Is the rich culture and the charming Souqs of Nizwa calling out to you? Or maybe you’re fascinated with the highest mountains in Oman and want to explore this nature-rich valley of lush palm trees and striking architecture, religious places, and aesthetic places to visit in Nizwa.
Nizwa comes near to Muscat’s popularity as one of the best travel destinations in Oman, and if you want to explore this land of the Nizwa Fort, Jebel Akhdar, and Wadi Ghul, check out our favorite Nizwa tourist places.
A Little Something To Know About Tourist Places In Nizwa Oman
Nizwa is known as the “Pearl of Islam” as the land was the seat of factional Imams up until the 1950s. What was once known as a seriously conservative town is now embracing tourists from all over the world who come to visit its natural and manmade beauty.
Nizwa is a historic town, which means that the architecture, religious sites, and gorgeous attractions in the city are the reason why it’s the second biggest destination for tourists in Oman.
Let’s review the best of Nizwa tourist places and appreciate all that the city has to offer.
1. Wadi Ghul
Wadi Ghul, also known as the Grand Canyon of Oman, boasts the highest peak in the region, which is indeed a wonder of nature. Wadi Ghul is one of the best places to visit in Nizwa for first-time travelers and sightseers who want to visit this place for hiking or climbing. This high peak is carved on the Al Hajar Mountains and reaches a height of 3280 feet, making it the second deepest gorge in the world after the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
Wadi Ghul is the embodiment of the monumental mountainscapes of Nizwa, with its limestone walls and the millennia-old landscape. The trekkers can check out the ruined villages from the canyon floor and then ascend Jebel Shams to gaze over the dramatic views. There are also hiking trails, such as the Balcony Walk, which is a 4-kilometer path running alongside the canyon rim. If you are new to this country, we would highly suggest choosing a guided tour before you set out to enjoy this activity and other things to do in Nizwa.
2. Wadi Bani Habib Hiking
The abandoned village, Wadi Bani Habib, is a timeless sight that is located in the midst of the Al Hajar Mountains. Anyone looking for the best Nizwa tourist places to wander around and explore the city in a leisurely manner must check out this place and add it to their itinerary.
Wadi Bani Habib village is perfect for hiking. This place, located on the Jabal Al Akhdar slopes, demonstrates the perfect example of Omani architecture, and it is here that you can witness how skilled and proficient the Omanis were in terms of their architectural design. The halls, main entrance, rooms, and kitchen are living examples of the original Omani designs and how the people of this region observed their climatic, cultural, and social settings and reflected that in their architecture. Park your car outside the village and make sure that you are following a trekking trail to avoid wandering in places where you can damage any precious aspect of the buildings.
3. Jabreen Castle
The closest city to the Jabreen Caste is Nizwa, which is just 42 kilometers away. One of the most magnificent tourist places in Nizwa, Oman, is the Jabreen Castle, which rises like an unobstructed entity from the surrounding plains. This impressive castle has whimsical and well-preserved fortifications, and there are plenty of things to do in Nizwa when visiting the Jabreen Castle.
You can either enjoy a bird’s eye view from the flagpole and see the latticed windows of the courtyard or take a tour of the rooms with beautifully painted ceilings.
This castle was built by Imam Bil-Arab Bin Sultan in 1675 and now stands as a distinctive representation of the learning culture in Oman and its focus on astrology, Islamic law, and medicine. There are also many other interesting places to check out while you are visiting the Jabreen Castle, such as the date store, burial chambers, and other hidden rooms.
The location of Jabreen Castle is between a mountain and an arid desert, which is why the irrigation channel in the outer courtyard was used as an early design of an air-con system.
4. Birkat Al Mouz Ruins
Birkat Al Mouz Ruins are another set of traditional villages and the perfect places to visit in Nizwa if you want to explore the natural views and thousands-year-old architectural designs of Oman. These villages are located on the Jebel Akhdar foothills, and you can take the highway heading towards Nizwa to reach this place.
Birkat Al Mouz, literally meaning the pool of bananas, has a stunning mid-brick fortress and thick plantation of date palm and banana plants that make the natural beauty of the village more ethereal. As you climb up the stairs of any of the ruins of villages, you can enjoy the aerial view of the plantations and mountains, and it is here that you can click some seriously pretty photos.
The delicate ruins and their uniqueness make these Omani villages one of the most interesting tourist places in Nizwa, Oman. They truly make you understand how people of this region managed to live in dry conditions, and if you are planning to stay a bit longer, catch up with a local who will gladly offer you a tour of the village.
5. Tanuf Falls
The Tanuf Falls or Wadi Tanuf look even more beautiful when drenched in rainwater, making them among some of the most aesthetic Nizwa tourist places. If you want to make memories of exploring adventures and taking great photographs, Tanuf Falls is the place to go.
The moderate temperatures around here are the main reason why tourists love to visit this place frequently. And after a rainy season, the Alinaj and Wadis start to look even more beautiful. The village lies between the Bahla and Wilayat of Nizwa, so if you are planning to visit it, do so before or after a rainy spell.
The agricultural area of the village is the first thing that every visitor notices, captivating even those who have no interest in agriculture. The growing sites and the variety of crops, particularly the fertility of the soil, make you realize why growing all sorts of fruits and vegetables is easier here.
There are also farmers who raise high-quality sheep, cows, and poultry, all thanks to the support they get from the fisheries, agriculture ministry, and water resources.
6. Nizwa Grand Mall
Nizwa Grand Mall is the most popular shopping destination in the city. This newly developed mall is one of the best places to visit in Nizwa with your family, as it has a massive floor space spanning 38,000 square meters and parking spaces accommodating almost 988 cars.
At Nizwa Grand Mall, you will find plenty of shopping options, international and local brands, food places, and every sort of retail store offering shoes, jewelry, clothing, and bags. There are also plenty of international restaurants and cafes at Nizwa Grand Mall, making it a one-stop shop destination for your complete entertainment.
That was all stuff appealing to adults. Now, let’s talk about our little visitors to the mall, who can head over to the sweet shops, amusement parks, and other gifts and souvenir shops to grab whatever their heart wants. The parking here is very accessible, and even during the weekends, the mall never gets too crowded to stop you from performing your chores or visiting it for a fun night out.
7. Nizwa Gateway
Nizwa Gateway is home to the oldest Souqs in Oman. The extensive marketplace is one of the best Nizwa tourist places, and the great double-arched gateway that straddles Highway 21 is a breathing example that Oman still has the same grand demeanor in terms of architecture as it had in the past.
The strategic position of the gateway along the Muscat Nizwa highway is one of the main reasons why visitors often stop to admire its beauty. While it looks elegant and a stunning architectural creation, in the evening, the Nizwa Gateway boasts the prettiest views of the sunset, and at night, you can find its glowing lights a warm and welcoming attraction that you cannot help but stop by to take pictures with.
8. Nizwa Souq
There are many things to do in Nizwa Souq, one of the oldest and most exciting Souqs in the city. It’s a beautiful place to visit in the heart of the city and needs you to dedicate a whole day to exploring its beauty.
The main building has a series of separate buildings that go out the back, holding plenty of different markets like a dating market, antiques, pottery, fresh produce, textiles, and paraphernalia markets. And if you are a fan of collecting artwork and antiques, then Nizwa Souq will look like heaven to you.
There are two main times in which you can visit the Nizwa Souq. One is the early morning slot in which the day trade starts and takes a break at around 1 pm. And the other time slot is around 4 pm and goes until 10 pm.
If you want to visit the Souq on weekends, then choose Friday for your excursions as it is the weekly goat market day. The livestock trade takes place at the Souq’s back, in which men and women dressed up in traditional Bedouin costumes buy and sell animals.
9. Sultan Qaboos Mosque
The Sultan Qaboos Mosque is a beautiful place to visit in Nizwa. It is built on an area of 80000 sq. meters. Nizwa has long held the title of being the most religious and spiritual region in Oman, and it was only fitting that a mosque as great as the Sultan Qaboos Mosque opened up in this region. In fact, it is the best mosque to visit in Oman after the Grand Mosque in Muscat.
The selective use of décor and the simple form of the Sultan Qaboos Mosque is what makes it a distinguished architectural wonder. There are four minarets that give an overall quality and reinforcement to the mosque. The colors and design used in the mosque are reflective of the traditions of this area.
The Sultan Qaboos Mosque is right next to the Nizwa Wadi, which means that while you’re visiting the Wadi, you can also enjoy pretty views of the mosque from there.
The sahan of the mosque is open to a range of facilities, and a huge external area accommodates an additional 5,300 worshippers to the mosque.
10. Jebel Akhdar
The Jebel Akhdar Mountains are popular Nizwa tourist places to experience the nature and outstanding beauty of the city. If you are a solo or a new traveler to Oman, then take a guided tour that will take you from Muscat all the way to the Nizwa region and the Jebel Akhdar Mountains.
Jebel Akhdar is also known as the green jewel, and for good reasons. The climate here is very pleasant, mostly cool, which is in stark contrast with the warmer climate of Oman. There is plenty of greenery around to enjoy, but it is the fruit orchards that earn Jebel Akhdar the recognition and love it gets.
Various trees grow at Jebel Akhdar, and the scenery looks even dreamier before and after a rainy spell. If you happen to visit this region in early spring, then you can also admire the beautiful rose bushes blooming in full glory, filling the air with its scent.
11. Nizwa Museum
The Nizwa Museum is a cultural place to visit in Nizwa, showcasing the Omani heritage and culture. This museum is located in the heart of Nizwa and takes you on a journey of the history of Oman with its thousands of exhibited items displayed in 8 selected halls.
These halls are the Manuscripts Hall, the Human Hall, the Weapons Hall, the Copper Hall, the Civilizational Communication Hall, the Pottery Hall, the Handicrafts Hall, and the Women’s Hall. These collections that are displayed in the halls highlight how Omani people can harness nature to their use, for construction and other purposes, thus paying an ode to the heritage of this region.
The Nizwa Museum is indeed the best among all tourist places in Nizwa, Oman, where you can enjoy viewing the thousands of archeological and heritage items that sometimes date back to 400 years ago.
12. Livestock market
The Nizwa Livestock Market is another exciting Nizwa tourist place. It takes place weekly, mostly on Fridays, in which farmers from all over Oman bring their cattle, camels, and goats.
This livestock market is especially alive and thriving during the Eid Celebrations when locals rush to buy their animals for religious sacrifice. If you intend to purchase an animal or want to visit the livestock market, make sure to schedule your visit early in the morning. The livestock market is one of the most popular spots to purchase cattle, and by the time the afternoon sun arrives, most of the market already begins to clear out.
Nizwa Goat Market is a very attractive place to visit in Nizwa if you want to take an intimate look at the Omani and Middle Eastern lifestyle. You can always pair your visit to the livestock market with Jabal Akhdar, Nizwa Fort, or some other place while planning your travel itinerary.
13. Nizwa Fort
Nizwa Fort is by far the most beautiful Nizwa tourist place. In fact, the timeless beauty of this Fort makes it the number 1 tourist spot in Nizwa, Oman. This Fort was built at the beginning of the eleventh century, and it took almost 12 years to build the whole Fort.
The 34-meter-high Fort has a giant diameter of 45 meters and serves as a flat-roofed platform that stands tall on a structure of crushed stones base. The Fort has cannon holes and a narrow staircase at the entrance that resembles the Arabic letter ح. Nizwa Fort is truly magnificent in its structure. It has seven doors, with each door having a turn and defensive openings on the top. The Fort also has a number of prisons and a prosecution ground.
If you are visiting Nizwa for the first time, do not forget to include this great historical destination in your travel plan.
