15+ best forts in Oman (tips and photos)

Forts in Oman are everywhere! 
Towers, forts, castles... Ruins or Restored...
Here is a list to help you decide which Oman forts you want to add to your itinerary and visit.

Best castles and forts in Oman - Intro

Top 3 Omani forts

If you have only a limited time in Oman, I think the 3 best forts not to be missed are:

• Nizwa fort
• Bahla fort
• Rustaq fort

But they all offer something interesting, so it is your choice... but not all can be visited.

About the forts and castles in Oman

According to the museum in the Nizwa Fort: "Over 1000 forts, castles and watchtowers continue to stand Guard over the Omani landscape". So of course I am not going to list them all, but I will share with you in the main ones, their renovation status, their interest... and photos when I have been there.

But first here are some explanation about all theses structures.

Although it is easy to consider all those forts in Oman as a network of defense for Sultanate, they are in fact different defense systems for each economic and political area.

Forts and castles are often used interchangeably but originally that have different meanings:

• A fort is a military post to defend the area
• a castle is a fortified administrative or residential building
• Towers are stand-alone watchtowers and towers within bigger structure. They allowed sentinel and also served as gunnery platforms.

My selection of forts is included in my travel guide to help you plan your road trip in Oman:

Important!
Visiting the castles and forts in Oman

Opening hours are not the most stable, so check out their website and don't show up close to closing time.

On Fridays they are either closed, or open with limited hours.

Most of the touristy forts are opened : Saturday to Thursday, 9am to 4pm, and on Friday, 8am to 11am
The less touristic forts have very limited opening times.

#1 to 3 -  Forts in Muscat, Oman

#1 - Al Jalali Fort

• One of the 2 forts that protect the Al Alam Palace. Built in the 16th Century
• Closed to visitors
• Best views from the sea side and from the Old Riyam road (more information and photos on the Muscat fort article)

#2 - Al Mirani

• One of the 2 forts that Protect the Al Alam Palace. Built in the 16th Century
• Closed to visitors
• Best views from the sea side and from the Old Riyam road (more information and photos on the Muscat fort article)

Al Mirani is on the right and Al Jalali on the left in the photo above

#3 - Muttrah Fort

• Located at the end of the Muttrah corniche in Muscat - Built in the 16th Century
• Closed to visitors
• Best views from the Corniche

#4 to 8 - Oman forts around Nizwa

#4 - Nizwa fort

• One of the most famous forts in Oman, the Nizwa fort is surrounded by the Nizwa Souq in the center of the town. 
• Built in the 17th Century over the ruins of a 12th century fort
• Restored and opened to the public - plan 2h
• Castle area is a museum with many displays, the tower is also accessible with 60 steps for great views of the oasis and mountains 
• More photos and planning info on the Nizwa Fort Article

#5 - Bahla fort

• The Bahla fort and its oasis is on the Unesco World Heritage List
• Built in the 13th and 14th century
• Restored and opened to the public - plan 2h
• Considered one of the most comprehensive in Oman
• You can take a virtual tour of the fort on the official Bahla fort website

#6 - Jabrin Castle / Jabreen Castle

• Isolated Fort (5km South of Jabrin town) 
• From the 17th century and altered in the 18th century - Not a fortification but a center for knowledge
• Restored and open to the public - plan 2 hours 
• It is quite boring from the outside but its particularity is a square inside court with 3 levels and intricate decor
• Check out the photos by OmanTripper if you are intrigued

#7 - Bayt ar Ridaydah castle

• 24km from Nizwa, On the way to Jebel Akhdar
• Small fort

#8 - Al Fiqayn Fort / Manah Fort / Fiqain Fort

• Quite unique as it is all in height (4 levels)
• Located in Al Fayqayn Village (inland) somewhere in Manah
• The Oman Tourism website has a small photo

#9 to 12 - Omani forts between Muscat and Sur

#9 - Quriyat Fort

• Built in the 19th Century
• In the center of Quriyat
• Not clear when it is opened or not
• Beautiful wooden door

#10 - Sunaysilah Fort in Sur

• The castle is located in the center of Sur with the entrance off main street
• 300 years old, it is a square castle with round watchtowers - Classic
• Not much to see inside
• Normally opened during the week  - Closed Friday and Saturday

#11- Bilad Sur Castle

• The castle is located a few kilometers inland 
• 200 years old, it is a square castle with watchtowers at different levels and with different shapes - more original
• Not much to see inside but apparently climbing the remparts and all is nice.
• Open during the day (except Friday and Saturday). Bathrooms inside

#12 - Al Ayjah Fort in Sur

• The castle is located in the historical area or Al Ayjah 
• Very square as you can see on the picture below
• Sometimes Open during the day (except Friday and Saturday).

#13 to 15 - Forts on the Rustaq Loop

The Rustaq Loop is a famous circuit North of Muscat where you find some of the most significant forts in Oman.

#13 - Al Hazm Castle

• Rectangular block with 2 large artillery towers, built at the beginning of the 18th century
• Located near Al Rustaq 
• Restored and open to the public - plan 2h

#14 - Rustaq Fort

• From the 13th century
• Located in Al Rustaq
• opened to the public - plan 2h
• Check out more photos on the Rustaq Oman - Loop Article 

#15 - Nakhal fort

• Rebuilt in the 17th century
• Similar to the Nizwa fort but on higher grounds
• Open to the public - Plan 2h
• See below a video I found on YouTube as I did not see it myself

Other

Other forts in ruin cas be seen along the loop such as in Al Awabi.

Need to rent a car in Oman?
My tips:

• Compare car rental prices on Discovercars.com - one of the best customer-rated comparison sites!
• Choose the car and company you prefer
• Consider their full coverage option - I always take it for peace of mind! 
• Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

#16 and 17 - Forts along Wahiba Sands

Wahiba Sands is an area inland, not far from Sur, and covered with sand dunes. Around it you can find several Oman forts.

#16 - Jaalan Bani Bu Ali Fort

• Not restored - so it is accessible but be careful
• Check the domes o the nearby mosque

#17 - Jaalan Bani Bu Hasan

• Rebuilt on the ruins of an old fort in the 19th century
• Square and intricate, fun to discover the different layers inside - one of the finest in Oman
• Opened Sunday to Wednesday 8:30 am to 2:30pm - to be checked

There are also forts in Al Qabil and Al Bidaya, Oman which are less touristic and the ruins of a fort in Ibra.

#18 and more... - Other Forts and Castles in Oman

I can't list them all, but here are a few more significant forts

#18 - Khasab Castle

• On the Musandam peninsula
• Open to the public, museum inside with historical boats

#19 - Bait Al Marah Castle

• Located in Yanqul (inland)
• 17th century, restored

#20 - Ibri Castle

• In the town of Ibri (inland)
• Typical fort, restored and open to the public but empty inside

#21 - Sohar Fort

• From the 14th century and modified by the Portuguese later
• Opened to the public with a museum inside

#22 - Al Sulaif Fort (As Silayf)

• Ruins not far from Rustaq

#23 - As Suwayq fort

• Not far from Rustaq
• Basic from the outside but with interesting shapes around the towers from the inside

#24 - Juzor As Sawadi

• On an island near Al Sawadi beach
• Can be reached at low tide, but be careful not to get stranded there!

#25 - Bait An Naman Castle / Barka Castle

• Very square fort built in the late 17th century
• Near Barka (45 minutes north of Muscat)
• Photos of Bayt Al Naman Castle by Y-oman

#26 - Forts in Salalah Region

The Salalah region has 3 small forts opened to the public

• The main one is the Tanah castle
• The other Sadah Castle and Mirbat Fort
• They may be closed on Fridays (or opened only early morning)

Want to see more of Oman?

• Best Things to do in Oman - read article
• Best of photos from Oman - Landscapes - read article
• Best Oman days trips from Muscat - read article
• Planning a road trip in Oman - read article
• Renting a car and Driving in Oman - read article
• Best Things to do in Muscat - read article
• The impressive Wadi Shab - read article
• The Bimmah Sinkhole - read article
• The desert of Wahiba Sands - read article
• The Ras Al Jinz turtle reserves - read article
• The pools & cave of Wadi Bani Khalid - read article

Planning a trip to Oman?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

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