its own. Tanuf is a popular local picnic spot. The palm oasis on Wadi Kalbouh and Al Abiadh from Birkat al Mouz to Tanuf are fascinating sights to behold.
Another tourist attraction in this region is Al Hamra, known for its towers, ancient forts and farms, Jabal al Shams, the highest mountain peak in Oman at 3,075 metres and Al Hoota Caves. Visitors say Muscat, Nizwa and Al Hamra possess a rich and diverse topography and are worth visiting. Undoubtedly, Oman’s winter tourism season is a strong magnet for tourists from around the world.
