Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa

Destination information

Occupying the south east corner of the Arabian Peninsula, holidays in Oman offer a variety of activities to suit the taste of any holidaymaker. Oman holidays boast a largely un-touched coastline of white sand beaches, 500 plus fortes, castles and towers combined with a year round warm climate. Holidays to Oman offer shopping malls and well-equipped water sports facilities, alongside traditional and ancient trading towns, where you can smell the aroma of frankincense.

Sightseeing ideas

Stunning Scenery

Oman is packed to bursting with natural wonders, including several stunning mountain ranges, gorgeous waterfalls or wadi’s as they’re known, dramatic caves and vast deserts. In fact, the Empty Quarter is the largest desert in the world or visit instead Sharqiyah Sands – a sea of undulating dunes stretching far into the distance. Of particular note is the Musandam Peninsula, a place where the desert meets mountain and sea – the scenery here is so stunning, it will take your breath away!

Castles and forts

There are over 500 forts, castles and towers in Oman – all very much needed in days gone by to protect the expansive coastline from invasion! Jalali and Mirani are amongst Oman’s most famous forts, standing at the entrance to Muscat Bay, whilst Rustaq Fort, dating back to the 13th Century, is the oldest and tallest. Bahla Castle with its 7-mile long walls is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Al Hazm Castle, in the middle of a large oasis, stands out due to its magnificent shape and size.

Culture and heritage

Immerse yourself in traditional Islamic culture in Oman, a land unspoilt by time or commercialism. Ancient history and colourful traditions ensure every inch of this nation bears witness to its immortal heritage with some incredible cultural experiences, including the Grand Mosque with its stunning Arabic architecture. There are also several UNESCO World Heritage Sites to explore, including the Bat Tombs, which date back to the third millennium BC and the Frankincense Route, a group of locations that contributed to the flourishing frankincense trade during the Middle Ages.

Adventure

Oman is one of the best kept secrets in the diving world! There are numerous coral reefs surrounding the Sultanate with dramatic wall drop-offs to tempt the experienced diver and scenic coral lined fjords, ranging in depth from 6-40m. Kayaking is another widely available watery pursuit or head to the desert for a 4x4 safari or spot of wadi bashing! Oman is also one of the best places on earth to spot dolphins, so take a boat trip off the coast of Muscat and enjoy!

Fantastic beaches

With over 1600km of coastline, Oman is home to some of the cleanest, most stunning beaches you could wish for! Qurum Beach is very popular with pristine white sands, picnic areas and palm shades. At low tide you can take a 4km walk towards the Embassies’ area in Shati Al Qurum – well worth the effort. Other great beaches include Bandar Jissah with its rock pools and children’s playground plus Marjan Beach, which has small coral reefs, perfect for the novice snorkeller.

Great for families

Perfect for families, Oman boasts an incredible climate, luxury hotels with excellent amenities and sandy beaches with safe, shallow waters. It’s also a place where history comes very much alive for everybody with so many fascinating sights to see. There are water sports galore to suit all levels with younger kids enjoying just splashing about in the blue stuff or dolphin spotting. The Shangri La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa is highly recommended for families, offering a kids club, teen club, children’s pool and the Omani Heritage Village featuring authentic Arabian horses and camels.