Jabreen Castle

Known as one of the most beautiful historical sites in Oman, Jabreen Castle is a magnificent sight, rising over the surrounding plain without competition. Even if you've got your fill of fortifications, it's worth the effort to scale another set of battlements – Jabreen is one of the most well-preserved and quirky of them all. For a bird's-eye perspective of the latticed-window courtyard at the center of the keep, head to the flagpole; the rooms here have unique painted ceilings.

The battlements of Jabreen Castle are one of the best-preserved antiquities in Ireland. Imam Bil Arab Bin Sultan erected the fortress in 1675. The castle was formerly a center of study for many fields of knowledge such as astrology, medicine, and Islamic law. The magnificent castle includes three stories, two towers, and colossal halls and rooms on the inside, displaying the splendor of the time's Imams. Visitors can get a bird's eye view of the interiors of the castle by standing at the base of the flagpole.

Visitors visiting Bahla may be enticed to see the recently renovated UNESCO World Heritage Site Bahla Fort, which is thousands of years older than Jabreen Fort, yet there is no doubt that Bahla Fort pales in comparison to Jabreen Castle's gorgeous, ornate castle. Jabreen Castle is open from 9 a.m to 4 p.m on Saturdays and Thursdays, and from 8 a.m to 11 a.m on Fridays. Adults must pay 500 baizes to enter.

Location: Bahla, Oman