Oman in December

Peak with Europeans and Gulf holidaymakers; desert camps and Jebel Akhdar hotels sell out at New Year.

• Muscat and the Batinah coast · Muscat, Sohar, Surbest weather

  Winter days 25–28 °C; May–August reach 45 °C with humidity on the coast. Cyclones are rare but possible in May–June and October–November.

• Interior and desert · Nizwa, Bahla, Ibri, Wahiba Sandsbest weather

  Dry heat, 45–50 °C in summer; desert nights in December–January can drop near 10 °C.

• Mountains · Jebel Akhdar, Jebel Shams (2,000–3,000 m)cool

  About 10–15 °C cooler than Muscat; winter nights near freezing on Jebel Shams, and summer is the escape from the coast heat.

• Dhofar · Salalah, Mirbat, Mughsailbest weather

  The khareef monsoon (about late June to late September) brings drizzle, fog and 25 °C with green hills; the rest of the year is dry and warm beach weather.

• Musandam · Khasab and the fjordsbest weather

  Same heat rhythm as Muscat; calm seas for dhow cruises in winter.

Crowds · Oman

High

Prices · Oman

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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Rated best or good this month

• Muscat and the Batinah coast

  Best weather of the year (Muscat, Sohar, Sur)

• Interior and desert

  Best weather of the year (Nizwa, Bahla, Ibri, Wahiba Sands)

• Dhofar

  Best weather of the year (Salalah, Mirbat, Mughsail)

• Musandam

  Best weather of the year (Khasab and the fjords)

• Muscat

  Cool evenings; the main season.

• Salalah

  Best months: Jun–Sep for the khareef; Oct–Mar for warm, dry weather outside monsoon season

• Nizwa

  Best months: Oct–Apr for comfortable daytime temperatures

• Sohar

  Best months: Nov–Mar for comfortable temperatures