Oman: classic Arabia, men in white robes with turbans, camel caravans in the sandy desert, Bedouins, oases, mosques and, of course, the mighty sultan in his palace. The small Sultanate of Oman fulfills pretty much all the clichés you would expect for a country from the Arabian Nights and offers an excellently developed tourist infrastructure for an average of rather few travelers. What is perhaps less well known is that Omanis are extremely child-friendly. In fact, your children can open many doors for you on your trip to Oman. Read here everything you need to know for a trip to Oman with children!
1. Good preparation ensures a great holiday
International travel always requires careful planning and preparation. Here are the key points:
- The easiest way to apply for an Oman visa is online.
- Covid 19: All restrictions have been dropped by Oman. You can find the current status and other useful information here. Regardless of this, however, your chosen tour operator or airline may make its own requirements, such as a negative PCR test or masks during the flight.
- No other vaccinations are required. It is mandatory to take out travel health insurance. Medical care in Oman is very good, emergency care for everyone, including tourists, free of charge.
- The best time to travel is from November to March, because it is not as hot as the rest of the year.
- Their passports should be valid for at least six months upon entry and must not have stamps from Israel.
2. What should be in the holiday suitcase?
Oman is a country with a subtropical climate. In winter, daytime temperatures in the lowlands range up to 28°C, while in summer they can even rise to 50°C. So the clothing can be chosen summery. However, it should be noted that the shoulders should be covered. The Omanis are very friendly, but have a clear idea of what clothing is appropriate. For women, the knees should also be covered. Even on the beach, it is recommended to wear a T-shirt and shorts over the bikini. For a trip to the Hajar Mountains, long pants and a warm jacket are also recommended. It can even snow there in winter.
If you are taking electrical devices such as laptops or chargers with you, you will need a Type G adapter.
3. Safety and rules of conduct
Oman is a safe country to travel with simple, friendly and honest people. Even women traveling alone have no problems to fear. Only the border region with Yemen, where there is war, should be avoided if possible.
To note:
- The left hand is considered unclean. You should not greet them or touch anyone with them. Even gestures, such as greetings or hand signals, are best done with your right hand.
- The people often look very picturesque. However, avoid taking photos without their explicit permission.
- For mosque visits, the knees should be covered and women should wear a headscarf.
Of course, it is always a special recommendation if you learn a few words of the local language for your Oman holiday. Even just 10 or 20 words like: Good day = As-salamu-aleikum, thank you = schukran, good, bad, excuse me and so on prove your good will to integrate into the culture and help you enormously in everyday life. Here is a small list of useful expressions.
4. What to do on holiday in Oman with children?
The landscape of Oman offers desert, beach and mountains. Although the mountains are actually desert, but they are interrupted by mountain lakes, the wadis, which feed green valleys and where you can cool off in the heat. The cities, especially the capital Muscat and the old capital Nizwa are also worth seeing.
The largest sand desert in the world, the Rub al-Khali, is partly located in Oman. You can take day trips from Muscat to the desert to the so-called Wahiba Sands. If you want to experience the desert very intensively, you can also book a night in a desert camp. Since Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the author of The Little Prince, many know that a desert night is something very special, not only for stargazers.
5. Beach vacation
What could be better in tropical or subtropical countries than holidays on the beach and from beaches, Oman really has an abundance to offer. Of course, a beach holiday is also a great experience for children, where they will not be bored for a second. Book a holiday in a child-friendly family hotel if you want a fixed base for your holiday. The beaches in the Muscat region then offer quick access to desert tours and cultural attractions, while in the Salalah area you will find palm beaches in one of the greenest regions of the Arabian Peninsula. You can also dive and snorkel in Oman. Equipment is rented and there are diving schools.
Conclusion: A holiday with children in Oman requires little preparation and offers a lot of educational and entertaining things for children and parents. It is a safe and beautiful experience that you will remember fondly for many years to come.
