What to do in Oman

Football lovers, get ready! The Socca Oman Tournament is set to kick off, bringing the biggest football event in Oman to the historic city of Nizwa. This exciting tournament is organized by the Sports Industry Company and will take place during the Eid al-Adha holiday, from the 2nd to the 5th day of Eid. It promises to be a thrilling experience for both players and fans. Tournament Details The Socca Tour in Nizwa is the first stop in this nationwide tournament, offering local teams a chance to showcase their skills and compete for prestigious titles and substantial cash prizes. Each...

Oman has announced an official holiday for both public and private sectors to commemorate the Sultan’s Accession Day on Sunday, January 12, 2025. The announcement, shared via the state-run news agency ONA on their X account, highlighted that the decision comes at the directive of His Majesty The Sultan. For many workers in Oman, who typically enjoy weekends on Friday and Saturday, this announcement effectively creates a three-day weekend. The Accession Day holiday marks an important occasion in the country’s calendar, offering citizens and residents an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the leadership of His Majesty The Sultan. Whether...

Oman has officially declared a three-day holiday to commemorate the occasion of Isra and Mi’raj at the end of January 2025. According to an announcement by the state-run Oman News Agency (ONA), Thursday, January 30, 2025, will be a public holiday for all employees in both the public and private sectors. With the country’s regular weekend falling on Friday and Saturday, this decision allows workers across Oman to enjoy a much-anticipated three-day break. Isra and Mi’raj, which marks a significant event in Islamic tradition, is observed on Monday, January 27, 2025. However, the holiday has been rescheduled to Thursday to...

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....

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 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...

Oman has officially announced the working hours for Ramadan 2025 in both the public and private sectors. The Ministry of Labour has set guidelines to ensure a balance between work and the spiritual atmosphere of the holy month. Public Sector Working Hours in Oman Government employees will work for five hours straight, from 9 AM to 2 PM. However, some workplaces may allow flexible hours. Heads of departments can adjust start and end times as long as employees complete their required hours. For those workplaces offering flexibility, working hours can range from 7 AM to 3 PM, calculated based on...

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...