Top places to see in Musandam

Top travel locations to visit 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!

Jebel Harim is the highest point in Musandam, which reaches 2,087-meters high. Jebel Harim means the Mountain of Women. It was called this because Omani women used to go up the mountain and hide when they feared they might get kidnapped by pirates, while their men were away on fishing trips. Visitors can go hiking or drive up the hill to enjoy the spectacular views from its top, as they watch the surrounding valleys and villages. They can also camp on the magnificent mountain.

The Jebel Harim peak stands tall and proud at 2,087 meters. It’s the highest peak in Musandam. The words Jebel Harim literally means the ‘Mountain of Women’. It’s been named this way given that during the days of piracy and colonization by the Portuguese, Omani women would hide up the mountain fearing kidnap and molestation. Enjoy spectacular views from the top of this peak, of the surrounding valleys and villages. You can also camp on this mountain, and trek or hike to your heart’s content.

The 28km (17-mile) coastal road from Khasab to Bukha is Musandam’s only surfaced connection with the outside world, a spectacular feat of engineering which winds dramatically around the sea cliffs and khawrs of the coast. The first few miles out of Khasab are particularly fine, blasted out of the feet of the mountains around Khawr Qida and revealing vivid bands of sedimentary layering. On the far side of the bay, Wadi Tawi has petroglyphs featuring camels, sheep and hunters pecked into the rocks. From here the road climbs up to the village of Al Harf at the highest point of the ridge, offering spectacular views over the Strait of Hormuz – on a clear day you can see Iran. It is another 12km (7 miles) or so from here to the quiet town of Bukha, home to an impressive seafront fort. Read more info on Musandam Tour Deals.