Muscat
Muscat is the capital and largest city of Oman. The city was
once three towns which overtime have grown together to form the
city. Having undergone much urbanisation and infrastructural
development the city is dominated by the trade industry, however
there are several activities on offer to visitors in Muscat such as
scuba diving, rock climbing, night safaris and Dolphin spotting.
The Grande mosque is situated in the heart of the city and is the
third largest mosque in the world. The mosque is open for
non-Muslim tourists to explore which gives an understanding to the
religion and culture of the Arabian people. There are many
traditional markets and modern shopping malls in and around the
city to buy souvenirs and gifts.
Bahla
Bahla is a small ancient town in Oman which has become a known
World Heritage site. The remains of Bahla fort is situated above
the village and has not been restored over the years in an attempt
to keep it as original as possible. The town is guarded by a seven
mile wall which was constructed years ago to use as a defensive
mechanism. The town is particularly known for its pottery making
and much of this is sold at pottery souks which take place in the
town centre.
Jebel Akhdar
Also known as 'The green mountain' in Arabic, the Jebel Akhdar
is part of the Al Hajar mountain range which is situated inland
along the Gulf of Oman coast. As one of the most popular tourist
destinations in Oman, the mountain range is comprised of lush green
valleys that accommodate the small peaceful mountain villages of
Bani Habib and Sharijah. The mountains are one of the most scenic
places in the country and with a warm climate all year round and
friendly local people, tourism is booming.
Salalah
Among the southern region of Oman lies the fertile city of
Salalah, it experiences four months of monsoon rain (Khareef) a
year making the land rich with plants, trees, waterfalls and
streams. As Salalah is situated along the coast it has several
unspoilt beaches which during the summer months offer scuba diving,
canoeing, sailing and jet skiing. The city is also known for the
Al-Balid ruins which years ago were the city of Zafar. The city
port is used for industry and trade and is a good entry point to
Africa, the Middle East and India.
Sohar
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Oman, Sohar is a
coastal city which is most famously known as the birth place of
Sinbad the Sailor and has a strong sailing and fishing history. The
Sohar fort which dates back to around 1st century AD is one of the
most famous landmarks of the city.
Nizwa
Located in the heart of Oman and only an hour and a half away
from Muscat, Nizwa is a city which was once the capital of Oman in
ancient times and is renowned for its historical monuments,
handicrafts, agricultural produce and gold and silver. The city is
another location in Oman that holds a World Heritage site in the
form of the Falaj Daris, an ancient water management system that is
still in use today. Nizwa is a good place to start if you want to
visit the mountain ranges in the northern part of the country. The
city has a prime location of forming a crossroad link between
Muscat and the lower regions of Dhofar.
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