Al Dhahirah

Ibri

Nestled between the towering Hajjr mountains and the vast sands of the Rub Al Khali desert. Historically, Ibri was a caravan town due to its central location between the major population centres of Oman and the UAE. Today, trade continues at the captivating Ibri Souk, where daily auctions of livestock take place alongside stalls selling woven goods made from the fronds of local date palms. Nearby, Ibri Castle stands guard over the town and provides yet another example of the unique style of Omani architecture.

Above Ibri, overlooking the town from their position perched on the plateau, are the ruins of Silayf. Central to the settlement was As Silayf Castle, built in the early 1700s and slowly crumbling with the effects of each season's rain.

Bat

East of Ibri and Silayf lies Bat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of great archaeological significance. Here, the wonderfully preserved remnants of an ancient settlement provide a window into human life 5000 years ago, complete with a collection of stone-walled necropolises, fortifications, and spring-fed irrigation systems.