Mutrah Fort — Attraction in Muscat

Mutrah Fort The fort seems as if it were the only passage connecting Mutrah and Muscat. Currently, it consists of three circular towers: a huge one sitting on the summit and the remaining smaller two are located one at the first point in the West, and the other, which still houses one of the old cannons, to the north of the fort near the large tower.

Ministry of Tourism has opened the first phase of the historic Muttrah Fort in Muscat for tourists after renovation.

The historic Muttrah Fort overlooks the Sultan Qaboos Tourism Port, Souq Muttrah and neighboring tourist spots. Visitors to the fort of Muttrah can reach the area by car via Souq Muttrah towards the office of Wali Muttrah, and then turning right towards the fort.

Visit Timings

The castle will open its doors to visitors throughout the week as follows:

Saturday to Thursday from 9am to 4pm Friday from 9am to 11am and from 2pm until 4pm

Ticket Prices Adults: 0.500 Baisas Children's from 6-12 Years: 0.200 Baisas

Forts dating back to the 16th century guard the coast of old Muscat dominating and complimenting the architectural and traditional past of the Sultanate of Oman. Aimed at keeping a watch over the enemy’s invasion. Now they stand tall reflecting the history welcoming visitors. Few of them are open only to significant delegates from all across the globe. These forts are the only connection between the Muscat and Muttrah of the yesteryears to that of the present....

A visitor’s delight, overlooking the whole of Muttrah and the Arabian Sea stretching as far as telescopic view covers, Muttrah Fort also known as Koot Muttrah has played a pivotal role in nation’s past. It was built by the Portuguese in their period of supremacy as a defence technique against the rampaging Ottoman army. The main purpose of the fort was for military but in many opportunities was also used as a detention centre for prisoners.

Currently, it is perhaps the perfect place to spot the beauty of the town and the sea from atop. The aerial view of the sea and Muttrah from the fort perfectly justifies the reason behind the construction of the fort on the hilltop. Least was known then in the past that it can hold an iconic view of the location. Since, the fort has recently been reopened and other than a few internal structural changes, the intricacies and the originality of the building has been left untouched.

The stairways have been modified for an easier and smoother climb, this paths lead to a maze of innumerable junctions – an entrance with a high ceiling further leads to another dark staircase leading to a dungeon, which is assumed to have been used to store ammunitions and food or hold captured detainees.

Moving further ahead, a display of canons is showcased. They are placed at significant points along the fort, sitting between the holes in the fort walls waiting to locate, target and attack the enemy. The three circular towers in this monument are seen well-armed with the canons. The first tower sits at the summit, one rests at the western front and the other is perched at the north of the large tower. Multiple stairs winding up to an open platform throws light to another marvelous tower on the north of the fort near the largest tower, which graciously exhibits one of the oldest canons, a major attraction of the fort, simultaneously presenting a majestic view of the harbour, the fish market, sea road and the azure sea. Because of its dilapidated condition and the regulations set by UNESCO that requires the full restoration of heritage structures, renovation work was carried out by Ministry in order to preserve the historical finesse of the 16th century citadel. With the renovations almost complete and the changes although minimal, the authorities ensure safe and easier access into the buildings. Along with the old, newer facilities like a parking lot, clean washrooms inside and outside, offices have been added to make it...

I read online that this fort was just recently reopened this year. I was quite fortunate to be able to visit this historic place in old Muscat. After wandering on foot along the corniche and popping in to the fish market and souk, I was ready to experience a bit of Muscat history. It's actually within walking distance from the Mutrah Souk but some may disagree with me due to the blistering heat. However, if you come on cooler months, the walk along the beachfront is very enjoyable. I walked to the office located on base of the hill and was delighted that they told me I could go in without paying any entrance fee (there's a board there with entrance fee prices). It was just after midday in Oct so the sun was brutal and I was the only tourist there - just the way I like it. I climbed up the steps and paused to read some historical facts on the first landing. The place was very well kept and there are even 2 clean and decent restrooms. Needless to say, the view atop was incredible. On one side, you can see the rooftops of old Muscat with rocky mountains as their backdrop. On the other side, the coastline, harbour and the azure blue from the Gulf of Oman stands out. It's breathtaking. Despite the heat, there are moments of respite as the cool seabreeze touches your sweaty skin. I took a long time exploring every nook and cranny. The old cannons stood like silent sentries. If only they could talk! I just sat on the fortress wall looking out to the gulf and ponder on my ever increasing unanswered emails in my Inbox. After shaking off those unpleasant thoughts, I continued climbing upwards. The top of the fortress had a huge machine gun and a flagpole. I told myself I should return during sunset but alas, I could not make it during this trip. Gotta come back...

Built by the Portuguese in the 1580s, this fort dominates the eastern end of Mutrah harbour. Used for military purposes, it has at long last reopened to visitors. There's not much to see inside although the three-tower structure may be of interest to military buffs. Even if you have fort fatigue, it's fun to scale the flank of the building for a good view of Mutrah and the ocean.

Situated on the hills overlooking the natural harbor of Muttrah, Muttrah Fort is a historic fort in Muscat that served as a strategic defense point against attacks and a vantage point to monitor the surrounding area from its watchtowers. Its construction dates back to 1507 AD, but it was later reinforced with stronger walls and towers by the Portuguese during their occupation of Oman in the 1500s. Muttrah Fort remained a vital defensive location for centuries, including modern times.

Despite its relatively small size, Muttrah Fort offers multiple vantage points over the Muttrah corniche, harbor, and rocky ophiolite outcrops, making it a popular destination among tourists and locals alike. Visitors can admire the old cannons scattered on the ramparts and the slightly more modern WWII-era artillery guns. However, the fort lacks any rooms or seating areas and is simply stretched along the hill, which means a visit won't take much time. Nonetheless, the panoramic view of Muttrah Corniche is a sight not...