Mirbat - in the footsteps of old time Oman

We love old ruins and remains of abandoned old villages - the old world charm, the stories the walls must had witnessed, the hand made, carved walls and doors all contribute to this love. We came to Oman first time in 2016 and visited Al Hamra - it was love at first sight. We thought Al Hamra was one of a kind - and how wrong we were! There are many other villages with old mud-brick ruins: Birkat Al Mouz, Wadi Bani Habib, Afi Wadi Al Mawil, Al Hafa or Al Minzifah in Ibra just to mention the ones we have visited. Every time we explore a new place, we say: wow this is our favorite! But now maybe we did indeed find our favorite - Mirbat old town. Mirbat is a fishing village not far from Salalah and dons the best beaches for snorkeling - think crystal blue water with rocky shores dotted with white sand covered bays. Absolute perfection and Mirbat is well known for it. What is less known is the hidden treasure of abandoned houses next to Mirbat castle and this is what we set to explore during our last visit. We were not disappointed, Mirbat old town is an absolute gem - one beautiful old building adorned with hand carved old doors and window frames after the other. And the most surprising part - it turned out these houses are not that abandoned! Many of them are still inhabited and lived in. You walk around and kids blast by on bikes. Old man sits in front of an old house. There is a shop. It is a bit surreal - it is lived in but somehow still feels like being in a time capsule. You can feel how lively it must had been few decades ago when the central square was busy with the weekly market. You look at the building of once-upon-a-time-bank, close your eyes and you will be transported back in time. 

Well, in short - if you are in Dhofar, do not miss Mirbat old town, you will not regret it!

Location: close to Mirbat castle, you will not miss it.