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Introduction
This time we’re going to be talking about the best places to see in Salalah and also the best places to visit in Salalah.
If you’re looking to read an article which provides a lot of other information about Salalah, we strongly recommend you check out our other blog post ‘All about Salalah Oman’ which will tell you everything you need to know.
Whilst our other article provides an overview of Salalah, this one delves into more detail on the places to visit in Salalah that’ll keep the whole family entertained.
Wondrous sights aplenty in Salalah
There are some amazing places to see in Salalah and one of the problems you’re going to have whilst visiting is how to work out how to get to these places in Salalah whilst on your holiday.
Wadi Darbat
We’ve already written about some of the best Wadi’s in Oman, and Wadi Darbat is one of Salalah’s top tourist attractions! Wadi Darbat Salalah Oman is home to Oman’s largest natural permanent lake and it’s also home to an array of different wildlife. As it’s only 40km east it makes for one of the top places in Salalah to visit.
Sultan Qaboos Mosque
We’d say that this should be near the top of anyone’s list of places to see in Salalah. This grand Mosque will leave you astounded and amazed when you look at the art and architecture.
Ayn Razat Salalah
We’ve put this into our places to see in the Salalah section but it could have easily fallen into the things to do in the Salalah section as well. Many tourists head to this freshwater spring in Salalah during the Khareef, however there is water present all year round in Ain Razat Salalah. Whilst here you can also explore Ain Razat cave and Ain Razat gardens, making it an excellent day out.
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Ain Garziz Salalah (AKA Ayn Jarziz Salalah)
For this place to see in Salalah you’ll only have to head 5 minutes out of the centre of Salalah. This Salalah tourist place combines Ittin and Ain Garziz – from the top of Ittin you can get a great view of Salalah, whilst Ain Garziz is the place to go during Khareef season to find the good spring. With an abundance of huts to sit in, you can watch your children play in the safety of the water that isn’t too deep.
Ayn Athum
If you are visiting Salalah during the Khareef then this is one of the places in Salalah you need to get to. The stunning waterfalls of Ayn Athum are a popular tourist destination as the landscape transforms into a luscious green alongside the beautiful blue water. As a popular tourist destination, you will find a lot of stalls here during busy periods that sell a range of gifts from children’s toys to food and drinks.
Desert sunset safari at Rub Al Khali
Last but by no means least on our list of best things to see in Salalah is the desert sunset safari at Rub Al Khali. To say that you’ve witnessed a magnificent sunset from the desert would be an unforgettable experience! This trip will depart from Salalah and you’ll get escorted by a 4×4 on a magnificent drive that’ll help you fall in love with Oman. You can also combine any desert trip with some camping if you’re adventurous enough to spend a night under the stars.
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Exciting attractions to visit in Salalah
As well as the places to see in Salalah, there are also a lot of places to visit in Salalah and we have put these into a different section as you’ll obviously be able to see them when you visit, but you can also do something whilst you’re there.
Salalah Central Market
This is one of those places in Salalah that has something for the whole family. By heading to Salalah Central Market you’ll experience the best of Omani culture and also get the opportunity to buy unique homemade gifts which will remind you of your trip.
Ooka Booka Salalah
We couldn’t leave this attraction in Salalah out of our list. Of all the Salalah tourist places, the Ooka Booka Salalah is a place you can go to invigorate and excite your tastebuds. Get ready to savour some Halwa (a famous Omani sweet) and wash it down with some Arabian coffee.
Ayn Sahalnoot Salalah
This area is popular with tourists and locals alike, especially in the Khareef (monsoon season). It is a place for you to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and relax with family and friends at an outdoor location. It also suits the active traveller very well as there are a range of hiking options which lead to the clear blue water spring. Even better, Ayn Sahalnoot Salalah is very accessible, being only a short drive from the centre of Salalah.
Al Balid Archaeological site
If learning about history and Omani culture is your thing, this is one of the places in Salalah you need to visit. As well as the archaeological site itself, there’s also the Museum of Frankincense Lands located nearby which means you can visit both places at the same time.
Taqah Castle
If you fancy a short drive away from Salalah, Taqah Castle is 33km to the east. If you decide to visit Taqah Castle you’ll get a real sense of Omani life and there’s even a museum as part of the castle.
Find paradise near or in Salalah
No matter how where in the world you are, or how many different places you’ve seen or visited, nothing beats heading to the beach, especially if you’ve got children on holiday with you.
Mughsail Beach
This Salalah Oman beach is up there with one of the top attractions in Salalah. This white sand beach is the perfect spot to take the children, who will enjoy hours of play in the sand, take a romantic stroll up the shoreline, watch a magnificent sunset or even just watch some of the variety of bird wildlife that can be spotted on the shoreline. The brilliant thing about this Salalah Oman beach is that it’s only 40 minutes’ drive away from Salalah meaning that it’ll take next to no time to get there.
Mughsail blow holes
As an extension to your visit to Mughsail beach you absolutely must visit the Mughsail blow holes which are located close by. When there is enough force in the waves, water will fly out of the top of the blowhole creating an upward spring of water which will leave your children amazed, entertained and wet!
Manreef Cave
This cave is in similar proximity to Mughsail blow holes and can all be viewed as part of a trip to Mughsail beach. This large cave is one of the most popular places in Salalah to visit.
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As one of the top Salalah attractions, you can either make your own way to Mughsail Beach or you can do it as a guided tour, which is often the preferred choice for first-time travellers.
Al Fazayah Beach
In our other article we’ve covered some of the best beaches in Oman, so you should check this out when planning a beach trip. Al Fazayah Beach is actually made up of 3 beaches, plus there’s an additional ‘secret’ one which entices visitors to the area. Set against the backdrop of the Dhofar mountains and with perfect sand this is definitely a must-visit. Perhaps the only thing that lets it down is that it’s 69km away from Salalah, but it’s well worth making the trip if you get a chance.
Al Haffa Beach
We’ve picked this one out due to the fact you can get there from Salalah without needing to use a car. There’s not very often that this happens so Al Haffa Beach must be considered one of the top attractions in Salalah. As you’d expect from a city centre beach, it’s quite built up and busy but it’s a little slice of perfection right in the middle of Salalah!
Choosing the best time of year to visit Salalah
As we covered in our other article, ‘All about Salalah Oman’ choosing the best time to visit Salalah is dependent on your itinerary and who is travelling as part of your group.
For example, the hottest time of the year falls between April and June when temperatures can reach the mid-forties, so this might not be the best time to visit Salalah if any of your group can’t cope with this extreme heat. It can also be very dangerous for children, so you need to make sure you take precautions for them if you do decide to visit Salalah during this time.
July and August are the monsoon season in Salalah, so again, it might not be the best time to visit Salalah if you want to avoid the rain. The upside of the monsoon season is that this is when Salalah’s greenery springs to life so people often consider it the best time to visit Salalah.
The other months of the year could be considered the best time to visit Salalah because even though the temperature will still be very hot (Salalah has a desert climate) it might not be as hot as during the other times of the year.
Travelling between Muscat and Salalah
We are again referring to our other article, ‘All about Salalah Oman‘ as in this article we provided a breakdown of travelling between Muscat to Salalah, which included driving and public transport options.
Muscat to Salalah will take you approximately 9 hours to drive and you’ll cover around 800 miles whilst on your journey. The good news is that driving from Muscat to Salalah will take you right through the heart of Oman, so you’ll be treated to some spectacular scenery along the way.
Grab yourself a car rental in Salalah
We’ve already covered how driving in Oman is so important for you to be able to reach all the destinations you have on your travel bucket list – you can check out our article here which will give you loads of information.
If you want to do a car rental in Salalah then you’ve got a couple of options and here they are:
Car rental at Salalah International Airport
We mentioned earlier that driving from Muscat to Salalah will take up a day of your holiday. Why not grab an internal flight which will save you loads of time and you can arrange for a hire car at Salalah International Airport to be waiting for your arrival.
Salalah City Office / Salalah West City Office
These two venues within Salalah are two choices for car rental in Salalah.
One important point to remember about car rental Salalah is that drivers should be between the ages of 30 and 65, otherwise, additional charges can be added.
This concludes our roundup of the best places to see and visit in Salalah. We hope by reading this article we have helped you plan your holiday itinerary and that you manage to see all of what this wonderful place has to offer.
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Common Questions and Answers
What to see and do in Salalah Oman?
Whilst in Salalah Oman you can choose to go and visit Wadi Darabt, take in a desert sunset at Rub Al Khali, visit Mughsail beach, or even stay in Salalah town and visit some of the highlights.
Where to go in Salalah?
Depending on your itinerary and what you’d like to do whilst in Salalah may impact your choices, but the Salalah Gardens Mall is a good choice for shopping enthusiasts.
Must-see places in Salalah.
If you’re visiting Salalah, these are some of the places that need to be seen; Sultan Qaboos Mosque, The Museum of Frankincense, Nabi Imran Tomb, Wadi Darabt, Mughsail Beach, and Teqah Castle.
