18 Stunning Legendary Forts In Oman That You Need To See

Do you want to know what's it like to visit a Fort, in Oman? Wondering what are the most impressive ones?

Each fort in Oman has distinctive engineering and architectural features that make it a physical challenge and an education to visit today. Be prepared for plenty of climbing up and down steps in your exploration of these enormous structures. In this article, we will show you 18 Stunning Legendary Forts In Oman That You Need To See

Al Mirani Fort

Al Mirani Fort lies in old Muscat and overlooks the Sea of Oman. It is also known as Al Gharbiya Fort as it commands a view of a high rocky hill at the end of the west wall. It can be reached by climbing a flight of stairs carved into the rock.

Some say that the fort’s name was originally "mirante", a Portuguese word meaning "Admiral", while others say that the fort was named after a Persian leader by the name of “Miran Shah".

At the base of the hill a large dock was built, and visitors can only view the castle from the outside.

Al Jalali Fort

Al Jalali Fort lies in old Muscat and overlooks the Sea of Oman. It is also known as the Ash Sharqiya Fort. Some say that the fort’s name origin is "Al Jalal", meaning "great beauty", while others say the name is that of the Persian leader “Jalal Shah".


The fort consists of two towers connected by a wall punctuated by holes for cannons. The building is completely isolated and cannot be accessed from its rocky façade; instead there is a small bridge and stairway ending at one of the holdouts for safe exit. Visitors can only view the castle from the outside.

Mutrah Fort

Located on top of a rocky, narrow hill, Mutrah Fort stands tall facing the sea and inhaling the winds that waft the fragrant memory of ships gone by, ships that once sailed these azure waters.


The fort seems as if it were the only passage connecting Mutrah and Muscat. Currently, it consists of three circular towers: a huge one sitting on the summit and the remaining smaller two are located one at the first point in the West, and the other, which still houses one of the old cannons, to the north of the fort near the large tower. Visitors can only view the castle from the outside as it is currently undergoing renovation.

Nakhal Fort

Nakhal Fort is one of the most prominent historical monuments in the Sultanate. It derives its name from the Wilaya itself. The fort lies amidst palm orchards in Wilayt Nakhal in Al Batinah South Governorate. It is an entrenched building that rises above a rocky hill at the base of Mount Nakhal in the northeast of Al Jabal Al Akhdar (Green Mountain).

The fort, also called Husn Al Heem, lies 120 kilometres from the capital Muscat and is located at the entrance of Wilayt Nakhal in Wadi Ar Raqeem.

This fort’s architecture does not follow a particular pattern, as it was designed around an irregularly shaped rock. You'll find that some rock parts become part of the building. This can be observed in some towers, particularly on the fort’s western side.


The construction of the castle dates back to the pre-Islamic era.

ArRustaq Fort

ArRustaq Fort lies in Wilayt ArRustaq in Al Batinah South Governorate  . It was originally built in 1250, but was reconstructed to its present state during the reign of the Al Y`aribah in the sixteenth century. It consist of two floors, in addition to a ground floor, and houses residences, weapon stores, reception rooms, gates, a mosque, a prison and water wells. ArRustaq Fort has four towers: The Red Tower, The Wind Tower, The Devils Tower and the Modern Tower.

Sohar Fort

Sohar Fort is considered one of the most important castles and forts in Al Batinah North Governorate due to its outstanding location and the significant role it played over past centuries. This fort dates back to the end of the thirteenth century and beginning of the fourteenth century. Archaeological excavations carried out fort confirmed that it was completed in the fourteenth century.


Sohar Castle is an eminent historical landmark. The building’s current features were built during the rule of the Portuguese. Currently, the fort includes a museum, opened in 1993, that showcases many archaeological and historical aspects of Sohar City as well as other places in the Sultanate of Oman. The museum also highlights the important role played by the copper trade in this city and its relationship with the city of Canton in China, in addition to various artefacts found during archaeological excavations inside the fort and other locations in Oman.

Nizwa Fort

Nizwa Fort is one of the oldest forts in Oman and lies in A'Dakhiliyah Governorate. It has a unique large round shape. Its height reaches 24 metres, with an outer diameter of 43 metres and an inner diameter of 36 metres. This fort has seven wells and multiple openings for stationing the fighters defending the fort. Nizwa Fort was built by Imam Sultan Bin Saif Al Y`aribi in the middle of the seventeenth century. It was this imam who expelled the Portuguese from Oman. The fort, which took 12 years to build, is linked with a castle by means of intricate corridors. Near the fort and castle is the traditional Nizwa market famous for its artefacts.

Bahla Fort

Bahla Fort lies in Wilayt Bahla in A'Dakhiliyah Governorate. Since 1987, its name has been included in the World Heritage Sites List. Bahla Fort includes: Bahla Oasis with its traditional souks, old alleys, ancient mosques, and its wall that extends over a distance of approximately 13 kilometres and whose construction dates back to the pre-Islamic era.

Originally, Bahla Fort was built in the third millennium BC. The length of its South façade is about 112 kilometres, while its eastern façade is about 114 metres. 

It is evident that the Bahla Wall, which extends over a distance of 12 kilometres, with its terraces, apertures for opening fire and guardhouses, was designed for defence purposes.

Al Fiqayn Fort

Al Fiqayn Fort lies in Wilayt Manah in A'Dakhiliyah Governorate. It consists of four storeys through which the visitor can see the old quarters and surrounding farms. Al Fiqayn Fort is located in the centre of Al Fayqayn Village, characterised by its unique architectural design.


Prevalent in Wilayt Manah is the Al Matek bush which is used in manufacturing indigo colour, used in old times to dye clothes and to extract some traditional anti-toxin medicines. Wilayt Manah has made the Al Matek its logo.

If you want to discover more about Oman, visit the official website here: www.omantourism.gov.om

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Written by: Oman Tourism UK. Official Account for the Oman Ministry of Tourism MBR in The UK & Ireland. Want to be part of our community? Connect with us!

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