MUSCAT: Muscat has the best natural harbor along the coast and is the capital of Oman. Many of its buildings date from the 16th century when Portugal occupied this section of Arabia. The old town is still surrounded by its ancient city walls which totally encircle the Sultan's palace.
NIZWA: Lying to the south of the Jebel Akhdar at the start of the great desert plain which dominates much of Oman, Nizwa was the ancient capital of the interior. Today much of the old city's charms remains, with the 17th century tower fort dominating the center of town. Nizwa is famed for its dates and silversmiths.
SOHAR: Sohar is situated on the Batinah coast about two hours drive west of Muscat. It is an ancient port city and one of the oldest towns in Oman. Sohar was the center of Oman's wealthy sea trade with the Arabian Gulf from biblical times until the present century when the new port of Muttrah was built.
SUR: Sur, with its large natural harbor, was the key trading port connecting Oman with the east coast of Africa for centuries. It developed a thriving boat building industry where sturdy ocean going sailing ships, called dhows, where built to service this trade. Although the advent of steam ships heralded the end of this trade, traditional vessels are still made at Sur for the local fishing market.
SALALAH: Salalah is the capital of the southern region of Dhofar. The town grew to prominence thanks to its fertile coastal plain fed by water from the annual monsoon. Today the monsoon has also made Salalah a popular vacation spot for Gulf tourists seeking to avoid the heat of the Arabian summer in the monsoon mists of Salalah and its adjacent mountains.
NIZWA: Lying to the south of the Jebel Akhdar at the start of the great desert plain which dominates much of Oman, Nizwa was the ancient capital of the interior. Today much of the old city's charms remains, with the 17th century tower fort dominating the center of town. Nizwa is famed for its dates and silversmiths.
SOHAR: Sohar is situated on the Batinah coast about two hours drive west of Muscat. It is an ancient port city and one of the oldest towns in Oman. Sohar was the center of Oman's wealthy sea trade with the Arabian Gulf from biblical times until the present century when the new port of Muttrah was built.
SUR: Sur, with its large natural harbor, was the key trading port connecting Oman with the east coast of Africa for centuries. It developed a thriving boat building industry where sturdy ocean going sailing ships, called dhows, where built to service this trade. Although the advent of steam ships heralded the end of this trade, traditional vessels are still made at Sur for the local fishing market.
SALALAH: Salalah is the capital of the southern region of Dhofar. The town grew to prominence thanks to its fertile coastal plain fed by water from the annual monsoon. Today the monsoon has also made Salalah a popular vacation spot for Gulf tourists seeking to avoid the heat of the Arabian summer in the monsoon mists of Salalah and its adjacent mountains.
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