What to do in Oman - Latest News

Oman has officially declared Sunday, June 29, 2025, as a public holiday for both public and private sector employees in observance of the Holy Prophet’s Hijra Anniversary and the beginning of the Hijri year 1447 AH. This decision means a three-day weekend for residents across the Sultanate, aligning their time off with neighbouring countries like the UAE, where the Islamic New Year will be marked slightly earlier  on Friday, June 27. The timing of the holiday is especially notable because Oman’s official work week runs from Sunday to Thursday. With the Islamic New Year falling on a Sunday, employees will...

A big change is on the horizon for travellers in and around the Gulf. A new unified visa — officially called the GCC Grand Tours Visa — is expected to launch soon, making it easier to explore the entire Gulf region on a single application. While an exact launch date has not yet been confirmed, the new process is anticipated to be available sometime this year. Approved in 2023 and now in its final planning stages, the visa will grant access to: United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia Bahrain Kuwait Oman Qatar Once launched, the GCC Grand Tours Visa will simplify...

Construction has officially started on the UAE-Oman railway project, marking a significant milestone in regional connectivity and GCC cooperation. The long-anticipated Hafeet Rail line will initially run between Abu Dhabi and Sohar, Oman’s key port city. The rail line promises to deliver fast, efficient, and sustainable travel across national borders. With passenger trains reaching speeds of 200 kilometres per hour, the journey between the two cities will take just 100 minutes. Each train will be able to carry up to 400 passengers, and the freight trains will transport cargo equivalent to 300 trucks, reducing truck-related carbon emissions by 80%.  ...

Oman has launched a major new tourism project in the Wilayat of Nakhal, located in the South Al Batinah Governorate. The country’s longest tourist walkway is now in development, connecting Nakhal Fort to Ain Al Thawwarah Park through a scenic 3-kilometre route that highlights the area’s rich natural and cultural heritage. The new path aims to support rural tourism and open up economic opportunities for local communities. Visitors will walk through agricultural villages, natural springs, and traditional aflaj irrigation systems along the picturesque Wadi Nakhal. According to His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Saleh Al Busaidi, Wali of Nakhal, the goal...

Planning a trip to the Caucasus just got easier. Armenia has officially announced that, starting July 1, 2025, citizens of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Oman will no longer need a visa to enter the country. The new visa-free policy allows travelers from these three Gulf nations to stay in Armenia for up to 180 days within a 12-month period without applying for an entry visa. The move is part of Armenia’s broader effort to make travel more accessible and to strengthen ties with Gulf countries. It’s also a timely update for citizens and residents of these countries looking for a...

China is making travel easier for citizens of several Gulf nations. Starting June 9, 2025, nationals from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait will be able to enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. The visa-free policy, announced by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, will remain in effect for one year, through June 8, 2026. This initiative is part of China’s broader effort to strengthen ties with the Gulf region. It’s designed to encourage travel, business, family visits, cultural exchange, and tourism between China and the participating countries. Whether you're planning a leisure trip,...

Oman has officially raised the bar — quite literally — with the unveiling of the country’s tallest flagpole. Towering at 126 metres, the new structure stands in Al Khuwair Square in Muscat and is now the highest man-made feature in the Sultanate, roughly the height of a 40-storey building. The inauguration ceremony took place under the patronage of Sayyid Saud bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Governor of Muscat, and was attended by Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Humaidi, Chairman of Muscat Municipality, along with other senior officials.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by عبدالرحمن بن علي...

Oman is preparing for a generous Eid Al Adha holiday this year, with a full five-day break expected across both the public and private sectors. According to Dr. Subaih bin Rahman Al Saadi, a local expert in celestial sciences, the first day of Eid Al Adha is likely to fall on Friday, June 6, 2025, based on current astronomical projections. Following Royal Decree No. 88/2022, the country will officially observe the holiday from Dhul Hijjah 9 to 12, the traditional dates marking the Islamic celebration. But since the first day of Eid is expected to fall on a Friday —...

Oman’s Ministry of Labour has officially implemented a new summer rule banning outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day. From June through August, work in open areas such as construction sites must stop between 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM. The regulation, part of Article (16), Clause (2) of the country’s Occupational Safety and Health Regulations, is designed to reduce heat-related health risks faced by labourers, particularly during Oman’s scorching summer months. The decision aligns with the launch of the Safe Summer campaign, an initiative aimed at educating companies and the general public on the dangers of heat stress....

Oman has officially announced the Eid Al Fitr 2025 holiday schedule, with a break that could last either five or nine days — depending on the moon sighting. When is the Eid Al Fitr holiday in Oman? The Eid Al Fitr holiday will start on Saturday, March 29, 2025, for both public and private sector employees. But the return-to-work date depends on when Eid is officially observed: If Eid falls on March 30, work resumes on Wednesday, April 2. If Eid is confirmed for March 31, the holiday extends until Sunday, April 6. The holiday applies to both government and...