Nizwa. Nestled at the foothills of the Al Hajar mountains, Nizwa was once the capital of Oman. Renowned for its traditional crafts and bustling markets, it offers visitors a glimpse into its rich heritage and strategic significance as a trading center. Today, it thrives as a diverse and prosperous city, surrounded by lush date palm groves and scenic landscapes.
Nizwa Fort
Built in the 17th century, this imposing fortress served as a strategic stronghold, protecting the city and its people from external threats. Its sturdy walls, towering watchtowers, and intricately carved wooden doors bear witness to centuries of history and tradition.
Nizwa Souq
Dating back centuries, this bustling bazaar offers visitors a sensory feast of sights, sounds, and aromas. From colorful textiles and intricate handicrafts to aromatic spices and fresh produce, the souq showcases the rich tapestry of Omani heritage.
Friday / Cattle Market
It is a vibrant and bustling hub of activity, offering visitors a unique glimpse into Oman's rich cultural heritage and traditional way of life. Held weekly, this colorful market showcases a diverse array of local products, including fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, livestock, and handicrafts.
Bahla Fort
Dating back over a thousand years, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the oldest and largest mud-brick structures in the world. With its intricate fortifications, towering walls, and labyrinthine passageways, Bahla Fort offers visitors a glimpse into Oman's storied past and the strategic significance of its defensive architecture.
Jabreen Castle
Dating back to the 17th century, this imposing fortress served as a center of learning and governance during Oman's Renaissance period. It has towering walls, intricate carvings, and well-preserved chambers, and visitors can explore its labyrinthine corridors, and immerse themselves in the stories of its past inhabitants.
Al Hoota Caves
Located at the foot of Jabal Shams, Oman’s epic mountain, Al Hoota Cave is an ancient cave system estimated to be over 2 million years old. It is the first and only show cave in the Arabian Peninsula, boasting a total length of 4.5km, though only 500m is easily accessible to the public.
Oman Across the Ages Museum
It offers an immersive exploration of Oman’s rich history and heritage. Established by the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said in 2015, the museum spans 300,000 square meters and features interactive exhibits on the country’s geology, historical periods, and modern achievements.
Birkat Al Mouz
A picturesque village in the Ad Dakhiliyah Region, it has a captivating blend of natural beauty and historical significance. Nestled at the entrance of Wadi al-Muaydin on the southern edge of Jebel Akhdar, it is renowned for its lush banana plantations and the ancient ruins that tell stories of a bygone era.
Misfat Al Abriyeen
It is a unique village perched 1,000 meters above sea level on the mountain foothills surrounding Wilayat Al Hamra in the Al Dakhiliyah Governorate. Known for its stunning agricultural terraces and old houses built on solid rock, the village offers a glimpse into traditional Omani mountain life.
Jabal Akhdar. Meaning "Green Mountain" in Arabic, it is a majestic range in Oman known for its stunning landscapes and agricultural terraces carved into its slopes. Located in the Al Hajar Mountains, Jabal Akhdar rises to an altitude of over 2,980 meters, offering breathtaking views of deep valleys and dramatic cliffs.
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Rose Plantation Season (March – April)
Starting in March till April, Damask roses bloom on the surrounding mountain slopes. Guests can meet the families who continue to make rose water in traditional distilleries, seeing first-hand the way that smoked rose water is extracted.
Adventure Park at Dusit D2 Jabal Akhdar Resort
Perfect for families and adventure lovers, this mountain-top park features zip lines, rope courses, and obstacle challenges in a scenic high-altitude setting. Fun, safe, and exciting for all ages.
Bayt Alsharaf Museum
A restored heritage house showcasing traditional mountain life, the exhibits highlight local crafts, tools, and family customs, featuring how people in the mountains lived before modern times. Also experience the importance of rose plantations to the mountain folk.
Jabal Shams. Known as the "Mountain of the Sun," because it is the first place to receive sunrise due to having the highest peak the Al Hajar Mountains of Oman, rising to over 3,000 meters above sea level. It is renowned for its dramatic cliffs and breathtaking vistas, offering visitors panoramic views of deep gorges and rugged terrain.
Jebel Shams View Point
It’s a nice viewing point with a wire rope running at the edge, offering breathtaking panoramic views with dramatic cliffs and deep gorges stretching as far as the eye can see. This is one of the most visited spots on the mountain and an ideal place for those who don’t want to camp or trek.
Khateem / Khatayam
A remote mountain village located along the Jebel Shams trail, known for its traditional stone houses and as a starting point for treks along the canyon rim.
Wadi Nakhr
Popularly known as the “Grand Canyon of Arabia” it reaches a depth of 2,000 metres in some areas, much deeper than the Colorado Canyon in the USA. A spectacular gorge carved into the Hajar Mountains, it offers rugged scenery, sheer cliff faces, and stunning geological formations.
Wadi Ghul Viewpoint
Overlooking Oman’s most impressive canyon, this viewpoint offers spectacular vistas and photo opportunities of the immense Wadi Ghul, surrounded by steep cliffs and plateaus.
Sab Bani Khamis
A remote mountain village located along the Jebel Shams trail, known for its traditional stone houses and as a starting point for treks along the canyon rim.