Ancient capital of Oman and birthplace of
Sindbad the sailor, Sohar is located on the lush Batinah coast and lapped by the calm
waters of the Gulf of Oman. The coastal plain of rich agriculture land and palm -fringed
beaches is often described as the “breadbasket of Oman”.
The quaint town owns much to the fishing and
farming industries around it. A visit to the fish souk is a must for visitors. Early
morning and early evening fishermen beach their boats at the market and disgorge their
catch - a variable Neptune’s harvest of shark, sailfish, grouper, snapper, lobster
and shrimps.
Sohar’s labyrinth of streets and
alleyways is a boon for shoppers and tourists. The town retains it’s old fashioned
charm, successfully combing the traditional Omani way of life with its twentieth century
needs .At it’s heart lies a beautiful restored fort, and a magnificent Corniche
sweeps the coast.
Sohar is ideally situated for those wishing
to explore the countryside. Located close to Sohar are ancient copper mines, and a short
journey into the foothills of Jebel Akdar (the Green Mountain ) reveals the delightful
fortified towns of Ibri, Nakhl, Rustaq and Nizwa.
Sohar every third Friday afternoon in the
winter month, holds a series of bullfights. Unlike its European equivalent, this version
is completely bloodless, as bulls pit their strength against one another. The winner
pushes the loser from the ring. The scramble as these magnificent, agile beasts come too
close to the audience or even break loose, can be as entertaining as the
“fight”.
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