Perched in the epicentre of Oman, miles away from Muscat, Nizwa remains one of the oldest cities of Oman. Read through this simple guide to discover the old-world charms of this coveted tourist city.
Overview
Being the capital of Oman in the 6th and 7th centuries, Nizwa is one of the first cities in Oman to have converted to Islam. Since 1970, the city has been witnessing rapid modernization albeit preserving its traditional characteristics. Today, this thriving city is popularly known for its date cultivation and for being one of the most frequented cities by foreigners for mountain trails and wadis.
Getting Around
Nizwa is located approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes Southwest of Muscat on the Highway and is only a short drive away from Oman luxury resorts the likes of Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort. For those planning to pay a visit to Nizwa, hitching a ride with the Oman National transport company which operates buses daily might be a convenient choice.
Things to Do
Sheltering a host of attractions, you will never run out of things to do in Nizwa. While holidaying in this vibrant city, do not forget to make a quick stop at Nizwa fort and museum to enjoy amazing city views and Falaj Daris, one of the five Aflaj gravity-fed irrigation systems to traverse the UNESCO world heritage site.
Things to Buy
Famed for its silver craftsmanship including silver daggers, there are ample places in Souq to get your hands on a host of silver items. Interestingly, Nizwa also has no shortage of saffron, spices, dried lemons, nuts and scrumptious date varieties.