Nakhal Fort
Nakhal Fort
4.5
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- vtex001Shrewsbury, United KingdomFantastic example of an Omani fortWe tried to visit last year but the fort was closed for renovations. Our second attempt found the fort open and in excellent condition. The work has made the fort look authentic and accessible. Only 2 OMR per person entry fee and free parking. There is a cafe opposite the car park entrance. There was still a little bit of work going on and it looks like more rooms will be opened in the future. The views from the top are fantastic and even though it was 36 C, there was a breeze and some shade as you walk around the fort. As others have said, some information boards would be nice but we have been to Nizwa Fort so some of the rooms and functions were familiar. I think visiting late in the day would be good as you could wait after for the sunset and watch the fort become illuminated. Easy access from road 13, highly recommended as a day trip from Muscat along with Rustaq and maybe Wakan.Visited September 2023Travelled with familyWritten 30 September 2023
- Eva FBloomington, IllinoisA beautifully restored fort with stunning viewsA short drive from Muscat, it is a place that is worth the visit. Beautifully restored with gorgeous views and out of the beaten path. You will enjoy the quiet beauty of this place. You can combine it with a visit to Al Thowarah Hot Springs, only about a 10-min. drive from the fort.Visited December 2023Travelled soloWritten 15 January 2024
- MoeofOmanMuscat, OmanWorth the visit and not for history seekers onlyA beautiful spot to be at, getting by to know more about the fort. The fort location is great since it’s overseeing Nakhal. Description of the fort very room and place in the fort is showcased, and a nice cafe is located at the top of the fort.Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 13 June 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Mussab
Al Hamra, Oman
Oct 2020 • Business
Nakhal Fort is a large fortification in Al Batinah Region of Oman. It is named after the Wilayah of Nakhal. The fort houses a museum, operated by the Ministry of Tourism, which has exhibits of historic guns, and the fort also hosts a weekly goat market.
Written 18 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Syed Saif
Muscat, Oman
Sept 2021
I visited the place once with my cousin and it was a weekday afternoon so the shops were closed and the place was empty. All the potteries where out and we were tapping on them. It was huge and total silence filled the place, felt like a little adventure...
Written 19 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NKhalid7
East Kazakhstan Province, Kazakhstan
Nov 2023 • Family
Place is beautiful BUT can be very dangerous for families with kids. From the first sight everything looks normal and safe but for God’s sake be careful with their windows! They are not well maintained! Our 2 year old almost reached the OPEN tiny window in one of the rooms on top. The one with canon. We heard that fort was closed for maintenance for quite some time. However it looks like it wasn’t done well at all. The flag stand was fallen, some windows were “closed” with wood which already fell off. This historical monument deserves better care indeed.
Written 15 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eva F
Bloomington, IL
Dec 2023 • Solo
A short drive from Muscat, it is a place that is worth the visit. Beautifully restored with gorgeous views and out of the beaten path. You will enjoy the quiet beauty of this place. You can combine it with a visit to Al Thowarah Hot Springs, only about a 10-min. drive from the fort.
Written 15 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pintosengupta
Pune, India
Sept 2012 • Family
As you reach Barkha from Muscat, take a left to lead you to the village of Nakhal. A quite sleepy village, you get to see the Nakhal Fort, probably built with Clay & stones. further you drive down on serpentine curves and slopes... passing through patches of date palm fields......and narrow lanes.... ( you need to be an ace driver as the lanes are not one way) you reach the foothills of the mountains...& lo.... you see the warm sulfuric waterfalls...gushing out of the rocks into a pool where one can dip...... the water itself is so medicated that it;s said.... the spring cures all your bone related problems.... to add, you dip your feet into the water.... there r these tiny fishes.... known as Dr. Fish....they come in schools to bite away all your dead skin around your feet...though the feeling is ticklish but worth ..... Ever visit Oman, do visit Nakhal.... The country of peaceful people..... cultured....... honest..... & yes very friendly....
Written 8 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark F
Okayama, Japan
Sept 2014 • Solo
Hi... the first thing I'll say is that if you've only got an hour in Nakhal as part of a tour, then my information won't be of so much use because of the time shortage.
If you're someone who likes to get off the beaten track a little and be able to savour where you are, then the comments below might be of interest.
It's also true that my impressions come after maybe 6 visits to Nakhal over a 5-year period, so I am cramming in a lot...
I have lived in Muscat for 3 years and Nakhal is a place I visit regularly.
I do not go for the fort (!).
From what I've seen, most overseas tourists who visit Nakhal do so as part of a tour. The tour is probably doing what is known as 'the Rustaq loop' because it covers a loop of road that connects to the main Sohar-Muscat highway at two places. On this loop is Nakhal, some nice scenery for driving and Rustaq itself. I have been to Rustaq once (I was doing the Rustaq loop!) and it has a very big fort and is a town rather than village.
Anyway, the tourists who come to Nakhal seem to spend maybe an hour wandering around the fort and then are land-cruisered on through the village to make a brief stop at the hot spring further up the wadi from the fort.
This in itself is a nice place. The hot water comes up from the ground through a smooth rock 'crevice'. It is about 2.5 metres from the bottom of this crevice to the surface and this marvellous place is adult-sized.
It is highly recommended that you let yourself drop fearlessly into this crevice and enjoy the warm currents of water massaging your body. Nothing will happen either if you hold your breath and allow yourself to drop down to touch the bottom of this crevice. Your arm will still be in the open air, you will be about 20 cms under the water with your toes touching the bottom!
If you're not up for that (more fool you), then you can just enter the square pool that the water from the crevice flows into, which overlooks a rocky stream below it.
Females do not normally bathe there, but foreign ones can do so always respecting modesty...
Most visitors seem to stop at the hot spring - which also has an adjoining shaded sitting & picnic area - look at the pool, look at the stream, maybe sit in the shaded area for a quick chat and then... back to the Land Cruiser and off on the loop! C'est la vie...
The site of the hot spring is about 1.5kms away from the fort.
It is possible to walk from the fort to the hot spring area either walking along the dry bottom of the wadi located just behind the fort, or through the green irrigated plots of land where things grow.
An important thing to know about Nakhal is that it is incredibly green compared to many other places in Oman. It has its own subterranean water supply - the same source as the hot spring - and no shortage of water, water, water. The whole of the village is full of date palms and in their shade and at their feet are all the plots of land along the sides of the wadi where food is cultivated. This means when you walk through the plots you walk in shade with the running water of the falaj network never far away (or maybe right under your feet)... for me it's nicer than the fort (though a visit to the fort is ok I think).
One can walk along the sides of the stone or concrete falaj - the Omani irrigation system - full of clear water and watch the many dragonflies, and along paths through the vegetable plots. It's a very pleasant place that runs along the side of the wadi for about 1km - on the other side of the wadi from the fort.
If you are the kind of person who likes to explore in a safe environment and are more curious about what is past the next branch overhanging the falaj than concerned about getting lost, then this area is well worth an hour or two of your time.
This area can be accessed from the fort. The fort is located next to a large parking area and two (I think) small cafes. The large parking area is immediately in front of the entrance to the fort. It is possible to get into the wadi and the irrigated plots of land by going round the back of the fort. Immediately behind the fort - the side of the fort most tourists never see - the cultivated land area starts and just beyond is the wadi.
I walked on the falaj through a few plots and then found myself at the wadi. Crossing the wadi, I found myself in more plots but mostly walking on paths and falaj too if I wanted to. Very beautiful place. The area where I walked was just beside the dry wadi and it was easy to drop into the wadi at many places. It's always possible to see the fort from the wadi, and the wadi is the most direct way back to it.
As I say, it is possible to walk through the area I have just described, following or walking in the wadi, to reach the hot spring on foot 1.5km further up from the fort.
My last comment is that although the wadi is dry from just below where the hot springs are (that is, towards the fort), ABOVE where the hot springs are - further up the wadi, just round the corner from the hot spring - there are more pools with little fish that will nibble your toes as you float there marvelling that there is absolutely nobody else there despite the fact that you are barely 400 metres and a few turns in the wadi away from the touristy hot spring. Walking further still in this direction, the pools dry up and the water is gone, then there are herds of goats and finally just the rock & stony dry wadi shaded every 30 metres by trees... at this point the sides of the wadi are much higher and the wadi is narrowing...
So... this for me is Nakhal. I haven't mentioned that one can also walk through it's village - also beside the wadi but on the other side from where most of the vegetable plots are. I met people during my rambling and all were friendly. I had no sense that they resented my being there.
Of course, what I've described above is someone who can jump in the car when he feels like it and drive the 75 minute drive to Nakhal for a day, half a day or just a few hours whenever I like. If you have a free day and want to walk and relax and get a look at village life, then 'my' Nakhal might appeal.
Nakhal is a nice place... I hope you have time to get a little more of its atmosphere.
If you're someone who likes to get off the beaten track a little and be able to savour where you are, then the comments below might be of interest.
It's also true that my impressions come after maybe 6 visits to Nakhal over a 5-year period, so I am cramming in a lot...
I have lived in Muscat for 3 years and Nakhal is a place I visit regularly.
I do not go for the fort (!).
From what I've seen, most overseas tourists who visit Nakhal do so as part of a tour. The tour is probably doing what is known as 'the Rustaq loop' because it covers a loop of road that connects to the main Sohar-Muscat highway at two places. On this loop is Nakhal, some nice scenery for driving and Rustaq itself. I have been to Rustaq once (I was doing the Rustaq loop!) and it has a very big fort and is a town rather than village.
Anyway, the tourists who come to Nakhal seem to spend maybe an hour wandering around the fort and then are land-cruisered on through the village to make a brief stop at the hot spring further up the wadi from the fort.
This in itself is a nice place. The hot water comes up from the ground through a smooth rock 'crevice'. It is about 2.5 metres from the bottom of this crevice to the surface and this marvellous place is adult-sized.
It is highly recommended that you let yourself drop fearlessly into this crevice and enjoy the warm currents of water massaging your body. Nothing will happen either if you hold your breath and allow yourself to drop down to touch the bottom of this crevice. Your arm will still be in the open air, you will be about 20 cms under the water with your toes touching the bottom!
If you're not up for that (more fool you), then you can just enter the square pool that the water from the crevice flows into, which overlooks a rocky stream below it.
Females do not normally bathe there, but foreign ones can do so always respecting modesty...
Most visitors seem to stop at the hot spring - which also has an adjoining shaded sitting & picnic area - look at the pool, look at the stream, maybe sit in the shaded area for a quick chat and then... back to the Land Cruiser and off on the loop! C'est la vie...
The site of the hot spring is about 1.5kms away from the fort.
It is possible to walk from the fort to the hot spring area either walking along the dry bottom of the wadi located just behind the fort, or through the green irrigated plots of land where things grow.
An important thing to know about Nakhal is that it is incredibly green compared to many other places in Oman. It has its own subterranean water supply - the same source as the hot spring - and no shortage of water, water, water. The whole of the village is full of date palms and in their shade and at their feet are all the plots of land along the sides of the wadi where food is cultivated. This means when you walk through the plots you walk in shade with the running water of the falaj network never far away (or maybe right under your feet)... for me it's nicer than the fort (though a visit to the fort is ok I think).
One can walk along the sides of the stone or concrete falaj - the Omani irrigation system - full of clear water and watch the many dragonflies, and along paths through the vegetable plots. It's a very pleasant place that runs along the side of the wadi for about 1km - on the other side of the wadi from the fort.
If you are the kind of person who likes to explore in a safe environment and are more curious about what is past the next branch overhanging the falaj than concerned about getting lost, then this area is well worth an hour or two of your time.
This area can be accessed from the fort. The fort is located next to a large parking area and two (I think) small cafes. The large parking area is immediately in front of the entrance to the fort. It is possible to get into the wadi and the irrigated plots of land by going round the back of the fort. Immediately behind the fort - the side of the fort most tourists never see - the cultivated land area starts and just beyond is the wadi.
I walked on the falaj through a few plots and then found myself at the wadi. Crossing the wadi, I found myself in more plots but mostly walking on paths and falaj too if I wanted to. Very beautiful place. The area where I walked was just beside the dry wadi and it was easy to drop into the wadi at many places. It's always possible to see the fort from the wadi, and the wadi is the most direct way back to it.
As I say, it is possible to walk through the area I have just described, following or walking in the wadi, to reach the hot spring on foot 1.5km further up from the fort.
My last comment is that although the wadi is dry from just below where the hot springs are (that is, towards the fort), ABOVE where the hot springs are - further up the wadi, just round the corner from the hot spring - there are more pools with little fish that will nibble your toes as you float there marvelling that there is absolutely nobody else there despite the fact that you are barely 400 metres and a few turns in the wadi away from the touristy hot spring. Walking further still in this direction, the pools dry up and the water is gone, then there are herds of goats and finally just the rock & stony dry wadi shaded every 30 metres by trees... at this point the sides of the wadi are much higher and the wadi is narrowing...
So... this for me is Nakhal. I haven't mentioned that one can also walk through it's village - also beside the wadi but on the other side from where most of the vegetable plots are. I met people during my rambling and all were friendly. I had no sense that they resented my being there.
Of course, what I've described above is someone who can jump in the car when he feels like it and drive the 75 minute drive to Nakhal for a day, half a day or just a few hours whenever I like. If you have a free day and want to walk and relax and get a look at village life, then 'my' Nakhal might appeal.
Nakhal is a nice place... I hope you have time to get a little more of its atmosphere.
Written 31 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
saipai
Mumbai, India
Mar 2017 • Family
One of the many forts in Oman, which will give you a very good glimpse int he cultural past of oman...
Written 9 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wanderlust
New Delhi, India
Dec 2014 • Solo
Nakhal Fort is located outside to the Muscat city. You need to drive approx 01 hour or little more in order to reach from Muscat city. Our guide informed that its history is very old dated back pre islamic period and it went under so many renovations.
Fort is in good condition but honestly its architecture did not attract me much. But yes, when you go on top and see surroundings its full with green Date trees and looks beautiful! Lovely!
when you visit this Fort, please don't forget to visit Hot spring (a picnic spot) approx 15 min drive from fort passing through date fields. Its such a beautiful places surrounded by green trees and water passing through it. Spend some time at this lovely cool place and take a deep in hot spring. Small shop is available and sale water and snacks.
Overall worth visiting when combined with spring!
Fort is in good condition but honestly its architecture did not attract me much. But yes, when you go on top and see surroundings its full with green Date trees and looks beautiful! Lovely!
when you visit this Fort, please don't forget to visit Hot spring (a picnic spot) approx 15 min drive from fort passing through date fields. Its such a beautiful places surrounded by green trees and water passing through it. Spend some time at this lovely cool place and take a deep in hot spring. Small shop is available and sale water and snacks.
Overall worth visiting when combined with spring!
Written 7 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jochen Hertweck
Frankfurt, Germany
Dec 2018
Located at the foot of the Western Hajar Range, Nakhal’s fort has a spectacular natural backdrop. The fort itself is one of the most famous ones in the country and can be easily visited on a short trip from Muscat, seeing as it takes just about one hour to drive there from the capital.
Unlike a lot of other forts they also put some efforts into decorating the rooms in the fort like in the 17th and 18th century when it was still occupied. Although it has to be said that more detailed descriptions would certainly have been nice.
Unlike a lot of other forts they also put some efforts into decorating the rooms in the fort like in the 17th and 18th century when it was still occupied. Although it has to be said that more detailed descriptions would certainly have been nice.
Written 30 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taanya T
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Oct 2019
We were really disappointed after travelling 1 hour to visit the fort to find that it was closed. We checked on the internet prior to going (because we were unsure if it would close earlier given that it was Friday).
The board said it was under maintenance.
It looked beautiful but sadly we could not go in.
The board said it was under maintenance.
It looked beautiful but sadly we could not go in.
Written 4 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cascado07
Belfast, United Kingdom
How long is the fort closed for for renovation? Does anybody know?
Written 23 November 2019
They just started. For my opinion that will need much time. The whole castle is under reconstruction. Also Rustaq Castle is closed for renovation. The ceiling collapsed after strong rain. You can only visit the courtyard. But that can be repaired fast if they want.
Written 12 January 2020
Tori290
Seeb, Oman
Hi, I want to take my mum who is disabled. Are there lots of stairs or is it possible to walk around on the ground level? Thanks
Written 17 February 2019
MikeFo
Brighton, United Kingdom
I think she may find it tricky, you can see a certain amount at ground level, but like most forts in Oman is not very accessible if you have mobility challenges, but you can still get a feel for it.
Written 17 February 2019
Postercube
Italy
Con quali mezzi si può raggiungere Nakhal da Muscat, oltre alle escursioni delle crociere?
Bus gran turismo, 4x4, pulmini....?
Ci sono agenzie locali, a Muscat, a cui rivolgersi?
Written 7 March 2017
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