Salalah is the second most populous city in Oman, the administrative center of the southern province of Dhofar. The population of Salalah is 178 469 (2005). They say that the name Salalah is translated from one of the local dialects as “glimmering”: it was thus that people from neighboring mountain tribes called the city-thanks, roughly, to the dazzling whiteness of the buildings, because their own dwellings were a dull grey!
Salalah is an ancient city. It is in Salalah that the ruins of the palace of the legendary Bilqis, the Queen of Sheba, are located, and in the neighboring mountains, Al-Kar, there is the tomb of the biblical prophet Job.
Salalah is known as the “perfume capital of Arabia.” In the outskirts of the city, flocks of sheep graze, and along the mountain streams, frankincense trees grow. The surrounding beaches are ideal for diving. In summer and autumn, Salalah is filled with guests from nearby countries-they come here to take a break from the intense heat that prevails in the rest of the region at this time, and to enjoy the lush vegetation and even waterfalls.
Here, Oman’s guests are given a wonderful opportunity to study the way of life of the local people and to see Oman’s history firsthand by visiting archaeological excavations in the southern part of the country. Coconut and banana plantations, as well as magnificent sandy beaches, give this town the look of a tropical paradise.
ClimateAlthough Salalah is surrounded on three sides by the Arabian Desert, its climate is relatively moderate throughout most of the year. The average winter temperature is +23 °C. The average summer temperature is +27 °C.
From mid-June to mid-September, the eastern monsoons blowing in from India (“khareefs”) bring to Salalah saturated, moisture-laden cumulus clouds that produce a constant, fine drizzle. The mountains surrounding the city are dressed in luxuriant greenery during this period and burst into bloom with hundreds of vivid colors.
One of the brightest attractions of Salalah is the tomb of the Prophet Job. It is located in the northern part of the city and is a three-meter sarcophagus inside a mausoleum. According to legend, Job was a righteous man who lost everything he had, but never once expressed his dissatisfaction to people or to God. Today, the tomb of the Prophet is a sacred place for Christians, Jews and Muslims.
Salalah beaches are sandy, very clean, with crystal-clear water. In addition to beach lounging, guests are offered a variety of water activities: water-skiing and riding motorbikes, sailing excursions, diving and snorkeling. The highlight is the magnificent five-kilometer white-sand beach of Mughsayl. At the end of the beach, in the mountainside, there is a large grotto, Kahf al-Mar nif. The rock forms a natural canopy over a spacious terrace. On the other side of the headland, “magic fountains” burst-water is ejected from cavities in the rock thanks to the pressure created by incoming waves. Here you can find many different birds, such as flamingos, pelicans, and storks.
Salalah is famous for its frankincense - a fragrant, piquant substance obtained from the resin of a special type of tree. Thanks to its high quality, Salalah frankincense is considered one of the most valuable in the world. From here, you can also take home pure myrrh and a variety of perfumes based on it. For these and other souvenirs, head to the bustling Haffa market. In some small shops, you can find antique silver jewelry, Omani curved daggers, women’s anklets, and headdresses.
The excursion will begin with a sightseeing walk through Salalah. Then you will enjoy a drive through the eastern areas from Salalah: the Royal Farm (palm and fruit plantations), the city of Thaqa, where there are several ancient watchtowers and two forts, the ancient Samharam-one of Oman’s main ports during the era of extensive frankincense trade (1st century AD). Among the ruins of Samharam, there are remains of a palace believed to be the Palace of the Queen of Sheba. As a conclusion to the excursion, you will visit Mirbat-a village known in ancient times for its slave market and a large market of Arabian horses.
For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can view it after booking your cruise in your “Client Personal Account”.
