Set on a hilltop, Little Fish Hill Park is a favourite spot for panoramic views over Qingdao. With nautical-themed pavilions and a fantastic vantage point, it’s ideal for soaking up views of the city’s red-tiled roofs, lush green spaces, and the Yellow Sea stretching out below.

The Royal Opera House, opened in 2011, is a relatively recent yet critical addition to the Omani cultural scene where the Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said himself is a regular. Sleek on the outside, the white-stone building boasts elaborate inner décor that serves as the backdrop to some of the world’s finest performances.

Jebel Akhdar is a mountain range known for its maze of river valleys and its fertile terraces, where fruits such as apricots and pomegranates flourish. Nearby stands Jebel Shams, the highest peak in Oman, rising to 3,018 metres. It has a second summit, and both can be explored via the W4 Trail. While much of the trek is manageable, there are stretches where route markings disappear for long distances, making it suitable only for experienced hikers. There are several excellent hotels and resorts in the area, offering accommodation, breathtaking views, and warm Omani hospitality. However, dining options are limited, so it’s a good idea to bring your own food and snacks for the day.

Renamed from Kestner-Museum to Museum August Kestner, in order to avoid confusion with the local art gallery Kestnergesellschaft, this museum was founded in 1889 and, in 1962, rebuilt in its present and highly interesting form. Centered on the collections of August Kestner himself as well as his nephew Hermann, the exhibitions contain four different categories of antiquities: Ancient Egypt, Classical Antiquity, Numismatics and Handicraft.