Nizwa Fort, Bahla Fort & Jabrin Castle tour from Muscat

Three centuries of Omani fortifications in a single day

A full-day private tour from Muscat visits Nizwa Fort, Bahla Fort and Jabrin Castle, three landmark forts spanning the 13th to 17th centuries. You climb the 24-metre round tower of Nizwa Fort, browse the silver jewellery and traditional crafts at Nizwa Souk, see the pottery traditions of UNESCO-listed Bahla, and explore the painted rooms and ancient utensils inside Jabrin Castle, built by the Yaruba dynasty.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Nizwa Fort3h
2. Bahla Fort2h

Visit Nizwa, Bahla and Jabreen forts

• Travel from Muscat to Nizwa
• Explore Nizwa Fort and round tower
• Visit Nizwa Souk for silver jewelry
• Drive to Bahla
• View Bahla Fort and pottery
• Proceed to Jabrin Castle
• Tour Jabrin Castle and ancient utensils

The experience

The tour leaves Muscat in a 4WD vehicle with an English-speaking guide and covers roughly 200 kilometres across Oman's interior. Nizwa Fort anchors the first stop: a 17th-century structure built by Imam Sultan Bin Saif Al Y`aribi with a distinctive round tower 24 metres high and an outer diameter of 43 metres. From the top, the fort commands a view across the town and the surrounding plain. The souk adjoins the fort, where Nizwa's reputation for silver craftsmanship: khanjars (curved daggers), jewellery, copper ware and coffee pots, draws visitors and locals alike.

Bahla lies 40 kilometres south and holds the 13th-century Bahla Fort, one of the oldest in the country and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town is known for its pottery tradition, and the tour includes time to see how potters work. From there, the route continues to Jabrin Castle, built between 1679 and 1692 by Imam Bil'arab bin Sultan of the Yaruba dynasty. The castle is noted for its unique painted interiors and displays of ancient utensils and furnishings that reveal how the ruling family lived.

Pickup and drop-off are included from hotels and accommodations in the Muscat area. Bottled water is provided throughout the day. The guide speaks English and can also communicate in Arabic. Children from age 4 are welcome on the tour.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from Muscat area hotels.
• a private 4WD vehicle for the full day.
• an English-speaking guide.
• bottled water throughout the tour.
• and fuel for all travel between the three forts and the souk.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 10:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years): free · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Arabic

Audio guideEnglish and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessiblePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Star Tours

Is this one for you?The private vehicle and guide mean you don't need to arrange transport from Muscat or navigate between the three sites yourself, and the full-day structure fits all three forts into one outing without backtracking.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years): free. Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What is Nizwa Fort actually like when you get there?

Nizwa Fort is a 17th-century structure with a distinctive large round tower that stands 24 metres tall. The fort was built by Imam Sultan Bin Saif Al Y`aribi in the middle of the 1600s and sits in the heart of Nizwa town. Climbing to the top gives you a view across the town and the surrounding landscape.

Is Nizwa Souk worth spending time at, or is it just a tourist stop?

Nizwa Souk is where the town's silver craftsmanship tradition actually lives. The people of Nizwa are masters in khanjar making and silver work, and the souk displays their distinctive styles and patterns alongside copper ware, coffee pots, swords, leather goods and pottery made locally.

What makes Bahla Fort different from the other two?

Bahla Fort dates to the 13th century, making it one of the oldest fortresses in Oman, and the town itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region is also known for its pottery tradition, which the tour includes time to see.

What will I actually see inside Jabrin Castle?

Jabrin Castle is known for its unique painted interiors and displays of ancient utensils and furnishings. The castle was built by Imam Bil'arab bin Sultan between 1679 and 1692, and the rooms and their contents show how the ruling family of that era lived.