What can you see in Musandam: Khasab, a port city on the Musandam Peninsula, is a must for your travel itinerary! Check out the capital’s Khasab Castle, built in the 17th century by the Portuguese, in order to protect the Strait of Hormuz. Today, the renovated castle features a museum showcasing weapons, clothes, gems and jewellery. In the collection, there is a traditional hand mill and a lock house too. Khasab has restaurants serving Lebanese, Omani, and Indian cuisines. Avid shoppers should not miss out on spending some quality time at the traditional souks, shopping for souvenirs!
The Khasab Castle in located in the Province of Khasab, which is the capital of the Musandam Peninsula. It was built by the Portuguese in the 17th-century, when they colonized the Khasab Province, as part of their plan to take control over the Strait of Hormuz, which is the narrow entry to the Arabian Gulf from the Arab Peninsula. Omanis used it when they were battling the Portuguese out of their country in 1624. Then, it was used as the house of the Walli (the governor of Khasab), and as a prison.
Musandam Oman is home to many beaches strewn with golden sands and blessed with crystal clear turquoise waters. The marine life is rich and varied which makes this place a welcome haven for divers and snorkelers. Enjoy swimming, water sports and beach bumming on the stunning beach or go boating if you will. You can even camp for the night in any of Khasab’s golden beaches. Visit the Wilayat Khasab wadi, and check out the site where the Jebel Hareem Fossils were found. These are fossils of fishes and other marine animals that are 250 million years old! Wadi Shab and Wadi Rawdha have canyons with water flowing around them; try your hand at cliff jumping, canoeing, and swimming.
At the northernmost tip of Oman, separated from the rest of the country by a large swathe of UAE territory, lies the Musandam peninsula, a remote region of dramatic mountains and sheer-sided khawrs (fjords), popularly described as the “Norway of Arabia” and widely considered to be the most scenically spectacular in Oman. Musandam is where the mountains meet the ocean, a breath-taking paradise where time comes to a standstill. This tiny region belongs to Oman but is separated from the mainland by the east coast of UAE and lies in close proximity to Dubai. The picturesque landscapes of Musandam feature beautiful fjords, sparkling waters and the mighty Hajar Mountains. Find even more information at Musandam Trip Offers.