Guide to Nizwa City in Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate, Oman - Area Guide

Nizwa is part of the Nizwa Wilayat located in the Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate, which is approximately 164 kilometers from the capital of Oman, Muscat. It serves as the capital and center of the wilayat and is one of the most important cities in Oman. Nizwa is distinguished by its strategic location, making it a connecting point between this region and other important areas and states. It is also a significant economic and commercial center. Interestingly, it was once considered the capital of Oman during Islamic times and was referred to as the “Egg of Islam” due to its prominent culture and intellect, along with the vast number of scholars and historians it housed. In 2015, it was chosen as the Capital of Islamic Culture by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO).

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Key Points

Important location and a connecting point between many areas
A distinctive residential area due to its beautiful nature and pleasant atmosphere
Only 164 kilometers away from the Omani capital
A very important economic and commercial center
A wide variety of restaurants and cafes
Diverse commercial shops and markets
Abundance of essential facilities such as hospitals and schools
Apartments for sale in various sizes and options

Location of Nizwa

Nizwa can be accessed from the Omani capital, Muscat, by traveling a distance of no more than 164 kilometers. The wilayat is surrounded by numerous villages and also includes the Green Mountain region. It can be administratively divided into the city of Nizwa, which serves as its main center, the Green Mountain neighborhood, and the Baraka Al-Mawz neighborhood.

Nizwa‘s Location on The Map

Surrounding Areas of Nizwa

Al-Ghubrah: Located to the south of Nizwa.
Tanuf: Situated to the north of Nizwa.
Bahla: Known as the City of Magic, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and is home to several towers, such as the Wind Tower, the Irrigation Tower, and Bahla Fort, located to the west of Nizwa.
Al-Mu’tamir: Situated to the south of Nizwa.
Baraka Al-Mawz: Located to the east of Nizwa, named for the gathering of water from the surrounding valleys, which created a fertile basin for agriculture and tree growth, particularly banana trees, which the locals preferred to cultivate for their rapid growth and nutritional benefits.
Green Mountain: Located to the north of the city, it is one of the highest mountains in the Arabian Gulf, rising 3,000 meters and covering an area of 300 square kilometers.
Al-Ain Neighborhood: Located to the northwest of Nizwa.
Taimas: Situated to the south of Nizwa.
Nizwa: Located to the north of Nizwa Wilayat.
Minh: Located to the south of Nizwa.
Al-Daris Neighborhood: Located to the north of Nizwa.

Notable Attractions Near Nizwa

There are many wonderful places to visit near Nizwa, including various markets, museums, and landmarks, such as:

Nizwa Fort: 2.3 kilometers
Nizwa Gate: 4.8 kilometers
Bait Al-Sarooj: 66.26 kilometers
Nizwa Tourist Carriages: 2.2 kilometers
Carrefour Nizwa Grand Mall: 5.07 kilometers

Transportation in Nizwa

There are numerous bus stops throughout Nizwa to facilitate transportation for residents. Here’s an overview of the key stops and stations:

Salalah Line Transport
Nizwa Bus Stand
Firqa Transport
Firqa Traffic Line
Nizwa Market 3
Wilayat Surroundings for Transport

About Nizwa

History of Nizwa

Nizwa is characterized by its ancient heritage and historical significance, being one of the oldest cities in Oman. Today, it is known for its many historical tourist sites that attract visitors from various places.

Advantages of Living in Nizwa

Nizwa combines sophistication, development, and historical significance. It features numerous archaeological sites, including forts, mosques, castles, and ancient towers, with Nizwa Fort and Falaj Daris being among its most notable landmarks. Additionally, it includes Nizwa University, and it was celebrated as the Capital of Islamic Culture in 2015. The climate in the wilayat is generally hot in summer and tends to be cooler in winter, accompanied by rainfall. The Green Mountain region has a special and distinct climate compared to other areas of the wilayat, enjoying mild summer weather and very cold winters with rainfall.

Basic and Recreational Facilities in Nizwa

Fortunately, there are must-visit places for dining and celebrating with family and friends in Nizwa, along with upscale cafes for enjoyable gatherings. The area is rich in shopping centers and stores catering to various needs, including clothing stores, salons, electronics stores, furniture stores, supermarkets, and more. Here’s an overview of the main facilities in the area:

Restaurants and Cafes

Restaurants

Restaurant Name	Type of Food
Marsa Al-Sayyad Grilled Fish & Seafood	Seafood
Al-Masharif Turkish Restaurant	Turkish
Al-Dahli Restaurant	Varied
Bahjat Al-Sham	Varied
BBQ Nation Nizwa	Grilled
Boom Burger	Burger
Love Pepper Restaurant	Indian
Al-Aqar Al-Shaabi Restaurant	Traditional
Nizwa Al-Khayr Restaurant	Varied
Al-Minhaj Guesthouse Restaurant	Turkish, Indian, Arabic
Jalapeno	Mexican
Flaviano	Varied
My Thai	Thai
Royal Nizwa Restaurant	Varied
Pakistani Restaurant	Pakistani
Arab World Restaurant	Varied
Chili House Grand Mall	Varied
Al-Hudhud Turkish Cuisine	Turkish
Al-Barma Turkish Restaurant	Turkish
McDonald’s	Fast Food
Pizza House Firqa Nizwa	Pizza

Cafes

Taj Ad Dakhiliyah Café
Zawaya Café
Tea City
Sweet Tea
Gym Café
Coffee Shop
Al-Wijdan Café
Al-Wuhjan Café
Wonder Tea
Nile Café
City Café
Abwab Al-Majd Café
Raviya Kunafa
Tea Time
Atyaf Dhuhr

Malls and Markets

Malls

Carrefour Nizwa Mall
Nizwa Grand Mall
Nizwa Mall
Nizwa Plaza

Markets

Nizwa Central Market
Mukhtar Gift Shops
Nizwa Livestock Market
New National Gift and Shopping Markets
Al-Qaria Markets
Abu Iyad Al-Mandhari Trading
Al-Ridha Gift Markets
Arabic Bread Bakeries and Markets
Lulu Hypermarket
Nizwa Fruit and Vegetable Center

Parks and Recreation Areas

Falaj Daris Park
Al-Ghubrah Park
Al-Ghubrah Park
Ostrich Park
Nizwa Water Park
Ostrich Garden
Wadina Water Park
Al-Qamar Oasis

Schools and Universities

Areej Knowledge Private School
Al-Afaq Private School
Future Pioneer Private School
Al-Bushra Private School
Al-Rafidain Quran Memorization School
Hafsa bint Omar Basic Education School
Smart Student Center
Nizwa University

Hospitals and Clinics

Basmat Nizwa Medical Complex
Nile Medical Complex
Global Life Medical Center
Al-Hidhfa Medical Complex
Badr Al-Sama Hospital
Firqa Health Center
Nizwa Central Hospital
Finnish Eye Center
Daris Medical Center
Tala Clinic
Oxygen Dental Center

Hotels

Golden Tulip Nizwa
Intercity Nizwa
Aylah Green Mountain
Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort
Antique Inn Nizwa
Al-Dira Hotel
Nizwa Heritage Inn
Majan Rest House
Sihab Resort & Spa

Historical Landmarks

Nizwa Fort: Considered one of the oldest tourist attractions in Nizwa, characterized by its massive towers and heritage design, it is renowned for its fort-like buildings.
Bait Al-Radida Fort: Features architecture that blends defensive and traditional styles, and it is traversed by the Al-Khatmeen Falaj, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Nizwa Fort: The most important archaeological landmark in the city, built during the reign of Salit bin Malik, it served as the governor’s residence and includes a mosque where many scholars of the Arabic language and jurisprudence graduated. It has been restored due to its significance and status and still exists today as an educational institute named after Sultan Qaboos.