world heritage site of oman you must visit with tourist visa

Traveling to Oman is synonymous with appreciating the humongous deserts, relaxing on serene beaches on the Arabian Sea, and exploring some of the oldest ruins, forts, and museums in the world. While the country has so much to offer the tourists, there are certain places that are accepted as the World Heritage Sites and if you’re planning a trip here, you should not miss out on these places.

The article aims to list the World heritage site of Oman you must visit with a tourist visa along with how you can get a visa to witness these wonderful tourist attractions.

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World Heritage Sites in Oman

Here is the list of the ‘must-visit’ World Heritage Sites in Oman.

1.   Aflaj Irrigation Systems of Oman

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006, Aflaj Irrigation Systems is a system of water channels that date back to as early as 500AD. These ruins provide lucid evidence of what the man-made methods of irrigation looked like around 5000 years ago.

This irrigation system uses gravity for bringing and channelizing water from springs and underground sources. This water was then used for both agriculture and home use. Moreover, there is a well-laid system for dividing the water among the inhabitants.

You can spot multiple watchtowers that were built to safeguard the irrigation system. The system also comprises some mosques. Although there are many Aflaj irrigation systems in the country, only 5 of them were declared a World Heritage Site. These are found in Sharqiyah, Dakhiliyah, and Batinah.

2.   The Ancient City of Qalhat

The Ancient City of Qalhat is the most recent Omani attraction that has been declared a World Heritage Site. It is located around 20 km from the city of Sur and made it to the list in 2018.

The mausoleum of Bibi Maryam is the most popular part of this city. Moreover, it is the most intact structure that you can find in the whole of the city. The site has a fortified structure and covers 60 acres of land area. The Ancient City of Qalhat was an important city for centuries as a massive volume of trade happened on the Indian Ocean through this city. Also, it has been recognized as the second city of the Kingdom of Ormus.

3.   Bahla Fort

Located on the foothills of Jebel Akhdar highlands, Bahla Fort is a massive fortress that you must visit if you’re visiting the country on an Oman tourist visa.  The fortress dates back to somewhere around the 12th to 15th century and has been thought to be brought into existence by the Banu Nebhan tribe.

Bahla Fort is built around a hidden oasis, which is watered by underground channels and wells. It is made out of mud bricks and stands on a strong, stone foundation. You can climb the watchtowers built inside the premises and have a glimpse of the stony architecture and mud-bricked streets.

It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and is the only Omani fort to be on this list.

4.   Land of Frankincense

This landmark in southern Oman explains the transcontinental license trade that happened in the middle ages. The oasis of Shisr helps us to know that the place has been a station for supplying water to caravans of traders visiting Oman. All the stations located here are collectively known as “Frankincense Trail” and the place was declared a World Heritage Site in 2005.

5.   Archaeological Sites of Bat, Al-Khutm, and Al-Ayn

The trio of the archeological sites - Bat, Al-Khutm, and Al-Ayn is a World Heritage Site as it provides clear evidence of Oman’s civilization in the 3rd millennium BC. The site is among the most complete and intact remains of a settlement as compared to any other site belonging to this timeframe.

The core of Bat encompasses over 100 tombs along with remains of circular buildings that are found to be 66 feet in diameter. On the other hand, Al Kutm is popular for its stone towers. The most preserved site among all the three, Al-ayn has a significant number of “beehive tombs”.

All these 3 sites were collectively declared a World Heritage Site in 1988

How to Visit The World Heritage Sites in Oman

To visit the World Heritage Sites in Oman, you need to apply for an Oman visa online. You can visit Omani E-Visa to get your Oman e-visa. The group of visa consultants is known for providing a visa with a 100% success rate and 99.99% approval assurance. We have helped over 15k travelers to get a visa and are looking forward to assisting you with your Omani visa application process.

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The Bottom Line

Oman has some of the most spectacular attractions that you must visit at least once in your lifetime. Apply for a visa today and experience what Oman has for you!

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