Was einst ein wichtiger Seehafen und Handelszentrum des Golfs war, ist heute eine verschlafene Stadt namens Barka an der omanischen Küste. Es gibt einen großen Fischmarkt und einen alten Souk zum Erkunden sowie das beeindruckende Barka Fort direkt am Meer. Das Fort stammt aus dem 17. Jahrhundert und wurde gebaut, um sich gegen persische und portugiesische Invasoren dieser Zeit zu verteidigen. Von der Festung und dem großen achteckigen Turm aus haben Sie einen weiten Blick auf den Rest der Stadt, die Dattelpalmenhaine und das blaue Wasser des Golfs von Oman.
Barka ist auch berühmt für seine Halwa, eine traditionelle omanische Süßigkeit, und seine Stierkampfarena im Zentrum der Stadt. Dies macht es zu einem beliebten Ort, um Stierkämpfe zu beobachten, eine gewaltfreie Sportart zwischen zwei großen Bullen, die von Brahmanen gezüchtet wurden. Barka ist ein entspannter Ort voller omanischer Tradition und Kultur.
Now part of Muscat’s long coastal conurbation, Barka enjoyed its heyday in the 17th and 18th centuries, when it was a major port and, briefly, Oman’s capital. Today, it still clings to its long-held traditions of fishing and sweet-making—mostly Oman’s traditional halwa (a saffron-and-cardamom-flavored dessert)—and draws travelers interested in seeing its fort, fish market, and Bait Al Numan (also written Bait Na’aman), a lovely example of an old fortified dwelling.
While most Oman tour itineraries omit Barka, a few excursions make a brief stop in the town before exploring the castles and villages of the Al Hajar mountains to the south. To delve deeper into Barka, consider booking a customizable private tour from Muscat that lets you include the town, or drive there yourself to explore independently.
Barka will appeal to anyone wanting to travel beyond Oman’s tourist trail.
The town’s fort and fish market are a stroll from each other on the seafront.
Barka Fort is not wheelchair accessible.
There may be a small entry fee to Barka Fort, but visiting the fish market and Bait Al Numan is free.
Barka is about a 45-minute drive from Muscat along Route 1, the coastal highway connecting Oman’s capital with Sohar. Public buses run from Muscat to Seeb, where you can take a 20-minute cab ride to Barka. Bait Al Numan sits on the town’s westerly outskirts, and is signposted from Route 1, a little over 4 miles (7 kilometers) west of the Barka exit.
To see Barka’s fish market, arrive as early as possible—Oman’s markets are at their busiest best in the early morning. Pair it with a visit to Barka Fort, open Thursday–Sunday from morning to evening , and a look around Bait Al Numan, which is typically open Sunday-Wednesday from morning to mid-afternoon. Be sure to double-check all opening times before traveling, as they can be unpredictable.
Bait Al Numan, built in the 17th century as a fortified residence for a local imam leader, holds traditionally furnished kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms—together with dark dungeons—which offer rich insights into bygone Oman. Finish by heading for Al-Sawadi beach, a roughly 30-minute drive away, whose wide sands, clear seas, and offshore islands make a picturesque setting for a picnic and swim.
