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Nizwa

The historic town of Nizwa, with its giant fort and high-walled souq, lies on a plain surrounded by a thick palm oasis and some of Oman’s highest mountains. Only half a century ago, British explorer Wilfred Thesiger was forced to steer clear of Nizwa: his Bedouin companions were convinced that he wouldn’t survive the ferocious conservatism of the town and refused to let him enter. He would have been amazed to find that Nizwa is now the second-biggest tourist destination in Oman. The seat of factional imams until the 1950s, Nizwa, or the ‘Pearl of Islam’ as it’s sometimes called, is still a conservative town, however, and appreciates a bit of decorum from its visitors.

Marked by a grand double-arched gateway, Nizwa forms a natural access point for the historic sites of Bahla and Jabreen, and for excursions up the mountain roads to Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams.

Top attractions

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

  • Fort

    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-tall round tower. By climbing to the top of the tower, it's possible to gauge the scale of the surrounding date plantations and to admire the view of the Hajar Mountains that loom over the town. All Nizwa tours include the fort in their itinerary, helping to make sense of this giant building.

  • Market

    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 are housed in separate blocks behind the great, crenellated piece of city wall that overlooks the wadi. Part of the souq (nearest the fort) is dedicated to handicrafts and caters specifically to the passing tourist trade.

  • Park

    Falaj Daris Park

    At 7990m in length, Falaj Daris is one of the biggest irrigation channels in Oman and one of six such channels in Oman collectively honoured as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2006. Water still flows along the restored portion of falaj visible within this pretty park, and the park itself offers lots of shady picnic spots among flowering tropical blooms such as scented frangipani, peacock flowers ( caesalpinia) and tufts of bougainvillea.

  • Market

    Livestock Market

    If you’re not put off by the smell of heaving bulls and irritable goats, the livestock souq is well worth a look. The livestock market occupies a small plot of land beyond the main market walls, left of the entrance, and the brisk trading in goats, sheep and cattle is a centuries-old tradition.

  • Mosque

    Al Qala'a Mosque

    Nizwa was once a major centre for Islamic scholarship, and two aged mosques, among the oldest in the world, have survived since the early 7th century. Nestled up against the souq and the fort, the mosque (closed to non-Muslims) forms part of a fine ensemble of buildings in the middle of the town.

  • Gate

    Nizwa Gateway

    This grand double-arched gateway straddles Hwy 21, along the original Muscat–Nizwa road. The watchtowers that form the uprights of the gateway seem aged, but in fact the gateway was built in 2015.

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Nizwa.

  • Activities