visit muscat to salalah

Getting from Muscat to Salalah – Fastest, Cheapest & Most Scenic Routes!

Living in Muscat has its perks! The beautiful buildings, the upscale shopping malls, the historical forts, the intricately designed mosques – everything grand.

But, sometimes, an exotic escape awaits! How would you like to immerse yourself in lush green forests and waterfalls engulfed in mystical fog?

Where’s this place, you ask?

Not as far as you might think! Approximately 1000 km away from Muscat is Salalah, the third-largest city in Oman. Famous for being dry in the winters and tropical in the Khareef, this coastal desert city is famous for its diversified climate, elegant resorts , and lively events.

So, if you’re looking to travel from Muscat to Salalah, you’ll find all the relative information below!

Distance from Muscat to Salalah

The distance from Muscat to Salalah as the bird flies is 858 km, to be precise, and the road distance is 1017.7 km.

If you want to get there in the fastest possible way, taking a flight would be advisable. However, if you’re a fan of road trips, you can travel by bus or take your own ride.

In any case, let’s look at how much time and money it will take to travel from Muscat to Salalah using all available options.

Travelling to Salalah by Bus

The cheapest option to travel from Muscat to Salalah is by bus via the Mwasalat Bus Service .

The Intercity bus Route 100 leaves thrice a day from Azaiba Bus Station, also stopping at Muscat International Airport, and Burj Shawa Bus Station. The Muscat to Salalah departure times are currently at 7:00 am, 10:00 am, and 7:00 pm.

The Mwaslat bus fare from Muscat to Salalah is 8 OR one way, or 12.5 OR return (approx $21USD/$32USD)

After a 12-hour and 30-minute ride, the bus will drop you off at Salalah Bus Station, from where you can take a taxi or rental car to your destination in Salalah.

Muscat to Salalah Drive in Your Own Car

If you are on a long vacation and can spare one whole day travelling, take your own car from Muscat to Salalah.

The reason? It’s fun, scenic, and you can stop, eat, and rest on the way when you wish.

Now, two routes take you to Salalah. The first one goes through Nizwa via Route 17 and 32, and the second is a coastal route through Sur and Duqm via Route 31.

You can undertake this journey in a standard sedan vehicle; a 4×4 is not necessary unless you’re planning on making several diversions into the desert along the way. Large sections of the drive are dual carriageway and other than occasion road works for road widening, it’s a good-quality highway and well sign-posted throughout.

Route 1 Through Nizwa

If you take the first route, it will take 10 hours to reach Salalah as the distance approximates 1013 km. It is the quickest route, although slightly less scenic. You will still get to pass through the historic city of Nizwa en route.

There are few more sights on the way, including Al Sahwa Public Garden, Al Saf Saf Shopping Centre, the magnificent Izki Mountains, and the Sultan Qaboos Youth and Cultural Centre.

As for refreshments, you can stop over at the Wonder Bakery at Al Maha Gas Station, the Bellapais Restaurant, and the Rawabi Fayhaa Cafe.

There aren’t really any family-friendly overnight points to stop, so we’d recommend two drivers taking turns to get you through the journey in one go.

Route 2 Through Sur and Duqm

Going through route 2 will take almost 6 hours more than route 1 (without rest stops), as the distance is over 1400 kms long. The route will take you along the coastal highway and is significantly more scenic than the one through Nizwa!

However, you can view many attractions on the way, like crossing the Tropic of Cancer, stop at Dagmar Beach or Hidden Beach, and unmissable Bimmah Sinkhole. Extend your journey a little further along the coast to catch Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve .

For freshening up, you can stop at the many restaurants and cafes along the way, like the coffee shop at Al Aktkiah Oman Oil Service and Al Faris Restaurant at Thumrayt Street.

If you’re hoping to break up the journey, stop at Duqm on the coast overnight before continuing inland to Haima. The second leg of the journey Duqm to Salalah is less scenic, allow about 6.5 hours.

Important Note! Once you get outside of Muscat and Nizwa, don’t expect all petrol stations to take credit card. It is wise to carry Omani Riyal with you for the smaller service stops.

And snacks! Lots and lots of health snacks if you can, unless you have a penchant for service station food.

Stops are regular enough but do keep an eye on your fuel levels at all times as it will take a couple of tanks at least to complete the Muscat to Salalah journey. Look out particularly in the stretch between Haima and Thumrait as fuel stops are less frequent.  

Flying to Salalah

If you’re in a time crunch and want to reach Salalah at the earliest, going by air would be the best option. It would, however, be a bit costlier than going by road.

10 flights to Salalah depart daily from the Muscat International Airport . Currently, only Oman Air and Salam Air service this route.

The ticket fare starts from $116 USD approximately and can increase according to the seat or other options like extra luggage, and of course, time of year. Flights during Khareef rise to around $180 USD per person.

On the plus side, you can reach Salalah International Airport in just 1 hour and 40 minutes!

Check current airfares and flight times Muscat to Salalah here .

Transportation in Salalah

Once you reach Salalah, you’ll require a car to move around the city. If you have your own car, there’s nothing better; however, if you come by air or bus, you will need a taxi or a rental car, as that’s the most common means of transportation.

Taxies in Salalah know they have a captive audience and are known for over charging foreign guest. Depending on how far your travelling, it seems the rate from the airport to major hotels can significantly fluctuate from 7 OR to 15 OR.

We’d recommend, is possible, to ask your hotel about arranging a car or guiding you on the correct fare as it seems taxies are still not metered.

If you would like to get a car for the whole day, you can get rental cars for as low as $16/day to $46/day, depending on the number of passengers and luggage. We would recommend this over hiring a txi to get out and see the best attractions in Salalah.

We would recommend using DiscoverCars to fid the best deals on local car hire.

Dubai to Salalah by Road

It is possible to get from Dubai to Salalah by road directly – if you are prepared for a 12 hour journey!

If you don’t have your own vehicle, a bus option is possible with Gulf Transport Company. Departing near their office in Deira daily, this route takes 16 hours.

Contact Gulf Transport direct to see if they are still running this route post-COVID +971-506-420-210

The alternative is to take the Dubai to Muscat public bus, then connect to the Muscat to Salalah service in Muscat.

We have not taken this package tour ourselves but you could try Beautiful Salalah if you’d like everything done for you.

Travelling from Muscat to Salalah can be quite an experience, given the amazing sights you can see on the way. However, keeping your budget, time, and convenience in consideration, we have put out all the available options for you.

Flights from Muscat to Salalah are quite frequent, as many as 10 times a day, and can get you there in just over 90 minutes, but it can come off as a bit expensive. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, you can always opt for a bus ride, but you won’t be able to stop along the way for sightseeing.

If you have the time and energy and want to have a memorable road trip from Muscat to Salalah, taking your own car is the best option. You will have to pay for the gas and snacks but a memorable experience awaits!

So, would you rather fly to Salalah, take a bus service, or drive in your own car? Let us know!

More on Salalah & Oman

If you’re planning a trip to Oman you may also be interested in:

• These are the best family resorts to stay at in Salalah
• Picking the best times to visit Oman
• Family-friendly highlights of Oman
• Best of Muscat with Kids
• Muscat to Musandam – by air, road and sea!
• Take a breathtaking tour of the Musandam Peninsula, Oman
• What to wear in Oman; dress code advice for all the family

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How to visit Salalah and the Dhofar region in Oman

By Joan Torres 5 Comments Last updated on April 29, 2024

Salalah is Oman’s second city and the capital of Dhofar governorate, the southernmost region in the country, nestled between Yemen , the Rub’ al Khali and the Arabian Sea.

It is the furthest and remotest province in Oman, which is why Dhofar tends to be overlooked by most travelers, who prefer to stick to the destinations around Muscat instead.

Yet, with its dramatically jaw-dropping coastline and unique tropical weather, Dhofar is not only an unmissable destination in Oman but, in my opinion, one of the most mind-blowing places to visit in the Middle East .

This guide will tell you everything you need to know to visit Salalah and Dhofar province , including things to do, how to get there, travel tips and plenty of curiosities.

In this Salalah travel guide you will find:

Table of Contents

• B est time to visit
• How to get in
• Where to stay
• Things to do
• Salalah city
• West of Salalah
• East of Salalah
• North of Salalah
• More information

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😍 Why travel to Salalah and Dhofar province

Vertiginous cliffs, turquoise-blue waters, arched coconut palms, and empty white-sand beaches.

Before traveling to Salalah, I had never imagined that such breathtaking landscapes existed in the Middle East , but they really do and driving along Dhofar’s coastline, wild camping in such unspoiled places, is a wonderful travel experience like nowhere else in the region.

On our trip, we drove the entire 400km coastal road, all the way to the Yemeni border, not without stopping in several Omani villages and fishing settlements, where we were continuously blessed by the local hospitality.

There are some important archaeological sites too, as this part of Oman used to be a major trading center in the ancient world, home to an important and large harbor from where tonnes of frankincense where shipped across the world .

But perhaps, the most unique event that makes this magical destination appear in the tourist maps is that Dhofar experiences an actual tropical monsoon season that runs from June to August, during which its landscapes are covered by mist and fairy meadows, the reason why Dhofar is filled with papaya and mango plantations all year round.

This is a world apart from the northern dry lands and the rest of the Gulf Monarchies.

In your trip to Oman , do visit Salalah and the rest of Dhofar.

td {border: 1px solid #cccccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;} ⛅ Best time to visit Salalah and around

Visiting salalah during khareef , the monsoon season (june to august).

Khareef is what the locals call their monsoon season.

Actually, khareef literally means monsoon in Arabic.

As strange as it sounds, khareef is the busiest season, when the grassy plains within and outside of Salalah are suddenly overrun by thousands of Omanis, Saudis and Emiratis, seeking a cool breeze from the overwhelmingly high temperatures that tend to prevail in the rest of the Arabian Peninsula.

Khareef , however, is not like other monsoon seasons with strong winds and heavy rains – like in South East Asia for example – but in Salalah, it just rains very lightly all day long, and that’s why most Arabs opt for wild camping.

I think khareef season is a great time to travel to Salalah, not only because you will witness a particularly unique event, but also because you will have the chance to meet many Arabs in their best holiday mood, who will definitely invite you to join them over some grilled kebabs.

The only downside we found was that sometimes, the dense fog would not let us enjoy the beautiful landscapes.

Visiting Salalah during the rest of the year

Any time is a good time to travel to Salalah.

In September, right after the monsoon season, its landscapes are at their greenest, but the weather can be pretty hot and humid, even though it’s never as hot as in the northern part of Oman.

Winter is a good time too but the later you go, the less green it will be.

The second time I visited Dhofar was in November, and it was great. It was relatively hot and dry during the day, and the perfect temperature at night.

If you are planning to travel more inland, towards the Empty Quarter , it’s advisable to come in winter.

🛫 How to get to Salalah

Salalah is a faraway city, more than 1000km from Muscat . It’s a very long 1-day drive, or even 2, depending on how fast you go.

Moreover, something you need to know is that the road that links Muscat with Salalah goes through an empty desert for more than 800km, with no tourist attractions in between, so you can’t really break the journey into more than 1 day, even though there are a few road motels on the way.

The road, however, is in good condition and there are enough service stations.

How to travel from Muscat to Salalah

By car – As I said, it’s a 1000km drive, so start early in the morning. If you want to cut it short by 160km, you may start driving from the city of Nizwa , a popular destination in northern Oman.

By bus – It’s possible to travel to Salalah from Muscat by bus. That’s what I did on my 7th visit to Oman. Buses leave from the bus station located in the Ruwi area. There are several bus companies, all of them charging between 10€ and 20€, depending on the level of comfort they offer. It’s a 12-hour journey, so I don’t recommend booking the cheapest bus.

How to travel to Salalah from Dubai

By car – About 1300km, plus the time you spend at the border. We did it once, on the way back, entering via Al Ain. It takes forever, and I don’t recommend doing it in one day.

By bus – There is no direct bus from Dubai to Salalah ; you need to stop in Muscat first, and take a second bus on the day after.

Flying to Salalah

Salalah has an international airport, with daily flights from Dubai, Riyadh , Muscat and Jeddah, among other cities.

Traveling to Salalah by boat from Berbera (Somaliland)

When I was traveling in Somaliland , I met a couple from the USA who had come to Somalia by cargo boat from Salalah, and it’s possible to do it the other way around as well. The only thing is that there isn’t a fixed schedule and, for example, they had to wait in Salalah for 3 weeks.

Read: Things to do in Somaliland

The coastal road, from Salalah to Sur

If you look on the map, there is a coastal road that goes all the way from Salalah to Sur, a coastal city east of Oman.

If you are self-driving, I definitely recommend taking this way. It takes much longer, but it’s definitely worth it and, if you are wild camping, accommodation should not be an issue.

The second time I visited Salalah, I actually hitchhiked back along this road . It took me more than 3 days, but man, what an experience. Very few tourists go this way, so the locals you bump into are awesome.

🏨 Where to stay in Salalah

You may also be interested in: Where to stay in Muscat, a guide to find the best accommodation per area

Unless you are camping, I recommend you base yourself in Salalah.

From budget to luxury hotels, it is well-sorted for accommodation.

Outside of Salalah, tourist infrastructure is not that great, but you can find some small hotels in bigger towns like Mirbat.

If you are on a budget, I recommend booking a hotel apartment . There are plenty in Salalah and they are a great value-for-money option, especially if you are 2 or more people.

Best places to stay in Salalah:

Budget Hotel – Grand Flora Hotel – Solo budget travelers will like this hotel. Clean and great location.

Top 5-star hotel – Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara – A popular luxury hotel in the beach front.

📍 Things to do in Salalah and Dhofar province: ultimate itinerary

Explore Salalah on a guided tour CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

There is no public transportation and the only way to move around is by car, even within Salalah City, as distances are so long, as in most cities across the Arab Peninsula. You can rent a car in either Muscat or Salalah.

Dhofar is big, and to make things clearer I have classified all the places to visit into:

• Salalah City

Map of the places to visit around Salalah

1 – Things to do in Salalah City

Dhofar’s capital and Oman’s second most important city has sort of a tropical atmosphere, very different from the more business-oriented Muscat.

On the one hand, you have the extensive white-sand beach with its perfectly-angled coconuts palms.

On the other hand, the center of the city is composed of a far-flung forest consisting of banana, coconut and papaya plantations, with plenty of Bengali-run stalls where you can have a freshly squeezed juice for less than 1€.

I wish I had a bicycle when I was there!

More places to visit in Salalah:

• Al Haffa Souq (Frankincense souq) – The old souq where you can check out or buy different types of frankincense.
• Al Balid archaeological site – The ruins of what used to be ancient Salalah: Zafar. It’s part of Dhofar’s UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Sultan’s Palace – This is Sultan Qaboos Palace (may he rest in peace). You can’t get in, but it’s cool to check it out from outside, and it’s right next to Al Haffa Souq anyways.

About frankincense Frankincense is a resin, or gum, that comes from the frankincense tree, and was considered one of the most relevant, important and sought-after trading goods in the ancient world, used in the past mainly for medical purposes. Because of frankincense , Dhofar was considered to be one of the richest regions in the world more than 2000 thousand years ago, as thousands of tonnes were shipped every year to Rome, India, and many other places. Today, frankincense is merely used for fragrances but it’s still one of the most important elements of Dhofar’s cultural heritage.

2 – Things to do in West of Salalah

The area between Salalah and the Yemeni border is home to the highest cliffs and most dramatic coastline, the coolest places to visit around Salalah. By the way, this area is as safe as the rest of Oman .

You can easily drive all the way to Dalkut (the border town) and come back to Salalah on the same day, stopping in a few worthwhile villages and view-points.

Mughsayl – The first landmark you will find is Mughsayl, home to some pretty impressive blowholes but unless you come here during monsoon season, there won’t be much going on. Otherwise, just drive through it before you start ascending Jabal Qamar.

Shaat – This is perhaps, the most jaw-dropping view point in all Oman. Keep in mind that you need to get off the main road for 5 km. See the previously attached map.

Rakhyut – The drive from Shaat to Rakhyut is the most scenic in all Oman. I recommend you stop in Rakhyut for lunch, a small fishing village with a corniche filled with camels.

Dalkut – There is nothing particularly special in Dalkut, but it’s the last village before Yemen. The perfect place to finish your day before driving back to Salalah.

Dhofar curious fact – Dhofar has the largest population of camels in the world. They are literally everywhere, unlike northern Oman where you see goats. Camel meat is a big deal here as well, and it’s typically served in most restaurants.

3 – What to do East of Salalah

The area east of Salalah is less breathtaking landscape-wise but its beautiful towns and historical sites make it more culturally interesting.

You may also do it in one day but I personally spent one night in Sadah.

Taqah – Taqah is the first town you find after Salalah. Nothing very exciting other than this was an important port, so there are some old buildings from their more prosperous times.

Khor Rori – The most important archeological site in Dhofar, the ruins of the ancient city of Sumhuram , founded in response to the rising importance of the frankincense trade.

Mirbat – The largest town after Salalah, Mirbat is home to a pretty interesting and busy fishing harbor, with plenty of picture opportunities. The town’s architecture is also pretty neat and there is a mosque (Bin Ali’s) which is worth stopping for.

Sadah – Sadah is a small, slow-life coastal village with not much to do, but the people here are great and I stayed here because I met a kind family who invited me to stay in their house. The surroundings, however, are beautiful and, besides the beautiful coast, we also visited a camel farm nearby.

Beyond Sadah – As I said before, I continued over this coastal road all the way to Muscat. Beyond Sadah, there aren’t any villages of interest but the landscapes are some of the most unspoiled in all Dhofar, much less visited than the ones in the south. If you are self-driving, I recommend going all the way to Ash Shuwaymiyyah.

4 – Places to visit north of Salalah

In the area north of Salalah, towards the Saudi Arabian border, you find the Lost City of Ubar and the Empty Quarter.

Geographically, this area has nothing to do with the tropical southern part but still, it’s one of the cool places to visit near Salalah.

The Lost City of Ubar

Often called the Atlantis of the Sands, a name given by Lawrence of Arabia, Ubar is a legendary lost city located in the deserts north of Salalah, at the edge of the Empty Quarter.

Only discovered in 1992 , Ubar used to be a main trading post for frankincense and is believed to be the Iram of the Pillars, a lost city mentioned in the Quran.

Well, from Salalah, you can visit the ruins of Ubar.

The Empty Quarter

Dhofar province is also the gate to the Empty Quarter – aka Rub’ al Khali – a desert spread across Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, characterized as the largest sea of sand dunes in the world, and the most impressive place to visit in Dhofar.

I personally didn’t visit this part of the Empty Quarter, mainly because you have to go on a tour, and I had already visited it on the United Arab Emirates side .

However, you can drive to the beginning of it (that’s what I did), after visiting the ancient City of Ubar.

Having an experienced guide is mandatory, even if you have your own 4×4. You should know that Rub’ al Khali is not like the deserts you find around Dubai or Riyadh , but here we are talking about 100-meter dunes made of shifting sands.

❗ More information for visiting Salalah

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

Don’t forget to check our travel guide to Oman .

As well as all our Oman articles:

• Muscat Travel Guide
• Where to Stay in Muscat
• Best Activities, Tours and Excursion in Oman
• Travel Guide to Musandam
• Oman Budget Guide
• Solo Female Travel Guide to Oman
• Is Oman Safe?

How about travel there for single females (in their 40s, not 20s….)? Would it be best to hire a driver for day trips out of Salahah to get around, as a kind of “chaperone” for some cultural respectability” when traveling solo in such a conservative country?

Hi, you may wanna check this post first 🙂 https://againstthecompass.com/en/traveling-oman-woman/

I am 54 and single. Upon my arrival at Salalah airport, I did exactly what I have been doing in other places in the world. I rented a car with GPS and drove to the hotel I booked.

Upon my arrival I asked for a map and places for sightseeing.

I was dressed normally like western woman.

I don’t know what you mean by “conservative country”. But I stopped in the city cente to buy dates and Arabic sweets in a shop I noticed. I was served with great respect and kindness.

It’s time some westerners stop making up stories about Arabic countries. Yes the cultures are different. But the people are also normal human beings with emotions, family and values. They are not monsters or wild animals.

Fantastic information! Do you know the name of the shipping company traveling from salalah to berbera?

Hello, I don’t unfortunately, I believe there’s many different cargo ships you can choose from

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Salalah Itinerary: A Practical Travel Guide to Dhofar Region in Oman (+map)

Planning on visiting Salalah and Dhofar region in Oman but not sure where to start? This Salalah itinerary planner will walk you through the best places to visit and things to do in Salalah , how to get to Salalah and around the Dhofar region as well as the best places to stay for any budget, including some great camping spots. Use my Salalah travel guide to easily plan your unforgettable visit to the tropicals of the Middle East. 

Soaring peaks are rising above the clouds, majestic waterfalls are dropping into turquoise rivers gushing through the valleys of verdant rolling hills covered in fog. Wind-swept tall palm trees dot the white sand beaches with hundreds of camels freely roaming around. This is Salalah, the capital of Dhofar, Oman’s largest yet most remote region. It is locally known for the Khareef season- a phenomenal tropical monsoon somewhat similar to the one in Kerala, India. 

While the temperatures are hitting up and over 50 degrees Celsius during the Middle Eastern summer, Salalah in the south of Oman is blessed with mild weather and rain from June to mid-September. This climatic wonderland is where many locals in the Gulf region seek cooler weather and rush to enjoy the lush greenery.  

Although less known to international tourists compared to Muscat and Northern Oman, Salalah is the most magical place you will find in the Middle East.

Based on my Salalah road trip experience, I share practical travel tips on how to visit Salalah and the Dhofar region in Oman . The suggested itinerary includes the best places to visit in Salalah , when to visit, how many days to spend, and other handy tips and interesting facts about the area. 

It is a long post, thus feel free to skip ahead using a table of content. But I recommended going through all of it to learn how to best plan your Salalah trip. 

• For detailed information about driving from Dubai to Salalah, make sure to check my practical guide for Dubai to Salalah road trip . It can be also used if you are driving from Muscat . 
• Planning an Oman road trip? Check my suggested itinerary for a 7-day Oman road trip which covers the Nothern part of the Sultanate.

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). This helps to keep my blog running and growing by creating more awesome free content for you.

Ultimate Salalah Travel Guide: How to Visit Dhofar Region in Oman

Is it worth visiting salalah and why travel to salalah and dhofar region in oman .

Salalah is unquestionably worth visiting when traveling to Oman. And here is why: 

• Salalah is one of the most distinct areas in Oman and the Middle East rich in the jaw-dropping scenery of dramatic cliffs, wild white sand beaches with turquoise blue waters reminiscent of the Caribbeans, lush banana plantations, and cascading waterfalls. 
• Also known for the abundance of Frankincense trees, Salalah historically was a major trade center along the Incense Trail. That being said, a few important archaeological sites are present to be explored. 
• However, what makes Salalah so unique is the above-mentioned tropical monsoon season locally known as Khareef. Starting in June the climate magically switches from dry to foggy and rainy. This unusual to the Middle East weather allows Salalah’s landscapes to transform into a green misty wonderland which you can witness every year until late September. 

How many days in Salalah? 

When planning my road trip to Salalah, I wasn’t sure how many days do I actually need to visit the area as the sights are spread out all over the place in the Dhofar region. 

There are guides suggesting 1 or 2 days itinerary for Salalah. However, after visiting it myself, I would recommend budgeting at least 3 to 4 days in Salalah . If you can, aim for a week in Salalah to travel slowly and enjoy the best of Dhofar.

The easiest way to plan the logistics is to look at Salalah city as a jump-off point for visiting surrounding areas. Thus, you would need:

• A minimum of 1 day for the west of Salalah;
• At least 1 day for the east side of Salalah;
• 1 day for Salalah city and nearby attractions;
• Add 1 more day if you want to visit Empty Quarter in the north. 

3-4 days would be just a short glimpse into this wonderful region of Salalah. Stay longer if you can. 

• My top picks of Salalah, Taqa, and Mirbat accommodations (more recommendations of different accommodations in the area at the end of this post)
• Grand Flora Hotel – Located in the busy part of Salalah city this hotel offers a reasonable rate to have a clean simple room to sleep in. They also have a cafe and restaurant which is good value for money and an easy choice instead of looking where to eat in the city. Price range: $
• Al Balled Resort by Anantara – Located at the beachfront oasis, this is Salalah’s first villa luxury resort which will provide you with a full-on luxury experience and is the perfect place to stay if you plan just to relax. Price range: $$$
• Havanah Salalah – located 30 minutes east of Salalah city in Havana compound, this studio type of room for up to 3 people has its own kitchenette and terrace and is a convenient base for visiting wadi Darbat and Samhan mountain, as well as Mirbat and Taqah. $$$
• Lovely Beach Apartment – located on Taqa beach, close to Taqa viewpoint, and as the name suggests this self-contained apartment (up to 3 people) offers a balcony with great sea views. $$
• Alila Hinu Bay Resort Mirbat – this gorgeous resort a few kilometers east of Mirbat offers a 5-star experience and getaway. Modern rooms with terraces and private pools, a huge common pool area, a restaurant, and a wild beach close by. Price range: $$$.

The best time to go to Salalah?

Unlike the rest of Oman, Salalah and the south of Dhofar are year-round destinations. Thanks to the rainy Khareef season, the temperatures in the South Dhofar region average 27 degrees Celsius making it possible to travel to Salalah any time of the year.

Summertime brings Khareef and is considered the peak season attracting many local visitors and tourists from surrounding GCC countries (UAE and Saudi Arabia). 

Visiting Salalah during the shoulder season

If you want to see the barren mountains turn green, and chase a few waterfalls, but avoid the Khareef crowds, the ideal time to go to Salalah is around the first week of September to the middle of September. I visited on the last week of September and I still was lucky to catch the fog, and greenery and see a couple of waterfalls (although not at their full capacity). However, this varies year to year depending on the amount of rainfall during monsoon.

The other advantage going in shoulder Khareef season is that there won’t be as much rain and the fog coverage isn’t too dense to be able to admire beautiful landscapes. The downside of the shoulder season is that the temperatures are slightly higher than in summer (around 30 degrees as opposed to around 26) and it is still extremely humid.

Visiting Salalah during the peak Khareef season

Unlike the rest of the middle east, late June, July, until the end of August is the peak of the Khareef season. It is also the time to see the iconic landscapes of Salalah in full bloom. This is the time when local Omanis, as well as residents and citizens of surrounding GCC countries (Saudi and the UAE), rush to Salalah in order to escape the exhilarating summer heat common for the Arabian Peninsula. 

The Arabian monsoon season in Dhofar brings light rain and thick fog. However, it is not extremely windy or stormy as the Asian type of monsoon. For this reason, Arabs really love coming to Salalah in summer. 

If you love the mysterious foggy scene and don’t mind the rain and the crowds following a similar itinerary or would like to visit the yearly Salalah festival held mid-July to late August, then Khareef is a perfect time to go to Salalah. 

Note though that hotels get quickly booked out in Salalah during Khareef months.

Nonetheless, if you are planning on wild camping, this might not concern you. The only thing to have in mind is that it rains a lot, and staying outdoors overnight might not be the most pleasant experience for some. 

Visiting Salalah outside Khareef season (from October to late May) 

Although greenery stays through the autumn, come to Salalah in winter or spring and you will find barren landscapes similar to the rest of the Middle East.  The amount of greenery and prevalence of waterfalls (except for Wadi Darbat which is green all year round) depends on the rainfall during each monsoon season. 

Nonetheless, the weather temperatures in autumn, winter, and spring will be still pleasant to enjoy outdoors. Also, clear skies in winter will allow admiring of impressive cliffs and landscapes which are usually hidden in the mist and clouds during the rainy season. Wild camping, especially on the beach, is also more pleasant in winter. 

If you are planning on exploring the Empty Quarter, on the North side of Dhofar, then winter is the ideal time to do so as temperatures will be lower. 

Post and pre-monsoon times from October to November and May to June sometimes bring turbulent stormy weather to the Salalah area. This is something not to be taken lightly as there were catastrophic natural events in south Dhofar. 

How to get to Salalah? 

The fastest way to get to Salalah is to take a flight from Oman’s capital Muscat or from the UAE. It takes only 1.5 hours from Muscat and 2 hours from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to reach Salalah by air.  Search for affordable flights from any destination using Skyscanner .

Adventurous travelers often choose to go on a long road trip either from Muscat or Dubai (UAE) . The journey requires driving over 1000 kilometers for 10 to 13 hours (depending on where you start from) for the shortest but the most boring route running through the dry desert without any tourist attractions in between. 

Nonetheless, the trip can be parted with an overnight stop in Nizwa- a traditional and culturally rich town in North Oman. 

You can also choose to follow the coastal road which is more dynamic but significantly longer than the inland route. Be ready to drive over 20 hours from south to north of Oman or vice versa. Account for at least 2 overnight stops to reduce the continuous and tiring time by the wheel. 

Before you opt to drive to Salalah, make sure to also read my detailed Dubai to Salalah road trip planner. 

It is possible to reach Salalah from Muscat by bus. The journey takes over 12 hours. The bus station is located in the Ruwi area. Surprisingly, the ticket price for such a long journey is only 10-20 EUR, depending on the bus company and the quality of the bus.

Oman visit visa

As a UAE resident, you no longer need a visa to enter Oman (your residency must be valid for at least 3 months). As a tourist in UAE, you will have to apply for Oman visit visa.  Some nationalities (mostly EU passport holders and the UK, US, and Canada) can also obtain a visa on arrival, although getting it online is recommended.

You can get an Oman visa online via the Royal Oman Police website. Alternatively, you can use ivisa services. Those guys will get the Oman visa sorted for you for an extra fee. 

ALSO READ: You can find detailed information about UAE-Oman visa types and requirements in my Dubai (UAE) to Oman by road post.

Do I need 4WD to visit Salalah? 

4WD is not essential to visit many of Salalah’s attractions. However, it is beneficial if you want to explore more and go offroad, as well as reach some of the secluded beaches. Also, if you are visiting during the Khareef season, some places which were reachable with any car during the dry season will be accessible only in a 4×4 (like Fazayah beach, for example). 

4WD is essential if you are planning to go into the desert (granted you know how to drive in the dunes) and some secret beaches via very bumpy steep offroad. 

If you are flying into Salalah and thinking about what type of car to rent, I would recommend still getting a 4 WD for complete freedom to reach all the places. 

Looking for a great rental car deal? I use those websites to shop for the best car hire rates:

• Check for the best car rental rates in Oman and UAE at Discovercars .
• Also, browse UAE rental car offers with local providers at Localrent .
• I also recommend cross-checking the offers with the biggest car search engine Rentalcars .

Salalah itinerary: the best things to do and places to visit in Salalah

Salalah City serves as a great base for visiting southern Oman. Most of the natural attractions lay outside the city spread in all directions and require 20 min to 2 hours of driving time, depending on the destination. 

For this reason, the best way to plan your Salalah itinerary is to dedicate different days to visit the west, east, central and north areas of Dhofar governorate. 

West of Salalah: best places to visit

Let’s start with the most dramatic area of all – the west side of Salalah. If you only had one day in Salalah, I would strongly recommend heading West toward the Yemeni border. 

The stretch of the coastline to the west of Salalah is the most jaw-dropping featuring high cliffs raising above the clouds, windy roads leading to secluded beaches, and a few sleepy Omani villages which surprisingly had the best specialty coffee in the area. The scenery reminiscing of Jurassic Park in close vicinity to the barren lands is something I found very fascinating.

The most beautiful places in west Salalah that you should include in your Salalah itinerary:

• Al Mughsayl beach and the blowholes (only seen in Khareef);
• Fazayah beach-one of the most beautiful beaches in the area (4WD is a must during Khareef);
• Shaat mountain viewpoint;
• Rakhyut seaside town;
• Dhalkut – the last town before the Yemeni border.

Al Mughsayl beach and the blowholes

Al Mughsayl (Al Mughsail) beach is one the well-known places in Salalah and is an extremely popular destination to visit due to the wonderful landscapes and phenomenal blowholes-the natural water fountain shooting from the ground. Kids especially find this attraction fascinating. Note that blowholes are only in their full power during Khareef season. The rest of the year you won’t see much.

Tip: if you want to skip the crowds you should visit Al Mughsail blowholes first thing in the morning. Together with Al Marneef cave in the same area, Mughsail is one of the most visited places in the west of Salalah. 

Before you reach the popular spot of Mughsail, you will pass an incredibly beautiful stretch of white sand beach with soaring rocks in the distance. To me, this part of Mughsail beach was more exciting than the tourist spot with blowholes and the cave. Although you can’t deny the beauty of the area, it is just too commercialized to my liking. Thus, I didn’t spend there much time. 

Continuing further west, you will start ascending Jabal Qamar taking some serious hairpin roads until you reach the turn-off point to Al Fazayah beach. 

Al Fazayah beach

The wild turquoise blue Fazayah is one the best beaches in Salalah and Dhofar governorate. Composed of the main beach and several secluded coves, Fazayah is accessible through a windy dirt road with mind-blowing views all around. 

You should have a 4WD if you are visiting during the rainy season. However, sedans with stronger engines also can manage driving slowly when it is dry. 

Shaat mountain viewpoint

At 1000 meters above sea level, suspended in the clouds Shaat mountain and a village of the same name are yet another impressive sight in West Salalah. 

The Shaat viewpoint is often covered in clouds and you will need some luck to get a clear view of the far-stretching high cliffs. It is very unlikely to get an opening between the clouds during Khareef season, but during the dry season in winter you should definitely be able to see some of the most amazing coastline views. 

Shaat secret beach (4 WD is a must) 

Another adventurous spot in the Shaat area is Shaat secret beach accessible only in 4WD. It is a small piece of paradise reachable within a steep offroad drive with a 1000-meter drop in elevation. Visiting Shaat hidden beach for safety reasons is advisable only during a drier season.

IMPORTANT: there is a military checkpoint before you reach Shaat viewpoint. Make sure you carry your passport, driving license for the driver, and car registration documents. The process is quick and straightforward- you will be asked where you going and that is it-officers are friendly.

Rakhyut fishing town

A quaint Rakhyut fishing village is situated midway from Shaat to Dhalkut. The drive to Rakhyut offers some of the most scenic vistas. The village itself is mysterious featuring a large beach with high cliffs around it. Account for 45 minutes one way when descending to Rakhyut from the main road. You can stop for lunch at one of a few local restaurants and get some great coffee in a kiosk next to Rakhyut wadi. 

Dhalkut – the last town before the Yemeni border

The last sleepy village even more strange than Rakhyut town is Dhalkut. It is also the last settlement before the Yemeni border and you will pass one more military checkpoint. 

The road leading to Dhalkut is sort of trilling-windy, steep and at the same time extremely scenic. 

We found a group of camels chilling in the sea-a scene I was always dreaming to photograph, thus the long drive was definitely worth it. 

Make sure to try the yummiest pistachio latte sold in a lonely kiosk at the very end of the main street which runs along the beach.

You can also stop at the ages-old baobab tree on your way in or out of Dhalkut.

TIP: If you want to visit all the above-mentioned places as a day trip from Salalah town, you must start extremely early with the sunrise or even before, and only spend a short time in each location. Trust me I tried doing them all in one day starting late at 9 AM and had to skip Al Fazayah beach because we ran out of daylight. 

The drive to the farthest point which is Dhalkut town is 2.5 hours. Detour to Rakhyut village adds another 45 minutes one way (1.5 hrs down and back up). You would also need at least 30 minutes to go down to Al Fazayah beach (1hour round trip).

Ideally, I would recommend sparing two days for visiting the west side of Salalah. You could go to the beaches of Mughsayl and Fazayah, as well as the Shaat mountain viewpoint on one of the 2 days, drive all the way to Dhalkut, and trace back with a stop at Rakiuyt on the second day.

Or if you are planning on camping, you could start from Dhalkut and move backward towards Salalah with an overnight stop in Rakhyut, or Shaat. Camping at Fazayah beach is also a great option during the drier season. 

East of Salalah: best places to visit

None of Salalah’s itinerary would be complete without visiting at least one of the wonderful waterfalls which are at full flow during the Khareef season. Some of the most beautiful waterfalls can be found on the East side of Salalah. Also, unmissable is Samhan mountain which rises above the sea of clouds, the antigravity point, and some characteristic fishing villages. 

The main attractions to visit in the East side of Salalah:

• Ayn Athum waterfall;
• Travertine Curtain Waterfall and Wadi Darbat;
• Jebel Samhan;
• Anti Gravity Point;
• Mirbat fishing town;
• Khori Rori (Sumhuram) archeological site.

Ayn Athum waterfall

Located in Jabel Qara, around 30 minutes drive through verdant hills east of Salalah City Ayn Athum waterfall (Ayn in Arabic means waterfall) is present during Khareef season. This gorgeous waterfall is cascading 15 meters down the rock and fills up a turquoise water basin. 

The accessibility of the Ayn Athum makes it one of the most popular waterfalls in the area. Arrive early in the morning if you want to enjoy yourself in peace. 

Travertine Curtain and Wadi Darbat waterfalls

Located in a year-round green gorge, Wadi Darbat waterfalls are the most famous in Salalah. Although undeniably beautiful but way too popular for my taste. One of the reasons is that Wadi Darbat waterfalls are easily accessible by any car. It is the most commercialized waterfalls area, where you can even find food stalls, and hire a small boat for paddling in the river. This makes it a very popular destination for families.

Note: swimming in the river is not permitted. 

Nonetheless, the most impressive and my favorite is the Travertine Curtain waterfall or Darbat Cascading Waterfall. It is more secluded than Wadi Darbat, although can be spotted from afar when driving the main road from Salalah to Taqah.

To reach the waterfall you must hike for around 15 minutes alongside the river via a rough path, parts of which require climbing up the boulders. For this reason, only the fit visitors attempt to get there, while families choose the more popular Wadi Darbat. 

You can also access Travertine Curtain by climbing up the hill via a dirt road which you can spot before reaching the car park. The elevated views of the waterfall are also beautiful. You can then descend to the waterfall through the bushes following a dirt path.

Note that as tempting as it looks, the Travertine Curtain water basin is not suitable for swimming due to strong currents. 

Jebel Samhan viewing point

Part of Jabel Samhan Nature Reserve, Mount Samhan is a massif literally rising above the clouds. Home to the endangered Arabian Leopard, Jebel Samhan is part of the highest mountain range in the Dhofar region and also the most striking place you will visit east of Salalah. 

The viewing point of Mount Samham is accessible by 2WD. You can also stroll above the clouds following a well-laid path for around 100 meters which later continues as an unpaved narrow mountain path following the edge of the cliff.

Anti-Gravity Point

Following the windy mountain road from Jebel Samhan towards Mirbat, you will come across the most mysterious place in Salalah, Oman. This is Antigravity Point or Magnetic Point. Here you can watch your car in neutral gear and see it moving uphill.  

I did not believe it until I tried it myself- indeed we set the gear to N and watch the car moving up. So, what is the science behind it, or is it really a supernatural phenomenon? Apparently, it is some sort of optical illusion. The road due to the surrounding landscape appears going uphill while in reality, it is a slight downhill. 

Mirbat fishing town

Once a prosperous frankincense port, the quiet Mirbat fishing town on the east side of Salalah is worth a visit if you love photographing local rugged places and fishermen at work. A strange town reverberating with cries of seagulls doesn’t seem to see that many tourists around. Nonetheless, Mirbat offers a unique setup with worn-out houses and colorful fishing boats lining up the port. I definitely enjoyed my short evening photo journey around the area.

Mirbat is located 1-hour drive from Salalah and could be a good overnight option if you are en route back to the North of Oman via the coastal road.

Khori Rori (Sumhuram) 

A river running through Wadi Darbat makes its way to the sea at Khori Rori located near Taqah town where you will find an important archaeological site – Sumhuram. It contains ruins of an ancient city that used to be an active harbor between the 4th century BC and the 4th century AD. Historically an important frankincense trade port, Sumhuran is prescribed to the UNESCO heritage list. 

If you have more time those are the other points of interest in the area:

• Ayn Tabrook Waterfalls;
• Tawi Atair (Sinkhole);
• Taqah Castle;
• Taqah Viewpoint.

Best places to visit in Salalah city

Salalah is the second biggest city after the capital Muscat, although just a quarter of its size. Outside of less striking Salalah functional districts, the most exciting part of the city can be discovered in frankincense-infused alleyways of the old souq, palm-fringed white sand beaches reminiscing of Zanzibar and Bengali fresh fruit stalls lining up against the lush banana plantations. 

Places to visit in the city of Salalah:

• Salalah City beach (Al Haffa beach);
• Al Husn old Souq at Haffa;
• Coconut Huts;
• Al Baleed Archeological Park.

Salalah City beach (Al Haffa beach)

White sand Haffa beach lined with wind-swept tall skinny palm trees reminds more of the Caribbeans than the Middle East. 

Right at the center of Salalah City, it stretches for several kilometers east end west and offers some of the most spectacular sunsets. Locals flock to enjoy their evening at the beach. The downside is that people bring their cars as close to the sea as they possibly can. Nonetheless, it is still an interesting sight to witness in Salalah town.

For those of you keen on swimming, note that the sea is very rough during the Khareef season. However, if you come in winter and decide to have a beach day out tanning and swimming, make sure to wear shorts and a t-shirt as the beach is frequented by locals. Omani culture is conservative and it would look and feel awkward laying down on the public beach in a bikini. 

If you are aiming to suntan, the best is to stay at one of the wonderful Salalah resorts which are more tourist-oriented, or find some secluded empty beaches on the west or east side of Dhofar. 

Al Husn old Souq at Haffa Beach

A traditional Omani market just steps away from the shores of the palm-fringed beach of Salalah city is a place to wander around and shop for what Salalah has best to offer-frankincense. The Old Souq is quite small as many vendors ventured to the newer area in Haffa. Nonetheless, wandering those few alleys offers a unique cultural experience. You can even see women vendors covered in veils-something I haven’t seen in any other Souqs in Oman. 

In Al Husn souq, apart from frankincense incense, you can shop for traditional Omani attire, spices, tourist souvenirs, and Arabic oud (perfume). 

Opening times: daily, might be closed from 12 PM to 4 PM.

Coconut Huts

Lush banana, mango, and papaya plantations cover a considerable area of Salalah city. Driving on Sultan Qaboos street eastwards from Al Husn old Souq, you will find many coconut huts. Those Bengali-run fruit stalls sell fresh mangoes and coconut juice, sweet bananas, and papayas. This place definitely makes you feel like you are somewhere in a jungle of Asia. Make sure to stop and grab refreshing fresh coconut juice for as little as 1 EUR (around 300 Baisas). 

You will find more of the coconut huts located around the farms and the Al Haffa area. 

Al Baleed Archaeological Park

Another UNESCO heritage site and open-air Al Baleed Archaeological Park is what used to be Zafar-an ancient city of Salalah. It used to be an important frankincense port that flourished between the 8th and 16th centuries with the biggest trades happening between Africa, China, and India. Inside Al Baleed park you will also find the only museum in Salalah- a Land of Frankincense museum where you can grasp more information about the history of the area. 

Did you know that: Frankincense, also called desert tears, is a resin extracted from the Boswellia Sacra tree? Frankincense has been an inseparable part of Salalah’s everyday life and culture since ancient times. It used to be the most valuable commodity which earned Dhofar region and Oman a fortune before the oil was discovered. Virtues attributed to frankincense are several: medicine for digestion, tooth cleanser, perfume, magical incense, and even an aphrodisiac. 

North West of Salalah City

Ayn khor waterfall.

Ayn Khor is one the most popular seasonal waterfalls located in the northwest of Salalah. It appears only during the strong monsoon season, and thus might not be present every year. To reach it, you will need a 4WD car, or you can hike through the riverbed for a couple of kilometers. Arrive early to avoid the crowds. 

Did you know that? Dhofar region in Oman has the largest camel population in the world. I have never seen so many camels gazing and freely roaming around the streets and beaches like in Salalah and around Dhofar. They are also some of the luckiest ones in the Middle East feasting on the lush green plants, unlike their brothers and sisters that live in the barren desert areas. 

North of Salalah : best places to visit

Traveling up north from Salalah will bring you back to the vast desert lands. No more greenery or Khareef here, but the desert landscape is far from flat. 

It is an Empty Quarter (Rub al Khali) – the largest sea of sand dunes in the world covering an area of no less than 650 000 square kilometers. It is shared between Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. An important cultural attraction at the edge of the Empty Quarter is the Lost City of Ubar which you can also visit on the way to the dunes.

Dedicate a full day or, even better, an overnight stay under the stars. It takes two hours of driving to get to the Lost City of Ubar and the Empty Quarter up North of Salalah. 

Lost city of Ubar

Discovered only in 1992 at the edge of the Empty Quarter, the Lost City of Ubar used to be yet another important trade center of frankincense. Moreover, it is believed to be the Iram of the Pillars, a lost city mentioned in the Quran.

Today you can visit the unearthed ruins of the Lost City of Ubar. 

Empty Quarter

To properly explore the magnificent sand dunes of the Empty quarter you need a 4×4 vehicle and an experienced driver who is skilled to navigate the vast desert and drive over the 100 meters tall shifting dunes. If you do not know how to drive in the desert you can drive to the edge of the Empty Quarter to catch a glimpse of it.

However, the best way to experience the Rub Al Khali desert is to actually drive into the dunes. I have not visited the Empty Quarter in Dhofar because I have been to the one in Liwa, in the UAE.

Nonetheless, if you have never visited a desert with massive sand waves before, don’t miss the opportunity to join a safari tour. Overnight camping will take your experience to another level. You will be able to see the desert at its best during the sunset and sunset hours. 

Click to check overnight Salalah desert tours on Viator:

Places to visit in Greater Dhofar Region

Driving east from the fishing village of Mirbat you will be blessed with some of the most unspoiled landscapes in the area. Empty wild white sand beaches are lining the coast and are easily accessible from the main road. While on the other side of the road you have towering rugged mountains.

Note that there are no big towns or villages after you leave Mirbat. Thus, if you need to stop for a night, your only option will be camping as the next nearest town with accommodation will be Duqm (6-7hours away from Salalah). 

Hasik beach (made up name) 

We camped on this beautiful beach where the white sands meet the mountain. I called Hasik beach as the nearest town driving eastwards is a tiny Hasik village. 

Wadi Suneik (or Suniq)

A lush green oasis nestled between barren rocks and the river stream flowing into the sea-Wadi Suneik is a little miracle in the middle of the dry terrain. 

You can access Wadi Suneik from the main road. If you are traveling during cooler months, you can even choose to camp there. Otherwise continuing up north, the steep windy road will take you above the expansive canyon with several viewpoints worth stopping at. 

Note that this 150 kilometers stretch from Mirbat to Wadi Suneik is the most picturesque on the coastal road. The section from Wadi Suniq to Sur is nice but not as impressive. Thus, only if you have plenty of time, should you take this road. Otherwise, you can drive the coastal road until wadi Suniq and then come back to Salalah making it a long day trip. 

READ MORE: Dubai to Salalah road trip planner .

Best places to stay in Salalah and South Dhofar

Most of the accommodation options are clustered in Salalah City and that is where visitors usually choose to stay. Taqah has a few accommodation options, mostly self-contained apartments, while Mirbat town has plenty of choices to rent villas and apartments, which are perfect for bigger groups.

Alternatively, you have plenty of ground to camp. You can choose to pitch a tent above the clouds in the mountains, or at the beach. Wild camping in Oman is allowed and very common. Please refer to the map where I pointed out good options recommended by other travelers. 

• Salalah accommodation suggestions
• Belad Bont Resort – located on the West side of Salalah, this resort offers a terrace, swimming pool, modern rooms, and a restaurant with a well-rated breakfast. Price range: $$
• Taqah accommodation suggestions
• 2-bedroom apartment – simple but a new apartment in Taqa town can host up to 6 people. Price range: $
• 1-bedroom apartment – Very basic but spacious self-contained apartment is suitable for a group of 4. Price range: $$
• Mirbat accommodation suggestions
• 3-bedroom villa – massive villa in Mirbat town can host up to 6 people. Price range: $
• 2-bedroom chalet – this apartment is suitable for 6 people, is a few kilometers outside Mirbat town, and offers a private pool. Price range: $$

Salalah and Greater Dhofar Map

How to use the map: Click on the map image above to open my maps in a new window and locate all the places mentioned in this Salalah travel guide. Click the tab in the top left-hand corner to open the layers (points of interest, accommodation, driving routes, etc.). You can save this map on your Google Maps account by clicking on the small star icon next to the name of the map. To open the saved map on your phone or laptop, open Google Maps, then click the menu button, go to “Your Places”, and click maps where you will see this map saved on your list.

I hope you are enjoying my free travel guides & tips. If yes, please consider supporting my work by buying me a coffee so I can continue creating more useful content from my favorite coffee shop in town. Thanks!

Oman travel essentials

• RENT A CAR : The best way to explore Oman is by self-driving. Rent a car at the best rates at Discover Cars .
• FLIGHTS: Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest and fastest flights to Oman from your location.
• VISA: Apply for an Oman visa easily at iVisa .
• ACCOMMODATION: book your perfect hotel stay on Booking .
• TRAVEL INSURANCE: get 5% off your insurance by using my link on Heymondo , a travel insurance provider.
• GUIDED TOURS: book the best-rated guided tours and day trips in Oman on Viator .
• Local SIM Card: Get a tourist pack of local data and calls at Muscat airport. Omantel provides the best coverage.
• Flight got canceled or delayed? You might receive compensation if you depart from an EU country. Consult and receive assistance from Skycop if you are eligible for compensation.

More blog posts about Oman

• Driving to Salalah? Make sure to also read my Dubai to Salalah road trip planner .
• Plan your Oman visit with my  1-week Oman road trip itinerary .
• Renting a car and driving in Oman: everything you need to know.
• Traveling from UAE to Oman by road or vice versa? Check useful information about  UAE-Oman land border crossing using this guide .
• Plan your visit to  Wadi Shab-one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Oman .
• Plan your visit to Musandam with my detailed  Musandam from Dubai road trip guide.

Hi! I am a freelance photographer & videographer as well the creator of www.theroadreel.com. Born in Lithuania, and currently residing in the UAE, I have been traveling around the globe independently for over a decade. I created The Road Reel to share my passion for travel and photography through detailed road trips and city itineraries, and hiking guides, along with regular and drone photogragraphy tips.

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15 Best Places to Visit & Things to Do in Salalah Oman

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.

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:

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.

For more details about this amazing season, read the post What is Khareef Season?

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 City Tour and can be added as a stop in other amazing tours run by Beautiful Salalah Tours.

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 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.

In addition to the waterfall, many springs in Salalah are highlight of Khareef as well as winter season. For instance, Ayn Sahalnoot, Ayn Razat , Ayn Jarziz are captivating springs in Salalah, each offering its own unique charm.

Since it 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.

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.

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.

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. Further Reading:

• Al Baleed Archeological Site in Salalah City
• The Museum of The Frankincense Land
• The Lost City of Ubar at Shisr
• Sumhuram Archaeological Site at Khor Rori
• Wadi Dawkah Frankincense Park

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  [email protected]  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.

• Fazayah Beach – The Beach you must visit
• Masood Hidden Beach of Mughsail

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).

• 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.

• 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.

• Explore Wadi Naheez
• Ittin Mountains
• Wadi Sahalnoot

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.

• 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.

• Dolphin Watching in Salalah, Oman
• Diving in Mirbat
• Guide to Mirbat City, Old Town and Beaches

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.

• 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.

• 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  [email protected]  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.

Is 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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Muscat to Salalah

How to reach salalah from muscat.

Salalah is the southern part of Oman which boasts of a rich history , archaeological remains, misty mountains, waterfalls, lush green forests and pleasant weather.  The easiest and most preferred way to reach Salalah from Muscat is by flying there. The flight is about 1 hour 40 minutes long. However the road trip is much more beautiful and economical, with two route options one through the dessert and one along the coast line.

Knowing The Details

Salalah travel packages.

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Delightful Salalah Package

Enchanting salalah package, serene salalah tour package: 4 nights oasis retreat, 1. muscat to salalah by flight.

• Starting Price : AED 300
• Departure Airport: Muscat International Airport
• Arrival Airport : Salalah International Airport
• Travel Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

2. Muscat to Salalah by Road

Route 1: Via Route 17 and Route 32

• Distance : 1300 Kms 
• Travel Time: 15 hours
• Sights on the way: Tropic of Cancer , Ashein Mosque, Dagmar Beach, Bimmah Sinkhole, Hidden Beach, Wadi Shab, Camel Race Course. 
• Eating options: Refresh The Coffee Shop- Al Aktkiah Oman Oil Service , Alhain Cafe, Kunafa Albasha - Bimmah Sinkhole,  Rabia Al Sham - Wadi Shab, Al Faris Restaurant- Thumrayt St. 

Route 2: Via Route 31

• Distance : 1013 Kms
• Travel Time: 9 hours
• Sights on the way: Al Sahwa Public Garden, Al Makarim Hall, Al Safsaf Shopping Centre, Alverwarh Sports Stadium, Al Majid Mosque, Masjid Al Mazraa, Izki Mountains, Wadi Dawkah, Al Nahdah Tower, Sultan Qaboos Youth and Cultural Centre. 
• Eating Options on the way:   Bellapais Restaurant- Burj Al Sahwa Roundabout, Wonder Bakery- Al Maha Gas Station, Rawabi Fayhaa Cafe, Ardh Al-Gharf Bakery, Lakabina Cafe 

3. Muscat to Salalah by Bus

Route Operator: Mwasalat

• Frequency : Thrice a day 
• Bus Timings:   7:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 7:00 PM
• Distance : 1005 Kms
• Ticket Price: AED 90
• Travel Time: 12 hours 30 minutes 
• Starting Point: Muscat International Airport
• Terminating Point: Salalah Bus Station  

Popular Routes to Salalah

Popular routes from muscat, places to visit in salalah.

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Guide: Salalah to Muscat Road Trip

Since I moved to Salalah, the road trip from Salalah to Muscat was in my mind. But since its a thousand kilometer trip one way and takes around 10 to 12 hours, I didn’t plan journey from Muscat to Salalah by car until September 2019.

This post will hopefully guide all those who want to travel from the beautiful city of Salalah to the capital Muscat by car with family and friends.

Experience of Muscat to Salalah road trip was different than that of driving from Salalah to Muscat as the later one was done in a single stretch, while the former one was with an over night stay. For my Muscat to Salalah drive experience with hotel stay in Haima, read Muscat to Salalah Road Trip Post

This post will cover my first hand experience of road trip from Salalah to Muscat via Haima, the most prominent town in Al Wusta Governorate. 

This Post Contains

Type of Vehicle to Drive with

Salalah to muscat road condition, type of vehicles on the road, is it safe to drive, part 1: salalah to thumrait – the journey in the mountains, part 2: thumrait to haima – the single carriageway journey, part 3: haima to adam – the dual carriageway journey, part 4: adam to muscat via nizwa – the last leg of the road trip, recommended place to stay in muscat, salalah to muscat road trip by car via haima.

There are although two highways that connect Salalah with Muscat, Haima will come on the inland highway. The other highway, which is also known as the coastal highway, goes through Duqm . The trip on the coastal highway is my bucket-list, which I will plan soon and cover on my blog. 

Whether you are traveling from Salalah to Muscat, or any other part in Northern side of Oman like Jabal Akhdar, Jebel Shams, Nizwa, Seeb, Sohar, most probably you will pass through Haima as it’s the shortest route. This post covers drive through Haima Highway. 

You can continue to Dubai or other parts of United Arab Emirates (like Sharjah, Ajman, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah , Ummal Quwain, and Fujairah), through Haima.

Haima is ideally the middle point of Journey from Salalah to Muscat. 

My road trip from Salalah to Muscatwas in Nissan Sentra, 1600 cc, saloon / sedan vehicle. Most people recommend to drive in 4×4 car as this will be more comfortable and have a better road grip.

On various places on the road, there are signs that desert dunes are located and can cross the road if windy. So with a 4×4 vehicle there wouldn’t be a problem. Luckily we didn’t have any sand storm that day and there wasn’t any hindrance.

You can book 4×4 vehicle online, if you want to travel in it.

Road is entirely marked and have proper sign boards throughout the journey. Some of the uncommon signs will be for the sand dunes and diversions. The diversions were due to road construction at the time of traveling (at some part building the dual carriageway).

From Salalah to Thumrait, the road is dual carriageway. While from Thumrait to Haima, the road is single carriageway. From Haima to Muscat, the road is dual carriageway, except for a few kilometers, where the construction is ongoing for the overhead bridges or making of dual carriageway for the remaining patches. 

There is a lay bay every 10 kilometers on the single carriageway.

The road is mostly used by private cars, trucks, trailers and bus services like bus service from Dubai to Salalah by GTC ,  and within Oman bus services by Mwasalat , Gulf Transport Company , Gulf Line Transport , Salalah Line Transport , Desert King and Al Ghazal ). On the single carriageways, beware of the long vehicles and drive with caution. Overtake only wherever permitted.

The drive from Thumrait to Haima requires more caution and attention due to single carriageway. In the day time, there is hardly any difficulty in driving from Haima to Muscat as it’s a dual carriageway. 

Don’t drive at night unless necessary. Everyone I consulted with before driving to Muscat / Salalah forbade me to drive at night. This is mainly as the highway is not lit and in single carriageway it will be quite difficult.

Salalah to Muscat Road Trip by Car

My friend, who has traveled from Salalah to Muscat more than 20 times by road, advised me to start the journey early in the morning. Taking his suggestion seriously, we started the journey at 4:30 am, which is before the sunrise.

For the ease of understanding, I am dividing this journey into some parts, like Salalah to Thumrait, Thumrait to Haima, Haima to Adam, and Adam to Muscat. 

After leaving the house in Awaqd Salala, our first stop was the coffee shop at the fuel station besides Dhofar University on 18th November Highway. We already purchased Croissant and other things last evening from Lulu Hypermarket in Al Wadi for the journey.

The journey from the Dhofar Mountains on the northern side was not more than 60 km / hour due to heavy fog from Gogub to Qairoon Hairiti . Expect this every khareef season, which is from June to September and due to this the mountains turns green. 

Our first stop was Thumrait, the third largest wilayat in Dhofar Governorate after Salalah and Mirbat, where we prayed the salat al Fajar in the mosque besides Shell Fuel Station. Check the Google Map location of the fuel station

Although the fuel in the car was around 80 percent, but we still refueled to be on the safer side. However, I found while driving that there were couple of fuel station from Salalah to Haima and it wasn’t a problem. Since my car runs 500 kilometer plus with full tank, the next fueling station in Haima will be ample for our requirement.

During the trip from Thamrait to Haima, we stopped at one place for tea and toilet. The toilet was ordinary. In this restaurant, you can also have breakfast. Check the location of this place on the Google map .

Just at the suburbs of Haima (before reaching the main town), we got our car filled for the next five hundred kilometer journey. There was a beautiful mosque besides the fuel station. The mosque seems to be pretty new. The mosque has praying area for both men and women, ablution area and public toilets. As its new construction, toilets are pretty decent and clean. Check the Google Map Location of the Mosque

When we reached Haima it was around 10:30 am. Here, we found a normal restaurant for eating breakfast or brunch. The food was good, but the ambiance and cleanliness was not impressive. Therefore, will rate it 4 out of 10. Check the Google Map Location of Wahat Haima Restaurant

Seemingly, it was one of the few options, so anyways we opted for this one. If you find any better restaurant in Haima, kindly share in the comment section of this post.

We ate Anda and Paratha in a family hall, which had only one cubical with table and chairs.

Anda masala was delicious and this is my recommendation. 

There are couple of hotels in Haima, where you can stay overnight, in case you start the journey late and want to break it at this point. You can read my guide for Haima Hotels .

After a rest of couple of minutes and breakfast, we resumed our journey towards Muscat.

One important thing to note is that there is literally nothing (just barren land) from Haima to Adam. So if you want to pray or have something to eat or drink or have toilet breaks or fuel your car, you must get all these done at Haima.

There is newly constructed dual carriageway from Haima to Adam, with some diversions for the ongoing bridges construction. The areas you will pass through is desert only. 

We didn’t stop at Adam. However, there are some public toilets, commercial markets, restaurants, and fuel station at Adam.

We stopped at a mosque (مسجد جامع متان Jama Matan Masjid) after Adam for praying Zuhr and Asr together (Qasr prayer). This mosque was splendid and newly constructed as well. There are toilets but they are inside the mosque boundary so only Muslims can use it. Google Map Location of Matan Masjid

The time we reached this mosque was around 1:30 pm, and when we got out of the car it was pretty hot, which we are not used to as we live in Salalah. 

Via Highway 31, we passed through Nizwa, one of the oldest cities in Oman and the largest one in Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate. The most important landmark visible for Nizwa was Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque . 

From the mosque, we drove on Highway 15 and reached Burj al Sahwa in Muscat ( Google Map Location of Burj al Sahwa ) via Birkat al Mouz, Izki, Imti, Samail, Bidbid, Fanja, Murayrat, Al Jafnayn, and Rusayl in Ad Dakhiliyah and Muscat Governorates.

This whole part of the journey is through where people are living.  When we reached Muscat and headed towards our accommodation, which was in Al Qurm. Our road trip came to an end at 3:40 pm, which is 11 hours from the time we started.

There are many hotels and resorts in Muscat and you can Book them Online at Booking.com . I booked my accommodation in Muscat by Booking.com, which I usually use to book stay anywhere in the world.

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Salalah Travel Guide + 10 Things To Do In Salalah

Updated April 2024, Salalah Travel Guide + 10 Things To Do In Salalah was originally published in July 2020

Most attractive during the lush and green khareef season, Salalah is Oman’s southern city and capital of the Dhofar Governorate. Oman has a long history as a center of Frankincense trade as much the finest come from around the Dhofar region and with Zanzibari nuances from the Sultanate’s former ties to East Africa makes Salalah feel quite unique, in fact, a world away from Muscat.

Start there:  The Ultimate Oman Travel Guide Grab a copy of Bradt Oman to kickstart your travel planning

Need Travel Insurance and Evacuation Services for Oman?

Start shopping for travel insurance plans over at  IATI Insurance . Readers of the Adventures of Nicole get a 5% discount off your plan.

The Adventures of Nicole partners with Global Rescue to offer the world’s leading medical evacuation and security advisory services. To travel with peace of mind, shop evacuation coverage at Global Rescue .

A Quick History Of Salalah

Reaching its zenith in the 13th century when Salalah was a main center of trade along the Incense Trail, the city was the functioning capital of Dhofar. As trade slowed, the city eventually fell to ruin.

In the 19th century, Salalah was absorbed by the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman, and from 1932 to 1970 it was the capital. In 1970 the capital was moved back to Muscat.

Where To Sleep In Salalah

We stayed at the  Belad Bont Resort  in Salalah on my recent visit, which I thought was a great midrange option.

Evan Hotel |  Booking.com  |

Belad Bont Resort |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |

Millennium Resort Salalah |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |

Things To Do In Salalah

Al baleed archeological site & museum of the frankincense land.

The ruins of Al Baleed are what remains of the ancient city of Zafar, where Frankincense was loaded on to ships bound for India. The area’s history dates back over 4,000 years and not much is known as to what lead to the ultimate abandonment of the Port of Zafar. The Museum of the Frankincense Land is a must-visit along with the Archeological Site.

Entrance to Museum of the Frankincense Land:  2 OMR

Dahariz Beach

As you’ll see in this post, many of Salalah’s attractions are actually located outside of the city. Dahriz Beach is a unique one, as the beach is sat smack in the middle of the city. A lit promenade backs the coconut-fringed beach, making this a great place to picnic in the day or stroll in the evening.

Al Husn Souq

Al Husn Souq is the place to go to pick up just about anything. From clothing to Frankincense, jewelry, to souvenirs to spices you can find just about anything you might be looking for. The locals working in Husn Souq are very forward and friendly, visit twice and several people will likely even remember you.

Fruit Plantations

Owing to its subtropical climate and lush khareef season, Salalah and the Dhofar region are home to a number of fruit plantations, most notably coconuts, as well as bananas and papayas. Take a two kilometer walk east of the Corniche in Salalah to reach the color fruit stands.

Short on time in Oman? Read my  one week Oman road trip guide

Things To Do Near Salalah

Mughsail Beach

Mughsail Beach is one of the most popular places tourists visit when in Salalah. There is a great viewpoint near the Al Marneef Cave nearby and the Mughsail Blowholes.

Al Marneef Cave

The Al Marneef Cave is a strange rock formation right on the coast. It’s easy to get to with a parking lot and walkway built right up to it, with the Mughsail Blowholes right nearby.

Al Fazayah Beach

Al Fazaya, in my opinion, is the best beach in Salalah for exploring. It’s a roughly 5 kilometer long stretch of sugary white sand with huge boulders dotting the coast. In a way, it took me back to exploring South Portugal’s Algarve beaches a few years ago, just with a different color scheme and a more wild demeanor.

A 4WD is recommended to get from the main Salalah-Surfeet Road down to the beach (however we chanced it and took a tiny car down there and made it down and up just fine).

Khor Rori sits just due east of Salalah and was once one of the most important in the world as it was an important trading post along the Frankincense route. Little is left from Khor Rori’s heyday, but the ruins of Sumhuram Archeological Park are worth a look if you’re coming all the way out here anyway.

Taqah Castle

Taqah is located just east of Salalah too, home to a fishing village and a lovely white sand beach. The main attraction to come to Taqah now is to visit the Taqah Castle. The castle dates back to the 19th century.

Entrance to the Taqah Castle:  0.50 OMR

Mirbat Fish Market

Located about 70 kilometers east of Salalah, the main attraction now is the morning Mirbat Fish Market and the bustling yet small port.

Looking for more ideas? Check out the  12 best things to do in Oman

Off To Yemen Next?

I know that a few of you that are planning to come to Salalah intend to continue on to travel across mainland Yemen. If that’s the case check out my guide to crossing the  Oman-Yemen border at Surfeet .

Have Any Questions About Visiting Salalah?

Ask any questions about any of the things to do in Salalah in the comments section below.

More Posts from Oman:

The Best Road Trips In The World

What It Was Like To Camp In The Wahiba Sands, Oman

The Ultimate Guide To Visiting Wadi Shab, Oman

Dubai-Oman Common Visa

The Yemen-Oman Border Crossing

The Ultimate Oman Travel Guide

One Week in Oman: A Self-Drive, Budget Itinerary

Visiting Bimmah Sinkhole, Oman: Everything You Need To Know

12 Best Things To Do In Oman

Oman Tour: To The Empty Quarter & Dhofar

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26 Best Stops Between Muscat and Salalah

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How long is the drive from Muscat to Salalah?

The direct drive from Muscat to Salalah is 648 mi (1,043 km) , and should have a drive time of 11 hrs 37 mins in normal traffic.

If you’re going on a road trip from Muscat to Salalah, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with top places to visit like Al Araimi Leasing Center and Photographic Society Of Oman, or the ever-popular Al Ansab Wetland.

Best stops along Muscat to Salalah drive

Al ansab wetland.

Al Araimi Leasing Center

Photographic Society Of Oman

Amouage manufacture and visitor's centre عطر امواج - مركز الزوار, barka bull fight arena, al noman zoo, nakhal fort, al-hazm fort | حصن الحزم, rustaq fort, jebel akhdar, anantara spa, adventure snake canyon oman, jebel shams, harat burj al maqaseer, desert camels adventure tours, tanuf castle ruins | أطلال حصن تنوف, misfah old house, al hoota cave, bait al safah, canyon adventures & tours, jabreen castle, other popular road trips from muscat, explore nearby places.

• Mizaira'a
• Bilad Manah
• Bahla'
• Jabal Akhdar
• Jalan Bani Buhassan
• Al Sharqiyah
• Wadi Bani Awf
• Al Kamil Wal Wafi
• Madinat Zayed

All related maps of Salalah

• Map of Salalah
• Map of Mirbat
• Map of Duqm
• Map of Hadiboh
• Map of Shibam
• Map of Mukalla
• Map of Qutuf
• Map of Mizaira'a
• Map of Ibri
• Map of Jabrin
• Map of Bilad Manah
• Map of Sharorah
• Map of Bahla'
• Map of Maqabil
• Map of Nizwa
• Map of Al Hamra
• Map of Jabal Akhdar
• Map of Bima
• Map of Sayq
• Map of Jalan Bani Buhassan
• Map of Al Sharqiyah
• Map of Ibra
• Map of Wadi Bani Awf
• Map of Al Kamil Wal Wafi
• Map of Ar Rustaq
• Map of Ruwais
• Map of Nakhl
• Map of Buraimi
• Map of Al Ain
• Map of Abu Dhabi
• Map of Madinat Zayed

Salalah throughout the year

• Salalah in January
• Salalah in February
• Salalah in March
• Salalah in April
• Salalah in May
• Salalah in June
• Salalah in July
• Salalah in August
• Salalah in September
• Salalah in October
• Salalah in November
• Salalah in December

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Salalah?

Get inspired for your trip to Salalah with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

• 1-Day Salalah Itinerary
• 2-Day Salalah Itinerary
• 3-Day Salalah Itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i drive from muscat to salalah.

Yes! You can drive from Muscat to Salalah.

How far is Salalah from Muscat by car?

The drive from Muscat to Salalah is 648 miles (1,043 km).

How long does it take to drive from Muscat to Salalah?

Driving from Muscat to Salalah should take you 11 hrs 37 mins in normal traffic.

How much would gas cost from Muscat to Salalah?

Gas from Muscat to Salalah would cost around $57 to $133 , depending on your vehicle's fuel efficiency.

Where should I stop on the way from Muscat to Salalah?

You could check out Al Araimi Leasing Center and Photographic Society Of Oman, or the always popular Al Ansab Wetland!

What's the weather like in Muscat?

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Muscat in January
• Weather in Muscat in February
• Weather in Muscat in March
• Weather in Muscat in April
• Weather in Muscat in May
• Weather in Muscat in June
• Weather in Muscat in July
• Weather in Muscat in August
• Weather in Muscat in September
• Weather in Muscat in October
• Weather in Muscat in November
• Weather in Muscat in December

What are some other road trips from Muscat?

There are plenty! Below you'll find links to all the road trips we've assembled for Muscat.

• Muscat to Dubai drive
• Muscat to Abu Dhabi drive
• Muscat to Doha drive
• Muscat to Al Ain drive
• Muscat to Nizwa drive
• Muscat to Sur drive
• Muscat to Ras Al Khaimah drive
• Muscat to Manama drive
• Muscat to Riyadh drive
• Muscat to Tehran drive
• Muscat to Kuwait City drive
• Muscat to Amman drive
• Muscat to Isfahan drive
• Muscat to Salalah drive
• Muscat to Fujairah drive
• Muscat to Shiraz drive
• Muscat to Jeddah drive
• Muscat to Sharjah drive
• Muscat to Medina drive
• Muscat to Mecca drive
• Muscat to Khasab drive
• Muscat to Yazd drive
• Muscat to Tiberias drive
• Muscat to Al Hamra drive
• Muscat to Dammam drive
• Muscat to Madaba drive
• Muscat to Ajman drive
• Muscat to Hatta drive

• Itinerary + map in one view
• Live collaboration
• Auto-import hotels and reservations
• Optimize your route
• Offline access on mobile
• See time and distance between all your places

PLACES TO VISIT IN SALALAH, OMAN

03 Mar 2024   ||    MIDDLE EAST    |    OMAN

Salalah, Oman’s second city, isolated on the far-south coast near the Yemeni border, feels a world away from, well, anywhere. It could be an independent nation, surrounded by the utterly inhospitable Rub al Khali desert, the vast oil plains of central Oman and thousands of kilometres of entirely empty, breathtaking coastline. If you choose to travel via the desolate, 1000-plus-kilometre trail from Muscat, Salalah’s impact is especially significant. 

Despite this description, Salalah, the foremost city in the governorate of Dhofar, has plenty of things to do for any visiting tourist – its diversity is astounding. The city itself, unlike much of Oman, is covered in fruit trees rather than date palms. During the Khareef summer season, the surroundings are a deep, fertile jungle green, with waterfalls spilling over melting travertine cliffs. In the winter, Salalah is perfect for camping and outdoor adventures, with clear skies and some of the best beaches on the planet. The Dhofar Mountain landscapes are as spectacular as the Hajar range in the north, with craggy, precipitous ridges jutting up against the remarkable turquoise of the Arabian Sea. For the most intrepid, the deep, almost glowing, burnt orange of the Rub al Khali desert sports some of the largest sand dunes on the planet.

Although Salalah often comes up second fiddle to Muscat, receiving significantly less visitors than its capital to the north, this does not do justice to the city’s beauty. Having spent many weeks in the region over three trips, this is our exhaustive, enthusiastic list of the best places to visit in Salalah, Dhofar.

IN THIS GUIDE //

Places to Visit in Salalah, Oman

Why visit salalah, getting to salalah.

  – DRIVING FROM MUSCAT TO SALALAH

    — THE SCENIC ROUTE

  – MUSCAT TO SALALAH BY BUS

 – MUSCAT SALALAH FLIGHTS

  – DUBAI TO SALALAH

WHERE TO STAY IN SALALAH

Best time to visit salalah.

MAP: PLACES TO VISIT IN SALALAH

PLACES TO VISIT IN SALALAH

  – PLACES TO VISIT IN SALALAH CITY

  – PLACES TO VISIT IN SALALAH – OUTSIDE THE CITY

FINAL THOUGHTS – PLACES TO VISIT IN SALALAH

Salalah is simply a little different to the rest of Oman. Even if you’re well-acquainted with the northern part of Oman, it is worth revisiting the country to experience the uniqueness of its southern coast. Here are some reasons:

♦ There is a heavy Yemeni influence in the region – it feels like entering an entirely new country (it’s still wonderfully Omani though!). A resident we met there was explaining how, in the south, they even speak a different, pre-Arabic language.

♦ Khareef season and Salalah Tourism Festival – if you are visiting in the summer months of late June to early September, the monsoon season really puts on a show, with temporary waterfalls flowing ubiquitously and the scenery turning an uncharacteristic green. The tourism festival has a range of events on throughout the summer in the city.

♦ Exquisite camping locations – we think that some of the best wild camping in the world can be found in the region surrounding Salalah.

♦ Frankincense trade history – the UNESCO recognised locations in Oman were some of the most important and oldest caravan trade routes in the ancient world.

♦ Lack of tourists – Salalah has so few international tourists. We’ve never spent time at the best places to visit in Salalah with other tourists, unless they were Omani.

♦ Diverse landscapes – for outdoor enthusiasts, it’s all about the deserts, beaches, mountains, waterfalls and coastlines. All of which are spectacular.

Salalah is a small, isolated city with a population of around 450,000. It is situated on the southern Omani coast in the governorate of Dhofar (the largest in Oman), bordering Yemen and Saudi Arabia. This governorate is made from ten wilayats, or provinces, including the wilayat of Salalah. To reach this region, the options are to drive, take a bus or fly.

⋅ DRIVING FROM MUSCAT TO SALALAH ⋅

The distance from Muscat to Salalah is around 1000 kilometres, when taking route 31, the fastest highway through central Oman. This can be driven in one long day and takes around 9.5 hours. It’s an easy, comfortable drive, mostly frequented by lorries. Often, during certain sections, you’ll have miles and miles of road all to yourself (if you discount the camels!). This is the quickest way to travel from Muscat to Salalah by road.

There are services along this route, including gas stations, bathrooms and shops. The journey can be begun from the beautiful ancient city of Nizwa too, which cuts off an hour or so of the total travel time.

Oman is not a particularly public transport-friendly country so we’d suggest renting your own vehicle, plus Oman is very safe and easy to drive in. Check out our guide to driving in Oman for more information.

THE SCENIC ROUTE

It is also possible to drive the Muscat to Salalah coastal ‘scenic’ route. This will take, at minimum, several days but is well-worth the detours if you have the available time.

The route can include as many of the following as you’d want: the coastline before and after Sur, Ras al Jinz, Masirah Island, Duqm, Ras Madrakah, Miji, Ash Shuwaymiyyah, Hasik, Sadah and Mirbat. Including all these stops is time consuming, but for the ultimate Oman adventure, we’d absolutely recommend it!

CAR HIRE FOR YOUR SALALAH ITINERARY

We always rent our vehicles all over the world, including our recent trips in Oman, with Discover Cars . They’re often the most affordable, plus they paid out immediately on an insurance claim we made when our car took some heavy damage in Sicily. We fully recommend them.

If you book through the link below, we make a small profit, at zero cost to you, which helps us write these posts with no advertising! We only endorse products and companies we *actually* use regularly. For more information, read our position on affiliates .

TAKE A LOOK BELOW OR  CHECK CAR RENTAL  

⋅ MUSCAT TO SALALAH BY BUS ⋅

To travel by road from Muscat to Salalah, another option is the public bus. It is then simple to rent a vehicle in Salalah directly if you don’t want to drive the 1000-kilometre journey yourself!

Buses run from Muscat to Salalah using the Mwasalat service. These are decent quality intercity services, run by the Omani authorities. As of mid-2023, the intercity route 100 operates between Muscat and Salalah three times a day at 07:00, 18:00 and 19:30. A single ticket costs 8 OMR (about £16) and a return ticket is 12.5 OMR (about £25.50). Tickets are reservable online via the website (when the website works) and the timetable can be found on the Mwasalat website . The journey takes around 13 hours. 

⋅ FLIGHTS FROM MUSCAT TO SALALAH ⋅

Direct flights from Muscat to Salalah operate multiple times daily with SalamAir and Oman Air. These cost from around 30 OMR (about £60) each way and take around 1.5 hours.

We use Skyscanner to research and book all of our flights.

⋅ DUBAI TO SALALAH ⋅

There are no direct buses from Dubai to Salalah, Oman. Two buses are needed to travel the Dubai to Salalah route by public transport. First, take the Al Khanjry bus from Dubai to Muscat , then the Mwasalat service from Muscat to Salalah. This could potentially mean an overnight stop in Muscat. 

It is also possible to fly directly from Dubai to Salalah with Flydubai or Emirates. Emirates often costs double the price of Flydubai.

If you are looking for the cheapest flights possible from Dubai to Salalah, consider flying from Abu Dhabi instead. Wizz Air fly directly from Abu Dhabi to Salalah, often for as little as 100 AED or 11 OMR one way (about £21).

Check all the routes mentioned in this section on Skyscanner – it’s the cheapest place to book flights and the only site we personally use and vouch for.

FLIGHTS TO SALALAH

We exclusively book our flights through Skyscanner . It’s the cheapest way to book flights from anywhere in the world.

I f you book your flights to Salalah through our link below, we make a tiny commission that helps to keep this site running, at zero cost to you. Thank you!

Salalah has a myriad of accommodation options depending on your budget. There are numerous upscale, luxury resorts along the beaches and coast, budget apartments within the city and affordable business-style hotels in the centre.

For a mid-range business hotel that we have stayed in a few times, we recommend the Salalah Gardens Hotel. It’s in a mall with an attached Carrefour hypermarket and is near a Lulu hypermarket. The hotel is central, has tonnes of free parking, access to shops, the rooms have small kitchenettes and there is an exceptional breakfast.

Another fantastic budget option is to wild camp. There are so many incredible spots with unimaginable views; it’s truly a camper’s dream. To learn more about camping, take a look at our guide to camping in Oman , plus our favourite camp sites across the country.

Salalah can be enjoyed all year around, although daytimes are always hot, between 28 and 35 degrees throughout the year. The nights in Salalah are more moderate during the winter months, perfect for camping, with no rain and clear skies.

The Khareef (monsoon) season runs through the summer months of June to September. In other countries, many would avoid the monsoon season, but it’s actually the most popular time to visit Salalah. The verdant landscapes and incredible waterfalls are only present during this time. Temperatures drop significantly during July and August too, making outdoor pursuits tolerable!

Personally, we love visiting Salalah during the winter months of December to February for its clear blue skies, lack of rain and warm temperatures. This season is also perfect for camping, diving and dolphin and whale spotting from the coast!

After March, until around the Khareef season in June, the day and night-time temperatures rise to the low-thirties and upper-twenties respectively. 

EXPLORE FAIRYTALE WADI DAMM    |    OMAN ROAD TRIP ITINERARY

PLACES TO VISIT IN SALALAH - MAP

Below is a saveable Google Map of everything around Salalah mentioned throughout this post.

To save this map, click the star icon next to the title.

Places to Visit in Salalah

⋅ places to visit in salalah city ⋅.

The city of Salalah is where most people will base themselves on a trip to southern Oman. It has all the normal mod-cons such as malls, cinemas, hotels, supermarkets, plus an international airport. The city also boasts the biggest seaport on the Arab peninsula, so expect to see some industry! To counter this, it has manicured, palm lined boulevards, beautifully crafted roundabouts and is frankly just an incredibly attractive city!

Salalah is home to some exceptional beaches that were always empty when we visited (despite being in the centre of a city!). They are low-key, lined with coconut palms and what felt like endless space to park and drive on the sand. Further east, Dhareez Beach is lined with small restaurants and shady cabanas, ideal for families (and great for bird watching!).

SULTAN QABOOS MOSQUE

Named for the former leader of Oman, Sultan Qaboos, who was originally from Salalah, this central Salalah mosque is exquisite and allows visitors between 08:00 and 11:00 each day but Friday.

AL BALID ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE (OR AL BALEED)

Al Balid, part of the UNESCO designated ‘Land of Frankincense’ site, is an easy-to-access archaeological site containing the remnants of an ancient city that prospered after the decline of Kohr Rori. As with its predecessor, Al Balid was known for the proliferation of Frankincense. There are even informative signs in English, a rarity in Oman!

Also on-site is the ‘Museum of the Land of Frankincense’ which is worth spending some time at to learn more about why this site is significant, although mostly it seems to be about the maritime history of this region of Oman. The entry fee is 2 OMR per car and the site is closed on Fridays and Sundays. There is also a nearby beach too.

BUY SOME FRUIT

It’s a weird one, but everyone visits the fruit markets along As Sultan Qaboos Street, the main road running parallel to the beach. Driving along here, you’ll see a tonne of thatched little stalls with many bananas hanging from them.

We bought a load of fruit and also got to try some raw tamarind, which was a first for us!

⋅ PLACES TO VISIT IN SALALAH - OUTSIDE THE CITY ⋅

Surrounding Salalah is some of the most scenic landscapes across the entire of the Gulf, in our opinion. It’s striking, dramatic and no matter what time of year, you’ll find something memorable to see and do! 

Here, in no particular order, are the best places to visit in Salalah. If a four-wheel drive vehicle is necessary, we’ve mentioned it, plus any fees and the distance from central Salalah.

WADI DARBAT

This is possibly the best wadi in Oman , despite having relatively few visitors when compared with places like Wadi Shab and Wadi Bani Khalid in northern Oman.

Wadi Darbat, around a half-hour drive east of Salalah, is easy to access by paved roads and even has facilities like cafes and bathrooms (an extreme rarity in Oman!). The outrageously blue-green waters and immense waterfalls will astound you, even during the dry season (this wadi runs year-round).

We’ve written a detailed up-to-date guide for Wadi Darbat , so if you’re interested in visiting, check it out.

Cost:  free

Distance from Salalah: 46 kilometres

BEACHES IN SALALAH

There are so many absolutely epic beaches in and around Salalah. If you are looking for some jaw-dropping coastline, the best sandy strips and scenery in the entire of Oman are found in the Dhofar region.

There are different types of beaches in Salalah for every kind of traveller. From family friendly ones like Mughsail Beach and Dhareez Beach, to isolated four-wheel drive only beaches like Shaat Hidden Beach and the multiple Fazayah beaches. In Dhalqut, there are white, sandy beaches  without a single footprint on them, accompanied by  crystal -like turquoise waters,  offering views of Yemen’s mountains.

No matter what beach you are looking for, Salalah has it in droves. Have a look at our dedicated post on the most beautiful beaches in Salalah for more information.

Car: 2WD/4WD dependent on choice

Distance from Salalah: various

WADI AYUN (AIN AYUOON)

This is a less well-known, all-year wadi in Oman that will almost certainly have you exploring some pools completely alone (apart from some oversized dragonflies).

Wadi Ayun is an easy to access valley (on a gravelly road), less than an hour inland from Salalah, which makes for an amazing half day of exploring. It’s not particularly suited for young kids though as there are quite a few cliff edges and uneven paths.

The 20-minute hike from the carpark is only mildly intrepid, having to find your way to the bottom of a gorge where the beautiful blue pools sit, enclosed by small patches of tall grass (somehow both times we visited we got lost though). If you perch on the overhangs at the valley top, you can watch birds swoop in and out of openings in the cliffs opposite, while listening to the call to prayer echoing from miles away.

There are no facilities anywhere near the site either, so bring food, water, a hat and sunblock (there is very little shade!).

GPS: 17.248528, 53.887546

Distance from Salalah: 56 kilometres

DHALQUT (DHALKUT)

We mentioned Dhalqut above in relation to beaches, and this little town has one of the best beaches in Oman. It’s also pretty much as far as you can drive without passing the border into Yemen!

Dhalqut is a small place, but has a lovely beach, some stunning scenery and even a crashed helicopter on the beach. Half the fun of visiting is the outstanding scenic drive – the journey to Dhalqut is worth it for this alone.

It is also possible to visit Wadi Sayq (just off the road) en-route, plus the beaches mentioned in the ‘beaches in Salalah’ section above.

Distance from Salalah: 158 kilometres

Once the capital of southern Oman, the ancient city of Mirbat is just under an hour east of Salalah, past Wadi Darbat . Historically, it was well-known for Arabian horses and the frankincense trade.

As a traditional southern Omani town, it’s worth checking out the harbour, with its traditional dhow boats and Yemeni-style merchant housing. Mirbat, as with everywhere along the Dhofar coastline, is also home to some empty white sandy beaches. Mirbat Castle, the site of a well-known battle in 1972, is also worth a visit but is currently under renovation (in 2023). 

Our favourite thing to do near Mirbat is off-roading to the east of the city, towards the tiny town of Sadah. The entire area has superb coastal views, exquisite mountains, birdwatching and even camping. It’s a nature-lover’s playground.

Car: 2WD (4WD for off-roading)

Distance from Salalah: 70 kilometres

KHOR RORI AND THE FRANKINCENSE TRAIL

An estuary at the mouth of Wadi Darbat, Khor Rori is an attractive stretch of water (‘Kohr’ means ‘fresh-water outlet’), bound by a sand bar during low tide and home to the ruins of the historic fortified trading city of Sumhuram.

Founded around the 4th century BCE, Sumhuram has historical trading connections to Yemen, India and even as far as the Mediterranean. It is regarded as one of the most important trading posts in ancient Arabia as a result. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 (as part of the ‘Land of Frankincense’), it’s worth visiting just for the views alone (even if you’re not into the Frankincense Trail history).

This is a fascinating stop, perfect for a day trip twinned with a visit to Wadi Darbat. They are connected geographically and located off the same highway junction.

Cost: entry to Khor Rori/Sumhuram – per vehicle 2 OMR

Distance from Salalah: 41 kilometres

UBAR AND THE RUB AL KHALI DESERT

The lost city of Ubar (or Wubar or Shisr), although technically part of the Frankincense Trail UNESCO World Heritage site, is probably not worth driving all the way out to the desert for (it’s far!). This city was a major stopping point on the caravan trade routes across Arabia and historically a very significant site, however is not super exciting to visit nowadays. As much as I’m a big fan of solitude and adventure, it’s only partly excavated and there’s not much known about the site. 

However, it’s worth heading to Ubar if you also intend to check out the world-class dunes of the Rub al Khali desert, by following the road onwards towards ‘Fasad’. From there, the tracks lead to the desert, but please don’t go without adequate preparation, such as extra fuel, food, water and driving in a convoy. You’ll need to have experience driving on sand too. If you want to go but aren’t comfortable with the risks, consider taking a tour, such as this tour with Viator .

Car: 2WD/4WD essential for sand dunes

Costs: entry to Ubar: vehicles 2 OMR each

Distance from Salalah: 170 kilometres

AROUND HASIK

East of Sadah, and a lengthy two-hour drive east of Salalah, is the tiny town of Hasik. This unassuming little town is surrounded by some of the most unbelievable scenery. It is backed by dramatic peaks and fronted by wide stretches of sand, punctuated with small fishing boats. We would recommend camping as it is a bit of a drive to get here and back in a day from Salalah. However, if you can’t camp, we’d still recommend a visit – the drive may be long, but the scenery is utterly epic! There is also the option to stay in Mirbat, which cuts the driving time in half.

A few places we recommend visiting in the area include:

♦ Wadi Al Nakheel 17.599463, 55.253040

♦ Canyon View Point 17.730869, 55.312311

♦ Dolphin and whale watching (in the dry season) – common between Hadbeen and Hasik

♦ Prophet Saleh’s Tomb (PBUH) 17.312315, 55.257969

♦ Natif Waterfall (during the rainy season)

♦ Waterfall at Ash Shuwaymiyyah 17.935166, 55.526805

Distance from Salalah: 187 kilometres

The biggest highlight of a trip to the small coastal town of Taqah is Taqah Castle. This 19th century fortification turned museum shows off tools, weapons and more from ancient Oman. It’s compact, with beautiful architecture and stretching views from the top of the steep steps up. The castle was closed the last time we visited, so check ahead.

It’s also worth popping up on the cliffs to the east of the town (‘Taqah View Point’, 17.031892, 54.409972 ) for some exceptional views of the even more exceptional beach. If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle, continue further along the coast to the east and check out ‘Taqah Hidden Beach’ and alternative views of the Kohr Rori sand bar ( 17.031234, 54.434247 ).

Distance from Salalah: 34 kilometres

EFTALQUOT (OR IFTALQOOT)

Eftalquot, for some completely unfathomable reason, isn’t a place you’ll see popping up on most travel blogs for Salalah. It’s a large cliff side region just to the west of Salalah’s port area and, if you’re willing to wander down the steep cliffs, presents you with a wide stretch of beach.

There is a massive, rusting, abandoned ship at the bottom of the cliffs, just sitting there in the perfect green-blue ocean. Aside from this, the most fantastic views and zero other visitors, there’s also some seriously fun off-road tracks if you have rented a four-wheel drive vehicle. 

We spent one of our favourite days in Salalah here, and it was only supposed to be an hour!

GRAVITY HILL

This is a weird, quirky stop, a little off the main highway east of Salalah.

It’s a spot on the road where if you put your car in neutral, it will appear to be rolling up hill against gravity due to the surrounding terrain. You can try it out – just keep an eye out for the sign ‘Location of Gravity’.

It’s weird, but a little bit of weird fun.

GPS: 17.041226, 54.612730

Distance from Salalah: 59 kilometres

WATERFALLS AND SPRINGS DURING THE KHAREEF

The monsoon season brings a lot of rain to Salalah (and strangely, tourists). Normally, excessive rain would be a downer, but in the case of Salalah it’s a huge draw. This is the busiest time of year in the city as most tourists visit to see the ayns (meaning ‘springs’) or waterfalls. The Salalah Tourism Festival, running from mid-July to the end of August, coincides with the Khareef season, holds various events across the city.

Here is a list of a few springs and waterfalls you might consider checking out:

♦ Ayn Jarziz – a lovely green spot with some waterfalls, very close to Salalah

♦ Ayn Sahlounout – pretty pool, close to Salalah

♦ Ayn Razat – some nice pools and caves

♦ Ayn Athum – very cool waterfalls and an amazing travertine cliff

FINAL THOUGHTS - PLACES TO VISIT IN SALALAH

Salalah is often missed off an Oman itinerary due to its distance from Muscat. However, we love the city of Salalah and have returned on each and every visit to Oman. It’s an absolute banger and rarely gets visitors from outside the Gulf states, which is a shame.

We feel that you could easily spend a week or more exploring the best places to visit in Salalah and the surrounding Dhofar region. If you get the opportunity, definitely consider it for your next trip!

Whether you are visiting for waterfalls and lush greenery, soaring cliffs, pristine sandy beaches , off-road adventures, ancient history or otherworldly sand dunes, Salalah and surrounding Dhofar will not disappoint.

We hope this is helpful, have an amazing trip!

Hi, thanks for visiting our blog! If this post has been of help to you, or you’ve just enjoyed our random ramblings and musings, say thank you by buying us a coffee ! It helps keep The Restless Beans blog up and running without ads.

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3 thoughts on “The 15 Best Places to Visit in Salalah (2024)”

Hey thank you for the nice summaries. It really helps with our planning. Do you guys also know about snorkeling spots in Dhofar? Thank you!

Hi, thanks for your message! We’ve never been snorkelling in Dhofar but know it’s best around Mirbat, to the east of Salalah. There are a few hotels in that region who you could message that might know more specific details. We also met up with a whole bunch of divers who were (scuba) diving off Shaat Hidden Beach west of Salalah too, but I don’t know how decent it would be for snorkelling. If you find somewhere particularly good, let us know – I’d love to snorkel there on our next visit! Hope you have a great trip 🙂

Hello, we are thinking of coming for 8-9 days to salalah in october 2024. We’ve already done Oman (Muscat and around) and we loved it ! We did a lot of off road and camping … I am wondering if it’s really worth renting a 4×4 for salalah or 2WD is enough for seeing already nice place ? what would you recommend ? or share half of the week with 2WD and rest with 4×4 as the distance seems not so long …

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When flying out of Muscat you will be using Muscat Seeb. You will be landing at Salalah, also known as Salalah.

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Everything was great in the business class. Seats 1A and 1C wouldn't recline properly. If i stood up then it did recline, even when the crew checked it he made me stand up recline it all the way and then he said "ok now you can sit" i just laughed it off.

We missed our connection due to technical issues with the plane. We were stuck in Oman Airport for 5 hours, had to overnight there, got rerouted to London, were denied boarding on the plane, were then seated separately (as a family of 5), did not receive any notification of our luggage being in London, were denied boarding for the AA flight to Chicago, and then all seated separately again. Finally our luggage was lost. Worst experience ever. Will never fly on this airline again

The crew could have offered us seats together as the flight was half empty. But overall, the service quality was good as well as the food and entertainment options. Would love to fly Oman Air again.

Smooth until we get in the plane it was so small and uncomfortable the whole flight, apparently they have Changed the plane and I don’t know what was the problem this flight is from mct to phuket - on my way back everything was perfect

Although a short regional flight, Oman Air continues to provide excellent service, and personal attention. I always find the Oman Air leg of an international flight less stressful and more personable.

The whole trip was well organised, and pleasantly executed. As with most Qatar Airways flights the staff were particularly attentive and supportive. The Q Suite was the "icing on the cake".

Staff were attentive and professional, and managed to be personable and accomodating at the same time. Oman Air has become my airline of choice.

Reduced cost for children to lounge Children’s area in airport Non spicy snacks Option of children’s meals Good films More children’s games and 2 player games Ran out of vegetarian meals

Omar airways mishandled my baggage, it took me 2 weeks to get my baggage back. It's been delivered to someone else.

The seat condition was very poor . The seats handles was broken the wire inside the seat handle was out .It was very ugly scene and very uncomfortable to be in this situation. Please keep ur flight seat in good condition to respect your passengers . Regards

Salam air flights are very full . So there is no way to fallow Covid 19 protocol . All seats are occupied . They should consider less passenger in each flight .

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The Coastal Road Trip from Muscat to Salalah, Oman

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Flights to Salalah, Oman

Salalah is the second largest city of Oman and the capital of the vibrant Dhofar province, SalamAir makes it easy to get here with cheap flights to Salalah from Muscat. This sub-tropical region of the country has become a recent tourist phenomenon that delivers on its promise of a unique Arabian experience Modern Salalah is a sprawling expanse of whitewashed, low-rise buildings. History and culture play a pivotal role in the city’s nature and incredible archaeology. The natural diversity draws visitors to this ancient paradise from around the world. Its vibrant and luscious greenery is a distinctive characteristic of the city in addition to its many waterfalls, lakes, mountains, caves and diverse wildlife that extend beyond the city walls. Beautiful sandy beaches stretch for miles around the coast of Salalah; shaded by leaning coconut palms and surrounded by vibrant greenery. The unique climatic factors of Salalah make it a true jewel of the Arabian Sea. The cooler summer in this region is a breath of fresh air for the Arabian Peninsula and makes exploring the cities many historical and cultural attractions even more of a pleasure. This combined with its deep-rooted natural beauty ensures that Salalah is an international destination that is not to be overlooked. Check out our Salalah travel guide below to find out more about things to explore in the city. If you’re ready to fly to Salalah, use the widget above to discover the cheap tickets to Salalah on offer!

Activities in Salalah

Wadi darbat.

Wadi Darbat is located in Dhofar Governorate. This wadi carves its way through hills and highlands until it reaches Khawr Ruri, where it empties into the Arabian Gulf.

During autumn, the wadi’s water descending from the mountains forms magnificent waterfalls cascading from a height of up to 30 meters (100 feet).

The wadi is distinguished by its virgin nature and thick botanical cover, in addition to a natural spring and a number of caves. The wadi’s water is the source of the water filling Teeq Cave’s cells .

Tawi Ateer Sink Hole

Tawi Ateer Sinkhole, known as the ‘Bird Well’ gained international fame after its discovery in 1997 by a team of Slovenian explorers in collaboration with Sultan Qaboos University as one of the largest solvent sinkholes in the world. This adds to the Sultanate's rich biodiversity, its geographical and historical richness, and its historical and archaeological sites, as well as its remains of early civilization, all of which endorse the Governorate of Dhofar as a tourist destination, and boost the various opportunities for those interested in discovery, along with nature and adventure lovers.

The capacity of the Teeq Sinkhole is about 975 thousand cubic metres. Its diameter is between 130 to 150 metres and its depth is 211 metres. Water flowing down the valleys has resulted in the formation of the sinkhole, with its magnificent waterfalls along the intersection with Teeq Sinkhole.

Teeq Cave is near the top of the sinkhole. Its capacity is about 170 thousand cubic metres, and has no less than six entrances, the largest of which is the Western entrance and wall which can be seen from the top of Teeq sinkhole. You can reach that entrance along narrow paths located off the main trail. From those paths you can enjoy panoramic views of the sinkhole and its waterfalls.

The Frankincense Tree

This tree has gained worldwide fame and frankincense is mentioned in ancient history books. Dhofar has known frankincense since time immemorial. In addition to its aromatic fragrance and use as incense to aromatise houses, frankincense is also used as a therapeutic ingredient.

Humanity has known the frankincense tree since ancient times, and a special relationship has grown between the two. Frankincense is a symbol of life, or rather it is life itself, for the Dhofari people. It is not a mere tree, but an embodiment of culture, history, sociology and geography.

Over the centuries, cities and civilisations have been based on frankincense trade, as the ruins of Samahran and Khawr Rawri cities, bustling with life one thousand years BC, tell us. In these ancient cities, writings in the southern Arabic alphabet, today called Al Jabaliya, relate the story of establishing these cities for the purpose of exporting Frankincense to different parts of the Arabian Peninsula.

The Omani researcher and historian, Abdul Qadir bin Salim Al Ghassani, mentions in his book ‘Dhofar, the Land of Frankincense’ that Alexander the Great had imported huge quantities of incense from Arab lands.

Other sources suggest that frankincense was used round the throne of King Solomon as incense. These sources also mention that when Emperor Nero’s wife died, the Emperor burned the equivalent of the whole southern Arabian Peninsula’s yield of frankincense. In the preset time, we know that this incense is used at the Vatican in Rome.

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• Phone: +96897054671

Welcome to Abraj Salalah Tours

Unforgettable moments.

Our guests are serviced through English/Italian/Spanish speaking guides, other language guiding is possible on request.

It's time to Visit Muscat

Our tours range from three to nine days duration and take guests to the highlights of Oman and also to less known regions

Visit Salalah

Abraj Salalah is a well-established, highly renowned and widely cross-linked company in Oman that offers a wide range of services.

Top Tour Packages

You can choose the package that suits you from the packages offered by our company and carefully designed for more joy and fun

MAGIC DESERT

Panorama oman, tour : magic oman, sultan’s tour, tour : oman fusion, popular cities, ras al khaimah, hotels booking.

Choose your hotel from many hotels available to book, and get it with the best possible value

City Season Hotel

• Al Khuwair City Center,Sultan Qaboos Road، 3513 Way, Muskata 114، Oman

Al Falaj Hotel

Shangri-la barr al jissah, desert night camp, arabian oryx camp, safari desert camp.

Enjoy Oman Excursions, Now!

F / D: NIZWA, BAHLA, JABRIN & BIRKAT AL MOUZ: 8 hours with lunch DAILY (NO FRIDAY)

Departure at 08.30 am for Nizwa. Arrival and visit of the souq,...

F / D: NIZWA, JABAL SHAMS & AL HAMRA: 10 hours with lunch - 4x4 only DAILY DAILY

Departure at 08.00 for Nizwa. Arrival and visit of the souq,...

F / D: COAST & WADI: 10 hours with lunch - 4x4 only

Departure at 08.30 am for Wadi Dayqha. Arrival and visit of the Dam,...

Magic in the desert: from sunset to dawn

Tuesday departure at 13:00 return at 11:00 + 1 day...

Fazayah: the jewel of the Indian Ocean

Thursday departure: 08.30 / return 17.00 approx....

Salalah City tour

half day departure h: 7.30am / return 1.30pm approx....

ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

Building Alhuda , Central Market, Commercial aerea, Salalah, Sultanate of Oman

+96897054671

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Welcome to Abraj Salalah Tours, it's nice to be in touch with you, please don't hesitate to contact us.

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Late June or Mid July - Salalah Forum

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When is the best time to visit for the Khareef season? Is late June a good time, or are there still no rains, waterfalls, and green areas? Would mid-July be a better option?

2 replies to this topic

https://www.thenationalnews.com/travel/2023/07/20/everything-you-need-to-know-about-travelling-to-salalah-during-khareef-season/

Khareef normally starts 3rd week of June, So going in July would be better. Ensure to book your accommodation's in advance as it will be very crowded during the monsoon.

• Late June or Mid July May 12, 2024
• May 25th Apr 26, 2024
• Floods Apr 22, 2024
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• Tourist Visa Apr 18, 2024
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• Salalah tour guide Mar 28, 2024
• Salalah Inquiries Feb 05, 2024
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Salalah Hotels and Places to Stay

• Full list of FAQ on the Oman forum (link)