UAE Union Day long weekend: Head to Muscat, Salalah or Musandam in Oman

With UAE residents set to get three days off for UAE Union Day, an update from the government on Thursday, a trip to Oman would be a great way to enjoy the long weekend with family and friends. To get visa-on-arrival (approx. Dh50), carry your passport, Emirates ID and a printed copy of your Mulkiya or car registration. Some travellers may be eligible for a free visa on arrival.

As a tourist destination, Oman offers diverse natural landscapes, including tropical vibes in Salalah, uniquely beautiful Musandam and the mountain terrain in Jebel Akdar. All these destinations are worth a week of planning and long drives, but if you’re looking for a weekend escape, head to the nation’s capital, Muscat. The lifestyle is much more laidback than UAE residents may be used to, which can be a welcome change on a break.

Muscat view: Muscat as a city is a beautiful destination surrounded by impressive grey mountains with the Sea of Oman on one side. This means that, depending on where you stay, you can find a vantage point to enjoy a beautiful view of a mountainous sunrise or sunset. As you drive around the city, you’ll see that the mountains are within the city limits, with houses and buildings built next to the base of the peaks.

Muttrah Corniche: The city has a nice corniche area where you can go on walks and relax by the sea with a view of the ships docked in the harbour area. There are several shops here, and the entrance to Muscat’s famed souk.

The Muttrah Souk: One of the oldest souks in the region, reportedly dating back two centuries, the Muttrah Souk is the place to shop Omani souvenirs and specialities, including the country’s priced frankincense. The narrow lanes of the souk also offer many other shopping and photography options.

Bimmah Sinkhole: While a bit further away from the city, this attraction still falls in the Muscat Governorate, so we’ve included it. A drive of over one hour from the city centre, this sinkhole looks almost other-worldly with its aqua-green pool in the centre. You’re usually allowed to swim here (check again before you travel) if you follow safety and dressing guidelines. The sinkhole was reportedly formed due to years of rock erosion.

Salalah is your best option in Oman if you want more of a nature escape. Darbat Falls: The entire stretch of Darbat, even after the smaller waterfalls, offers a refreshing green patch of mountains, meadows, streams and more small waterfalls. Most of the misty green photos of the Dhofar region on Instagram are taken here.

Mughsail Beach: The best part of Salalah is its natural and unrefined beauty, and one prime example is Mughsail Beach. Get a viral video or photo of how waves crash through naturally formed blowholes in the limestone formations and spurt up water plumes with a thundering noise up to several meters in the air. Be prepared to get drenched.

Marneef Cave: The stunning rock formations of Marneef Cave are a sight to behold. You can sit on the benches in the shade of the cave and enjoy the view of Al Mughsail Beach in Salalah. The natural fountains spray seawater, and the blowholes are close to the beach. This site is a rare amalgamation of mountains, caves, and fountains, creating a picture-perfect set-up.

Shop at Al Husn Souq: This is a souq-style marketplace where you can pick up some fantastic gifts and souvenirs to take home. There's plenty of shopping here, from clothes to souvenirs to food! Its proximity to the Sultan's palace makes it a hotspot for tourists and visitors.

Spooky drive at Mirbat antigravity point: One of the most talked-about experiences when driving in Salalah is a particular slope where your car moves at 40-60km/hr speeds with no acceleration, i.e. in neutral mode.

Musandam is a popular destination, and the roughly 150-kilometre four-hour drive from Dubai to Khasab is a frequent route for UAE residents. The Musandam region is rich in its geographical diversity, flora and fauna. The destination is also a treasure trove of historic landmarks and archaeological attractions. One thing you shouldn’t miss on your Musandam trip is a dhow ride.