Al-hamra', Oman

Living in a 400-year-old Omani mountain town means dealing with mud-brick architecture and a stark transition between ancient and modern lifestyles. Al-hamra' sits on a tilted rock slab on the southern slopes of the Akhdar Mountains, where some of Oman's oldest preserved multi-story houses still stand - though many residents have abandoned these historic structures for contemporary homes.

Originally settled in the late 17th century by the Al Abri tribes, the town features distinctive Yemeni-style buildings with two to four stories, constructed using palm beams and fronds topped with mud and straw. The central plaza houses the souq, where visitors can still watch traditional halwa being made at the last remaining shop of its kind in the old market. The town's position near Mount Shams (Oman's highest peak) and the massive Al Hoota cave system makes it a gateway to some of the country's most dramatic natural features.