What is there to do in Salalah at Night? Salalah Nightlife Guide

The waterfalls, mountain safari and beach excursions are for the day time, so there is a a lot to do from the sunrise to the sunset in Salalah. But what to do after sunset? What to plan in the night time? Don’t worry! This is ultimate guide about Salalah Nightlife.

Salalah has many things to do in city in the night time. It is the time to explore city life, shop and dine.

Contents

Toggle

1. Visit Sultan Qaboos Mosque

Sultan Qaboos Mosque is the largest mosque, not only in Salalah, but in Dhofar Region and outside of Muscat and Nizwa. Mosque is located in City Center. It’s a huge masjid and a real display of Islamic architecture.

Mosques have unique designs, and thats how the Islamic worship site can be distinguished from the places of worship of other religion. The most important architectural parts of the mosque building is the huge central dome and its tall minaret.

In night time, you can see the exterior of the mosque well lit with the warm color lights, especially in the minarets. Sultan Qaboos Mosque has great lighting in the walkway / corridors. The chandeliers hung from the top.

Night time is a great time as well to see the Muslim gatherings at the mosque. Here they offer a prayer to Allah just after the sunset. The prayer after the sunset is called Maghrib prayer. Around an hour and few minutes after the sunset, theres another prayer. This prayer is known as Isha. Like the other prayers, the timing of this prayer is based on observation on the sky. The time of Isha begins when complete darkness has arrived and the white twilight in the sky has disappeared.

Inside the mosque, the prayer hall is wonderfully decorated with chandeliers, green carpet and wall patterns.

Non-Muslims can visit inside of the main prayer hall every morning except Friday. In night, they can see the mosque from outside. The mosque is lit beautifully and it would be great to see it even from out side. It’s a beautiful Islamic structure.

For visiting the religious site, dress modestly. The men needs to cover the leg with full length trouser and the shirt with a sleeve and the women needs to cover the leg with full length trouser, a full sleeve shirt and a headwear.

Further Reading: The Detailed Post on Sultan Qaboos Mosque Salalah

This is all year round attraction. So visitors in khareef season as well as other parts of the year can visit the Mosque.

Night View of Sultan Qaboos Mosque Salalah

2. Stroll at Ad Dahariz Beach

Dahariz Beach is the only functional public beach at night time, with lights and restaurants nearby. It has gazebos, walking trek and a sitting area on the sand. Just take a mat, or chairs and sit there to enjoy the cool sea breeze at night. Palm trees are spread all across the beach. Walking on the trek is highly recommended to see and observe how the locals spend the time with their friends and family in the beach.

Dahariz is the only beach front food street in Salalah. Here, you would be able to eat Fathira, a local bread cooked over pan with oil. Cheese and Honey are added to it. Besides this local cuisine, you can find other items in the restaurants present at both ends of the walkway / corniche.

Moreover, you can prepare a delicious barbecue meal on your own on the huts prepared exclusively for that. It’s a common sight to see visitors making the barbecue on the white sand beach.

Locals wear full cloths in the beach, which is as per the Islamic traditions. Muslims, both men and women, dress modestly and cover the entire body. In Arab, you can find the men wearing a full white dress, known as Disdasha or Thob, and women wearing a full black dress, known as Abaya. The expats living in Salalah also cover the body fully with their own customs.

Dahariz Beach Salalah – A Perfect Place for Family Activities

Further Reading: Ad Dahariz Beach Guide

3. Shop at the Souks in Salalah

Salalah has several souks (also spelled as souq), which are basically traditional style markets.

The most popular one is that of Haffa. Al Hosn Souk (also known as Al Haffa Souk, and Frankincense Souk) is an open air market besides the beach in Haffa district. This souk is specialized market in selling of Frankincense, Bukhoor, Perfumes, traditional clothes, other souvenirs and day to day use items. Al Hosn Souk closes at 10 pm.

The second souq is Gold Souk. Here, you will find gold and silver ornaments, traditional Omani Khanjar and other souvenirs. It’s not big, but it’s nearby to Central Market and Sultan Qaboos Mosque. Golf Souk closes at 10 pm.

Last but not the least, Salalah has a new air-conditioned souk in one of the modern shopping mall. This is Souk in Salalah Gardens Mall. It sells Frankincense, traditional clothes and perfumes.

Exploring souks is a great way to experience Salalah Nightlife like locals.

4. Sip Fresh Coconut Drink at Fruit Huts

Fruit Huts in Salalah are famous for the fresh fruits particularly coconut. Having coconut drink at tropical style fruit huts (stalls) is a refreshing activity, recommended for all. You can also eat local bananas here.

Since Salalah is an Islamic city, alcohol is not available. Instead, you can have fresh coconut drink and treat it as Salalah Nightlife drink.

Further Reading: Coconut Drink from Beautiful Fruit Huts in Salalah

5. Walk at Marina in Hawana Salalah

Salalah has a beautiful marina on the eastern side, before Taqah. It’s a 20 minutes drive from Salalah. The place has lots of coffee shops, restaurants and high end dining option. You can eat in doughnut on the lagoon.

In addition to these, a mini cruise is possible on the marina lagoon. Its for 3 Omani rials per person for 15 minutes cruise.

Further Reading: Detailed post on Hawana Salalah

6. Shop in Modern Malls in Salalah City

Salalah has couple of modern malls, where you can shop, or eat in the food court or other restaurants. The popular malls are Salalah Gardens Mall, Oasis Mall, Salalah Grand Mall and Lulu Hypermarket.

All of these malls are within city and can be accessed easily. Here you can see Salalah Nightlife.

7. Eat Traditional Food in Salalah

Salalah nightlife is incomplete without experiencing the food it offers. There’s lot of traditional food to eat in Salalah like Madabee, Mishkak, Maajeen, Fatirah, Omani Halwa, and Kunafa.

Ittin Food Street, Halwa shops in Haffa district and the restaurants in Ar Rubat Street are the perfect choice to eat and experience these local cuisines.

In addition to these, Pakistani and Indian cuisines are available in many restaurants (including veg and no-veg).

Subcontinent Food in Pakistani Restaurant in Salalah Oman

Dine out is by far the most activity performed in Salalah Nightlife.

Recommended Place To Stay In Salalah

For experiencing great Salalah nightlife, the best place to stay in Dhofar is in the city of Salalah. There are Over 100 Hotels and Apartments on Booking.com for Salalah, which you can consider for your comfortable and memorable stay.

Booking.com

Below are our recommendations:

Luxury: Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara

There couldn’t be any better choice of staying in Salalah other than Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara. This is the finest and premium resort in the city with private pool villas, which are not available in other resorts.

The location of Anantara is excellent. It is next to the famous tourist location of Al Baleed Archeological Site, Frankincense Land Museum and is on the white sand beach of the Arabian Sea.

Indeed, it is a great place to have a fun filled family vacation. Check prices, reviews, and availability here

Mid Range: Fanar Hotel and Residences

Although Fanar Hotel and Residences is a 5 star resort, its price is almost equal to that of a 3 star hotel in the center of the city. It is located at Hawana Salalah Marina, and is by far the largest resort in Salalah.

The only drawback is that this hotel a little away from the city. But hotel will arrange the airport transfers, so there is nothing to worry about. Also if you have rent a car, or are planning to book guided tours by Beautiful Salalah then it’s an ideal pick. Check prices, reviews, and availability here

Fanar Hotel and Residence in Hawana Salalah

Budget: Star House Elite

There are many apartments by the name of Star House, but this one is preferred as it is a nice apartment in the center of the city. There are many restaurants, including Indian cuisine and local food, at walking distance. It’s right opposite of the largest mosque in Salalah – Sultan Qaboos Mosque.

The most unique feature of this apartment is that its on the bus route of Mwasalat public transport and you can arrive here from airport using the bus. Also Star House Elite is at walking distance from the bus station of Mwasalat, GTC, GLT, and other intercity buses. Check prices, reviews, and availability here

The ultimate guide for Salalah Places to Visit ends here. If there is any place that is missed, you can write in comment. If you want to visit any of these places, write to us and we can arrange the sightseeing torus for solo, family, or group.