Nizwa & Wahiba Sands: Fortress, souk and desert camps in Oman

Nizwa – the cultural heart of Oman

Nizwa is one of Oman's highlights that you shouldn't miss. Even from afar, the ochre-colored dome of the mosque and the jagged walls of the mighty fortress catch the eye. Nizwa Fort is the largest castle in the country and was supposedly built around 1650 in just twelve years.

My tip: The light on the old town, built of clay, is particularly beautiful at sunset. The warm colors of the walls then appear almost surreal.

Souk & Animal Market – A Journey into the Past

An absolute highlight in Nizwa is the souk – and especially the traditional animal market. Every Friday morning, sheep and goats are traded here. Men in long robes pull the animals behind them, traders haggle loudly, and spectators stand in a circle. It feels like stepping back in time several centuries.

Not necessarily a pleasant sight for animal rights activists, but for photographers an intense and authentic experience.

My tip: Getting up early is worth it. The light at the animal auction is particularly brilliant in the early morning.

Click on the first image to start the photo gallery of the cattle market:

Traditional performance in the fortress

The highlight is the cattle market on Friday morning.

It feels like a journey through time.

You should definitely plan a stroll through the souk: Here you will find artistic silver jewelry, spices and an impressive selection of dates – many of them refined with spices or nuts.

Overnight stay in Nizwa

Antique Inn Nizwa

The Antique Inn is located in the heart of the old town, just steps from the fortress. All the sights are easily accessible on foot. The rooms are traditionally furnished, many with small hatches instead of windows. Breakfast and dinner are served on the rooftop terrace, overlooking a palm grove and the fortress. https://sites.google.com/view/antique-inn-nizwa/

Food in Nizwa

Al Kattara Restaurant

The Kattara Restaurant at the Old Town Hotel Nizwa is particularly appealing due to its location. Dine on the rooftop terrace with views of the fortress and the mosque. It's especially atmospheric in the evenings – reservations are recommended. Tel.: +968 7737 6886

Find more blog posts about Oman here

Off to the desert: Wahiba Sands

Imagine spending the night in a Bedouin tent in the middle of the desert.

The stars twinkle above you, the campfire crackles, and camels rest outside.

In the early morning, shortly after sunrise, you ride them across the orange sand dunes. No other tourists, no cars – just silence, sand, and sky.

The Wahiba Sands desert may not be particularly large, but it offers exactly what one hopes for in a desert experience. Camels are bred here for racing, sometimes fetching very high prices.

Best time to travel: October to March. From April onwards it gets extremely hot.

Click on the first image to start the photo gallery:

Endless expanse: The Wahiba Sands desert

Traditional coffee brewed over a fire

The atmosphere is beautiful at sunset.

Desert camps in the Wahiba Sands

The selection of campsites is vast and constantly changing – new ones appear, others disappear. A general recommendation is therefore difficult. However, two accommodations impressed me:

Nomadic Desert Camp

An authentic camp run by Bedouins. You'll stay in huts made of palm branches, camel treks are available, and the experience is clearly the main focus. https://www.nomadicdesertcamp.com/

Canvas Club – private glamping

The luxurious option: a private glamping experience just for you. You'll reach your own tent, reminiscent of "1001 Nights," by camel. There's a bathing tent, a living tent, and a team to take care of everything. https://www.canvascluboman.com/en/glamping

Here a video from the livestock market in Nizwa: