Top 10 Places to Visit in Salalah

Salalah is an amazing city, located around 1000 kilometers western side of Muscat. This city is special in the whole Middle East due to its awesome climate. Although it is famous for only Khareef season (the monsoon time when it drizzles in the summer time and all the mountains turns green) but I think its a perfect destination all year round. There are many amazing destinations in Salalah but in my view, below are the Top 10 Tourist Attractions and places to visit in Salalah.

Advice: Since all the locations are spread out on the Eastern, Western and Northern side of Salalah, you need to rent a car or book sightseeing tours.

A. To Rent a Car Online click here (In some peak season, you will not get a car when you land in Salalah, therefore, it’s recommended to book online)

B. To Book Sightseeing Tours in Salalah, I would recommend Beautiful Salalah International having office in Hamdan Plaza Hotel. To contact Beautiful Salalah International, visit its office or Call / whatsapp +968 9120 6678 or email info@beautifulsalalah.com

Top 10 Activities and Places to Visit in Salalah

 

1. Pray at Sultan Qaboos Masjid

This mosque is named after the great leader of Oman, Qaboos bin Said Al Said (Arabic: قابوس بن سعيد آلسعيد). He is the Sultan of Oman since 1970, and is the longest serving Arab Leader. This masjid is the landmark of Salalah and is located in the city center at 23rd July Street. There are two sections of worships, one is dedicated to men and another for women, where they pray 5 times a day. The architecture is Islamic and has a large central dome and two tall minarets, while interior of the main prayer hall is worth a visit, specially the huge wooden doors at the entrance, splendid chandelier at the center below the main doom. The floor is covered with a light green carpet.

Non-Muslims can visit this splendid place of worship every morning 9 to 11 am except Friday, which is a day of larger prayer congregation in the afternoon.  Muslims can visit the mosque any time of the day and during the prayer times as well.

 

2. Kayak or Paddle Boat at Wadi Darbat:

Wadi Darbat, which is no doubt, the most visited place in Dhofar Region during Khareef and at other times of the year. This valley has all the things to offer for a great day trip. There are mountains, spring, walking trek, camels and a seasonal waterfall. A perfect place to have boating; charged 3 Omani rials for kayak and 2 person paddle boat while charged 5 Omani Rials for a family electric boat and larger paddle boat.

Other activity at Wadi Darbat, Salalah is to prepare delicious Barbecue (need all accessories) and a chair or mat to sit and observer the beauty of nature.

You can also trek along the spring river, but it could be slippery at Khareef season. So take necessary precautions.

 

3. Get Soaked with Jets from Mughsayl Blowholes

Al Mughsail (Al Mughsayl) Beach and Blowholes, are the next in line of most visited place. The place has an stunning white sand beach which is spread up till the Marneef Cave, where there is the renowned Blowholes. These blowholes are natural fountains are accessible via stairs from Marneef Cave. There are around 50+ steps in the stair (didn’t count, just an estimate). The water jet from the blowholes vary according to the season, but can get as high as 28m in the sky in Khareef season.

It’s a common sight to see people standing over the mesh and waiting for the blowhole waterjets to soak you in the Indian Ocean water.

 

4. Swim at Pristine Beaches of Al Fazayah

Fazayah Beaches are on the western side of Salalah, after Mughsayl Beach. These beaches are accessible only by 4×4 vehicle as the road is dirt road. There are no mobile signals at the beach and no restaurants, so prepare accordingly when going there. A perfect place to swim at the pristine beach and explore beauty of the nature. If you have time a visit to this beach is highly recommended.

As a word of caution, it is advisable to go with an experienced Omani guide there who can help in case of emergency. Don’t go alone as there are no mobile signals and many time you will find yourself as the only visitor. Call or whatsapp Beautiful Salalah International for a wonderful day trip to this beach, call or whatsapp +968 9120 6678 or email info@beautifulsalalah.com

 

5. Dolphin Watching / Scuba Diving / Snorkeling

ABT Divers arrange Dolphin Watching, snorkeling and Scuba Diving in great way. They have offices in Hilton Resort and Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah. Contact: ABT Divers +968 9989 4032, email info@abtdivers.com

Tip: To get a discount, use the Discount Coupon: TRAVELWITHHUSSAIN

 

6. Visit Taqa Castle

Taqa Castle is one of Dhofar’s most distinguished landmarks, which was built in the 19^th century. Its walls were constructed from solid blocks of ‘Taqa Stone’, a local limestone material composed chiefly of fossilized shells and corals. You can see the well, roofless jail, formal sitting area also known as majlis, bedrooms, kitchen and stores. In these areas you will see traditional weaponry, jewelry, every day household items and fascinating traditional colorful pieces of clothes.

Taqa has a great beach also and is a great spot for birds watching.

 

7. Experience Old Frankincense Route – Al Baleed Archaeological Park and Frankincense Land Museum

Al Baleed Archaeological Park is an open air Archaeological site across the Arabian Sea and a UNESCO World Heritage site. There is also one indoor museum “The Museum of Frankincense Land” at the site, which hosts Artifacts excavated from archaeological sites, Governorate of Dhofar’s historical and archaeological heritage and Superb models of Omani boats from 3000 BC to current. Open up till 8 pm and has a nominal entry fee.

Note: If you like to see other Historical sites, you can also visit Sumharam Archaeological site and The lost city of Uber.

 

8. Trek at Tawi Attair Sink Hole

Tawi Atair Sinkhole. Tawi Attair in Arabic sounds similar to “Well of Birds”. There are many birds living nearby. A trek goes down to the sinkhole and if you are physically fit you can walk down and experience trekking along the sinkhole, which is not too common in the world.

 

9. Over the Clouds at Jabal Samhan

Jabal Samhan is the highest point in Dhofar region, which is above 4000 feet. From here the view is amazing and if you are lucky, you will see mountains passing below you. It’s a perfect place for a recording timelapse and taking photographs of clouds being over it.

Tip: Check the weather before going, if its not cloudy, you will not see clouds.

 

10. Leave Footprints at Mirbat Beaches

Mirbat a fishing town some 75 kilometers East of Salalah, is one of the ten wilayats of Dhofar Governorate. It is a charming coastal town situated between the extraordinary escarpment of Jebel Samhan and the Arabian Sea. The entrance of Mirbat is marked with two miniature statues of prancing brown horses; one on each side of the road. These horses are whimsical memorial to the history of Mirbat as an important breeding center for Arabian steeds.

The pristine white sand beaches await you at Mirbat. The view is simply one of the best in the region. The sand is really soft and leaves a nice foot print. The drive through the Old houses (abandoned village) along the beach is a unique experience in Mirbat. Traditional boats (called Dhow) are very commonly see in Mirbat’s pristine coastline as it’s a fishing town. Mirbat Harbor is a great place to see these boats closely and experience this old trading route. Have a fresh fish at lunch.

 

Additional Places and Activities in Khareef Season

All above places are year-round but the below ones are only seasonal.

Amazing Waterfalls and Springs of Dhofar Region

There are couple of waterfalls every year in July and August (Khareef season), where you will be able to see the following waterfalls and natural springs:

Ayn Jarziz: A spring near Ittin Mountains

Ayn Athum: One of the best waterfalls in Salalah, near Wadi Darbat

Ayn Razzat: A beautiful spring and a cave

Ayn Sahalnoot: A spring near Muscat – Salalah Highway

Wadi Ayn: A popular waterfall near Ayn Sahalnoot. Not accessible by car, need to walk

Ayn Gogub: Near Wadi Ayn but not accessible by car.

Ayn Khor: A great waterfall accessible only by 4×4 vehicle on the western side of Salalah

Ayn Tabrook: Near Ayn Athum

Ayn Hamran: Near Ayn Athum