Discover traditional Omani villages

Located in the same region as Jebel Shams, the village of Misfat al-Abriyeen is perched at the top of a mountain. By transforming its mud-brick houses into hotels, following the initiative of one of the villagers, this village has completely changed its face. It now attracts tourists to a region renowned for its superb hiking trails.

At an altitude of over 1,000 metres, Misfat is home to pretty lanes overlooking verdant plantations of lemon, banana and other palm trees. Beyond the mountains, the region is also known for its age-old tales of genies, which are still widely told in villages throughout the country. Spending a night in Misfat is like a timeless journey into a world of serenity.

Take the short walk around the village, passing through the gardens and along the palm grove. Fruit grows here in abundance, the streets are narrow and the doorways very photogenic. If you have the time, you can also hike into the wadi and go a little further afield.

In Al Hamra, we invite you to travel back in time through centuries of fascinating history. This charming little village nestles in the heart of the Hajar Mountains and is famous for its Bait Al Safah Museum. This is in fact a traditional Omani house transformed into a living museum. The museum showcases the trades and crafts of yesteryear, such as carpet weaving and traditional bread-making.

It is the women of the village who give demonstrations of the transformation of raw materials: wheat milled to make flour, dough baked, oil extracted, and so on. The architecture itself is very beautiful. In Al Hamra, you can also visit marble and copper deposits and watch camel races in the mountains. It couldn't be more authentic or immersive!

Nizwa is the former capital of Oman, and despite its development in recent years, it has managed to retain all its authenticity. With its traditional architecture, well-preserved monuments and oasis with its spectacular palm grove, Nizwa is one of the most beautiful cities in Oman.

It is home to one of the oldest mosques in the world (which unfortunately cannot be visited). One of the monuments worth visiting is the Nizwa Fort, built between the 4th and 17th centuries and now perfectly renovated. From the 40-metre-high sentry walk, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the foothills of Jebel Akhdar and the palm groves, with the dome of the mosque in the foreground. It's a wonderful visit, so take the time to lose yourself in the fort and discover all the rooms in the castle.

Nizwa is also famous for its souk, where you'll find pottery, dates and silver khanjars. There is also a fruit and vegetable souk, a fish souk, a meat souk and a souk selling weapons (guns, silver daggers, etc.), incense, spices and more.

If you're looking for authenticity, don't miss the livestock market that takes place every Friday morning at dawn. The locals come to sell and buy their animals (goats, camels, etc.) - it's a total immersion!

Situated at an altitude of 950 metres, Bilad Sayt is considered to be one of the most picturesque villages in Oman! This small, isolated village at the bottom of the Bani Awf wadi, in the heart of the mountains, dominates the crops and palm groves. With its picture-postcard appearance, it offers panoramas of incredible colour and is a photographer's delight.

Bilad Sayt is the perfect place to discover the heart of a typical village, but you won't come across many people. Good to know: the village is also accessible via a long-distance hiking trail. But beware: if you are afraid of heights, the road to get there is not very suitable.

Aflaj" (plural of " falaj ") are traditional irrigation canals in the Sultanate of Oman. You'll find them in every small traditional village and it's great fun to walk along them. In classical Arabic, falaj means "to divide into parts". More than 4,500 years old, this ingenious irrigation system distributes water among all the inhabitants, flowing by gravity from the springs to the houses and cultivated land.