Immerse yourself in Omani culture

The Omani people are proud of their identity, the result of a melting pot that has evolved over the course of many conquests. During your stay, you will quickly realise that hospitality is the very essence of Omani culture. From the Bedouins of the desert to the fishermen of Sour, don't be surprised if you are spontaneously invited to share a delicious cardamom coffee accompanied by dates.

If you travel during religious celebrations such as Eid-El-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, and Eid-El-Kebir, the sacrifice of the sheep, or the bank holidays on 18 November, you'll have even more opportunities to share in local culture and enjoy Omani hospitality.

With its 1,700 kilometres of coastline, Oman is a country of fishermen and sailors. The country's strategic position, at the tip of the Arabian Peninsula and facing the Strait of Hormuz, made it a key trading post on the route to India and maritime trade.

This maritime heritage is still very much alive, particularly in the town of Sour, where you can visit the shipyards. Even today, the traditional dhows that ply the coasts as far as the Musandam peninsula are built and repaired here. It is in Musandam that you can enjoy superb dhow cruises in a unique setting. In Sour, fresh fish arrivals liven up the port and the country's various souks from dawn: a sight not to be missed!

Culture lovers will be delighted to visit the fortified adobe villages, the fortresses nestling in the mountains, or the ruins of the Queen of Sheba's civilisation near Salalah. The Sultanate of Oman is dotted with forts: there are over 500 of them! These magnificent structures, built by the Omanis (inland) or the Portuguese (on the coast), add an appreciable cultural dimension to this country of desert, oases and mountains. You can discover the must-see forts along the Forts Route.

From the alleyways of the Muttrah souk to the traditional Yemeni houses of Al Hamra, not forgetting the superb carved wooden doors that line the streets, Oman is home to a rich architectural heritage that is a wonderful testimony to its history.

The souks are the best place to discover and admire local crafts. Negotiation is the order of the day, and the merchants offer a wide range of products: food, spices and traditional medicines, incense, pashmina, traditional hats (kimah), clothes and haberdashery, wooden chests, etc. And of course the country's emblem, the khanjar, a traditional silver dagger. And of course the country's emblem, the khanjar, a traditional silver dagger. Plan to spend a little time visiting the souk, as the craftsmen will be delighted to talk to you about the history and manufacture of the objects.

When it comes to local handicrafts, you can find pretty silver and gold jewellery in Muscat, some pottery and basketry in Nizwa, incense and perfumes and small painted clay censers in Salalah. You can also bring back beautiful objects, wooden dishes and chests, and jewellery imported from India. So don't forget to save a little space in your suitcase!

Although there is no traditional Omani cuisine as such, the cuisine reflects the country's diverse influences. Omani cuisine blends Indian and Lebanese flavours. Rice and chapatis generally accompany a meat or fish dish cooked with spices. Throughout the country, small local restaurants serve birianis and curries accompanied by a plate of raw vegetables.

You eat "Omani style", sitting on a carpet and wedged between two cushions. A traditional Omani meal is generally eaten with the hands. You have to serve yourself with your right hand. The local speciality, rarely served, is showa: lamb cooked in the sun in banana leaves. You will also have the opportunity to eat camel with the Bedouins, particularly in the Salalah region.

The coffee, flavoured with cardamom, is offered during the day, along with dates, the best in the world, such as Khalas. Dates are available everywhere, especially in hotel lobbies, along with coffee. According to local beliefs, you have to take an odd number of dates, otherwise it's bad luck! Don't hesitate to try Halwa, the famous Omani dessert, a pastry made from brown sugar, water, flour, eggs, milk and rose water, flavoured with spices (cardamom, saffron, almonds or cashew nuts). Honey and spice pastries are traditionally served in the evening.

What better way to discover Oman's ancestral traditions than by living them? In the Al Hamra oasis, in Jebel Akdhar in the Hajar Mountains, an old adobe house has been transformed into a living museum. A real journey back in time, it depicts daily life in the days before the discovery of oil.