Al Khandaq Fort represents Buraimi’s architectural history: the 19th-century fortress overlooks Wadi Al Jizzi and was restored in 1993. With Al Hillah Fort, the Buraimi Oasis Project – City Center and the revitalized Falaj Al Sa’ara, the city brings together historic defensive architecture, city paths and a traditional irrigation system. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing these city destinations from other destinations in the wider Buraimi travel destination.
Forts and Architectural History
Al Khandaq Fort has a square layout with towers and several rooms that formerly served military and civilian purposes. Defensive walls and loopholes are also part of the complex. This makes it possible to view its defensive architecture alongside the more varied former uses of its rooms. Al Hillah Fort is a historic landmark in the center of Buraimi and adds a second prominent reference point for the city’s history.
City Paths and Greenery
The Buraimi Oasis Project – City Center was inaugurated on January 7, 2026. It is located between Al Hilla Fort and Al Khandaq Fort and includes designated walking and cycling paths. In the first phase, a small oasis and 174 palm trees were created across squares and paths. The project also includes more than 200 parking spaces. The combination of paths and greenery offers a different focus from the historic forts and provides a distinct perspective on urban development.
A restaurant is located on the lower floor of one of the project’s buildings. If you would like to include it in your plans, check whether it is currently open before visiting. The paths, palm trees and parking spaces help position the project as a distinct part of your city exploration; they should not be confused with the historic rooms of the forts.
Falaj Al Sa’ara and Irrigation History
Falaj Al Sa’ara, also known as Al Sa’rani, is a traditional irrigation system in Buraimi. After lying dormant for 15 years, it was revived; it extends for more than 6 kilometers and was developed as a cultural and tourist attraction. The project was also expanded to include tourist facilities such as swimming pools and majlis areas. Check which areas are accessible before visiting. Alongside the forts, this brings the history of irrigation into focus: here, water management and later tourism development define the subject rather than defensive architecture.
Buraimi Beyond the City
The wider Buraimi travel destination includes other destinations in the Wilayat of Mahdah and Al Sunaina. These regional places should be distinguished from the city features described above. The Wilayat of Mahdah is a particularly popular destination for excursions, camping and exploring wadis, mountains and dunes in winter. Bayt Al Nad Fort is considered the largest and oldest fortress in the wilayat; its history is thought to date back to before the 18th century. The Falaj Mahdah hiking trail is considered one of the best routes in Mahdah, while the Al-Khatwa village loop passes through plantations and the Falaj Al Khatwa oasis. In the sands of Mahddah, winter activities include camping under the open sky and sand sports.
The Wilayat of Al Sunaina is also especially suited to excursions, camping and exploring sandy areas in winter. Falaj Al Rayhani originates there underground as a Dawoodi falaj and irrigates extensive areas of fields and palm groves. In Wadi Al Qahfi, pools are surrounded by palm trees and flowering oleander. This regional landscape focus therefore differs both from the forts in Buraimi and from the paths and greenery of the City Center project.
Hamasa adds history and a distinctive townscape to the regional picture. The village was a historic trading center that connected Oman with neighboring countries. Its historic quarter is estimated to be more than 500 years old; it comprises two districts, a marketplace and several towers connected by Falaj Al Jaimi. The described townscape also includes mud-brick houses and historic mosques. The golden dunes of Hamasa are suitable for sand sports.
Discover more destinations: Mahdah, Hayl.
Back to the main travel overview: Buraimi.
