Discover Sohar (Oman)
3 Things Not To Miss In Sohar, Oman
Situated in Northern Oman, Sohar is a picturesque port town that will take you back to ancient times. As a major port, Shoar has been a long-standing stop for ships on the trade route which attracts an interesting international crowd. The town is the quintessential example of Islamis architecture and boasts a well-stocked and authentic market area with an excellent selection of fresh fish available every morning. The location is great for those interested in car rental in Sohar and taking a 2hr trip down the coast to Muscat or crossing the border into the United Arab Emirates.
Sultan Qaboos Mosque
Spanning 181,000 square metres, the Sultan Qaboos Mosque houses a huge prayer hall that fits more than 4600 worshippers. The mosque’s interior of a beautiful design of intricate gold patterns and subtle colour changes. The roof has four minarets and a large main dome and the floor is laid with thick decadent carpets and glamourous tiling. The larger area that is the mosque encapsulates car parks, landscaping, another prayer hall and many more facilities.
Wakan Village
Based in the countryside outside of Sohar, this small mountian village is an excellent and well-preserved example of indigenous Wakan life. Get off the beaten tourist tracks when you climb the staircase to the top of this picturesque village with beautiful houses, terraced gardens and fresh running spring water trickling from the surrounding mountains. This cultural attraction is perfect for those interested in car rental in Sohar as it is most easily reached and explored via a 4WD car.
Sohar Fort
This must-see historic attaction underwent contruction in the 13th century and includes 10km of hidden underground tunnels and dietinctive square four-walled towers. The tunnels were designed for use as an escape route should the fort fall to a siege and in one tower visitors can find a captivating mueseum that details the facinating history of the building. Sohar Fort’s other main attraction is the tomb of Sayyid Thuwanini Bin Sultan Al Busaid, who ruled Oman between 1856 and 1866. After undergoing a major redevelopment and now has several new rooms that have been decorated in the look and style they were in when built that paints an accurate picture of miltary life in Oman during the 19th Century.