Salalah

The frankincense capital at the southern tip of Arabia, where the summer monsoon turns the valleys green, with the Land of Frankincense World Heritage Site, blowholes and coconut-fringed beaches.

Salalah, capital of the Dhofar Governorate, lies in southern Oman at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, on the Arabian Sea. It is about 1,000 km from the capital, Muscat, around 1.5 hours by domestic flight, and there are also direct flights from Dubai, Doha and elsewhere. The climate is unique: from June to September the Indian Ocean monsoon brings the khareef season, when drizzle and thick mist cloak the mountains and valleys in green and waterfalls appear, drawing crowds of Gulf visitors escaping the heat. October to April is sunny and dry, ideal for beaches, diving and desert trips, while May is the hottest month. Salalah has been the home of frankincense since ancient times: Al Baleed, Sumhuram, Wadi Dawkah's frankincense trees and Ubar in the desert together form the Land of Frankincense World Heritage Site. Sightseeing falls into three routes: in the city, Al Baleed Archaeological Park, Al Haffa Souq, the mosques and the Tomb of the Prophet; to the east, Ain Razat spring, Taqah, Wadi Darbat, Sumhuram, Mirbat, Jebel Samhan and the sinkholes; and to the west, Job's Tomb, the Al Mughsail blowholes and Fazayah Beach, plus Ubar in the desert to the north. Sights are spread out and public transport is scarce, so rent a car or hire a driver; 3–5 days is typical. Local customs are conservative, so dress modestly when visiting religious sites. During the khareef, hotels fill up and prices rise, so book early, and drive carefully on foggy mountain roads.

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Where to eat

Itineraries