Top 10 Places to Visit in Nizwa: Explore the Omani Culture in this Historical City

Nizwa is one of the oldest cities, that was once the capital of Oman. The highlight of visiting this city is its rich culture and history, which is evident wherever you go. Nature’s charm combined with the aesthetic of the city make for an excellent vacation spot. There’s beauty in every place, from valleys to mountains, you’d always find your eyes being attracted to the gorgeous and striking qualities of the place. The sight of old buildings, architecture, and religious places would leave you in a state of peace and calm. So, it’s important to explore the ideal places to visit in Nizwa to make your journey a successful one.

Best Places to Visit in Nizwa: The Hotspot of Culture and Tradition

Your list of places to visit in Oman is incomplete if it doesn’t include this historical beauty. Nizwa is a gorgeous city with an abundance of tourist attractions that would make you appreciate the allure and charm of the place and also make your holiday worthwhile. After all, who wouldn’t want to walk around a city where you only see aesthetic buildings and architecture as far as the eyes go? There’s a lot for you to explore in Nizwa, but here are some of the best places to visit in Nizwa.

1. Jebel Akhdar
2. Nizwa Fort
3. Nizwa Souq
4. Sultan Qaboos Mosque
5. Jabreen Castle
6. Wadi Ghul
7. Nizwa Grand Mall
8. Tanuf Falls
9. Falaj Daris
10. Nizwa Friday Market

1. Jebel Akhdar: The Green Mountain of Nizwa

Jebel Akhdar is a must visit attraction in Nizwa. This mountainous region is full of rich and lush vegetation, that’s why it’s called the Green Mountain. The green orchards, dates and walnut plantations, etc. make for a perfect day in nature’s lap. This mountain is part of the Al Hajar mountain range and is home to several wild animals, such as leopards, deer, wolves, and so on. There’s a small village in this place as well, which is popular for the rose water people make in their homes and the handmade textiles, depicting primitive life in Oman. The world’s best pomegranates also grow on the slopes of this mountain; therefore, it’s one of the most attractive places to visit in Nizwa.

Things to do: Explore the mountains and marvel at nature’s wonders, admire the craft of the Omani people

How to reach: You can take a car from the Muscat International Airport and drive there

Best time to visit: March and April

Suggested Read: Top Things To Do In Oman: Activities Every Traveler Should Enjoy For An Extravagant Holiday

2. Nizwa Fort: Witness the 9th Century Architecture

This is one of the most prominent structures in Nizwa and one of the major Nizwa tourist places that you’d come across. This fort is a reminder of the past with its wall inscriptions and architecture. Even though this fort was built in the 9th century, it was renovated again in the 17th century. The best day to visit it is Friday when the people of the city bring their goats, camels, and sheep to parade them in the fort. Once you reach the top of this fort, the view that greets you is a spectacular one, from where you can see the entire city. It also features a mosque where prayers are held every Friday and you can explore the place while sipping on Omani coffee.

Things to do: Learn about the history of Nizwa, enjoy a panoramic view from the top, and admire the architecture

How to reach: You can either drive from the airport to the fort or take a bus to Adam and then hail a taxi

Best time to visit:

Saturday to Thursday: 8 A.M to 8 P.M

Friday: Closed

3. Nizwa Souq: Time to Explore the Local Market

When thinking of shopping in Oman, Nizwa is the place for it. It’s known for its local shops and items, such as silver jewelry, pottery, mosaic lamps, and other trinkets. You can even buy souvenirs to remember this place by. Apart from shopping, you can also explore the ancient buildings and architecture that are present there in pristine condition. The marketplace is the primary attraction where antiques and handicrafts are available in enormous quantity for the tourists and showcases excellent craftsmanship. This is one of the places to see in Nizwa that you cannot miss out on. Something or the other would undoubtedly catch your eye here. Also, it’s important to wear modest clothes when wandering the market.

Things to do: Shop and bargain at the local market, buy souvenirs, admire the ancient buildings

How to reach: You can drive to Nizwa Souq from the Muscat International Airport

Best time to visit: 5 A.M to 1 P.M and 4 P.M to 10 P.M

4. Sultan Qaboos Mosque: Admire the Aesthetic Mosque

This is the second largest mosque in Nizwa and third best in Oman because of its intricate and carefully detailed Islamic architecture. It can accommodate 10,500 visitors at once, making it the perfect place for tourists to explore. The grandeur of this religious place is striking and would leave you in awe of its beauty and elegance. The then Sultan of Oman, Qaboos Bin Said gifted this mosque to the country and it took 6 years and 7 months to build it. Its history is a fascinating one that would make for an intriguing learning experience. It's beauty is what attracts people from all over the world to visit it.

Things to do: Connect with God and appreciate the beauty of the architecture and structure

How to reach: The mosque is connected via highway 15 and highway 31

Best time to visit: 4 A.M to 9:30 P.M

Suggested Read: Best Places to Visit in Muscat, Oman for an Ideal Omani Retreat

5. Jabreen Castle: The Most Well-Preserved Castle in Nizwa

Jabreen Castle should definitely be on your places to visit in Nizwa itinerary because it’s a sight to behold. This enormous, 600 years old castle was a center of learning where Astrology, Medicine, and Islamic Law was taught to students. The highlight of visiting this place is standing at the base of the flagpole from where you’ll get a view of the interiors of the castle. You’ll come across painted ceilings here, which are a quirky part of the entire battlement. There are also some hidden rooms with a flower motif on their doors and finding them is a fun activity. You can also try to search for the room with the Sultan’s beloved horse. This gorgeous castle is an excellent Nizwa tourist spot that you must visit.

Things to do: Explore the gorgeous castle, learn about its history, and find hidden rooms

How to reach: You can take a car or route 54 bus to reach there

Best time to visit:

Saturday to Thursday: 9 A.M to 4 P.M  

Friday: 8 A.M to 11 A.M

6. Wadi Ghul: Marvel at the Deepest Canyon in the Middle East

Inspired by Arizona’s Grand Canyon, this is the second deepest Canyon in the world. It's breathtaking and would leave you spellbound by the beauty of it all. As you walk around, you’ll be surprised at the wonders of nature that could create something like the Wadi Ghul. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit this place because it’s capable of taking your breath away. The mesmerizing backdrops, and deep gorges are enough to make your day. It’s going to be an adventurous journey if you decide to hike along the “Balcony Walk” to reach this attraction, which is quite fun. The view from the top is enough to make this entire journey worthwhile.

Things to do: Click pictures against beautiful backdrops, hike along the Balcony Walk, admire the view from the top

How to reach: It’s best to hire a 4x4 to reach Wadi Ghul

Best time to visit: 6 P.M to 8 P.M

Suggested Read: Islands In Oman: Discover Their Scenic And Divine Beauty

7. Nizwa Grand Mall: Shop to Your Heart’s Content

As is evident by its name, this is a grand mall in Nizwa, a more modern take on the otherwise rustic and ancient city. There are more than 80 shops in this mall, including local and international brands where all your shopping dreams would come true. You can check out the souvenir shops or the cafes and restaurants for a delicious meal. There’s even a gaming zone with ice skating, bowling alley, and much more to keep you entertained. This mall houses everything under one roof, so if you have bank related work or any medical requirements, you'll find it all here. It’s the perfect way to spend time leisurely, indulging in some retail therapy. So, add this to your places to visit in Nizwa plans right away.

Things to do: Shop for antiques, souvenirs and much more, play some games at the gaming zone, and try out local food

How to reach: The mall is connected via route 21

Best time to visit: 9 A.M to 12 P.M

8. Tanuf Falls: Enjoy the Soothing Sounds of the Waterfalls

For a relaxing and calm day, this is the best place to visit in Nizwa because the sound of the waterfalls and the scenic beauty around it would transport you to a whole other world. It’s a surreal experience to come here and stay for a while. The weather’s always moderate and delightful for you to enjoy this experience to the fullest. The Tanuf Valley is also another highlight of the place because the waterfall, the scenery, and the valley, all combine to create the most stunning experience for the tourists.

Things to do: Listen to the sound of waterfalls and spend leisure time with your loved ones

9. Falaj Daris: Explore the Biggest Irrigation Channel in Oman

We’d highly recommend Falaj Daris as one of the best places to visit in Nizwa because of its historical significance and the beauty that it is. This place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which supplies natural water to nearby locations and has been in function since 2500 BC. There’s a lot to do here; for instance, children can splash around in the water, play games and much more. It’s a relaxing spot where you can unwind and even have a picnic in the park. There are beautiful flowers, such as scented frangipani, peacock flowers, and many more that enhance the beauty of this entire place.

Things to do: Learn about the history of the irrigation channel, plan a picnic, play around, and click pictures

How to reach: The park is off highway 21

Best time to visit: Winters

Suggested Read: Forts in Oman: Historical And Cultural Significance of The Country

10. Nizwa Friday Market: Get a Glimpse of the Traditional Oman

Visiting all the tourist attractions is experience enough, but when it comes to the roots of the city, you can only experience it by visiting the Friday Market where locals from the city gather for the auction of livestock, such as goats and calves. You can listen to people bidding and haggling over prices, wearing their traditional attire, children running around and playing. It’s the true essence of Oman, which is what makes it a must visit if you are comfortable with it. This market is a part of Nizwa Souq and the bidding starts in the morning; it’s a great tourist attraction because it gives you a glimpse into the lives of the locals.

Things to do: Observe people and enjoy the banter in the market

How to reach: You can reach there by car as it’s near Nizwa Souq

Best time to visit: 6:30 A.M to 9:30 A.M

These were some of the places to visit in Nizwa that would make for an exciting part of your vacation. It covers everything from learning about their history and culture to indulging in leisure activities. Nizwa is quite a charming city if you visit the right places and has a lot to offer, especially to the tourists because there are several old ruins and attractions that draw the attention of the visitors. It’s one of the most aesthetically pleasing cities in Oman that you should surely explore, so book the best Oman tour packages and enjoy the most memorable time here.

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