Why Oman Is the Most Underrated Country in the Middle East
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Why Oman Is the Most Underrated Country in the Middle East

Sukaina Ashter

Sukaina Ashter

Head of Media Production, Asasika Oman

November 4, 2025
4 min read

Oman is one of the few places where you can snorkel coral reefs in the morning, trek through green wadis by afternoon, and sleep under desert stars by night.

Oman traveloman 2040life in oman

Table of Contents

🌅 Introduction: The Secret Soul of the Gulf

If the Middle East were a symphony, Oman would be the softest note — but also the most haunting.
While Dubai dazzles with glass towers and Qatar glows in neon, Oman’s charm lies in its silence — in mountains that touch the clouds, in ancient souqs scented with frankincense, and in people who welcome you like family.

Yet somehow, this country remains one of the most underrated destinations in the world.
That’s about to change.

🏔 1. A Land Where Nature Still Rules

Oman is one of the few places where you can snorkel coral reefs in the morning, trek through green wadis by afternoon, and sleep under desert stars by night.

Jebel Akhdar, the “Green Mountain,” is famous for its terraced rose gardens and cliffside resorts.
Wadi Shab and Wadi Tiwi hide turquoise pools that look like liquid glass.
Wahiba Sands offers golden dunes stretching into infinity, with Bedouin camps serving cardamom coffee beneath a sky full of stars.

For travellers seeking something untouched — this is your playground.

🕌 2. Culture That Feels Real — Not Rehearsed

Oman didn’t trade its identity for modernity.
Here, men still wear the elegant dishdasha, women weave silver jewelry by hand, and traditional souqs buzz with conversation instead of camera shutters.

In Muttrah Souq, you’ll smell frankincense before you see it. In Nizwa, you’ll watch Friday goat markets unfold as they have for centuries.

Every encounter is genuine — not staged. The Omani smile is famous for a reason.

🏝 3. Where Luxury Means Peace, Not Flash

Forget champagne brunches and supercars — Oman’s luxury is the art of stillness.

At the Six Senses Zighy Bay, you paraglide onto a private beach before retreating to your clifftop villa.
At Alila Jabal Akhdar, you sip coffee as clouds roll through the canyon beneath you.
This is five-star escapism for people who have seen it all — and now crave something real.

🕊 4. Safe, Welcoming, and Effortlessly Easy

Oman consistently ranks among the safest countries in the world.
You can drive coast to coast on immaculate highways, drink tap water safely, and explore solo with confidence.
English is widely spoken, and Omanis go out of their way to help travellers.

It’s luxury without stress, adventure without chaos — a rare combination even in the Gulf.

🌍 5. Sustainable Growth — The Vision 2040 Promise

Unlike its neighbours’ rush to build higher and faster, Oman’s Vision 2040 focuses on balance.
It’s developing green cities, solar-powered resorts, and eco-tourism hubs that respect nature.
From The Sustainable City – Yiti to emerging smart zones in Duqm, Oman is quietly building the future — without losing its soul.

💎 6. The Best-Kept Secret in the Middle East

Ask anyone who’s been: Oman gets under your skin.
It’s the moment you hear the call to prayer echo through the mountains.
It’s the scent of oud smoke curling through a courtyard.
It’s the silence between sand dunes that feels eternal.

And the truth is — Oman doesn’t need to compete for attention. It simply is.
That’s why it’s the Middle East’s most underrated country — and perhaps the most unforgettable.

✈ Conclusion: See Oman Before the World Wakes Up

For travellers who crave authenticity, nature, and calm — Oman is the destination you didn’t know you were missing.
It’s the antidote to over-tourism, a blend of raw landscapes, heartfelt hospitality, and understated elegance.

Come before everyone else does. Because once the world catches on, Oman’s days as a “hidden gem” will be over.

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Sukaina Ashter

Sukaina Ashter

Head of Media Production, Asasika Oman

Sukaina Ashter is passionate about showcasing Oman's beauty through media storytelling, making property hunting a cultural and emotional journey.