• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to footer

ZigZag On Earth

Plan unforgettable road trips!

  • FRANCE
    • CORSICA
    • NORMANDY
    • PARIS
  • EUROPE
    • ANDALUCIA
    • CANARY ISLANDS
    • GREECE
    • ICELAND
    • ICELAND WINTER
    • PORTUGAL
    • SCOTLAND
    • SLOVENIA
  • REST OF WORLD
    • NEW ZEALAND
    • OMAN
  • EBOOKS
  • TIPS
  • PUZZLES
  • ABOUT

The Rustaq Loop (Oman)- Rustaq fort + Al Hazm fort + Nakhal fort

Last updated on September 17, 2019 By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

Al Rustaq Oman has become famous thanks to the 3 forts on the Rustaq Loop - Not far from Muscat, you can admire the Rustaq Fort, The Nakhal fort and the Al Hazm castle. A great drive to include in your Oman Road Trip! Below is my guide to help you plan your trip.

Al Rustaq Oman - Rustaq Fort - Nakhal Fort - Al Hazm
Quick Navigation
The Region of Rustaq Oman
PLANNING TIPS - Rustaq Loop
The Rustaq fort
Al Hazm Castle
The Nakhal Fort

Navigate back to the complete Oman Travel Guide

Share0
Share +10
Tweet0
Pin0

The Region of Rustaq Oman

Just West Of Muscat is a road called the Rustaq Loop.
For those interested in historical structures, it includes 3 forts:

  • the Rustaq fort,
  • the Nakhal fort
  • and the Al Hazm castle.

It make for a great day trips from Muscat.

Rustaq Oman - the fort

Rustaq fort, Oman


PLANNING TIPS - Rustaq Loop

Getting to Rustaq Oman - Map of the Loop

  • 40 min West of Muscat is Barka, turn inland on Road 13 until Rustaq and turn back towards Road 1 and the see on Road 11
  • or do the opposite
  • Below is a quick map I draw to show you the Rustaq Loop
Rustaq forts loop map Oman

Loop of Rustaq - Map

Visiting the forts of the Rustaq Loop

  • Without any stop the loop Barka to Barka takes 2h40 
  • Check each section below for information about the forts and their access
  • Avoid Fridays to do this loop as a lot of places are closed
  • All stops with their GPS coordinates are included in my eBook: 

Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!

small Oman eBook Cover
  • 8 exclusive easy-to-plan maps
  • 90+ amazing locations
  • Tips to plan & make the most of your time
  • 100+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

LEARN MORE


The Rustaq fort

About the Rustaq Fort

Rustaq used to be a significant town in Oman due to its strategic position between coast and mountains. This is why the Rustaq fort is one of the largest in the country. It is also one of the oldest forts in Oman which has been expanded several times in its history.

It is a large complex with its own irrigation system, mosque and prison. It has 4 towers, the tallest reaching 20 meters in height.

Together with the Al Hazm castle, they have bee submitted to the World Heritage list but from what I can see, they have not been nominated.

Rustaq fort 2

Best view of the Rustaq fort

You can admire the imposing structure from further away by taking the road up to a mausoleum (GPS coordinates in the eBook) You will get the views of the Rustaq fort you can see below.

Rustaq fort from the distance

The Rustaq fort

The fort of Rustaq

The fort opened to the public Saturday to Thursday (at least 9am to 4pm) and Friday (8am to 11am).

I was there on a Friday at prayer time so I could not enter it. But I could see all the local men converging to the Mosque inside the fort. So instead I took the time to walk all around the castle. The walls surrounding the complex really gives it a charm and intriguing effect.

walking to prayer
Wall of the Rustaq Fort Oman
Rustaq fort 1

Love forts? Discover more on the the most significant Forts in Oman article


Al Hazm Castle

About Al Hazm

The Al Hazm Castle is located not far from Rustaq. It is a large military fort from the beginning of the 18th century. It is a 2 story rectangular fort with 2 towers.
So from the outside the fort is less intriguing.

Al Hazm Castle Oman Rustaq Loop

Al Hazm Castle

Visiting Al Hazm

The fort can be visited  - Opening hours: Saturday to Thursday (at least 9am to 4pm) and on Friday (8am to 11am). 
Plan quite a lot of time with all the corridors and rooms to discover. Displays are set up in different rooms to show how life used to be. Bathrooms for the public. They also proposed audio guides.

It is considered one of the best forts to visit.

Al Hazm Castle Oman Rustaq Loop 2

The Nakhal Fort

About the Nakhal fort

The 3rd major fort on the Rustaq Oman Loop in the Nakhal fort. It makes me think of the Nizwa fort but situated on higher grounds.
Located on a hill it was designed around it and re-built in the 17th century.

Nakhal Fort - Rustaq loop oman

Nakhal Fort

Visiting the Nakhal Fort

It can be visited - Saturday to Thursday (at least 9am to 4pm) and Friday (8am to 11am) - and offers great views of the surroundings.

Nakhal Fort - Rustaq loop oman

Want to see more of Oman's beauty?

PREVIOUS: 

AL AYN AND BAT NECROPOLISES

NEXT: 

AL SAWADI SHELL BEACH

Oman destination guide travel planning addict

Do you enjoy visiting castles and forts?

Share0
Share +10
Tweet0
Pin0
How to plan your ideal Oman Road Trip itinerary (and adventure)!
Read More 
Best Musandam Tours – Dhow Cruise, Musandam trips from Dubai, 4WD…
Read More 
Best Oman Day Tours from Muscat (Desert, Canyon, Wadis…)
Read More 
Where to stay in Oman – Best places + Hotel reviews (+photos)
Read More 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amal Owasi says

    June 18, 2020 at 8:42 AM

    Hey Claire!
    In the past couple of weeks, I’ve read most of your blogs specially about Oman. I love the way you portray your experience about a country which makes it even more beautiful. Your pictures are everything a reader needs to get fully immersed in the story. I’ve made up my mind to visit Oman after everything settles down and you have contributed a lot in that decision making. Thanks a lot!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

Search

Follow us on Facebook

Follow up on Pinterest

Website in French: ZigZagvoyages.fr

Website in German: ZigZagreisen.de

Privacy / Terms of Use / Disclosure Policies / Refund policy

Become an affiliate for the ZigZag road trip guide

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. ZigZagOnEarth.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.uk and Amazon.ca

Copyright © 2021 ZigZag On Earth · Log in