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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 or Buy Now 

The traditional mountain town of Misfat Al Abriyeen was built into the hills.
The mountain village of Misfat Al Abriyeen is actually built into the hills. Life here remains traditional with hard work and simple pleasures. Look closely, and you can see the modern additions like the electric wiring, a water tank, cars, and the satellite dish in the upper left of the photo.
A classic traditional Omani scene, with the water and oil jars hanging in the window.
A classic Omani scene in this mud village, with the water and oil jars hanging in the window.
Oil and water jars hang in a window in Misfat Oman
A closer look at the oil and water jars, surrounded by modern wiring. Many centuries in one image.
Stained glass window in Misfat Oman
A stained glass window on one of the Oman homes.
This is our guide Khalfan showing us where and how the old men in the village of Misfat gather each morning.
Irrigaion system in Misfat Al Abriyeen Oman
On the other side of the seating area we discovered the irrigation system. Here Khalfan shows Sarah some dates in the palm trees.
A closer look at the palm dates.
Our guide entering an alleyway in Misfat Oman
Khalfan is entering an alleyway.
Goats in Misfat Al Abriyeen, Oman
I hadn’t seen goats with such long hair before.
Al Hajar mountains are an interesting mix of green palms and desert structures.
Al Hajar mountains are an interesting mix of green palms and desert structures.
Alhambra and its watch tower in Oman
Outside of Misfat, this watchtower overlooks the fishing village of Alhambra.

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.

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.”

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. Finally, we hurried back to Muscat in hopes of beating the storm. Instead, we were caught in desert floods.
  • 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: 

→ Misfah Old House or Book Now 

→ Al Misfah Hospitality Inn or Book Now 

  • 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 or Book Now 

  • 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 or HotelsCombined

  • 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 or Buy Now 

Have you travelled to Oman? Have you been to Misfat Al Abriyeen?

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Comments

  2. 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.

    Reply

  4. 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!

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  5. 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.

    Reply

  6. 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!

    Reply

  7. 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!

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  8. 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.

    Reply

  11. 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

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  12. 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.

    Reply

  14. 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

    Reply

  20. 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 🙂

    Reply

  23. 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

    Reply

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