Nestled within the Arabian Peninsula, Salalah boasts a distinctiveness that sets it apart and has made it a year-round tourism hotspot. With a multitude of captivating activities and an array of remarkable tourist destinations, Salalah offers an enticing array of options to explore.
This comprehensive guide to visiting Salalah and Dhofar will furnish you with valuable insights into the vibrant realm of tourism in this region.
Contents
Where is Salalah?
Salalah is nestled in the southern region of the Sultanate of Oman, a captivating country located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It’s a city that enjoys a unique geographical position, bordered by the azure waters of the Arabian Sea to the south and the rugged landscapes of the Dhofar mountain range to the north.
The city is the capital of the Dhofar Governorate, an area renowned for its lush landscapes, contrasting with the arid surroundings typically associated with the desert. This exceptional location grants Salalah a distinct microclimate that sets it apart from the rest of Oman, resulting in its lush greenery, particularly during the Khareef season, a time of year when monsoon rains transform the city’s surroundings into a verdant paradise.
With its prime location along the coast and the fertile plains of Dhofar, Salalah has become a hub of economic and cultural activity in the region. Its strategic position has fostered a rich history of trade, connecting the Arabian Peninsula to Africa and beyond. As the second-largest city in Oman, Salalah’s modern infrastructure, combined with its historical significance and breathtaking natural beauty, makes it an alluring destination for both local and international visitors.
Why is Salalah Famous?
Salalah is well-known for its beautiful landscapes and great weather. People like to visit Salalah, Oman during two different times of the year. The first and most popular time is called the Khareef season, when everything turns green and lively. The other popular time to visit is during the winter season.
Different types of tourists come to Salalah during these two seasons. And the places to visit and things to do are also different. This guide will give you helpful information to plan your trip to Salalah better and make it more memorable.
Seasons in Salalah
Before you learn about the places to visit, it’s important to understand the seasons because they affect what you can do and see. Let’s take a closer look at these two seasons:
1. Khareef Season in Salalah
Khareef, which translates to “Autumn” in Arabic, stands as the dominant season in Salalah. This stretch of time, from late June to early September annually, ushers in the most inviting weather in the city. Referred to as the Khareef season, it is synonymous with the English term “monsoon season”.
During this period, Salalah experiences refreshing rains, fostering a delightful ambiance that breathes life into the region. These showers lead to the emergence of numerous waterfalls and springs among the mountains, some of which remain even beyond this season. However, many of these natural wonders are transient, disappearing once the season concludes.
The Khareef season draws a throng of visitors to Salalah, especially from within Oman and neighboring Gulf States, where scorching temperatures prevail. In stark contrast, Salalah enjoys temperatures ranging from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius during this season, creating a marked disparity. This variance in climate makes Salalah a sought-after summer retreat for residents across the Middle East.
Additionally, European and Western expatriates residing in the region also flock to Salalah during Khareef to relish the refreshing temperature shift. Salalah’s accessibility is noteworthy, being a mere 2 to 3 hours’ flight away from most of the Arabian Peninsula’s capital cities.
Given the heightened tourist activity during this peak season, it is strongly advised to secure sightseeing tours and hotel stay well in advance to avoid missing out on the opportunity due to full bookings.
Booking.comFor more details about this amazing season, read the post What is Khareef Season?
2. The Winter Season
The winter season stands as another favored period among tourists. This season spans from October through April each year, encompassing the months of October, November, December, January, February, March, and April. Throughout these months, the climate tends to be clear, marked by abundant sunshine and the absence of rain. Additionally, the beaches experience regular tidal patterns during this time.
During the aforementioned months, tourists hailing from European countries often flock to Salalah, seeking respite from the chilly temperatures in their home nations while indulging in a holiday getaway. The tourists are especially from Italy, Poland, Germany, France, and Chez Republic.
Within this article, we will present an exploration of the notable destinations to visit in Salalah during both the Khareef and winter seasons. This comprehensive guide aims to provide a thorough understanding of the city’s attractions during these distinct periods.
What is the best time to visit Salalah?
With Salalah experiencing two distinct seasons, a question often asked by visitors pertains to the ideal time for their Salalah sojourn. Fortunately, the answer is straightforward.
For those yearning to witness the spectacle of seasonal waterfalls, enveloping fog, mystical mist, and the transformative monsoon rains that adorn the mountains with lush greenery, August emerges as the prime month to visit Salalah.
Conversely, if the aim is to revel in the captivating landscapes and beaches, the winter months are deemed the most suitable for a Salalah expedition. During this period, the sun graces the days with warmth while maintaining a comfortable temperature, rendering the winter season the optimal time to explore the picturesque beauty of Salalah.
Best Places to Visit and Things to Do in Salalah
Salalah boasts an array of captivating destinations waiting to be explored. The following are a selection of the enticing places to visit and activities to partake in while in Salalah.
1. Pray at Sultan Qaboos Mosque
Sultan Qaboos Mosque is the largest mosque, not only in Salalah, but in Dhofar Region and outside of Muscat and Nizwa.
Situated at the heart of the city, this mosque is a grand testament to Islamic design, exemplifying its splendor. The prayer hall is adorned with ornate chandeliers, green carpeting, and intricate wall patterns, encapsulating the essence of Islamic aesthetics.
This is all year round attraction. So visitors in khareef season as well as other parts of the year can visit the Mosque. It’s worth noting that non-Muslims can explore the interior of the main prayer hall every morning, excluding Fridays.
This place is covered in Salalah City Tour and can be added as a stop in other amazing tours run by Beautiful Salalah Tours. There are some other very interesting places to visit in the city tour that you must not miss.
Further Reading: Sultan Qaboos Masjid Salalah
2. Explore the Beautiful Waterfalls
The best part of the Khareef in Salalah is the pleasant weather, drizzling, mountains turning green and the waterfalls. These waterfall will be available only in the Khareef season and depends on the amount of rain.
There are some really nice waterfalls, which are a must to see. Like Wadi Darbat Waterfalls, Ayn Athum, Ayn Khor, Ayn Gogub, Ayn Hamran, Ayn Ghaith, etc.
Further Reading: Detailed Post on All Waterfalls in Salalah
As a word of caution, most of mountains in Dhofar has fog in the khareef season and most of the time, the visibility is very low. It is better to book the sightseeing tour to experience these sites with the local Omani experienced guides. Contact us and we can help you on this matter by offering you the tours with the experienced Omani guide. We are Number 1 tour provider in Salalah as per TripAdvisor.
In addition to the waterfalls, many springs in Salalah are highlight of Khareef as well as winter season. For instance, Ayn Sahalnoot, Ayn Razat, and Ayn Jarziz are captivating springs in Salalah, each offering its own unique charm.
Since Khareef is peak tourist season, we highly recommend you to book the accommodation before they are fully booked.
3. Paddle the Boat at the Wadi Darbat, Oman
Without a doubt, the boat ride along the natural canal at Wadi Darbat is an absolute must-do activity. This valley stands as one of Dhofar’s most popular attractions, drawing numerous visitors. Beyond the motorized boat excursion, individuals can also choose to explore the watercourse on paddle boats or kayaks.
Adding to its allure, this valley showcases two splendid waterfalls, which emerged in 2018. Known as the cascade waterfall, it’s characterized by its interconnected streams flowing through the valley. The second waterfall descends dramatically from the cliff’s edge, forming an impressive Travertine Curtain.
Further Reading: Wadi Darbat – A Must Visit Destination in Dhofar
This is a year round destination. Therefore, anyone who visits Salalah at any time of the year can enjoy the beauty of this valley.
The tour to Wadi Darbat is included in both the Half Day East Salalah Tour and the Full Day East Salalah Tour. These are mostly private tour in 4×4 SUV for your family. But on request group tours can also be arranged. This is one of our most popular tours and is highly recommended.
4. Get Yourself Soaked with Water Splashes at Mughsail Blowholes
Mughsail Beach and Blowholes (also called geysers and natural fountains) at Marneef cave are the most visited place on the Western side of Salalah. The landscape of Mughsail Beach is stunning and the natural fountains are mesmerising. This is a year round tourist destination as well.
The natural fountains have more height in khareef season. However, in the other part of the year, these water jets are present but are not going that high. But, the fountains are charming throughout the year and a must when you are in Salalah.
Bird watching is a popular activity at Mughsail Lagoon. Moreover, horse riding and making barbecue are other popular activities on this beautiful beach. A day out at Marneef Cave, Al Mughsayl Blowholes and Mughsayl Beach is an ultimate picnic experience. No doubt, this can be visited in any time of the year.
We cover this amazing place in our West Salalah Tours, either in 3-4 hours Half day West Salalah Tour or in 7-8 hours Full day tour West Salalah Tour. Check more about these tours
Further Reading:
- Mughsail Beach – A Must Visit Beach
- Detailed Post on Marneef Cave and Mughsail Blowholes
- List of Stunning White Sand Beaches in Salalah
5. Discover Land of Frankincense – The UNESCO World Heritage Sites
As per UNESCO World Heritage site, there are four components that make Land of Frankincense. These sites are Al Baleed Archeological Site, Sumharam Old City (khor Rori), Wubar Archeological Site and Wadi Dawkah.
The first two are the ancient sea ports – Sumhuram (4th century BC to the 5th century AD) and Al Baleed (8th century till 16th century AD). From here Frankincense was shipped to other parts of world including Africa, Europe, India and China.
Frankincense was inland traded via the Lost city of Ubar. This outpost was close to Shisr, about 170 km inland of Salalah and in close proximity to the Great Sand Desert of Empty Quarter (Rub Al Khali).
The forth one on the list is Wadi Dawkah, which is an outstanding example of the frankincense plantation (Boswellia Sacra) area. From these trees, the resin was produced, collected and then traded.
All of these sites in UNESCO World Heritage list, can be visited throughout the year. We organize the tours to these archeological sites, with our tours like Salalah UNESCO world heritage Site tour,
6. Sand Bashing at The Sand Desert of Empty Quarter Oman (Rub Al Khali)
Empty Quarter Oman is one of the most famous desert in the world. Also, it is one of the largest desert in the world. It is located after 2 hours drive on the North side from Salalah, Oman.
The desert has a lot of uniqueness and is a huge pile of Sand. Interestingly, Empty Quarter extends in 4 countries in Arabian Peninsula. Oman is one of these.
The desert can only be visited with guide and Beautiful Salalah Tours can arrange this trip for you. These guides are Omanis and know Salalah pretty well. Desert adventure needs an experienced driver. You can drop an email to info@beautifulsalalah.com or book via TripAdvisor.
There are 2 sightseeing options for Empty Quarter Oman. One is the Sunset Tour, while the other one is with an overnight stay at the desert in Bedouin Tents. Desert is only recommended for visit in winter (from October to April) due to temperature. Further Reading: The Ultimate Guide about Empty Quarter Oman – One of the Largest Desert in the World
7. A Picnic at Fazayah Beach with Camels
Fazayah is one of the most popular beaches in Dhofar. Known for its pristine and nature, Fazayah Beach is located on the western side after Mughsail Beach and Masood Hidden Beach. The road to the beach is off-road and we highly recommend you to book the guided tour to experience it in the best possible way.
You will find lots of camel in Fazayah Beach and they will be guests on your picnic at the pristine beach. Whether you are visiting Salalah in Khareef or winter, this should be on your Salalah places to visit.
Further Reading:
8. Pay Visit to Tombs of Prophets in Salalah
Salalah has tombs of four prophets. These are Prophet Ayub, Prophet Hood, Prophet Saleh and Prophet Imran.
Firstly, the Prophet Ayub (Prophet Job) Tombs is in the top of the hill in Jebel Ittin. He is known for the patience during the trials. The drive from Salalah city to Jebel Ittin is quite pleasant, and memorable. It will take around 30 minutes to reach the tomb.
During Khareef Season, the mountains are covered with fog and sometimes the visibility is very low on the roads. This could make driving on the mountain road quite challenging, especially for those who are not used to drive on the mountainous tracks. It’s advisable to go on a guided tour, with experienced driver to be on the safer side.
Secondly, Prophet Hood’s Tomb is located at 20 minutes drive on the Northern side of Salalah. He was a prophet sent towards the tribe of Ad, who are mentioned multiple time in Quran.
Thirdly, the other notable tomb is that of Nabi Imran. It is not clear who is Nabi Imran. He could be father of Prophet Mosa (Prophet Moses), or Grand Father of Prophet Issa (Prophet Moses) or another Prophet. The length of the tomb is around 12 meters, which makes it one of the largest in the world.
Fourthly, Prophet Saleh Tomb is located on the Eastern Side of Salalah, some 2 hours drive away from the City Center. However, a site in the city is famous for the footprint of a camel (Prophet Saleh’s camel) and it is also visited by many. This camel was sent as a sign to the Tribe of Samood (Quam e Samood).
Further Reading:
- The Tomb of Nabi Ayub in Jebel Ittin
- Nabi Hood Tomb in Al Qara Mountains
- The Tomb of Nabi Umran in Salalah City
- Nabi Saleh Tomb in Hasik
- The footprint of Prophet Saleh’s Camel
9. 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.
Second souk on the list is Salalah Central Market. It is a relatively newer souk in Salalah City Center. This market has a lot of shop, mostly of fish, meat and fruits and vegetables. In addition to the shops, there are some restaurants as well.
The third 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.
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.
Further Reading:
- Al Hosn Souk – The Frankincense Souk in Salalah
- Salalah Central Market in City Center
- Gold Souk – The place to buy Gold and Silver Jewelry
- Salalah Gardens Mall – The first Modern Shopping Mall in Salalah
10. Experience Sunset from the Cliff at Taqa Beach
Taqah is the nearest wilayat from Salalah on the Eastern site. The beach is beautiful. The cliff at the end of the corniche is one of the best spot to experience a wonderful sunset. Experience an unforgettable sunset from above the Indian Ocean and white sand shore, with a great view of Taqa City.
Taqa Beach is a paradise for Bird Waters in the morning. The entire white sand shore is full with birds.
Further Reading: Taqa Beach and Other Places to visit in Taqah
11. Adventure of Jebel Safari – A Drive to Remember
The drive on the mountains in Dhofar is an unforgottenable expereince. This is one the things to do in Salalah. Locally this is called Jebel Safari. Jebel is an Arabic word for mountain.
Dhofar mountains comprise of 3 renowned chain. Al Qara mountain (Jebel Al Qara), Jebel Shams and Al Qamar Mountains (Jebel Al Qamar).
Salalah city has mountains on its Norther and Eastern side. These are Al Qara mountains. The famous Ittin mountains, Wadi Sahalnoot, Zeek, Wadi Darbat, Wadi Naheez and other valleys are in Al Qara mountains.
Further Reading:
At the eastern end, the Samhan mountains form the highest point in Dhofar. Its highest peak reaches 2,100 meters. Here you can see dense clouds below you, especially in khareef season. A perfect view point for capturing the time lapse of clouds movement.
On the western side of Salalah, after Fazayah Beach, the mountains of Al Qamar will captivate your attention. This will continue in Shaat, Rakhyut and Dhalkut. Just for information, this side is visited by tourists who have more time, as a trip to Dhalkut will take the entire day.
Our experienced guide will take you to the hidden beaches and fascinating landscapes. The hairpin road is popular highway to reach to this part of Dhofar, which has bends every few meters. The guide knows how to drive here even with fog as he knows the route.
Further Reading:
- The Hidden Beach in Shaat – An Off-Road Track
- Places to Visit in Dhalkut
- Rakhyut and its Tourist Attractions
12. Discover Marine Life by Dolphin Watching Cruise & Diving
Salalah has diversifed marine life and coral. Moreover, there is a ship wreck in Mirbat as well. The underwater marine life, coral and ship wreck can be discovered by diving in Mirbat. Beautiful Salalah Tours arrange diving with pick and drop from the hotel.
If you don’t want to dive, you can do snorkeling instead. This is also arranged with the experienced staff and with all the gadgets required for diving and snorkeling.
Moreover, another way to explore the marine life is by cruise in Indian Ocean. The trips on speed boats make you see the humpback dolphins in their natural habitants and sometimes jumping as well.
Snorkeling, Scuba Diving and Dolphin watching tours are arranged only from October to May. Due to high tides in khareef season, these activities are not performed. To arrange any of these contact us and we would be happy to assist you.
Additional Tip: You can plan a visit to Mirbat after diving. Mirbat has a beautiful coast, a castle, fishing port, fish market, an old town and mausoleum of Bin Ali.
Further Reading:
13. Trek at Tawi Attair Sinkhole
Tawi Atair Sinkhole Oman is the most famous sinkhole in the Dhofar. This sink hole is located in Tawi Atair, Eastern side of Salalah, after Taqa and Wadi Darbat and Before Mirbat.
You can go down this sinkhole either by trekking on the steep muddy trek or by rope access. Both of these can be arranged by Beautiful Salalah Tours, who is with you during Salalah Places to Visit.
There are two more sinkholes, which you can visit. These are Shaat Sinkhole and Taiq Sinkhole (also spelled as Tayq or Taeq Sinkhole).
All of these sinkholes are year round destination. Further Reading:
- Tawi Attair Sinkhole
- The Sinkhole at Taiq
- Shaat Sinkhole
14. Experience Car Drive at Neutral Gear at Salalah Anti Gravity Point
Its an amazing experience to see the car going up the hill at Neutral gear (without any acceleration) at Salalah Anti Gravity Point (also known as Magnetic Point, or Gravity Hill). This is a really something unique. The car can move at a speed of 40 to 60 kilometers per hour without any acceleration.
Additional Tip: Just few meters away from the baffling site of Magnetic Point, you will find Baobab Trees in Wadi Hana. This is an impressive botanical reminder of Dhofar’s link with Africa.
Further Reading:
- Salalah Anti Gravity Point Before Mirbat
- Baobab Trees in Wadi Hana near Anti Gravity Point
15. 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.
Further Reading: Coconut Drink from Beautiful Fruit Huts in Salalah
16. Get Inside the Castle in Dhofar
There are 2 prominent castle / Fort in Dhofar Region. The first one is Taqa Castle, which is located in the wilayat of Taqa. Whereas the other one is Mirbat Fort, located in Mirbat.
Moreover, there is one Palace in Salalah – Al Hosn Palace, which can be seen from outside only. This is in the middle of Salalah City right next to Haffa Souk. This is one of the palaces of Sultan in Oman. Entrance is not permitted.
Further Reading:
- Taqa Castle in Taqah, Oman
- Mirbat Fort in Mirbat, Oman
- Al Hosn Palace in Salalah, Oman
Guided Tour In Salalah and Around
For booking the tour, you can contact Beautiful Salalah Tours, which is the leading online tour operator in Salalah. The company arranges the tour with the licensed guide, who are Omanis and know Salalah pretty well.
Booking the memorable tour with professional team of Beautiful Salalah is very easy. Just drop a Whatsapp message to our 24/7 customer support numbers +968 9120 6678 or +968 9012 3004 and book the trip.
Alternately, you can drop an email to info@beautifulsalalah.com or book via TripAdvisor.
Beautiful Salalah Tours has 4.5 star review in TripAdvisor and is operating in Salalah since 2018. You can read all the reviews on TripAdvisor before making a decision.
Recommended Place To Stay In Salalah
For a memorable and comfortable family vacation, 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.
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
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.
Booking.comIs Salalah Worth Visiting?
Off-course Salalah is worth visiting. It’s a very unique place in the world – not just in Arabia and Middle East. The place has all what you can imagine – desert, beaches, mountains, waterfalls, springs, sinkholes, caves. In addition to these amazing landscapes, Salalah has delicious cuisine, friendly people, safe environment and pristine nature.
For adventure lovers, Salalah also has many things to offer. Salalah also offers camping options for those who want to spend time in the nature.
All of these are mentioned in the tourist guide above. So what are you waiting for. Just book the tickets, hotels and tours and come to this beautiful place. Thats why we call it Beautiful Salalah.
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