Stepping back in time, we entered Misfat Al Abriyeen, a town literally built into the mountainside. It is one of Oman’s oldest villages. 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.
The mountain village of Misfat Al Abriyeen is a maze of alleys surrounded by traditional buildings, often tall mud structures built into and around the mountainside of Jebel Akhdar.
The Omani people here follow a more traditional lifestyle, and we found them to be warm and welcoming.
If you look closely at the image above, 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.
Yet, remnants of tradition can be seen everywhere.
Traditional oil and water jugs in the window
According to our guide, one of the most classic Omani scenes in this mud village is water and oil jars hanging in the window of a home.
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 your 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; and kawah (coffee) is served in very small portions – accepting three servings is also considered polite.”
Touring Misfat Al Abriyeen with a guide
We visited Misfat Al Abriyeen as part of a private day tour from Muscat. It was one of the best choices we made in Oman.
Our guide was fantastic. He was interesting, knowledgeable and flexible. He shared intriguing anecdotes and demonstrated everyday life to us. Plus, he spoke the language, which allowed us to ask so many more questions as well as to communicate more effectively with locals.
Our private tour took us to the Al Hajar Mountains, with a primary visit to Oman’s former capital city, Nizwa where we saw both new and traditional markets, a fort and a castle.
The mountain range is huge, and the areas surrounding various peaks have names. Misfat Al Abriyeen is in the Jebel Akhdar region, an area best known as the growing region of the world’s best pomegranates.
Al Hajar Mountains are Oman’s tallest mountain range; the peak is Jebel Shams. Here we stood in awe overlooking the Omani Grand Canyon. This stunning site is one we may not have found without our private day trip from Muscat.
While we can’t find our guide online, we had a good look at the reviews, and feel comfortable recommending either of these two options.
- Reserve your private tour to Jebel Shams and Misfah (Misfat Al Abriyeen) here, or
- Design your own tour with a private guide.
Practical information on visiting Misfat Al Abriyeen
- If I were to repeat this trip, I would probably try to get a better life experience and stay in Misfat Oman overnight, most likely at the Misfah Old House or the Al Misfah Hospitality Inn.
- We based ourselves in Muscat at the Tulip Inn and hired guides to take us on day and 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 mid-range option in Muscat. Reserve your room at Tulip Inn here.
- However, if you seek the pinnacle of luxury, the Shangri-La Resort looks heavenly. Located right at the water’s edge, it is where I will stay if I ever get back to Muscat. Reserve your room at Shangri-La Resort here.
- 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.
Save on your trip with these resources
These are our go-to companies when we travel. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.
- Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
- Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), VRBO (self-contained), or Hostelworld (budget).
- Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
- Motorcycles: we have heard good things about BikesBooking.
- Campervans or Motorhomes: we use Campstar where Albom Adventures readers get a 3% discount.
- Private guides: we often find the best option is to work with a private guide.
- Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.
Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.
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Photo(Geo)grapher
What picturesque interesting place. Great photos, as always 🙂
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.
Carol Colborn
Really looks authentically rocky! What a way to live
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
Ruth Daly
You go to such interesting places, and your photos captured everything beautifully.
Molly
Love the satellite dish on the roof of those ancient buildings
Mollyx
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.
indah nuria
Such an interesting place to visit, Rhonda..I haven’t visited this part of the world. The watching tower looks great..
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
Bill
Nice to see some places remain traditional
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.
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 ~ ^_^
Lydia C. Lee
You really don’t see much about the little villages. Very interesting. Love the photo with Sarah.
Noel
I love this, looks amazing considering that it is a real authentic spot in the Middle East
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 🙂
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!
Comedy Plus
Great photography.
Have a fabulous day, Rhonda. 🙂
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
Carol
It looks so ancient; it makes me feel like you went back in time. I love your amazing adventures.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
It is odd to see the lines for electricity over such simple old buildings.
Hopefully everyone who enters is respectful.
Lady Fi
Gorgeous shots of the village.