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.
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