Khasab Fort and Portuguese Heritage
Explore the beautifully restored Khasab Fort, a Portuguese colonial castle on the seafront, housing the Musandam Museum and commanding views over the harbor and the dramatic mountain backdrop.
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Khasab Fort Entrance
Enter Khasab Fort, a Portuguese fort built in the early 17th century to control the strategic Strait of Hormuz, its massive round towers and thick walls still in excellent condition after four centuries.
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Musandam Museum
Explore the Musandam Museum inside the fort, displaying traditional Shihuh fishing boats called shasha made from palm fronds, ancient weapons, navigation instruments, and the cultural artifacts of this isolated enclave.
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Fort Battlements
Walk the fort battlements for panoramic views over the Khasab harbor and the extraordinary mountain backdrop of the Musandam peninsula, the Strait of Hormuz visible in the gap between the limestone massifs.
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Old Town Quarter
Walk through the small old town quarter adjacent to the fort where traditional Omani stone houses and a small souq reflect the simple life of Khasab fishing community before the recent tourist development.
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Khasab Harbor Waterfront
Stroll the harbor waterfront where fishing boats, smugglers speedboats, and tourist dhows mingle in the small marina, the contrast between the ancient fort and modern boat engines perfectly encapsulating Khasab.
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Shihuh Community Area
Find the area where the indigenous Shihuh people of Musandam, a distinct cultural group with their own dialect and customs, maintain their community traditions including their distinctive tree-shaped walking sticks.