Sohar or Suhar is the capital and largest city of the AlBatinah in Oman. The ancient capital of the country that once served as an important port, Suhar is credited as the birthplace of mythical character SinbadtheSailor and real-life sailor Ahmed bin Majid. Sohar is the perfect blend of culture and contemporary societies. The city is known for its parks, shoppingmalls, and skyscrapers, as well as some of the best beaches, souq, and monuments in Oman. In the outskirts of the city is the beautiful desert known for its sandunes.
The development of the Sohar Industrial Port in 2002 has transformed it into a major Omani industrial hub. Legends say Suhar is the ancient town called ‘Omanah’ mentioned by Pliny the Elder in his Natural History that gave Oman its name. In 894, during the #Abbasid era, the Bani Sama tribe based in Al-Buraimi who called themselves Wajihid Dynasty moved to Suhar and assumed leadership over the region. The present-day town of al-Buraimi is part of a historical region, which also includes the adjacent UAE city of AlAin.
In the 10th century, Sohar was one of the richest ports of the PersianGulf that traded with the ports of China and India. The city was sacked by the Buwayhids in 971. By the 13th century, it was part of the Kingdom of Hormuz. It was still an international port until the 16th century when Sohar was conquered by the Portuguese empire, to control the entrances of the Persian Gulf. Sohar was part of a network of forts built by the Portuguese.
Suhar is now a flourishing city that gets significant investment from international investors. The port operated by Suhar Industrial Port Company (SIPC) is considered a world-class port, and its container terminal handles the majority of the container cargo of the North Al Batinah region. Suhar as a business and industrial hub is expected to help Oman diversify away from oil. In addition to the steel, Suhar is the hub of aluminum production. Sohar is full of things to do for tourists, whether it be watching a camel race, shopping for traditional handicrafts, or exploring the beaches. Suhar is known for its parks including Suhar Park, Silver Jubilee Park, Entertainment Park, Corniche park, and Aluwaynat park.
Tourism in Sohar is centered around its landmarks including Globe Roundabout, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Sohar Gate, Sohar Fort, Sohar Coastal Market, Bull Fighting Arena, Handcrafts Market, Fish Market, Sohar Amusement Center, Sohar Beach, and Camel Racing Track. Especially worth visiting is the Sohar Handicraft Souq which is known for selling beautiful and historic souvenirs and traditional ornaments. The market is famed for selling beautiful hookah. Tourists can also visit the ancient Jewish cemetary The city known for its greenery also has Sohar Regional Sports Complex making it a major sporting hub in the country.
Well connected by road, sea, and air; Suhar is a major 3education centre with some of the important education institutes located in the city. Alcohol is available in some major hotels bars in the city. The city has several hotels that provide luxurious, mid-range, and budget accommodation to tourists. The restaurants serve mostly Arabic cuisine with meat and seafood being the most served. The main Sohar beach besides watching sunrise and sunset is ideal for jogging, yoga, and horseriding. Sohar is ideal for a weekend visit if not on business trip and the best time to visit is monsooon and winter.
