Hotels in Nizwa

Nizwa: Oman's Ancient Fort City

Nizwa sits at the foot of the Al Hajar Mountains, 165 km southwest of Muscat via Highway 15. Oman's first Islamic capital, the city is defined by Nizwa Fort, completed in 1668 under Imam Sultan bin Saif Al Ya'arubi. The fort's cylindrical tower stands 36 meters tall with walls 35 meters in diameter — the largest such tower in Oman — and houses a maze of corridors, cannons, and a date-palm courtyard open to visitors.

Souq, Crafts, and the Friday Market

The Nizwa Souq adjoins the fort and operates daily, selling silver khanjars (curved daggers), hand-thrown pottery from nearby Bahla, and locally harvested dates. Every Friday morning, a livestock auction draws farmers from across the Dakhliyah region before 9 a.m. The silver souq is one of the oldest in Oman and remains a working center for traditional craftsmanship. The falaj-irrigated village of Birkat Al Mawz and the cliff-side hamlet of Misfah are both practical half-day excursions.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: The drive from Muscat takes roughly 1.5 hours on Highway 15; buses run from Al Azaiba station.
• Best season: October through March; summer temperatures regularly exceed 40°C.
• Friday market: Arrive before 8 a.m. to catch the livestock auction at full activity.
• Dress code: Conservative clothing is expected throughout the old city and fort.
• Day trips: Jebel Shams — Oman's highest peak at 3,009 m — lies 75 km northwest of Nizwa.