Stepping back in time, we entered Misfat Al Abriyeen, a town literally built into the mountainside. It is one of Oman’s oldest villages. The Omani people here follow a more traditional lifestyle, and we found them to be warm and welcoming.
The mountain village of Misfat Al Abriyeen is a maze of alleys surrounded by traditional buildings, often tall mud structures built into and around Jebel Akhdar. In English, it is the Green Mountain, an obvious name when one looks around this desert only to discover lush date palm and banana groves. Jebel Akhdar is part of the al Hajar mountains, Oman’s tallest mountain range. The peak is Jebel Shams, the location of the Oman Grand Canyon.
We visited Misfat Al Abriyeen as part of a private day trip from Muscat that also included Nizwa and the Grand Canyon Oman.
⇒ Check pricing and availability of a Private Tour for four to Misfat Al Abreyeen and Jebel Shams
Local customs in Misfat Al Abriyeen
As Misfat increases in popularity amongst Oman tourist attractions, a sign now stands at the village entrance welcoming visitors. It points out the highlights and offers suggestions to make a visit more enjoyable for everybody. “We kindly request you to respect our customs”:
- Wear unrevealing clothing; cover your upper arms while shorts/skirts should cover knees.
- Greet people you meet on the track.
- Ask before taking photographs of local people.
- Do not enter private property without an invitation, even if it appears deserted.
- Keep off the grass and do not help yourself to any fruits or vegetables! This is our livelihood.
- Respect the privacy of the Ladies Area that is clearly marked with No Entry signs.
- Water is valuable! Do not bathe in or pollute surface water streams or falaj as remote communities rely on them for drinking water and irrigation.
- Accepting hospitality is considered polite. Remove footwear before entering a house, ladies should not offer to shake hands, in traditional homes sit on the floor (oldest first), avoid showing the soles of your feet, offer and accept with your right hand, kawah (coffee) is served in very small portions – accepting three servings is also considered polite.”
More Misfat Al Abriyeen images
Al Hoota Cave
One place that we missed was the nearby 2 million years old Al Hoota Cave. It is the Arabian peninsula’s only cave open to the public. Currently, only 5oo metres of the cave are accessible to the public, although the cave is approximately 4.5 kilometres long. There is an underground lake with rare blind fish.
Practical information on visiting Misfat Al Abriyeen
- There are so many places to visit in Oman. On this long day trip from Muscat, we toured the old souq, fort, and castle of Nizwa before heading into the al Hajar Mountains. We stopped in Jabel Shams (the highest mountain in Oman) to admire the Grand Canyon Oman, then Misfat al Abriyeen.
- If I were to repeat this trip, I would stay in Misfat Oman overnight, most likely at the Misfah Old House or the Al Misfah Hospitality Inn.
⇒ Check Pricing and availability on hotels in Misfat:
- We based ourselves in Muscat at the Tulip Inn and hired guides to take us on day or overnight trips in Oman. We loved the central location and the elegant mix of modern and classic. The Tulip Inn was clean, colourful and had staff that was both friendly and helpful. We recommend it as a midrange option in Muscat.
⇒ Check Pricing and availability at Tulip Inn Hotel in Muscat
- If you want to splurge, the Shangri-La Resort looked heavenly, as did a few other options.
⇒ Search for other hotels in Muscat at Booking.com
- Driving looks comfortable on modern roads with few other vehicles. While we could have done it all on our own, we were glad to have a guide. He offered a historical and local perspective that we would have missed. Plus, I am not sure how we would have faired in the flash floods without a guide.
⇒ Check pricing and availability of a Private Tour for four to Misfat Al Abreyeen and Jebel Shams
Photo(Geo)grapher
What picturesque interesting place. Great photos, as always 🙂
Rhonda Albom
Thanks.
Jessica
Never been to Oman but really enjoyed your post. Makes me curious to know how they built the homes into the mountains. Thanks also for sharing practical tips on how to make the trip more enjoyable.
Rhonda Albom
I was curious about that when I stood there and looked at them.
Carol Colborn
Really looks authentically rocky! What a way to live
Rhonda Albom
Yes, it is built into the side of a mountain.
Natalie
While some of the rules make sense (not photographing someone without asking), I’d live in constant fear of committing a faux pas – like offering to shake hands or accidentally showing an unacceptable body part. It would sadly give me a lot of anxiety. The pictures are beautiful, though!
Rhonda Albom
Really, it’s no different than anywhere we travel. Everywhere has rules and customary guidelines, like no gum chewing in Singapore, or not topless beaches in certain countries, etc.
Wanderlust Wayfarer
I haven’t spent much time in this part of the world, but it’s definitely on my bucket list. Your tips for being respectful of the local culture and customs are in valuable–such great insight.
Rhonda Albom
They are not my tips, but rather tips that posted at the entrance to the village.
Edith & Juan
About a year ago I had never heard of Oman until a friend of mine visited. Since then, it spiked my interest and so does your post. Loving all your pictures too!
Rhonda Albom
Oman is such a wonderful country. It’s easy to visit and not yet overrun with tourists.
Lexa Cain
This could be Egypt. There are very old villages plus oases with palm plantations. However no water is hung out the windows and I think the people are more sophisticated and welcoming of tourists than in Oman. Thanks for the unusual pics!
Lexa Cain
By “welcoming” I meant Egyptians don’t have so many rules, unless you’re heading to a mosque. Having been colonized twice (France and England), and knowing the tourists bring in a healthy part of the nation’s GDP, they’re more accepting of foreign ways, manners, and dress.
Rhonda Albom
Interesting observation. We found the people we met in Oman to be friendly and welcoming, but we were respectful in manners and dress.
shere
it looks lika a completely different world!! I think a guide is really a good point as he can show you a lot about his culture.
Rhonda Albom
It felt like a completely different world, although the guide brought it all together for us.
Ruth Daly
You go to such interesting places, and your photos captured everything beautifully.
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Ruth. We enjoy ourselves.
Molly
Love the satellite dish on the roof of those ancient buildings
Mollyx
Rhonda Albom
I was surprised to see it too.
Mandy
40,000 images?!? I hope you have all of those images backed up. It would be sickening to lose them! 🙂
Anyway, great intro to Misfat Al Abriyeen. Wonder if anything has changed since 2012? I feel like a lot of places have changed in the past few years. Not every place, but many. Having visited, what do you think?
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Mandy
Rhonda Albom
I have multiple backups, and one is kept off site. I also have a procedure, where I download and backup every night when we travel. As for Misfat, I hope it hasn’t changed too much.
Kathe W.
my goodness- the wires are like random spider webs. And most of the posted rules are common sense….while others are more cultural-
lovely photos.
Rhonda Albom
Most of the rules are common sense, but sadly, so many tourists throw out common sense when they step on a plane.
indah nuria
Such an interesting place to visit, Rhonda..I haven’t visited this part of the world. The watching tower looks great..
Rhonda Albom
The entrance door is a short, so we had stoop down to get in, but once inside we could climb to the top.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Hi Rhonda – what a wonderful place to visit – history at a go … I’d love to see the area … sadly probably not, but I can be here when you show us your wonderful photos … lovely – cheers Hilary
Rhonda Albom
I am glad that I can bring you somewhere new and different. There are so many places out there to visit, it’s impossible to see them all.
Bill
Nice to see some places remain traditional
Rhonda Albom
Agree. It is too rare these days.
Jackie Smith
We have had but a one day stop on a cruise to Oman and that taste has left a lasting memory and desire to return and explore far more! Great post.
Rhonda Albom
I only had a week, and I want to go back and explore as well.
artmusedog and carol
What wonderful photography of Oman ~ lovely textures, colors and composition ~ my fav is the goats ~ so cute the little one following Mama
Happy Week to you ~ ^_^
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Carol. Oman was a wonderful place to be, especially as a photographer.
Lydia C. Lee
You really don’t see much about the little villages. Very interesting. Love the photo with Sarah.
Rhonda Albom
I think visitors tend to stick too much to the main roads, and the big cities.
Noel
I love this, looks amazing considering that it is a real authentic spot in the Middle East
Rhonda Albom
You would love Oman, there is so much to photograph.
stevebethere
What a nice place I like the buildings, That’s a nice photo with Sarah, I have never seen goats with long hair like that either 🙂
Have a datetastic week Rhonda 🙂
Rhonda Albom
Those goats were pretty cool.
Teresa Kindred
I wish every town and event had a manners sign posted…..thinking about my post about cell phone etiquette. Great photos as always!
Rhonda Albom
I wish people would respect these signs. It was one of the things that really bugged me in Dubai, the lack of respect by expats and foreigners.
Comedy Plus
Great photography.
Have a fabulous day, Rhonda. 🙂
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Sandee, I am sure this is not your type of destination.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
I don’t think I would like to go to this place. Just looking at your photos, I wonder how the people of the area can servive ? I guess seeing these photos make me realize how lucky I am in Canada. Thanks Rhonda. See ya.
Cruisin Paul
Rhonda Albom
The survive the way they have for centuries, working the land and letting it feed them.
Carol
It looks so ancient; it makes me feel like you went back in time. I love your amazing adventures.
Rhonda Albom
That is how it felt when we were there.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
It is odd to see the lines for electricity over such simple old buildings.
Hopefully everyone who enters is respectful.
Rhonda Albom
We were the only non-locals there at the time, so I can only hope people were respectful.
Lady Fi
Gorgeous shots of the village.
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Fi, it was a lovely place.
Rhonda Albom
And the houses have been standing for a long time.