Khasab
Khasab
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.
Experts for your Oman trip
You might also like this
Ancient times
Already in the third century, the eastern Arabian Peninsula was inhabited by the Umm an-Nar culture, whose territory extended from present-day UAE to the northern part of Oman. Important trading partners for this early culture were the Sumerians as well as the Indus Valley culture in present-day Pakistan. The land was then referred to as Magan and was limited to the present northern part of the sultanate. Little is known about the organization of this culture, aside from a mention by Naram-Sin of Akkad (2200 BC) about a victory over King Manium of Magan. Due to the existing copper deposits in...
Frankincense Oman
The Frankincense Route meant a tremendous economic upswing for the adjoining regions, and so in the 8th century BC, trade with jewelry, gold, and other precious goods also took place along this route. Today, most of the ancient caravan routes of the Frankincense Route have blown away, and their cities have sunk into the sand. Only a few lonely oases appear now and then. In 1984, a junction of three trade routes was located using satellite images. Excavations began, and the ruins of a city were found, which some researchers believe to be the legendary Wubar. In the tale from One Thousand and On...
Education
There are not a few countries in the Islamic world where education is not equally accessible to everyone. Especially girls are often disadvantaged in such countries when it comes to education. The situation in Oman is quite different. Here, great value is placed on education for every child and also on adult education in general.Sultan Qaboos had promoted literacy in the country as much as the establishment and design of new universities since his accession to the throne around 50 years ago. During the development of the education system in Oman, his time studying in England was certainly an a...