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!
There are several beaches in Musandam where visitors can enjoy golden sand, crystal turquoise waters and beautiful sea creatures and birds. However, the Khasab beach is the most beautiful of the Musandam Governorate. Visitors can enjoy a day on the stunning beach, go for a swim in the refreshing waters, take a boat trip, or even plan to camp for a night on the incredible beach. A day at the Khasab beach must be included in a visit to Musandam.
Khasab Castle is located in the Musandam Peninsula’s capital, the Khasab Province. The Portuguese built this castle in the 17th-century, as part of their undertaking to take control of the Strait of Hormuz and colonize the Khasab Province. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Arabian Gulf to the Arab Peninsula and is a prominent trading route, entry into the Arabian Gulf. The castle was used by the Omanis during their battles with the Portuguese during 1624, after which it became Governor Walli’s residence. The castle also served as a prison. Today it is a museum, which hosts several exhibitions on the history of Musandam. There’s also an exhibition of old documents, clothes, weaponry, jewelry, and other household items from those distant times. Use our blog post as a guide and check out this wonderful museum’s secrets for yourself.
The only sizeable settlement in Musandam, the compact but bustling town of Khasab, lies close to the northern tip of the peninsula at the head of a steep rocky wadi. The town itself divides into two parts: the New Souk, the bustling heart of modern Khasab, and, 2km (1 mile) north on the coast, the more ramshackle Old Souk. The latter is where you’ll find the town’s fine fort, built by the Portuguese in the 17th century and now with an interesting miniature museum on Musandam. Directly in front of the fort stretches Khasab’s extensive harbour, formerly the epicentre of the town’s roaring smuggling trade with Iran. Read more info on Musandam Tour Deals.