Nizwa (نِزْوَى)

Nizwa is one of Oman's oldest cities and a major tourist destination. The city's fort dates from the mid-17th century and was built by Sultan Bin Saif, the first imam of the Al-Ya'rubi dynasty. Up until the 20th century, it served as the primary seat of the imamate and included a palace and a prison. The fort was built over an underground stream, so fresh water would always be available in case of a siege. Nizwa's souk is very interesting and well worth a visit. It is well-known for its handicrafts and agricultural products. Nizwa is also renowned for its silver jewelry and so you'll find countless silver vendors. Falaj Daris is the largest irrigation system in Oman. It provides the surrounding fields with water. Falaj Daris was inscribed in the UNESCO list of world heritage sites in 2000. Two smaller falaj are those of Al Ghantuq and Dhoot. The water is needed for date growing, as the area around Nizwa is a major date growing center. The city is also the major market place for the region. Hot springs can be found in Nizwa.

There are numerous hotels and restaurants in Nizwa. The city is 125 km southwest of Masqat.