Sohar

From Halal Explorer

Sohar-castle - Sohar Fort

Sohar is a city in Northern Oman, 100 kilometers north of Muscat.

Sohar Halal Travel Guide

This is the home city of Sindbad the sailor and is located near the Sawadi Island diving paradise.

The coastal city of Sohar was once an important Islamic port and the largest town in the nation. Nowadays, Sohar has a new port under construction, being built at a cost of RO 120 million. The city is renowned for its copper deposits, and archaeological evidence points to copper extraction being carried out 5000 years ago. There are still three copper mines in operation in Sohar with over 18 million tonnes of copper deposits.

This is an attractive region for tourists due to its clean, safe beaches and the plethora of archaeological features. Visitors will be attracted to its large souq with handy tailors, fruit sellers and fishermen vying for space, and its fort which stands apart with its four-story walls and six towers, an imposing sight overlooking the bay.

One of the first references to 'Sohar' is in the work of historian, Yaqut al Hamawi who implies that the city took its name in the 6th century AH (13th century CE) from a descendant of Noah: Sohar bin Adam bin Sam bin Noah. When the Palestinian Arab scholar Muqadisi visited the city in 10th century AH (17th century CE) he described it as a "flourishing city with a large number of people living there. It is a beautiful city with a comfortable life... and its mosque overlooks the sea... the Mihrab (indicator of the direction for prayers) changes colour because it is covered in copper...."

Travel to Sohar

24.38134|56.71726

  • Oman National Transport Company - ONTC | Gail Al Shabool 24.32014, 56.74844 near Penguin Restaurant ☎ +968 26 841772 - Runs four daily buses to/from Muscat (3 hrs) and Buraimi.

How to get around in Sohar

  • Zubair Car Rental - Shell Gas Station, As Suwaihara Street 24.326164, 56.750076 between the Grand Mosque and Hotel Mercure ☎ +968 9521 9355 | Opening Hours: Daily 8AM Monday - 7PM Ask for Batreeq.

What to see in Sohar

  • Sohar Fort and Museum - Sultan Qaboos Road 24.362278, 56.749269 ☎ +968 26 844758 | Opening Hours: Currently closed for renovation Sohar-castle - One of the most prominent features in the city of Sohar and was built between the 13th and 14th centuries CE by the 'Emirs of Hormuz'. Imam Nasser bin Murshid Al Ya'arubi managed to conquer and expel the Portuguese from the castle, which was used since then as the administration centre for the rulers of Al-Bu Said dynasty. An escape tunnel runs from inside the fort to the Wilayat of Buraimi, 10 kilometers to the west. It was used as a route to obtain reinforcements and supplies during sieges. The castle features a museum located inside it.
  • Sallan Park - Sultan Qaboos Road 24.407021, 56.716465 on the Northwest side of the Sohar Beach Hotel A nice park.
  • Fish market - Al Bahri Road (Corniche) 24.378342, 56.739846 Opening Hours: Best in the early morning A good place to watch fisherman unload the catch of the day.
  • Hawra Burghah Fortress - Wadi Jizzi 24.305195, 56.503767 13 kilometers West of Sohar on Hwy 7; turn left at the sign for Wadi al Jizzi Dam - Free A ruined 13th-century hilltop fortress with commanding views of the wadi and neighboring area. The hill can be climbed most easily from the north, and there are extensive remains of cisterns and falaj (canals), indicating that this was once covered with lush vegetation.

Best things to do in Sohar

The long quiet beach is ideal for jogging, with or without shoes.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Sohar

  • Al Qala'a Souq - Handicraft Souq - Al Qalah Street 24.36078, 56.746271 - Has about a dozen shops, with silversmiths, herbal medicines, handicrafts, and antiques.

Halal Restaurants in Sohar

Restaurants

A number of Omani coffee shops are present which serve Omani food such as shwarma. Other than that Pizzas Hut GPS 24.33793,56.73649, Penguin Restaurant GPS 24.32031,56.74915, and KFC GPS 24.33817,56.73628 are in the centre.

  • Golden Goal Restaurant - 24.34977, 56.73150 ☎ +968 26 843900 | Opening Hours: Daily 12PM Monday - 11PM - Indian cuisine.
  • Lobnan Al Akhdhar - Sohar Street 24.35314, 56.73513 Al Woqaiba ☎ +968 22 025553 | Opening Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 9AM Monday - 11PM, Friday Saturday 9AM Monday - 1AM - Lebanese restaurant.
  • Milan Vegetarian Restaurant - 24.34724, 56.73704 ☎ +968 26 840107 | Opening Hours: Daily 8AM Monday - 1PM 5PM Monday - 11PM - Indian cuisine.
  • Omar Al Khayyam Restaurant - Al Muntazah Street 24.3375, 56.7365 ☎ +968 26 844901 | Opening Hours: Daily 11:45AM Monday - midnight A branch of an Omani chain, serving Chinese, Indian, and Arabic dishes.
  • Sunlight Restaurant - 24.34891, 56.73078 ☎ +968 9962 6733 | Opening Hours: Daily 9:30AM Monday - 11:50PM - Indian cuisine.

Bakeries

  • Muscat Bakery Restaurant - Mashal An Nur Street 24.33622, 56.73584 ☎ +968 9130 5202 | Opening Hours: Daily 11AM Monday - 11PM
  • Switz - Al Mina Round About 24.4413, 56.5836 ☎ +968 26 701500 | Opening Hours: Sunday - Thursday 8AM Monday - 5PM

}} The only bar where you can drink alcohol is at the Sohar Beach Hotel.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Sohar

Sohar - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Sohar, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Sohar. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Sohar and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Sohar. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Sohar. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inSohar: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Sohar.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Sohar: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Sohar, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Sohar.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Sohar, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Sohar, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Sohar and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Sohar, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Sohar, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Sohar without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Sohar is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Sohar.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Sohar is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Sohar, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Sohar Media: info@ehalal.io


Muslim Friendly Hotels

Al Wadi Hotel pool, Sohar Oman April 2012 - Al Wadi Hotel

  • Al Wadi Hotel - 459, Al Barakat Street 24.391246, 56.69192 ☎ +968 26 840058 +968 26 841997 Check-in: 12PM Monday - 1PM / Check-out: 11AM Monday - 12PM RO 45+/night Al Wadi Hotel pool, Sohar Oman April 2012.jpg
  • Crowne Plaza Sohar - Falaj Al Qabail Roundabout 24.40958, 56.589803 off of Hwy 7 to Buraimi ☎ +968 26 850850 +968 26 850800 Check-in: 2PM / Check-out: 12PM RO 44+ Crown Plaza Sohar (10970049203) - Has non-smoking rooms, an onsite bar-restaurant, outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi, and airport shuttle (with surcharge).
  • Mercure Sohar - H7838@ As Suwayhrah Street 24.32885, 56.74071 Al Humbar West, Al Batinah Highway ☎ +968 2235 4800 +968 2235 4848 Check-in: noon / Check-out: noon Doubles RO 30+, breakfast RO 7.5 - Built in 2016 and the hotel has an onsite restaurant, gym, outdoor pool, and free Wi-Fi.
  • Radisson Blu Hotel, Sohar - Beach front of Al-Zafaran 24.41128, 56.71253 ☎ +968 2664 0000 Checkin - 2PM / Check-out: 12PM RO 40+ - Opened in 2016, facilities include non-smoking rooms, an onsite bar-restaurant, outdoor pool, and free Wi-Fi.
  • Sohar Beach Hotel - Sallan Road 24.405321, 56.719514 ☎ +968 26 841111 +968 26 843766 Check-in: 2PM / Check-out: 12PM RO 40+ - Nice hotel at the beach with the best facilities in town.

Telecommunications in Sohar

News & References Sohar


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