Nizwa is the land of old ruins and impressive architecture that would transport you to a whole other world. So obviously, there are several things to do in Nizwa that would keep you entertained for days. Their customs and traditions bring forth a unique and charming vibe that makes vacationing here a delight. You can learn about their history, spend leisure time watching the stars in the open sky, go for a camel safari, and a lot more. Planning a memorable trip to this city is in your hands, all we can do is suggest what you should include in your holiday itinerary. So, let’s get to it right away.
Top Things to do in Nizwa: Let’s Get the Adrenaline Rushing in You
There are innumerable things to try out in this city, including adventure activities that would give you a chance to show your fearless side. It’d be a fun and thrilling vacation if you add these things to do in Nizwa Oman and would make your heart race with joy. It’s a misconception that this city’s only popular for its scenic beauty; it has a lot more to offer in terms of outdoor activities and leisure time. You can learn their culture and history while having an amazing time trying out new things. So, let’s see what all you can do when visiting this Omani city.
- Shop at Nizwa Souq
- Observe the Livestock Auction
- Hike in Wadi Ghul
- Go for Camel Safari
- Try local food
- Explore the Nizwa Fort
- Enjoy the Safari Desert Camp
- Have Fun at Wadina Waterpark
1. Shop at Nizwa Souq: Buy Silver Antiques and Souvenirs from Local Artists
You cannot imagine planning a trip to the places to visit in Oman and not buying their skillfully crafted handicrafts, silver jewelry, pottery, and much more from Nizwa. This city is known for its craftsmanship and to get the full experience of Omani culture, you must shop at this souq. The most popular item here is the silver khanjar or dagger, which is beautifully carved and is a must-have. There’s also a house of dates, with a variety of options to choose from, and you can also try the housed halwa, the national desert of Oman. The halwa is served with Qahwa, the Omani coffee, and it takes the experience to a whole new level. You can also explore the vegetable market, where you’ll find a variety of unique vegetables, such as seed shoots for date palms. It’s one of the things to do in Nizwa that would make shopping more fun and exciting.
Best time to visit:
- 8 A.M to 1 P.M
- 4 P.M to 10 P.M
Things to do: Buy silver jewelry and antiques, relish the dates and halwa with Omani coffee, and shop for rare vegetables
2. Observe the Livestock Auction: Watch People Bid for Livestock in the Friday Market
This is one of the most fun activities to do on a Friday morning where you can watch people auction cattle, such as goats, calves, etc. for bidders. The liveliness of this market would make you feel excited and gives you a glimpse into the peoples’ lives and what matters to them. You can find old men and women dressed in their traditional attire, haggling for prices, the kids running around and playing. There’s a lot going on here, which makes it even more fun to be an observer and watch everyone. However, if you want to have the full experience, then arriving early in the morning is the way to go.
Best time to visit: 6:30 A.M to 9:30 A.M
Things to do: Observe people bidding for cattle and enjoy the lively atmosphere
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3. Hike in Wadi Ghul: Grand Canyon of the Middle East
Hiking in Wadi Ghul or the Grand Canyon of Oman should definitely be on your list of things to do in Nizwa. The surreal feeling of walking on the paths of the deepest gorge in the Middle East makes this entire activity a success. The breathtaking views from the mountain would leave you in awe of nature’s beauty, and the weather’s also pleasant to enjoy the hike. Watching the sunrise from the top with a mesmerizing backdrop and the journey to this place is a complete package. So, add this to your list of Nizwa attractions for a wholesome vacation.
Best time to visit: 6 A.M to 8 A.M
Things to do: Hike in the trails of Wadi Ghul, click pictures against gorgeous sceneries
4. Go for Camel Safari: Be a Daredevil and Enjoy the Camel Safari
Wahiba Sands in Nizwa is the perfect place for a camel safari. The sand dunes and the long stretch of desert make for a thrilling and adventurous activity to try out in this city. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and by the end of the safari, you’d be craving another round of it. The camel races by the tribe of Wahiba also take place here, which is equally fun to watch, and you can even bet for fun as to which camel would win the race. Walking in the desert is a whole other feeling because you see nothing but sand as far as your eyes go. You can even sit in a 4x4 and witness the fun and excitement of driving over sand dunes. Visiting this place means a whole day of adventure and adrenaline because you’d never run out of things to do in Oman if you visit Nizwa.
Best time to visit: 9 A.M to 6 P.M
Things to do: Enjoy a 45-minute-long camel safari, watch the camel race, come across falcons, gazelles, and other animals, and hire a 4x4 for a desert safari
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5. Try Local Food: Get a Taste of Omani cuisine
Visiting a new city is only successful if you try out the local cuisine of the place and Nizwa has some amazing places to try out Omani cuisine. You can visit the Bahjat Al Sham restaurant or Al Mandi Al Dhahabi for delicious food that would bring you in touch with Oman’s roots. Bait Al Aqr is another restaurant, which serves buffet to its customers and offers Omani cusuine at its finest. For some dessert, you can try out Al Diwaniya and enjoy Omani sweets, especially halwa with Omani coffee. It’s one of the best combinations that you’d ever try. As far as Nizwa things to do list goes, you must add these restaurants to it.
Things to do: Enjoy the local food after a tiring day of exploration
6. Explore the Nizwa Fort: Get Lost in the Beauty of this Historical Building
When it comes to places to visit in Nizwa, you must explore all the tourist attractions, including the Nizwa Fort. You can learn about the city’s history and other details that would leave you in a trance. There are a lot of staircases with huge doors at the top, which feature shafts used to pour hot oil, date syrup or water on invaders. There’s much more to the fascinating history of this fort and once you reach the top, the 360-degree view of the entire city is breathtaking. There’s a lot to explore here and a lot to learn that might leave you surprised; after all, it’s one of the major Nizwa tourist attractions that you’d come across.
Best time to visit:
- Saturday to Thursday: 9 A.M to 4 P.M
- Friday: Closed
Things to do: Reach the top of the fort for a mesmerizing view, learn the history of Nizwa
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7. Enjoy the Safari Desert Camp: Experience the Fun of Camping in the Desert
One of the best things to do in Nizwa is to camp in the desert with nothing around for miles. You can enjoy the peace and quiet and stare at the twinkling stars at night. It’s a truly beautiful and enthralling experience for every tourist. You don’t get the chance to sleep under the sky in a beautiful city every time, so make the most of it. You can spend the day doing adventurous activities and spend leisure time at night when everything’s prettier and lively. It’d be a memorable experience for you and your loved one, so don’t miss out on it and include it in your things to do in Nizwa itinerary.
Things to do: Enjoy camping in the desert under the twinkling stars at night
8. Have Fun at Wadina Waterpark: Splash Around and Enjoy the Water Rides
Nothing can beat the fun and happiness one gets at a waterpark and this waterpark in Nizwa is undoubtedly an excellent one with several fun rides, such as lazy river, speed slide, boomerang, and so on. It’s perfect for a relaxing time and to take a break from all the exploration of the Nizwa attractions. It’s ideal for kids as well to spend time playing around in the water park and creating lifelong memories. It’s different from the usual places that you encounter in the city, such as various forts and castles, or other traditional destinations.
Best time to visit:
- Sunday to Wednesday: 9:30 A.M to 6:30 P.M
- Thursday to Saturday: 8:30 A.M to 8:30 P.M
Things to do: Play in the waterpark and try out all the rides available
There are so many things to do in Nizwa that you must plan your vacation accordingly, so you don’t miss out on any of them. From exploring the local markets to enjoying adventurous activities, you can experience it all here. This culturally, historically and architecturally rich city is one of the major attractions of Oman. You can't plan a trip to Oman and not visit Nizwa. So, without a second thought, book our Oman tour packages and have the vacation of a lifetime.
Nizwa FAQs
There are a lot of adventure activities that you can try out in Nizwa, such as camel safari, waterpark, hiking in the Grand Canyon, desert safari, camping in the desert, and so on.
Nizwa souq is the ideal place for shopping because it features handicrafts, silver jewelry, antiques, pottery. There’s also a dates and vegetable market in the souq and you can also buy housed halwa with Omani coffee.
You can explore the local market, watch the cattle auction, enjoy camping in the desert, try out Omani cuisine by visiting local eateries, and a lot more.
Yes, Nizwa is surely worth visiting because of the diverse options available here to explore, such as the architecture of the buildings, spending leisure time with family, experiencing a different culture and tradition, and much more.
There are a few things you must keep in mind when vacationing in Nizwa:
- Respect the culture and history of the city
- Try out all the adventure activities
- Visit religious places for a spiritual experience
- Always carry a hat and sunglasses
September to March is the ideal time to visit Nizwa if you want to explore all the tourist attractions and participate in all the adventure activities without the scorching heat of summer draining your energy.
Wadi Ghul and Nizwa fort are the best places for a scenic view of the city and nature. Nizwa fort offers a 360-degree view of the entire city and Wadi Ghul offers the most mesmerizing backdrops to click pictures and appreciate the beauty of the city.
There are a few restaurants that offer delicious and traditional Omani cuisine to its customers, such as Bait Al Aqr, Al Mandi Al Dhahabi, and Al Diwaniya for some desserts.
