Joanna James
The capital of Ad Dakhiliyah governorate and one of the oldest cities in Oman, Nizwa certainly has its fair share of things to do and places to take in. Read on to find out more about some of the best things to do there.
Hands down one of the most fascinating points of interest to take in include the Nizwa Souq with its many exotic sites. Not too long ago, the city center of Nizwa was the regional meeting point for merchants, who brought down goods from the mountains and those who brought goods from the sea. While there's plenty of modern-day boutiques and stores that cater to tourists, don't miss out on browsing in the traditional stalls offering an abundance of local products including fragrant rose water, intricately designed lamps, plush carpets, colourful pottery, and vibrant spices. Be sure to take a break from the shopping by sitting down for an authentic cup of Oman coffee with delicious dates to complement.
A secular protection building, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987, is a beautiful location to visit in Nizwa. The sprawling fort complex is massive, and can easily take a good couple of hours to explore all the corners. So it would be best to take your time to explore the fort and check out its numerous wells, towers, and mosques. The fort can be visited from Saturday to Thursday for an entry fee of 500 OMR. Additionally, Bahla Fort can be easily reached from many an Oman business hotel, including the likes of Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort with relative ease.
Easily one of the most beautiful castles in the grand sultanate of Oman, Jabreen Castle was built by a leader passionate about art and science. Today, the castle's design and architecture are rich and can be observed in the carefully preserved details in its adorned rooms, wooden balconies and ceiling decorations, and Arabic calligraphic portals. The castle is open to the public from Saturday to Thursday.
Nizwa is home to some stunning mountains. One option to visit includes the highest peak of the Arabian peninsula known as Jebel Shams, which means Mountain of the Sun. Another is the Green Mountain, the Jebel Akhdar, which is an abundant region, depending on the season will be alive with fragrant Damascus roses, shiny pomegranates and lush peaches blooming widely. One can also see large herds of goats and donkeys grazing freely in the canyon.
With influences from Persia, India, and North Africa, Omani food is a heady mix of herbs, marinades, and a delightful fusion of spices. Here staples include rice, lamb, and chicken, and are generously seasoned with fragrant ingredients such as nutmeg, ginger, and saffron. There is also plenty of seafood to feast on, thanks to the long coastline bordering the Arabian Sea.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
