Coming from the north of the sultanate and entering the Hajar Mountains, Nizwa appears as the last refuge of greenery before reaching the desert expanses of central Oman. Once the country's capital, this town is nestled around a lush oasis and proudly preserves its traditional architecture. Its fort, the largest in Arabia and Oman's most visited site, stands as an emblematic testament to this heritage.
Nizwa remains an important crossroads for Bedouins, who still follow ancient caravan trails to gather at the town's souk. This market, one of the finest and richest in the country, is renowned for its local craftsmanship. Here one finds a wide variety of goods, from basketry to pottery, as well as goats, and above all khanjars — the typical curved daggers — which are particularly prized and traded at high prices.