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Hajar Mountains

This dramatic, mountainous region is one of Oman's biggest tourist destinations, and for good reason. Historical Nizwa boasts a grand souq and elegant Grand Mosque and acts as the gateway to spectacular mountain destinations including Jebel Shams (Oman’s highest mountain), Wadi Ghul (the Grand Canyon of Arabia) and Jebel Akhdar (the fruit bowl of Oman). Nearby Bahla and Jabreen are famous for their rambling forts – two of the country's best.

Many of the sights around Nizwa can be visited on a long day-trip from Muscat, and all tour companies in the capital organise coach tours. The region deserves more than just a fleeting visit, however, especially if adding 4WD excursions into the mountains. One scenically rewarding two-day 4WD excursion from Muscat involves an overnight stop in Nizwa and an exciting off-road mountain drive via Hatt and Wadi Bani Awf to Rustaq and the Batinah Plain.

Explore Hajar Mountains

Jabreen Castle
Rising without competition from the surrounding plain, Jabreen Castle is an impressive sight. Even if you have had a surfeit of fortifications, it's worth…
W
Wadi Ghul Viewpoint
The term 'Grand Canyon of Arabia' is wholly deserved for this quintessential feature of Oman's spectacular mountain scenery. A short path leads to the…
Al Hoota Cave
Embellished with stalactites and stalagmites, this is the only cave in Oman developed for tourism and it's something of a gem. Sensitively lit, this…
Bahla Fort
After many years of restoration, Bahla Fort, one of the largest in Oman, makes a grand sight looming over the sprawling modern settlement of Bahla. Built…
B
Bait Al Safah
This quirky museum is more open house than historical display. Three ladies accompany guests around their traditional house in the aged and crumbling…
N
Nizwa Fort
Built over 12 years in the 17th century by Sultan Bin Saif Al Yaruba, the first imam of the Yaruba dynasty, Nizwa Fort is famed for its distinctive 40m…
Nizwa Souq
The site of one of the oldest souqs in the country, this extensive marketplace is dedicated mostly to fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, all of which…
S
Sharfat Al Alamayn Viewpoint
Marking the highest point along the paved road, this spectacular viewpoint overlooks the full reach of the Hajar mountain range. With little hint of the…
B
Beehive Tombs
Beside the village of Al Ayn, and arranged along a low, russet-coloured ridge, this string of tombs make a dramatic silhouette against Jebel Misht that…

Jabreen Castle
Rising without competition from the surrounding plain, Jabreen Castle is an impressive sight. Even if you have had a surfeit of fortifications, it's worth…
W
Wadi Ghul Viewpoint
The term 'Grand Canyon of Arabia' is wholly deserved for this quintessential feature of Oman's spectacular mountain scenery. A short path leads to the…
Al Hoota Cave
Embellished with stalactites and stalagmites, this is the only cave in Oman developed for tourism and it's something of a gem. Sensitively lit, this…
Bahla Fort
After many years of restoration, Bahla Fort, one of the largest in Oman, makes a grand sight looming over the sprawling modern settlement of Bahla. Built…
B
Bait Al Safah
This quirky museum is more open house than historical display. Three ladies accompany guests around their traditional house in the aged and crumbling…
N
Nizwa Fort
Built over 12 years in the 17th century by Sultan Bin Saif Al Yaruba, the first imam of the Yaruba dynasty, Nizwa Fort is famed for its distinctive 40m…
Nizwa Souq
The site of one of the oldest souqs in the country, this extensive marketplace is dedicated mostly to fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, all of which…
S
Sharfat Al Alamayn Viewpoint
Marking the highest point along the paved road, this spectacular viewpoint overlooks the full reach of the Hajar mountain range. With little hint of the…
B
Beehive Tombs
Beside the village of Al Ayn, and arranged along a low, russet-coloured ridge, this string of tombs make a dramatic silhouette against Jebel Misht that…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Hajar Mountains.

See
Jabreen Castle
Rising without competition from the surrounding plain, Jabreen Castle is an impressive sight. Even if you have had a surfeit of fortifications, it's worth…
See
Wadi Ghul Viewpoint
The term 'Grand Canyon of Arabia' is wholly deserved for this quintessential feature of Oman's spectacular mountain scenery. A short path leads to the…
See
Al Hoota Cave
Embellished with stalactites and stalagmites, this is the only cave in Oman developed for tourism and it's something of a gem. Sensitively lit, this…
See
Bahla Fort
After many years of restoration, Bahla Fort, one of the largest in Oman, makes a grand sight looming over the sprawling modern settlement of Bahla. Built…
See
Bait Al Safah
This quirky museum is more open house than historical display. Three ladies accompany guests around their traditional house in the aged and crumbling…
See
Nizwa Fort
Built over 12 years in the 17th century by Sultan Bin Saif Al Yaruba, the first imam of the Yaruba dynasty, Nizwa Fort is famed for its distinctive 40m…
See
Nizwa Souq
The site of one of the oldest souqs in the country, this extensive marketplace is dedicated mostly to fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, all of which…
See
Sharfat Al Alamayn Viewpoint
Marking the highest point along the paved road, this spectacular viewpoint overlooks the full reach of the Hajar mountain range. With little hint of the…
See
Beehive Tombs
Beside the village of Al Ayn, and arranged along a low, russet-coloured ridge, this string of tombs make a dramatic silhouette against Jebel Misht that…

Guidebooks

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