Ibra: old merchant houses and the gateway to the Sharqiya Sands

Ibra, the capital of North Ash Sharqiyah Governorate, is about two hours south-east of Muscat on the road to Sur. It was once one of the wealthiest towns in Oman, home to merchants and scholars who traded with Zanzibar and East Africa, and their grand mud-brick houses still stand in its old quarters.

The old quarters

Al Minzifah and Al Qanatir are Ibra's historic districts, where tall, decorated houses with carved wooden doors and balconies line narrow lanes among the palms. Many are abandoned and slowly crumbling, which makes walking through them atmospheric; a few have been restored as guesthouses. Watchtowers on the hills above protected the oasis.

The women's souq

Every Wednesday morning Ibra holds a market run by and for women, one of very few in the region. Local women sell textiles, cosmetics, incense, handicrafts and household goods. Visitors are welcome to browse, but men are generally expected to stay at the edges, and photographs of people need permission.

Gateway to the desert

Ibra is the starting point for the Sharqiya Sands (also known as the Wahiba Sands), a sea of orange dunes about 30 minutes south via Al Mudhaibi and Bidiyah. Desert camps offer dune drives, camel rides and nights under the stars. The village of Al Mintirib on the desert edge has a picturesque fort.

Living in Ibra

Ibra is a regional centre with a hospital, a college of technology and markets serving the villages of the Sharqiyah. Life is traditional and quiet, with a mostly Omani population and a small expatriate community of teachers and health workers.

Property

Ibra is not a designated area for foreign ownership. Visitors usually combine Ibra with the desert and with Sur on a road trip from Muscat.

How R2LUX helps

The road to Ibra and the Sharqiya Sands starts from Muscat's eastern communities. Three current homes in Muscat are listed below.