There are about 500 forts and castles in Oman. A handful of them stand here on the coastline of Oman. In the ancient times they were defensive bastions and watch towers protecting old Muscat. Although used by the Ottoman, Persians and Omani, in 1507 the Portuguese came to Muscat and they took it by brutal force. Most of the forts have now been restored, feeding the imagination of visitors. Find the fortifications about 2 km walk from the shuttle bus drop off locations.