Mirbat Castle & Old Town
حصن مرباط
An old port town in eastern Dhofar. The seaside castle and old houses with carved wooden windows recall the prosperous days of the horse and frankincense trade.
Mirbat lies about 70 km east of Salalah. It was once an important export port for horses and frankincense in Dhofar, and it was also the site of the 1972 Battle of Mirbat. The seaside Mirbat Castle is a traditional stone fortress that has been restored and opened to visitors. The surrounding old town preserves traditional houses with finely carved wooden windows. Many are no longer lived in, and strolling among them is very evocative of history. The waters off the town are a popular dive site in Dhofar, with the clearest water in winter. It can be combined with Bin Ali Tomb and the Tawi Atair sinkhole in a single day.
Opening hours
Castle approx. 08:00–14:00 (check official site)
Nearby sights
- Bin Ali Tomb
- Jebel Samhan Viewpoint
- Tawi Attair Sinkhole
- Teeq Cave (Kahf Teeq)
- Sumhuram (Khor Rori)
- Wadi Darbat
- Taqah Castle
- Ayn Athum