Though it’s surrounded by modern suburbs, Bahla’s old quarter still provides a rich experience for visitors. Roam its restored fort, wander lanes to see its original mud houses, view the crumbled town walls, stroll palm groves woven with falaj water channels, and delve into the souk to buy clay jars, pots, and incense burners.
The easiest way to visit Bahla is on a private guided day trip from Muscat, which also visits nearby sights like Jabreen Fort and Nizwa. These excursions typically include photo-ops outside Bahla Fort, but some let you explore inside before browsing the souk and workshops to purchase Bahla pottery. Other options include multi-day Oman tours that cover Bahla and Nizwa as well as picturesque wadis, mountain villages, the Wahiba Sands desert, and Jebel Shams, Oman’s highest peak.
Anyone interested in history, crafts, and Oman’s ancient culture will enjoy Bahla.
Wear a sunhat and sunscreen: Oman’s sun is unforgiving.
Bahla Fort is not wheelchair accessible.
Plan around 2–3 hours to explore the fort, old town (and its pottery), and oasis.
Amenities at the fort include free parking and restrooms.
Bahla is a roughly 2-hour drive southwest from Oman’s capital of Muscat. If you’re driving, follow Route 15 from Muscat to Nizwa and then take Route 21 to Bahla. You can also opt for a private tour from Muscat that covers Bahla, Nizwa, and nearby Jabreen Fort.
Aim to arrive in Bahla as early as possible to explore before the midday heat, and bear in mind that the shops and pottery workshops usually close between 12 noon and 4pm. Bahla Fort is open daily from morning to late afternoon, though it’s worth double-checking the hours on Fridays when they might differ. The fort is generally quiet, even if you’re here during Oman’s November–April high season.
Built by the Banu Nabhan tribe between the 12th and 15th centuries, Bahla Fort holds prayer rooms, a bathhouse, water wells, and wind towers, and offers glorious mountain views. Also take note of the holes in the walls, through which hot date syrup was poured onto attackers, and watch for the bats that hang from the walls in some rooms.
