Wadi Darbat Lakes and Waterfall
A green valley of lakes, tufa pools and a seasonal waterfall in the hills above the coast, and the scenic heart of Dhofar in khareef season.
Oman
Salalah & Dhofar
Salalah is the green exception on the Arabian Peninsula: a palm-fringed coastal plain on the Arabian Sea, backed by mountains that turn emerald each summer when the khareef monsoon rolls in.
It is the capital of Dhofar, the southern province of Oman, and the land that grew the world's most prized frankincense, a story told in four World Heritage sites, from the groves of Wadi Dawkah to the ruined ports of Sumhuram and Al Baleed. Visitors come for lakes and waterfalls at Wadi Darbat, blowholes and white sand at Mughsail, cliff-top viewpoints on Jabal Samhan, perfumed souqs and the golden dunes of the Empty Quarter, all within a day of a calm, friendly, conservative city. This guide covers 19 things to do, 9 hotels and 6 travel guides.
Don't miss
Wadi Darbat Lakes and Waterfall
A green valley of lakes, tufa pools and a seasonal waterfall in the hills above the coast, and the scenic heart of Dhofar in khareef season.
Al Baleed Archaeological Park and Frankincense Land Museum
The ruins of medieval Zafar beside a lagoon on the Salalah waterfront, with a museum of the frankincense trade next door. The best single introduction to Dhofar.
Mughsail Beach and Blowholes
A long white beach west of Salalah with sea-spray blowholes in the cliffs, frankincense trees nearby and a cave above the surf.
Empty Quarter Desert Safari
A 4WD day trip from Salalah over the mountains and into the Rub al Khali, the vast sand sea, with dune driving, camels and a desert sunset.
Things to do in Salalah & Dhofar
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Al Baleed Archaeological Park and Frankincense Land Museum
The ruins of medieval Zafar beside a lagoon on the Salalah waterfront, with a museum of the frankincense trade next door. The best single introduction to Dhofar.
Sumhuram and Khor Rori
An ancient frankincense port on a hill above the Khor Rori inlet, east of Salalah. A UNESCO site with sea views and a clear sense of the old trade.
Mughsail Beach and Blowholes
A long white beach west of Salalah with sea-spray blowholes in the cliffs, frankincense trees nearby and a cave above the surf.
Fazayah Beach Adventure
A remote turquoise bay below steep cliffs on the far west coast, reached by a rough track. Often described as Oman’s Caribbean in miniature.
Taqah Castle and Old Town
A restored nineteenth-century fort and the white-walled old town of Taqah, with sea and mountain views from the roof.
Mirbat Castle and Old Town
An old coastal town at the foot of Jabal Samhan, with a nineteenth-century fort, a whitewashed shrine on a hill and some of the best old houses in Dhofar.
Jabal Samhan Viewpoints and Nature Reserve
The great escarpment east of Mirbat, with a drop of around a kilometre to the coastal plain and a reserve that protects the Arabian leopard.
Khareef Mountain Safari
A full-day circuit through the green Dhofar hills in monsoon season: misty ridges, waterfalls, springs, camels and beach stops in one drive.
Ayn Razat and the Dhofar Springs
A freshwater spring in the mountains above Salalah with landscaped pools, picnic lawns and a green backdrop, plus nearby springs at Hamran and Jarziz.
Tomb of the Prophet Job
A venerated shrine high on Jabal Qara, reached by a mountain road with springs and picnic stops, and with wide views over the Salalah plain.
1 hourDetails →
Wadi Dawkah Frankincense Trees
A UNESCO-listed grove of frankincense trees in a dry wadi north of Salalah, where you can see the resin that built an empire of trade.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara
Al Baleed
A five-star beach resort beside the Al Baleed lagoon and archaeological park, with villa-style rooms, large pools and a calm, design-led atmosphere.
Check rates →Hilton Salalah Resort
Salalah coast
A long-established five-star beach resort on the Salalah coast, with tropical gardens, big pools and easy access to the city and the east and west sights.
Check rates →Salalah Rotana Resort
Salalah coast
A five-star beach resort with lush gardens and several pools, popular with families and with guests who want a lively, full-service stay.
Check rates →Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah
Salalah coast
A five-star beach resort with a landscaped lagoon-style pool, spacious rooms and a family-friendly layout on the Salalah coast.
Check rates →Millennium Resort Salalah
Salalah coast
A five-star resort with sea views, pools and a calm, modern style, well placed for both city and coast sights.
Check rates →Fanar Hotel and Residences
Salalah area
A five-star hotel with spacious rooms and serviced residences, popular with families and longer stays, and a short drive from the main sights.
Check rates →Salalah Gardens Hotel
Central Salalah
A four-star hotel in the city with a garden setting and a pool, aimed at travellers who want comfort and value near the sights.
Check rates →IntercityHotel Salalah
Salalah city
A modern business-style hotel with comfortable rooms and a central location, suitable for short stays and for travellers on a budget.
Check rates →The Plaza Hotel and Resort
Salalah area
A four-star hotel and resort with comfortable rooms, pools and a good-value rate, popular with families and tour groups.
Check rates →Salalah & Dhofar guides
First Time in Salalah: When to Go, What to Book and How Many Days
A practical primer for a first visit to Salalah and Dhofar: the khareef monsoon, how to get around, which sights to prioritise, how many days to allow and what to book ahead.
Khareef Season in Salalah: What It Is, When to Go and How to Enjoy It
Everything about the Salalah khareef: when the monsoon runs, what the weather is like, which sights shine, what to wear, how to handle crowds and fog and what to do outside the rain.
Salalah in Three Days: A Practical Itinerary for Heritage, Hills and Coast
A three-day plan for Salalah covering the heritage coast, the green east and the dramatic west, with timing tips, food stops and options for the desert and the sea.
Where to Stay in Salalah: Resorts, City Hotels and Which Area Suits You
A guide to choosing where to stay in Salalah: beach resorts versus city hotels, what changes in khareef, how to match a hotel to your plans and tips for booking.
Day Trips From Salalah: East, West and the Empty Quarter
A guide to the best day trips from Salalah: the green east, the dramatic west, the mountains and the Empty Quarter desert, with timings, seasons and how to choose.
The Frankincense Trail: Salalah’s Ancient Trade, Trees and Souqs
Follow the frankincense story in Dhofar: the trees at Wadi Dawkah, the ports of Al Baleed and Sumhuram, the caravan stop of Shisr and where to buy the resin today.
