The country of and the city of Dubai are clearly very different destinations. While Dubai, with its skyscrapers, beaches, and glamour, offers perhaps a more commercialised experience, Oman seems to be a more affordable and relaxed destination with a wide variety of landscapes. According to the 2025 Index by Country, the Sultanate of Oman had the lowest out of all the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, while UAE topped the list.
Oman is often an overlooked and underrated though it has incredible landscapes and exceptional architecture like the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and Royal Opera House. The capital of Oman, Muscat, is located between sea, desert and mountains.

The capital is not one filled with high skyscrapers but instead has lower buildings that blend traditional Omani styles with modern influences. This includes arches, lower white coloured buildings as well as several ancient forts from the 16th century.
In April, the average temperature in Muscat is 30ºC, with highs of 35ºC, according to Thomas Cook. The country also boasts many white sand beaches with crystal clear waters, including the Ras al Hadd, which is a green turtle reserve.
Many Reddit users said that they prefer to fly to Oman rather than fly to Dubai.
One said: "Oman is so much better, Dubai is for instagram people and people who want to be fancy. Muscat is for the tranquil vibes, excellent food, and unbeatable nature ( the turtle islands, ad daminyat, was the best experience I've ever had)."
In terms of affordability, someone else said: "I spend a good amount of time between Oman and UAE and i can confirm that Oman is and always will be affordable compared to Dubai and UAE overall."
Another also added: "Muscat is so much better than Dubai for me. But also they're VERY DIFFERENT."
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