Sohar

Sohar, capital of Al Batinah North governorate, is a historic trading port on the Gulf of Oman — linked in legend with Sindbad the Sailor — and today one of Oman's main industrial cities, home to the large Sohar Port and Freezone.

Sohar Fort

The whitewashed fort near the waterfront has been restored and houses a museum on Sohar's long history as a trading port linking Oman with Persia, India, East Africa and China. Check opening hours locally.

The corniche and coast

A corniche runs along the shore near the fort, and the long, flat Batinah beach stretches north towards Liwa and Shinas and south towards Saham.

Sohar Port and Freezone

North-west of the city, Sohar Port is one of Oman's biggest industrial ports, in operation since 2004 and run as a 50/50 joint venture between Asyad Group and the Port of Rotterdam. It is a secure area, not a visitor attraction.

Day trips

Inland and south-east along the Batinah: Wadi Hawqayn, Rustaq Fort and Al Hazm Castle can be combined in a day (Al Hazm is roughly 1.5 hours from Sohar). Al Sawadi, the departure point for the Daymaniyat Islands, is about 1.5 hours south-east towards Muscat.

Getting there

Sohar is about 200–230 km from Muscat by road (roughly 2–2.5 hours on the Batinah Expressway or Batinah coastal highway). Sohar Airport (OHS) is about 10 km north-west of the city but has limited flights.

Practical tips

Best time to visit: October–March in the north; Dhofar is pleasant most of the year and green during the khareef (roughly late June to early September).
Modest dress (shoulders and knees covered) is expected in towns, souqs and forts; swimwear is for hotel pools and beaches.
Friday is the weekly holiday: many forts, museums and souq shops close or shorten their hours on Friday. Opening times change — check locally before you go.

Points of interest

Port of Sohar (Ports, Al Batinah North). Deep-water industrial port and freezone north-west of Sohar, in operation since 2004 and run by SOHAR Port and Freezone, a 50/50 joint venture of Asyad Group and the Port of Rotterdam.

Sohar (Cities, Al Batinah North). Historic port on the Batinah coast, linked in legend with Sindbad the Sailor. Today a large industrial and port city with a restored fort and a long beach.

Sohar Airport (Airports, Al Batinah North). Sohar (OHS). Regional airport opened in 2014, about 10 km north-west of Sohar; limited scheduled service.

Sohar Fort (Forts & Castles, Al Batinah North). Whitewashed fort near the Sohar waterfront, restored with a museum on the city's history as a medieval trading port.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Sohar really the birthplace of Sindbad?

Sindbad is a character from the 'Thousand and One Nights'. Omani tradition links him with Sohar, a great medieval port — a legend rather than history.

How far is Sohar from Muscat?

About 200–230 km by road depending on your start and end points, roughly 2–2.5 hours. In a straight line the two cities are about 190 km apart.

Where is Sohar on the map?

On the Batinah coast of the Gulf of Oman in Al Batinah North governorate, at about 24.35° N, 56.73° E — about 190 km north-west of Muscat and about 100 km from Al Buraimi in a straight line.

What is there to see in Sohar?

The fort museum, the corniche and the souq fill half a day. Sohar is also a convenient base for the Batinah forts and wadis.