Al Mirani Fort
The Basics
Like its sister fort, Al Mirani is inaccessible to the public and can only be viewed from the outside. However, its presence—complemented by the almost mirror-image Al Jalali that faces it—brings notable symmetry to Old Muscat’s harbor, with a fort crowning each of its two promontories.
Al Mirani is a fixture on all Muscat tours. Most include photo ops at Old Muscat’s harborfront to see Al Mirani and Al Jalali, and the Al Alam Palace, also overlooking the bay. Other ways to see Al Mirani include boat trips that sail past the bay; hop-on hop-off bus tours, and evening tours that showcase the harborside when both forts are beautifully illuminated by floodlights. It may also be possible to see the harbor on a Muscat day trip from Dubai.
Things to Know Before You Go
- It’s possible to stroll almost fully around the base of Al Mirani to see its fortifications from different angles.
- Don’t forget sunscreen or a sunhat if you’re exploring anywhere in Old Muscat—shade is scarce.
- Much of Old Muscat is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible.
How to Get There
The easiest way to visit Al Mirani is on a Muscat tour that covers the sights of Old Muscat and includes hotel pickup and drop-off. The nearest bus stop is at Old Muscat’s Al Alam Palace roundabout, about a 10-minute walk away. If you’re driving, follow Old Muscat’s Bab Al Muthaib Street to Al Mirani, where parking spaces sit directly below the fortifications.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
You can admire Al Mirani anytime you wish, 365 days a year. The harborside below the fort can get busy with tour groups—but they usually disperse quickly. For the most striking views, come at sundown, when the fading sun casts a fiery light over the harbor. The fort is floodlit at night, which promises some spectacular photos.
The Legend of Al Mirani
Legend has it that Al Mirani was key to the ousting of Oman’s Portuguese occupiers in the 17th century. When a Portuguese commander wanted to marry the daughter of a local supplier, the latter pretended to agree while secretly removing all the fort’s gunpowder and then signalling this to Oman’s sultan. The sultan duly struck, prompting the departure of the Portuguese soon after.
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- Al Alam Palace (Sultan's Palace)
- Al Jalali Fort
- Bait Al Zubair Museum
- Muttrah Corniche
- Muscat Cruise Port
- Muttrah Souq (Mutrah Souk)
- Sultan's Armed Forces Museum (SAF Museum)
- Old Muscat
- Bait Al Baranda
- Royal Opera House
- Qurum Beach
- Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
- Amouage Factory and Visitors’ Centre
- Wadi Bani Khalid
- Wahiba Sands (Sharqiyah Sands)