Fishing boats in water at dawn near Kumzar Village.

Andrew Montgomery

Musandam

Separated from the rest of Oman by the east coast of the United Arab Emirates, and guarding the southern side of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, the Musandam Peninsula is dubbed the ‘Norway of Arabia’ for its beautiful khors (rocky inlets), small villages and dramatic, mountain-hugging roads. Accessible but still isolated in character, this beautiful peninsula with its cultural eccentricities is well worth a visit if you’re on an extended tour of Oman, or if you’re after a taste of wilderness from Dubai.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Khasab Fort

    Khasab Fort

    Khasab

    With its command of the bay sadly diminished since Lulu Hypermarket was built on reclaimed land opposite, Khasab Fort nonetheless cuts quite a dash with…

  • Khor Al Najd Viewpoint

    Khor Al Najd Viewpoint

    Musandam

    Located 24.5km southeast of Khasab, Khor Al Najd is the only khor (inlet) accessible by vehicle (preferably 4WD). You can camp on the rim of this wild bay…

  • Khor Al Sham

    Khor Al Sham

    Musandam

    This beautiful inlet is interesting for its stone fishing villages, accessible only by boat, and for Telegraph Island, which dots the middle of the bay…

  • Khmazera Castle

    Khmazera Castle

    Khasab

    Buried in the heart of town (brown signs show the way), this small fortified house sports two cannons at the doorway, a renovated well in the courtyard…

  • Kumzar

    Kumzar

    Musandam

    Set on an isolated khor (inlet) at the northern edge of the peninsula, the surprisingly modern town of Kumzar is accessible only by boat. The villagers…

  • Petroglyphs

    Petroglyphs

    Musandam

    About 8km from Khasab harbour lies the village of Tawi, site of a few prehistoric rock carvings of boats, houses and warriors on horseback. To reach these…

  • Burka Fort

    Burka Fort

    Musandam

    Dwarfed by a huge new mosque (with a very old mosque alongside), Burka Fort still provides a good view of the bay halfway along the Khasab–Tibat road. It…

  • Al Khalidiyah

    Al Khalidiyah

    Musandam

    From the base of the track to Khor Al Najd, a road leads to the village of Sal Alaa and Al Khalidiyah, an inland bowl full of magnificent mature trees…

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Articles

Latest stories from Musandam

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A female snorkeler swims above a coral reef near Hurghada.

Beaches

Where to find the best scuba diving sites in the Middle East

Apr 17, 2019 • 5 min read

Read more articles

Go Beyond

Musandam and beyond

Beyond Musandam
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