Barka is one of the most important towns in Oman, thanks to its strategic location along the coast of the Sea of Oman. The town boasts beautiful landscapes and is rich in tourist attractions, making it a popular destination for visitors both from within and outside the Sultanate. This popularity has led to numerous infrastructure projects, resulting in the spread of restaurants, cafes, hotels, and many other essential and recreational facilities that cater to visitors of Barka.
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Key Highlights
- Strategic location overlooking the Sea of Oman
- An ideal residential area with stunning nature and pleasant climate
- A wide range of restaurants, cafes, and hotels
- One of Oman’s significant agricultural areas
- A well-known industrial hub
Location of Barka
Barka is a town in the South Al Batinah Governorate of Oman. It lies along the coastal strip of the Sea of Oman and is considered the gateway to the Al Batinah region. Barka is approximately 85 km away from the capital, Muscat.
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Surrounding Areas
Barka is bordered by the town of Seeb to the east, Al Musannah to the west, and the towns of Wadi Al Maawil and Nakhal to the south, while the Sea of Oman lies to its north.
Top Attractions Near Barka
Barka is surrounded by many fascinating places, especially archaeological sites and beautiful tourist spots. Some of the prominent landmarks include:
- Barka Fort – 11 minutes away
- Al Fulaij Fort – 13 minutes away
- Bait Al Naman – 16 minutes away
- Dimaniyat Islands Nature Reserve – 15 minutes away
Transportation in Barka
Barka is important for tourism, industry, and agriculture, which is why it has a well-developed infrastructure consisting of several main and secondary roads. Taxis are widely available, and bus lines cover most parts of Barka.
Barka’s Location on the Map
Overview of Barka
History of Barka
Like many regions in Oman, Barka is rich in historical heritage with sites that date back centuries, including forts, towers, and tourist attractions. Notable examples include Barka Fort overlooking the sea, Al Fulaij Fort, and Bait Al Naman. The town also has approximately 38 towers.
Characteristics of Barka
Barka is famous for several traditional industries, including handicrafts like “Manajir” making and palm leaf crafts such as rope, baskets, and incense burners. It also has a specialized incense shop and is known for cane crafting, decorating them with suitable colors, and silver embellishments. Additionally, Barka is famous for producing Omani sweets, with notable factories like Barka Omani Sweets Factory, as well as gold and silver crafting, fabric weaving, leather tanning, carpentry, and blacksmithing.
Barka’s commercial activity has flourished since ancient times; it hosts the old Barka market, a fish market, and a vegetable and fruit market, all located near Barka Fort along the coastal strip. In the modern era, there are several commercial centers and complexes, including Lulu Hypermarket, Al Meera Hypermarket, Al Kawthar Shopping Center, and Al Kifaya for shopping. Barka Mall and Dragon Market are among the well-known shopping centers.
Many residents rely on agriculture, producing a variety of crops such as dates, citrus fruits, vegetables, and pulses. Livestock farming, including camels, horses, cows, and goats, is also common. Barka is particularly known for producing tomatoes, various vegetables, mangoes, lemons, and citrus fruits like oranges and quince, along with watermelon, melon, palm dates, and cereals such as wheat and barley. Pulses are also a key product, meeting local needs and being exported beyond the Sultanate.
Essential and Recreational Facilities in Barka
Barka features a range of essential facilities that match its economic significance. Its status as a major tourist destination has led to the spread of recreational sites like tourist restaurants, cafes, hotels, and various shops and markets that provide all necessities. The town is surrounded by essential services such as hospitals and schools that offer education for all stages and are accessible within minutes by car.
Restaurants
| Restaurant Name | Cuisine Type |
| Al Ikhwa Grills and Drinks | Grills |
| Post Burger | Fast Food |
| Al Bayt Al Hyderabadi | Asian |
| Mabela Garden | Fast Food |
| Al Salhi Seafood Restaurant | Seafood |
| Qasr Al Fateer & Grills | Traditional |
| Musa Al Balushi Restaurant | Traditional |
| Yellow Burger | Fast Food |
| Al Fawane Modern Restaurant | Fast Food |
| Pakistani Chicken Restaurant | Asian |
| The Good Grace Restaurant | Healthy |
Cafes
- Coffee Day
- Marina Café
- Aventos
- Juice Time Barka
- Karak Time
- Flame Café
- Costa Café
- Sahar Al Sharq Café
- Afaq Café
- Chili Café
- Ramat Mountain Café
Markets and Shops
- Tilal Shopping Center
- Mazra’ Al Haradi Grocery
- Ajmal Perfumes Store
- Kaju & Joz Store
- Saeed Bin Hamood Al Shaqsi Mill
- Al Malekiah Shopping Center
- Al Miyar Store
- Al Badr Shopping Center
- Sheikh Shopping Center
- International Arabian Perfumes
- Al Sahwa Shopping Center
Parks and Gardens
- Aquafen Water Park
- Barka Park: 12 minutes away
- Al Naseem Park: 27 minutes away
Schools and Universities
- Balaghat Al Rabeea School for Basic Education
- Al Basit School
- Al Takween Private Schools
- Al Amal School
- Abdullah Bin Wahb School
- Indian School
- Al Burj Private School
- Bait Aseem Al Rameedi School
- Little Angels School: 6 minutes away
- New World International School: 24 minutes away
- Oman University: 24 minutes away
Hospitals and Clinics
- Starcare Hospital Barka: 9 minutes away
- Badr Al Samaa Hospital Barka: 10 minutes away
- Al Naseem Health Center: 17 minutes away
- Al Shomoos Medical Center: 6 minutes away
- Al Riffa Hospital: 33 minutes away
Hotels and Resorts
- Barka Hotel
- The Sisson Inn
- Bait Al Suwaidi Hotel
- Al Mukarramat Rest House
- Al Reef Rest House
- Alia Hotel: 16 minutes away
- Jawharat Ramees Resort: 25 minutes away
Beaches
- Barka Beach
- Al Shakhakheet Beach: 30 minutes away
- Al Manouma Beach: 28 minutes away
- Seeb Beach: 36 minutes away
Historical Landmarks
- Al Naman Castle
- Al Ramees Castle
- Nakhal Castle: 33 minutes away
Other Landmarks
- Al Naman Services Office
- Old Wali’s Office
- Barka Municipality: 10 minutes away
- Social Development Department in Barka: 10 minutes away
- Public Prosecution Court: 10 minutes away
- Public Authority for Electricity and Water in Barka: 12 minutes away
- Al Rafd Fund: 11 minutes away
- Barka Park: 12 minutes away
Real Estate in Barka
Apartments are the most popular real estate type in Barka due to their advantages and the upscale nature of the area. The most advertised apartment types for sale on OpenSooq are categorized as follows:
| Feature | Description |
| Number of Rooms | 1, 2, or 3 bedrooms |
| Number of Bathrooms | 1 or 2 bathrooms |
| Floors | First, Second, Third |
| Furnishing Status | Furnished or Unfurnished |
| Payment Method | Cash or Installments |
For more options, you can explore the listings for apartments for sale in Barka or apartments for rent in Barka on OpenSooq.
Barka is approximately 85 km away from Muscat.
Barka features historical sites such as Barka Fort, Al Fulaij Fort, and Bait Al Naman.
Barka is known for producing tomatoes, various vegetables, mangoes, lemons, and citrus fruits.
Yes, Barka has several beaches, including Barka Beach and Al Manouma Beach.
Apartments for sale in Barka are available on the OpenSooq platform.
