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Time to check off my 172nd country – Oman! After exploring the beautiful city of Muscat, we went to Sur where we stayed for 3 days and 2 nights. And in this city was our home South Plaza Hotel.
Located just 220 kilometers from the capital Muscat, Sur is known for its shipyards which were vital when it comes to the city’s maritime past. Due to its location, Sur also became a very important city for sailors and merchants, especially those from East Africa and India. This is also the reason why it is not at all surprising to see large wooden boats in this city!
Just after our wonderful day touring Muscat and the desert, we drove straight to Sur to spend our 3 days and 2 nights while also exploring the nearby attractions. The moment we arrived at the Sur Plaza Hotel, mr. Mahesh and his team have already welcomed us warmly! We felt so at home that they even gave us gifts and surprises! More about Sur and Sur Plaza Hotel below!
Things to Do in Sur, Omani
1. Wadi Shabi
If you like walking, this is a must! Wadi Shab is a very impressive landscape! You walk slightly uphill through the wadi over rocks and stones until you are in front of the clear, cool lake. It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes as the stones can be very sharp. If you’ve ever seen Oman’s arid landscape, it’s almost like a fairy tale.
2. Ras Al Jinz Turtle Sanctuary
A great place but with a lot of tourists. In the evening you can watch the egg laying and in the morning watch the digging and hatching of the baby turtles. Unfortunately there is not much to see in the vicinity.
3. About Maritime Museum
A visit to this small open-air museum is worthwhile. It offers rewarding photo opportunities, especially the large dhow. Afterwards you can visit the nearby shipyard which we highly recommend to watch the craftsmen build or restore dhows.
4. Visit the castles
One of the best things to do in Sur is to visit the famous ancient monuments – the castles! Here you will learn more about this ancient Omani city and how history has shaped it into what it is today.
- Bilad Sur Castle – This completely renovated fortress is located on the outskirts of Sur, in which various interior rooms have been prepared and can be visited. It is only about 200 years old and was intended as a defense against invading tribes from the mountain region/desert.
- Ras al Hadd Castle – Just outside bustling Sur, the well-renovated complex in the usual Ottoman fortress style is well worth a visit. While there isn’t much to see in the few accessible indoor spaces, the guides make up for it with their warm demeanor and local stories.
- Al Sinaisilah Castle – Al Sinaisilah Castle in the center of Sur is a well restored and maintained fortress. The few available rooms are signposted and some are lovingly furnished. There are also plenty of parking spaces, a toilet and picnic areas on site.
Where to stay in Sur, Oman
We visited so many places in Muscat before driving to Sur. Sur Plaza Hotel, hosted by Mr. Mahesh and his team, welcomed us with many gifts and surprises. We were spoiled! haha!
At Sur Plaza Hotel our room was upgraded to Executive King Room which is really cool! It is equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and free WiFi. The modern decor also feels very relaxing to the eyes. The bed? Oh wow, I felt like I didn’t want to get out of bed, but I’m not passing up the chance to explore Oman, so it was a tough decision! haha! For those on a tight budget, Sur Plaza Hotel also has a standard room.
Restaurants near Sur Plaza Hotel
This is one of the main reasons why it is hard to leave Sur Plaza Hotel, the restaurants! There are 2 main restaurants in the hotel – Oyster Restaurant and Al Najoom by the Pool Side.
Oyster restaurant
This restaurant overlooks the pool with great mountain views and is located in the hotel lobby. With the dishes they offer, it almost feels like we are on a food tour around the world! Yes, they don’t just offer oysters, I thought so too haha!. They have traditional Omani/Arabic, Continental, Chinese/Oriental and Asian dishes in buffet and a la carte style. These delicious cuisines are enough to make me happy!
Restaurant schedule:
Breakfast – 6am to 10am
Lunch – 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Dinner – 7pm to 11pm
Al Najoom at the pool
Al Najoom by the pool means “Stars by the pool”. By the name itself, it is located by the pool. The great thing about here is that you can enjoy the unique Omani hospitality and the beautiful view of Sur due to the open air seating.
Field trips
Another reason why you should spend your days at Sur Plaza Hotel is the excursions they offer. Guests can enjoy a dhow cruise in the natural coastal scenery of Ras Al Hadd. You will experience a one hour cruise that explores the fascinating places in Sur, Oman.
Oops! That is not enough, while sailing you can also have lunch or dinner on board. If you like fishing, you can try that too! The Dhow is fully furnished, so I’m pretty sure you’ll have an unforgettable experience here (you can also celebrate your birthday on a cruise, yay!)
We only had a limited time in Oman so it really wasn’t enough but I was so surprised by how much fun it is to explore this charming country! I am so happy that Sur Plaza Hotel was part of my trip to visit all countries in the world.
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