AL BATINAH
Al Batinah governorate is an expansive coastal area that hosts a fertile agricultural plain that extends along the coast and extends over its lands agricultural fields and population centers. In this governorate are distributed many castles, forts, fences and ancient villages, the most famous of which is Sohar Fort and the forts in Shinas, Liwa, Saham, Al Khabourah and As Suwayq. Al Batinah North Governorate has a very vital geographical location extending along the southern coast of the Sea of Oman.
HISTORIC SIGHTS, OMAN
Dotted with historic sights and breath-taking scenery, South Al Batinah is considered the green belt of Oman with most of the country’s fresh produce harvested on plantations in the area.
South Al Batinah Governorate is a home to many beautiful wadis and villages, such as Wadi Mistal and Wakan Village, and attractions such as Nakhal Fort and the hot springs of Ain Al Thowara. It includes six districts: Al Rustaq, Al Awabi, Nakhal, Wadi Al Maawil, Barka and Al Musanaah.
Al Batinah North governorate is an expansive coastal area that hosts a fertile agricultural plain that extends along the coast and extends over its lands agricultural fields and population centers. In this governorate are distributed many castles, forts, fences and ancient villages, the most famous of which is Sohar Fort and the forts in Shinas, Liwa, Saham, Al Khabourah and As Suwayq. Al Batinah North Governorate has a very vital geographical location extending along the southern coast of the Sea of Oman.
HERE THE PLACES TO VISIT IN AL BATINAH
Snake Gorge
Snake Gorge is located halfway through Wadi Bani Awf, a wadi that crosses the Al Hajar mountain range; and it was named for the many snakes.-like bends, it is a destination for many visitors who come especially for adventure. as they cross the gorge on foot, across various boulders and water pools. Given the required level of fitness, those wishing to explore it are asked to arrange a guide
Al Maysar Falaj
Al Maysar Falaj has been included in List of World Heritage Sites in Oman by UNESCO. It is an exciting experience to walk along the Falaj during its moving and passing among residential areas and fields towards the huge Al Rustaq Fort.
Wadi Bani Kharus
Wadi Bani Kharus has been a center of civilization and agricultural advancement in Oman for more than hundreds of years. The high mountains on both sides of the Wadi are composed of limestone formations that range from 90 million years old at the entrance of the Wadi to 600 million years in the distant parts of the Wadi
Al Masnaah Fort
Al Masnaah Fort, which overlooks the sea, is located in Al Masnaah, an exceptional fort on the Al Batinah Coast, as it was built with rocks brought from distant mountains. The fort was built in the late 1800s, and the defenses of the main building and the two opposite gun towers were reinforced diagonally by a fortified wall containing a number of additional buildings
Wadi Haqain
This wadi is an easy and relaxing offroad drive featuring some nice water crossings and a magnificent castle at the end. Technically very easy, it compensates the so-so thrilling with some ruins ready to be explored and the newly renovated Al Hazm fort at the end, where you can recover and listen to some Arabic stories.
Wadi Bani Hani
A little gap in the Al Hajar mountains, barely visible from the main road between Al Awabi and Al Rustaq, reveals the entrance to Wadi Bani Hani. Crossing this mountainous wadi is an adventure for experienced off-roaders only.
Al Rustaq
The massive Al Rustaq Fort, a much older fort dating back to the 13th century, is near the city market and be can be seen from the surrounding hills. The fort is cradled by four tall towers, the tallest being more than 18 meters tall. The fort also has its own falaj water system within it. Both Al Rustaq Fort and Al Hazm Castle are included in the Tentative List to be nominated for the UNESCO World Heritage List. Unfortunately, they were both also closed for renovations during our visit (with typically no foreseen re-opening dates!), but if you climb up the mountain overlooking Rustaq you can see amazing views of the city and Al Rustaq Fort as it is clearly the most dominant feature of the landscape.
Wakan village
Located 2,000 meters above sea level and in the Western Hajar Mountains is Wakan village, a small mountain village with beautiful terraced gardens overlooking the surrounding mountains above and Wadi Mistal below. Wakan village is officially part of Wilayt Nakhal in the South Batinah Governorate, although its located right in the border with Al Dakhiliyah Governorate through Al Hajar mountain range.
A viewing platform is the first sight that greets you as soon as you enter the village. It offers spectacular views of Wadi Mistal and the surrounding mountains. There is also a visitors information center building which is still not opened.
A viewing platform is the first sight that greets you as soon as you enter the village. It offers spectacular views of Wadi Mistal and the surrounding mountains. There is also a visitors information center building which is still not opened.
Wadi Al Abyad
Wadi Al Abyad is a wadi located in Nakhal, in the South Al Batinah region of Oman. The name of the wadi is in reference to the white color of its water pools, which is likely due to carbonate rocks in the region (although to our own eyes, they just looked like normal colored pools but hey that is the justification for the name).Wadi Al Abyad is an easily accessible wadi that can be reached from Muscat in under an hour (depending where you start). The wadi offers its visitors a nice trekking path, some fresh water pools and many plants and palms on both sides of the wadi, making it a nice place for an easy hike or for families to picnic on a nice day.
Bait Na’aman Castle
Rather more interesting than Barka’s fort is the beautiful old fortified house of Bait Na’aman. The unusually tall and narrow house, with alternating square and round towers, is thought to have been constructed around 1691–92 by imam Bil’arab bin Sultan (or possibly his brother, and successor as imam, Saif bin Sultan), and was used by both imams during their visits to the area. According to one tradition, this is also where Sultan Said bin Sultan murdered his unpopular predecessor Badr bin Saif in 1806 with a single blow from his khanjar. The entire building was beautifully restored in 1991.
Sohar Souq
Overlooking the Sea of Oman, the new historic Sohar Souq is less than 300 meters north of Sohar Fort. Arabic decorations and exquisite interiors give a shine to the Souq that you can visit whenever you come to Sohar. Various cafes are located in both the ground floor and upstairs.
Wadi Al Hawasnah
Set between the coastal Wilayat of Al Khabourah and Ibri, Wadi Al Hawasnah impresses with its mix of natural water pools, ancient forts and geological surprises such as mountains of Ophiolite rock.
Wadi Al Jizzi
Wadi Al Jizzi connects Al Batinah Coast to Al Buraimi, it is one of the oldest passages that crosses the Northern Oman Mountains. It was well known as a mining center for copper production in Oman. Today, it is famous for its rock formations from which copper is extracted. Pillow lavas (volcanic) are less than 35 km southwest of the main intersection with Sohar-Al Buraimi Road, and it overlooks the old road east of AS SUHAYLAH village. About 95 million years ago, this magma cooled at the bottom of the ocean and allowed people to enjoy the amazing formations and turn back millions of years.
Al Khabourah Castle
The Al Khabourah Castle, one of the top tourist destinations in the Sultanate, is ready to receive visitors again.
The restoration and rehabilitation of the castle, located little less than 2 km from the main centre of Suhar and close to the Sea of Oman, has been completed under the care of Ministry of Heritage and Culture. The renovation has included restoration of a collapsed wall, apart from the maintenance of the castle’s rooms, entrances and towers, and electrification and other public facilities.
The restoration and rehabilitation of the castle, located little less than 2 km from the main centre of Suhar and close to the Sea of Oman, has been completed under the care of Ministry of Heritage and Culture. The renovation has included restoration of a collapsed wall, apart from the maintenance of the castle’s rooms, entrances and towers, and electrification and other public facilities.
Sohar Fort
Built in the 13th century, Sohar’s distinctive square-towered fort allegedly boasts a 10km tunnel intended as an escape route during a siege. Easier to find is the small museum in the fort’s tower, which outlines local history, and the tomb of Sayyid Thuwaini Bin Sultan Al Busaid, ruler of Oman from 1856 to 1866. The fort has recently been well restored, with several rooms furnished to give an idea of military life in 19th-century Oman.
Liwa Castle
With its sand coloured walls and towering position above the village of Liwa, Liwa Castle is a stunning attraction well worth the visit. Just north of Sohar, Liwa village is set within green palm plantations, making the castle stand out even more.
Wadi Hibi
Wadi Hibi is located about 80km from Sohar and meanders between rugged mountains and date palms. Its main attractions are the fort, which has two large courtyards, as well as its many natural water pools.
OTHER OMAN REGIONS
MUSCAT
MUSANDAM
DHOFAR
AL WUSTA
AL BURAIMI
A’SHARQIYAH
A’DHAHIRAH
A’DAKHILIYAH
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