10 Fantastic Things To Do In Nizwa, Oman - Updated 2024

Things to do in Nizwa
Adrian Chew
Adrian Chew 
Updated
| 5 min read

Muscat is not the only destination in Oman. If you plan to explore further in this country, you need to travel and visit each of the cities and towns in Oman. If you have been to Muscat but not other parts of the country, then it is time to spend your vacation in Nizwa. The city is well-known for its fort, ancient ruins as well as the majestic mountain. Time to set foot on a new destination and get off the beaten track.

1. Birkat Al Mouz Ruins (from USD 556.0)

Another notable ruin you need to check out is Birkat Al Mouz Ruins. Apart from the ruins, the historical buildings nearby are also worth visiting. Although it is an ancient village, there are still some locals living here. The longest falaj system in the country is also located here. There are banana and date plantations in the surrounding areas. It is indeed an oasis.

Book the “Cool and Green Garden Tour” and you will get to know more about the ruins from your tour guide. Your guide will fetch you from your accommodation in Muscat and you will board a 4WD vehicle to the historic village. Time for another adventure!

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Cool and Green Garden Tour from Muscat

Duration: 8 hours

2. Al Masharef Turkish

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you are looking for kebabs, then you should go to Al Masharef Turkish Restaurant. Kids will also like the food here as the half roast chicken is delicious and you will want to order those refreshing fresh juices too. If you plan to dine here, do come early as this restaurant is very popular among locals and the place is usually full of diners.

Al Masharef Turkish

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday (8am-12am)

Facebook: Al Masharef Turkish

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3. Peppercorns Restaurant

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Surprisingly you will come across an Indian restaurant in Nizwa. It is indeed rare to find such a restaurant in Oman. Get ready to spice up your taste buds with a mix of Indian and Omani cuisines. Among the dishes you must order are mutton masala, kadai chicken as well as parathas with dal tadka. The good thing about this restaurant is not just the food, but its service and cozy environment.

Peppercorns Restaurant

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday (8am-11pm)

Facebook: Peppercorns Restaurant

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4. Hungry Bunnys Restaurant

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you are looking for a restaurant where your kids can go and eat, then Hungry Bunnys is the place to go. It is strategically located in Nizwa and you can find the restaurant with ease since it has a unique logo with a bunny on it. While having your meal here, you can let your kids have some fun at the children play area. Everything is freshly cooked and you do not need to worry about the quality of food.

Hungry Bunnys Restaurant

Address: Nizwa Main Road Near Farq Roundabout, P O Box 1771, Muscat 130, Oman

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday (10am-2am)

Facebook: Hungry Bunnys Restaurant

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5. Nizwa Fort

Nizwa Fort, Oman (4324068259)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user yeowatzup used under CC BY 2.0

This particular attraction is one of the main landmarks of Nizwa. Your trip is not complete without a tour of the historic fort. Take a look at the picture above and you will be awed by the size of the fort. The tour guide will fetch you from your hotel in Muscat and you will travel together on a minibus or a coach to the mentioned destination.

Nizwa was once a major trading hub. It also used to be the capital city of Oman. Along the way you will pass by a few towns, mountains and palm groves. So, sit back and enjoy the beautiful scenery from your vehicle. Once you reach the fort, you will get to tour around the fort and take some photos. There are many courtyards and towers to see within the fort and you will have a great day. The 17th-century fort will offer you a memorable experience of the city while on vacation.

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6. Jebel Akhdar (from USD 174.0)

things to do in nizwa | jebel akhdar

The main attraction in the city of Nizwa is the Jebel Akhdar Mountain. You do not want to miss the excitement of scenic views from the top while you are here. There is one particular tour you should book to enjoy it to the fullest. Book the day tour to the Green Mountain and you will be in for a surprise. Capture your most memorable moments while you are at Jebel Akhdar. The tour guide will fetch you from either the Port of Muscat or your hotel in Muscat.

You will travel in a 4WD vehicle to visit Jebel Akhdar. The magnificent views of the villages from the mountain are totally breathtaking. There are various villages across the Hajar Mountains. You might wonder what the locals do for a living - they plant various nuts and fruits in the surrounding area as the moisture is ideal for agriculture.

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From Muscat: Jebel Akhdar the Green Mountain Tour

Duration: 8.0 hour

6 reviews

7. Nizwa Grand Mall

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The weather in Nizwa is rather hot and if you need to cool down, head over to the shopping mall in the city center. There are more than 65 retail outlets in Nizwa Grand Mall and you can take your time to look around and visit the stores. Before you enter the mall, take some snapshots of the mall. Its architecture is magnificent and you rarely see such unique buildings in other places.

Kids will also have fun here as there are various entertainment and play areas in the mall. For souvenir hunters, this place is worth checking out and who knows, you might find something to bring back home.

Nizwa Grand Mall

Address: Nizwa, Oman

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday (8am-12am)

Website: Nizwa Grand Mall

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8. Oman Trekking Guides

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you are interested in trekking or go on a trekking tour, then you should book your tour through Oman Trekking Guides. There are various activities you can enjoy. Among them are rock climbing, canyoning and swimming. Choose the guides that you prefer but they are subject to availability. There are options for locals or Western guides. Besides that, you can either choose English or French speaking professional guides.

Kindly refer to the website for details and as always, you need to book in advance. You will get to see more than just mountains with these guided tours.

Oman Trekking Guides

Website: Oman Trekking Guides

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9. Tanuf Ruins

Tanuf-Ruins
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Harri J used under CC BY 2.0

Ancient and historic ruins are common in Oman. There are many such ruins in Nizwa too. The ruins are located between two cities, Bahla and Nizwa. It is not just an ordinary ruin as the entire place used to be a village. The locals used to stay at the village but after the 1950s Jabal Akhdar Wars, the entire village was destroyed. It was later abandoned by the villagers as they moved to other places. Did you know that this village is also famous for its mineral water bottling plant? It is located near the historic ruins.

If you come here, remember to bring your camera. You need to snap pictures of the ruins while walking around the village. Apart from that, you can see magnificent views of the mountain from here.

Tanuf Ruins

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday (24 hours)

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10. Desert Camels Adventure Tour (from 349 USD)

Camels tour
Source: Pixabay

Riding on a camel and exploring the desert in Oman is a must for everyone. Embark on an exciting trip to the vast desert land. You should book “The Best of Oman” tour to experience nomad living in Nizwa. You get to see more of the city of Nizwa with this tour, so do not miss the excitement and opportunity to do so. The Wahiba Desert is the best place to see the scenic views of the surrounding area. Of course, you need to hop on a camel too and not just enjoy your ride from a 4WD vehicle.

Kids should also come along, as they will have fun with the camels. If you are interested in this tour, book your tour in advance to avoid disappointment.

Desert Camels Adventure Tour

Duration: About 2 days

Price: from 349 USD

Website:

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More than just camels and deserts

Nizwa (7)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Andries Oudshoorn used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Nizwa is not just another city where you go for camel rides or exploring its deserts. It is much more than that. You will find various restaurants and get to try Middle-Eastern cuisine. Besides that, the shopping mall, ancient ruins and its nature of wonders are not like other parts of the Middle East.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Adrian, originally hailing from the small town of Muar in Johor, Malaysia, was born and raised there. Following his parents' marriage, he made the transition to Kuala Lumpur and now resides in...Read more

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