Middle East

Oman in March

Still excellent, warming by month's end. Rose harvest season begins on Jebel Akhdar late in the month.

BestWarm, Muscat highs near 86F (30C)

Muscat Oman — OmanPhoto: Domenico Convertini, CC BY-SA 2.0

The straight answer

March is one of the best months of the year to visit Oman. Still excellent, warming by month's end. Rose harvest season begins on Jebel Akhdar late in the month.

Weather: Warm, Muscat highs near 86F (30C)
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What March is like in Oman

March is warm, sunny, and still excellent. Muscat highs start near 86F (30C) and climb through the month, so the coast feels summery by the end. Crowds ease a little from midwinter, but prices hold up. Late in the month, the rose harvest begins on the terraces of Jebel Akhdar.

This month suits travelers who like warmer water for wadi swims and want slightly fewer people than February. It is a great pick for families on spring break. If you mainly want cool desert camping, go earlier in the winter. Late March leans hot for long midday hikes, so plan those early.

Make the most of March

What is especially good about Oman this month.

Rose harvest begins

Late in the month, Damask roses start blooming on Jebel Akhdar around Al Ayn and Ash Shirayjah, and village workshops distill rosewater.

Warmer wadi swims

Wadi Shab and Wadi Bani Khalid feel more inviting now that the days are hotter.

Last good month for the sands

Early March is still comfortable in the Wahiba Sands before camps start winding down in the heat.

What to pack for March

High-SPF sunscreen for strong spring sun
A light layer for mountain evenings
Water shoes for wadi rocks and pools
A reusable water bottle, since you will drink a lot

Our timing tip

Do the Wahiba Sands early in your trip and the mountains later, since the desert heats up faster as the month goes on.

Book Oman for March.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Oman
Opens a hotel search for Oman in March, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for March
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Oman
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Oman
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Oman for March. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in March

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr

Shifts about 11 days earlier each year; check the current dates

Restaurants often close until sunset and opening hours shift. Eid brings busy roads and full hotels as Omanis travel.

Jebel Akhdar rose harvest

Late March through April, varies with the season

Damask roses bloom on the terraces around Al Ayn and Ash Shirayjah and are distilled into rosewater in village workshops.

Things to do in Oman

Full guide

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat

Open to non-Muslim visitors on weekday mornings, closed Fridays. Modest dress required, with head coverings for women.

Tickets and tours →

Royal Opera House Muscat

A striking building with a season that runs through the cooler months. Tours are available when there are no performances.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Wadi Shab

A hike and swim through a canyon to a hidden cave pool. Go early in the day and avoid Friday crowds.

Tickets and tours →

Nizwa Fort and souq

Friday morning brings the famous livestock market. The fort's round tower gives views over the date palms.

Tickets and tours →

Jebel Shams and Jebel Akhdar

Mountain hikes, canyon views, and terraced villages. A 4x4 is required for the Jebel Akhdar road.

Tickets and tours →

Wahiba Sands

Desert camps, dune driving, and sunset over the sands. Best from November through March.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Visit Wadi Shab and Wadi Bani Khalid early on a weekday. Fridays and Saturdays bring local families and tour groups from Muscat and Dubai.
Travel in November or March rather than late December to early January, when European and Gulf holiday demand peaks.
Avoid the Eid holidays for Salalah and the mountains, when domestic and Gulf visitors fill hotels and roads.
Book the Grand Mosque for opening time, before tour buses arrive from the cruise ships in winter.

Know before you go

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is open to non-Muslim visitors only on weekday mornings, and closed to them on Fridays.
During Ramadan, most restaurants close until sunset, opening hours shorten, and public eating and drinking during daylight is not allowed. Hotels usually serve guests discreetly.
From May to September, many desert camps in the Wahiba Sands close or reduce operations due to heat.
Salalah's attractions, including waterfalls like Ayn Athum, run strongest during the khareef; outside it, the landscape is brown and dry.

Oman in March, quick answers

Is March a good time to visit Oman?

March is one of the best months of the year to visit Oman. Still excellent, warming by month's end. Rose harvest season begins on Jebel Akhdar late in the month.

What is the weather like in Oman in March?

Warm, Muscat highs near 86F (30C).

Is Oman crowded in March?

Crowds in Oman are moderate in March; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.

What is happening in Oman in March?

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr (shifts about 11 days earlier each year; check the current dates); Jebel Akhdar rose harvest (late march through april, varies with the season).