Salalah, Oman: travel guide
Monsoon-green hills, frankincense heritage and Indian Ocean beaches
Capital of the southern Dhofar region, transformed each summer by the khareef monsoon into a green, misty landscape of waterfalls.
About Salalah
Salalah is the main city of Dhofar in southern Oman, set on the Arabian Sea. Its character is different from the rest of the country: coconut palms, banana plantations and a long coast, with mountains behind.
In the khareef season, from roughly late June to early September, the monsoon turns the hills green and fills waterfalls and wadis, drawing visitors from across the Gulf. At other times of year you can visit the frankincense trees and the historic site of Al Baleed, see the Museum of the Frankincense Land, and enjoy beaches and the souq. Day trips lead to blowholes and coastal viewpoints.
Salalah suits families, beach lovers and those interested in the frankincense story. It is a good escape in summer, and winter is mild and sunny.
- Country
- Oman
- Currency
- OMR
- Time zone
- Asia/Muscat
- Nearest airport
- SLL
Last updated
Top places to visit in Salalah
Sultan Qaboos Mosque Salalah
congregational mosque · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
The large white congregational mosque of Salalah Al Jadida, an elegant example of modern Omani mosque architecture.
Ayn Razat
spring garden · 4.4 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A spring-fed garden park with pools and shaded lawns at the foot of the Dhofar mountains.
Taqah Castle
castle museum · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A restored 19th-century coastal fort-house museum of Dhofari life, about 33km east of Salalah.
Al Haffa Souq
frankincense souq · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A traditional market near the corniche piled with Dhofari frankincense, bakhoor and hand-carved incense burners.
Al Mughsail Beach
sea beach · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A long white-sand Arabian-Sea beach about 40km west of Salalah, backed by cliffs.
Job's Tomb (Nabi Ayoub)
shrine · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A hilltop shrine reputed to hold the tomb of the Prophet Job, set amid the green Dhofar highlands with sweeping views.
Mirbat Castle
coastal fort · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A 19th-century sea-facing fort in the historic frankincense and dhow-trading town of Mirbat.
Wadi Dawkah Frankincense Park
frankincense grove · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A UNESCO-protected grove of wild Boswellia sacra frankincense trees on the plain north of Salalah.
Wadi Darbat
wadi waterfall · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A travertine cliff waterfall and valley of lakes that roars to life during the khareef monsoon.
Bin Ali Tomb, Mirbat
mausoleum · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A distinctive twin-domed medieval mausoleum on the edge of the old dhow-trading town of Mirbat.
Salalah Corniche & Al Haffa Beach
city beach · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A palm-lined city beach and promenade along the Dahariz/Haffa waterfront, popular for evening strolls.
Sumhuram & Khor Rori
unesco archaeological · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A UNESCO-listed fortified ancient frankincense port overlooking a coastal lagoon at Khor Rori.
Things to do
- East Salalah Tour Tour · 8 h · from OMR 35 per person
- West Salalah Tour Tour · 5 h · from OMR 30 per person
- Khareef Green-Season Sightseeing Nature · 4 h · from OMR 20 per person
- Frankincense Trail Tour Tour · 6 h · from OMR 35 per person
- Dolphin Watching Boat Trip Water · 2 h · from OMR 15 per person
- Empty Quarter (Rub al Khali) Desert Tour Adventure · 10 h · from OMR 90 per person
Day trips and tours
- East Salalah Full-Day Tour 8 h · from OMR 35
Where to stay in Salalah
- Al Haffa & Corniche about OMR 80 per night
Beachfront strip near Al Baleed with the corniche, souq and top resorts.
- Salalah City Centre about OMR 45 per night
Central district with malls, budget hotels and easy access to the mosque and souqs.
- Salalah Beach (Al Saada) about OMR 110 per night
Modern resort development east of the city with lagoons and family resorts.
Hotels
- Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara 5-star · OMR 120 to OMR 280 per night
- Salalah Rotana Resort 5-star · OMR 90 to OMR 200 per night
- Hilton Salalah Resort 5-star · OMR 70 to OMR 130 per night
- Fanar Hotel & Residences 5-star · OMR 80 to OMR 160 per night
- Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah 4-star · OMR 60 to OMR 110 per night
- Hamdan Plaza Hotel 4-star · OMR 30 to OMR 55 per night
Where to eat
- Bin Ateeq Salalah Omani · about OMR 6 per person
- Baalbek Restaurant Lebanese · about OMR 7 per person
- Al Reef Lebanese Restaurant Lebanese · about OMR 5 per person
- Qadri Restaurant Indian · about OMR 3 per person
- Darbat Restaurant Arabic · about OMR 6 per person
- Bahjha Al Andlas Restaurant Arabic · about OMR 4 per person
Getting to Salalah
Airport: Salalah (SLL)
Getting around
- Bus
- Car Rental Self
- Ride Hail
- Taxi
- Walking
More in Oman
Frequently asked questions about Salalah
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Salalah?
- The highest-rated places in our Salalah guide are Sultan Qaboos Mosque Salalah, Wadi Darbat, Al Mughsail Beach, Bin Ali Tomb, Mirbat, Job's Tomb (Nabi Ayoub).
- Where should I stay in Salalah?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Salalah: Al Haffa & Corniche, Salalah City Centre, Salalah Beach (Al Saada).
- How do I get around Salalah?
- Ways to get around Salalah covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Ride-hailing app, Taxi.
- Which airport is nearest to Salalah?
- The nearest airport to Salalah has the code SLL.