Time to tick off my 172nd country – Oman! After exploring the beautiful city of Muscat, we headed to Sur where we stayed for 3 days and 2 nights. And in this city, our home was Sur Plaza Hotel.
Located just 220 kilometers from the capital city, Muscat, Sur is known for its shipyards which were vital when it comes to the city’s maritime past. Due to its location, Sur also became a very important city for sailors and traders, especially those from East Africa and India. This is also why seeing large wooden boats in this city is not surprising at all!
Just right after our wonderful day touring Muscat and the desert, we drove straight to Sur to spend our 3 days and 2 nights while also exploring the nearby attractions. The moment we arrived at the Sur Plaza Hotel, Mr. Mahesh and his team already gave us a warm welcome! We felt so at home that they even gave us gifts and surprises! More about Sur and Sur Plaza Hotel below!
Things To Do in Sur, Oman
1. Wadi Shab
If you like hiking, this is a must-do! Wadi Shab is a very impressive landscape! You will hike slightly uphill through the wadi over rocks and stones until you stand in front of the clear, cool lake. It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes as the stones can be very sharp. If you have seen the arid landscape of Oman before, it is almost like a fairy tale.
2. Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve
An amazing place but with a lot of tourists. In the evening, you can watch the laying of eggs, and in the morning, the digging and hatching of the baby turtles. Unfortunately, there isn’t much worth seeing in the area nearby.
3. Sur Maritime Museum
A visit to this small open-air museum is worth doing. It offers rewarding photo opportunities, particularly the large dhow. After that, you can pay a visit to the nearby shipyard that we highly recommend so you can watch the craftsmen building or restoring dhows.
4. Visit the Castles
One of the best things to do in Sur is to visit its famous ancient monuments – the castles! This is where you will learn more about this ancient Omani City and how history shaped it into what it is now.
- Bilad Sur Castle – This fully renovated fort is located on the outskirts of Sur, in which several interior rooms have been prepared and can be visited. It is only around 200 years old and was intended as a defense against invading tribes from the mountain region/desert.
- Ras al Hadd…
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