Nizwa, Oman
Streets in Nizwa during sunset
Nizwas enormous fort
Nizwa souk
Pottery being sold at the souq in Nizwa

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Ancient structures in Nizwa
Traditional Omani door design
Residences in Nizwa that maintained Omani Architecture
Sunset in Nizwa

Nizwa

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Nizwa Travel Essentials

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Ideal duration: 1 day

Best Time: September to March Read More

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"An Ancient Town Surrounded By Oman's Highest Mountains!"

Nizwa Tourism

Among the highest and most majestic mountains of Oman, lies the historic city of Nizwa. Known as "The Pearl of Islam", the conservative yet open nature of Nizwa makes it the second-largest tourist destination in Oman! The ancient city was once the hub for trade, education, religion and art. Surrounded by date palms and banana plantations, Nizwa is a diverse city with many historical and agricultural attractions. It is full of attractions like the Nizwa Fort, the Souq, Jebel Akhdar and much more. 

The imposing Nizwa Fort, built in the 17th century, dominates the city. This massive fort, with its towering cylindrical tower, offers panoramic views of the surrounding date palm oasis and the Hajar Mountains. Adjacent to the fort is the Nizwa Souq, one of the oldest and most vibrant markets in Oman. It is a sensory feast, with stalls of spices, silversmiths crafting intricate jewelry, and vendors selling fresh produce and traditional Omani sweets.

Surrounding Nizwa are the stunning landscapes of the Hajar Mountains, offering numerous opportunities for outdoor adventures. The nearby Jebel Akhdar is a popular destination for hiking, with its terraced orchards, rose gardens, and breathtaking views. 

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Things To Do In Nizwa

Nizwa Fort

Nizwa Fort
Nizwa Souq

Nizwa Souq
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque Nizwa

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque Nizwa
Jebel Akhdar

Jebel Akhdar
Nizwa Grand Mall

Nizwa Grand Mall
Bahla Fort

Bahla Fort
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Top Hotels In Nizwa

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More on Nizwa Travel

Currency in Nizwa

Only the Omani currency is accepted in Nizwa. You can alternatively pay through debit/credit cards. All major cards are recognized (Mastercard, VISA)

Exchanging Money in Nizwa

The best places to exchange money is at the Oman UAE exchange centres. Additionally, you will also find centres on your way from Muscat to Nizwa as well as in Nizwa itself.

Daily Budget for Nizwa

At Nizwa, you will probably spend around OMR 30 per day.

Nizwa Customs

The locals dress in dishdashas and abayas, staying true to their religion and culture. As a sign of respect, tourists should wear clothing which covers shoulders and knees. Tipping is not common in Nizwa and therefore not expected. If you want, you could round up to the next rial. Another common custom in Oman is to use your right hand when eating and drinking as the left hand is seen as unclean.

History of Nizwa

In the 6th and 7th century, Nizwa was the capital of Oman. It was one of the first cities in Oman to convert to the Islamic religion. For centuries it was very unwelcoming and hostile to outsiders. However, since the 1970s, it has become a lot more modernized and hospitable to tourists and foreigners.

Nightlife in Nizwa

Due to the conservative nature of the city and Oman in general, the nightlife is not very popular. However, most hotels have an alcohol license and therefore have bars in their buildings. A few hotels with bars in Nizwa are Golden Tulip, Majan Guest House and Safari Hotel.

Shopping in Nizwa

Nizwa is known for its handcrafted silver daggers. You can find these souveniers at the Nizwa Souq but bear in mind that you will have to bargain really well. There are also many rare and unique antiques you can find at the souq. Nizwa souq also has a vast collection of pottery. You could also go shopping at the Nizwa Mall.

Best Time to Visit Nizwa

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How to Reach Nizwa

How to Reach Overview

In order to reach Nizwa, you will have to fly into Muscat and then either drive or take a bus to Nizwa

How to reach Nizwa by flight

The easiest way to reach Nizwa is to fly to Muscat International Airport.

How to reach Nizwa by road

After arriving in Muscat International Airport, you can either rent a car and drive to Nizwa or hire a cab. In order to rent a car and drive in Oman, you will need an International Driving Permit. You can rent cars from Speedy Oman, Sixt Rent a Car and Arabia Cars. Alternatively, if you want to hire a cab, there are plenty of taxis at the airport.

How to reach Nizwa by bus

The Oman National Transport Company (ONTC) operates buses to and from Muscat twice a day. The journey takes around 2.5 hours.

Local transport in Nizwa

The easiest way to get around Nizwa is through taxis or if you rent your own car. It is very easy to get a taxi or a shared taxi. However, Buses are normally only used to travel from one city to another.

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Nizwa Photos

Nizwa, Oman
Streets in Nizwa during sunset
Nizwas enormous fort
Nizwa souk

+ 31
photos

FAQs on Nizwa

What is the best time to visit Nizwa?

The best time to visit Nizwa is anytime between September to March. March-May is the spring season in Oman, and the temperature range is from 43°C and 31°C with no rainfall. March is one of the busiest times in Oman and hence, you need to book your holiday beforehand if you are planning to visit Nizwa during March. The winter season of Nizwa is between October and March. During this time, temperatures vary between 24-26 degree Celcius. Sometimes it rains during the winter, but typically precipitation levels are low in Nizwa. June-August, the summer months are scorching and arid with temperatures touching 50-degree Celsius. Tourism is the slowest due to the uncomfortable weather conditions. Also, there’s no rainfall during this time in Oman. September-November is humid and windy, and hence, several travellers can be seen having a good time in Nizwa during the fall season. The daily temperature highs range between 41°C and 29°C. December and January are the busiest in Nizwa. The average temperature stays between 31°C and 25°C. Also, this is the busiest time in Oman so, you need to plan your itinerary to ignore last-minute price surge.
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What is the local food in Nizwa?

Untouched by outside influences, the local food thrives in this small town. The best Omani food is found at Bin Ateeq Restaurant in Nizwa. A popular dish among tourists here is shark meat with coconut milk and rice. At Bin Ateeq, you will enjoy your food in Omani style: in "majilis" (sitting rooms), on the ground. Another restaurant you can go to enjoy Omani food is the Marsa Alsaiyaad Fish and Seafood. You will have to wait 30 minutes as they will be cooking fresh fish. You should also try various meat skewers you can buy at the souqs; these are very popular in Nizwa. At the souq, there are a variety of spices that you can buy such as saffron, chillies, turmeric, etc.
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What is the best way to reach Nizwa?

In order to reach Nizwa, you will have to fly into Muscat and then either drive or take a bus to Nizwa
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What are the things to do in Nizwa?

The top things to do in Nizwa are Jebel Akhdar, Nizwa Fort, Jabreen Castle, Tanuf Ruins, Nizwa Souq, Wadi Ghul. You can see all the places to visit in Nizwa here

What are the places near Nizwa?

The top places near to Nizwa are Muscat which is 115 km from Nizwa, Bahla which is located 22 km from Nizwa, Barka which is located 93 km from Nizwa, Dubai which is located 343 km from Nizwa, Al suwaiq which is located 105 km from Nizwa

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