- Join for free
- Sign In
TomorrowsAngel Says: If you are near Barka, you should definitely pop into the world famous Omani Halwa factory there.You can do lots of taste testing before you buy.Expect to pay OM1.5 per package.One package contains 2 dishes.
DesertRat Says: In Oman, men don't fight bulls; bulls fight bulls. People bring their livestock together at an arena outside town. Ropes are attached to a hind leg, and two animals are goaded into butting heads. The first bull to go down on his knees, wins. These animals are very valuable,...
Al Sawadi Beach resort: Good resort, needs perfection
tamerinho Says: Nice 4 star resort located almost 1 hour by car from Muscat airport to the direction of Sohar.Hotel is clean, equipped with a swimming pool, tennis and squash courts, Gym, volleyball, horseriding track, and it has also a very nice beach.There are 2 restaurants, one offering...
Al-Sawadi Beach Resort: An out-of-the-way 5-star beach retreat
DesertRat Says: My wife and I stayed here only weeks after its opening in 1996, and have just returned to visit it again a few days ago. In those days, it was pretty bare-bones: newly-planted shrubs and trees, virtually no shade, and cold, rather charmless rooms. It was not a place we ever...
Forget it in Barka': Hotels? Hotels? What are those??
DesertRat Says: There's no point trying to stay in Barka. There are no accommodations whatever -- at least not yet. The nearest would probably be the Al-Sawadi Beach Resort some 30kms to the northwest along the coast. The other option would be in Seeb, which is about the same distance in...
Drive, take a bus, but avoid the taxis
DesertRat Says: To be honest, most people drive, for this is a car culture just like the US, Canada, or Australia. If you're here, though, and don't have a budget healthy enough for car rentals, then you can get a bus from the main Capital Area -- Greater Muscat, if you like. These run...
Take care at night along the beach
DesertRat Says: Personal SafetyGenerally speaking, Barka' like every other place in Oman is about a safe as it can get. Even so, as a foreigner -- and especially if you're a woman -- it's not a good idea to wander alone along the beach at night away from "civilization" because things have...
DesertRat Says: Bullfights are the main event. (See activity tip below) These take place on Friday afternoons throughout the winter, and fairly large crowds come to the event, which is, by the way, free of charge. To find them, ask at either the Shell or BP station on the edge of town as...
Plan a Barka' vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Barka' locals
In Oman, men don't fight bulls; bulls fight bulls. People bring their livestock together at an arena outside town. Ropes are attached to a hind leg, and two...
Our members can help!
1
Barka's claim to fame is its famous omani halwa factory. What is halwa you ask? Halwa is a traditional Omani sweet made from sugar, clarified butter, cornstarch and a variety of flavorings including...
2
Barka', an important town on Oman's Batinah Coast
Barka' is one of some four important market towns spread out along Oman's Batinah Coast, which stretches between Sohar near the UAE border and Seeb, the westernmost "outpost" of the so-called "Capital...
Build your own Barka' page
