A person working on a structure near a harbor with boats and buildings in the background.

Khasab

Khasab

Written by: Luca Krohn Last updated at: May 21, 2025

In the port city of Khasab, the largest town in the small Omani enclave,Mussandam, more than half of the people who call this region home live. The official numbers fluctuate between 17'500 and 23'000 inhabitants. In any case, Khasab is a small and manageable town that has quite a lot to offer. Those who want to see all the sights and soak up the charm of the city will need two to three days.

Khasab – the remote producer

“The remote producer” is the approximate translation of the name Khasab into English. The name makes sense, as a significant portion of Oman’s date harvest is gathered in Khasab. The fact that the quality of dates from the Khasab oasis is not inferior to the quantity is evidenced by the fact that dates from Khasab are considered particularly good. However, the capital of the region is appreciated not only for its dates by both Omanis and residents of the United Arab Emirates. Although the port of Khasab is small compared to the large port facilities in the capital or further south in Duqm, it is located directly on the important and trade-rich road of Hormuz. Additionally, in recent years it has become a popular stopover for cruise ships wishing to show their guests this part of Oman. For the residents of the United Arab Emirates who like to spend a weekend holiday here, Khasab is something like a small escape from the huge and glittering everyday life.

The sights of the city

Khasab also has much more to offer than just beautiful surroundings. The fort in the north of the oasis, which was first mentioned in the historical annals in 1622 and was then occupied by Portuguese soldiers, is definitely worth a visit. The port is also a small adventure. Here you will find few fishermen, but rather speedboats that come over from the nearby Iranian coast early in the morning and whose owners want to trade here. At the souk in Khasab, you can find many items that are rare and expensive back home. It is also worth visiting the Sultan Qaboos Mosque. The elegant but rather simple building is located in the center of the city and portrays how Oman likes to perceive itself – with simple and modern elegance. Then it's time to dive into the old souk, the market of the city. Although there are not many stalls left selling noteworthy souvenirs and “real” works by locals, the few remaining gems are worth searching for.

Discover Oman with experts who have called it their home

Your dream holiday, tailor-made by experts.

We don't just know Oman from books, we visit the country several times a year to experience the culture, landscape and people first-hand.

From your first enquiry to your return home, we are there for you personally - by phone, email or WhatsApp, whenever you need us. Our trips are as unique as you are: individually planned and provided with exclusive privileges and high-quality arrangements that will make your trip unforgettable.

You might also like this

An older man with a white beard, wearing traditional Omani attire and a cap, sitting against a textured wall with a pillow behind him in a market.

Life Expectancy in Oman

2 min read

In the Arab world, the life expectancy of people is usually not comparable to that of Western Europe or North America. There are various reasons for this. However, in Oman, life expectancy has come remarkably close to that of the Western world in recent decades. In 2015, it was 76 years – the average of both genders. Comparing life expectancy to just about 30 years earlier, it was only 41 years. A change as striking and rapid as the overall development of the Sultanate on the Persian Gulf. Why has life expectancy improved? There are several answers to this. The simplest is: The government of...

An airplane takes off from an airport runway during sunset with several aircraft parked nearby.

Salalah Airport

2 min read

The international airport of Salalah is located behind the airport in Muscat, the second largest in the country. The airport is about 10 kilometers from the city center and lies a little north of Salalah. From here, one can choose both domestic connections to Muscat and other regions of Oman as well as European destinations. History of the airport The airport of Salalah was opened in 1977. It was the time when Sultan Qaboos had just begun to implement the first significant improvements in infrastructure development. The very first reforms and construction projects benefited from the steady f...

A group of people enjoying a day outdoors near the beach with palm trees and a wooden hut in the background.

Family Life in Oman

2 min read

Family life in Oman has little to do with how a Western European might imagine family life in an Islamically influenced country. The woman is seen here as a partner of the man, not as his property. Women are expected to be able to earn their own living, although they still play a significant role in raising children today. However, education for girls is regarded by the politics in Oman as equally important as education for boys. A school diploma, higher education, and vocational training are completed by both genders here. Thus, normal family life in Oman has much in common with how it was kn...