There are numerous sites to visit in Oman. Three places come to mind when you have time to discover more than Muscat.
Whether you get lost in a traditional village or learn about Omani history at a museum, below are three places to explore Oman’s cultural triangle. Get lost in Birkat Al Mouz, Misfat Al Abriyyin, and Nizwa.
Birkat Al Mouz
One option is to drive approximately an hour and a half from Muscat to Birkat Al Mouz to visit the ruins. Here you’ll find an ancient city with traditional mud homes.
It feels like you’ve stepped back in time, and it is easy to wander through the small passages and decide which area could have been a souq or parts of a home. I’ve been four times and I always notice something new.
You can grab a coffee or juice at Bait Al Sabah Heritage Inn and Cafe, which also offers nice views of the old settlement.
Misfat Al Abriyyin: Oman’s cultural triangle
If you want to visit a traditional village, drive for one hour from Birkat Al Mouz until you reach Misfat Al Abriyyin. This is one of my favorite villages because of the old mud homes and a feeling like you’ve stepped back in time—another reason why it’s part of Oman’s cultural triangle.
It is an excellent place to walk around the alleys and admire the old
wooden doors with embossed flowers or the hanging lanterns, which look beautiful at night.
Many old homes have been converted into guesthouses and cafes, so stop by and enjoy a drink while taking in the views of the surrounding farms and date trees.
Filaj or village tour
Visitors can walk along the filaj or take a village tour. My friends and I went on a tour with Yaqoob Al Abri, the owner of Misfah View. Misfah View is one of many guesthouses to stay at. Another one is Misfah Old House. You can find them both on Instagram: @misfah_view , @misfah_old_house.
Oman Across Ages Museum
Since you’re in the area, drive just over an hour to Manah. An excellent place to learn about Omani history is Oman Across Ages Museum.
I never get tired of coming here because of the architecture and impressive interactive exhibitions, which include geology, the filaj system, maritime history, and more. You can read more about this museum here.
Nizwa
Nizwa Souq
Drive twenty minutes to make your way to Nizwa’s souq, where visitors can buy pottery water pitchers, jewelry, produce, and dates.
The date souq has a wide selection, including my two favorites, cumin and ginger flavors. Don’t miss this spot, which is part of Oman’s cultural triangle.
Guests can easily walk around the area and head to one of many cafes and restaurants that were once traditional mud houses. I love taking pictures of the alleys and old wooden doors.
Goat Souq
If you like waking up early, come to the souq on Friday morning to check out the goat souq, where the lively market has people buying and selling goats. It’s usually over by 9:00 am, so try to arrive between 6:00 and 7:00 am.
Nizwa Fort
The fort is a few minutes walk from the souq, and sometimes visitors can see traditional dancing and women making Omani bread and cheese. Nizwa makes a good stop on the list of places to visit as part of Oman’s cultural triangle.
Nizwa Museum
While wandering around the alleys, guests can visit the Nizwa Museum, which features traditional clothing, silver coffee sets, and water pitchers.
There are also rectangular-shaped wooden storage chests with gold spikes embossed on the outside. The chests were for storing clothing and jewelry in the past.
There are numerous guesthouses to choose from. I’ve stayed at Nizwa Heritage Inn and Jewel Al Aqar Hotel. Both offer a glimpse of the past, featuring items such as clay water pitchers and storage jugs on display in the halls before entering the rooms.
Exploring Oman’s Cultural Triangle
Birkat Al Mouz, Misfat Al Abriyyin, and Nizwa are all fantastic options when needing a break from Muscat. Traditional villages, old settlements, and history await.