Get a Dream Holiday in Salalah, Oman
From the outside Oman may seem like a quiet West Asian country but, this quiet Islamic country is full of beautiful tourist attractions and a rich cultural heritage that is the envy of many of its neighbours. Whether you love fun outdoor activities such as enjoying stunning desert views, climbing rugged mountain ranges or just relaxing on beautiful white sandy beaches, Oman has it all. If you are into exploring rich cultures and the history of different communities then you will love Oman. This beautiful country is not shy when it comes to showing off its rich historical and cultural heritage. It has dozens of historical forts, old towns, and a lot of many great historical sites worth visiting. The friendly residents will gladly welcome you to their exciting cultural events.
Located on the Persian Gulf, Oman borders both the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. This gives it a unique climatic condition that allows mountain vegetation to flourish during the monsoon rains. This is despite the surrounding harsh desert environment. As a result of these conditions, Oman is the perfect Arab country that you should consider visiting.
One of the best places to visit in Oman is the Salalah city. Located on the Arabian Peninsula, Salalah City is teaming with numerous tourist hotspots, making it the premier West Asia tourist’s paradise. Nestled between the Dhofar mountain rangers on the north and the Arabian Sea on the south, Salala City enjoys a unique microclimate that sets it apart from the surrounding desert landscape. With lush green vegetation and cooler temperatures, Salalah is a perfect holiday destination for anyone who wants to visit this West Asia region, especially during the Khareef season.
As the Dhofar Governorate’s capital city Salalah has many amenities that will make your stay fun. With two main seasons, most tourists visit this city during the Khareef season which runs from June to September each year. This is the autumn season and brings with it the most inviting weather to the city. With the monsoon rains and ambient temperature, this is the time to explore the city and enjoy all that it offers.
However, Salalah City is open to visitors throughout the year. The period between October and April of the following year is considered the winter season in the Dhofar region. When visiting during this period you can enjoy the beautiful beaches and visit history sites as temperatures are mild with limited rainfall.
Table of Contents
Things To Do in Salalah
There are thousands of things you can do in Salalah. As a tourist, there are many beautiful places to see and many activities to enjoy. Here are some of the top things to do on your trip to Salalah:
1. Stay at the Koofan Heritage House
On your arrival, one of the best places to stay in Salalah City is the Koofan Heritage Lodge located on the outskirts of the Sumhuram Old City. It is about 30 minutes’ drive from the Salalah airport making it accessible to almost anyone. From this heritage house, you can stroll to the Taqah castle, visit the Sumhuram Park which is a 10-minute drive away, or Khor Rori which is a mere 4.7 km away.
The Koofan heritage house offers awesome amenities that include spacious rooms, walk-in showers, and beautiful balconies to soak in the beauty of the neighbouring countryside. In addition, there is a sunbathing terrace and a picnic area to enjoy the outdoors. If you love water activities such as diving, snorkelling, and hiking the Koofan Heritage House is your perfect launch pad as it is located just a stone’s throw away from the sea. You will have private parking, wireless internet, and a full breakfast for your stay. All these come with a concierge and room service.
2. Explore The Beautiful Dhofar Waterfalls
If you are visiting during the Khareef season then you will love exploring the Dhofar mountains and visiting the beautiful waterfalls. During the monsoon rains, there are several stunning waterfalls in the Dhofar mountains that you will love. These include the Ayn Athum waterfall, the Ayn Gaith waterfall, the Ayn Hamran, the Ayn Goqub, and the Ayn Khor among others. In addition to the waterfalls, there are many springs in the Dhofar mountains that you can explore. Some of the spectacular springs worth your time include Ayn Jarziz and Ayan Sahalnoot.
3. Take a Wadi Darbat Boat Ride
Nothing reveals the beauty of the Dhofar mountain ranges as a boat ride along the Wadi Darbat canal. This natural canal is set on a picturesque valley that lets you see all the beautiful features of the surrounding mountain rangers. If you travel during the monsoon season you will be treated to spectacular waterfalls from far above the mountain ranges. You can explore the canal using motorized boats, kayaks, and paddle boats.
4. Visit the Mughsail Blowholes for Joyful Water Splashes
A visit to the magical Marneef caves is like no other. Here you will find the Mughsail blowholes along the Mughsail beach. You can have fun soaking yourself in these natural fountains. The water jets are at their highest during the Khareef season but are still worth visiting during any other season.
Other than getting soaked in the fountain, Mughsail Lagoon is a popular bird-watching site and if you are lucky, you will catch a glimpse of some of the rearrest birds in the world. You can also explore the surrounding areas on a horse and then have a barbecue on the beach. For your ultimate picnic experience, you can’t afford to miss out on visiting the Mughsail beach when in Salalah.
5. Learn the History of Salalah at the Frankincense UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Salalah boasts four heritage sites that make up what is known as the Frankincense UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These four include the Sumharam Old City and the Al Baleed Archaeological Sites which are old seaports that served as trading centers and played an important role in the supply of Frankincense in the world. Sumhuram peeked in the 4th century BC while Al Baleed was used between the 8th century and the 16th century. The other two are the Wadi Dawkah and the Wubar Archaeological Site. Wadi Dawkah is the only Frankincense plantation on the list. All these UNESCO World Heritage sites are open all through the year for visitors.
Conclusion
Visiting Oman and Salalah in particular is worth every coin that you spend. This region has hundreds of stunning destinations worth exploring all through the year. It has a wonderful climate with vegetation that is a stark contrast with the surrounding deserts during the Monsoon rains. It also has many great beaches, waterfalls, mountain ranges, caves, and sinkholes that will mesmerize you. The people are friendly, the environment is safe and you will enjoy delicious cuisine on your stay.
