Salalah Oman Holidays
Salalah
Holidays
Arabia's most extraordinary natural phenomenon — a tropical city that turns lush green during the summer monsoon (khareef), with coconut palms, waterfalls, frankincense trees and the most dramatic seasonal transformation in the world
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Flight Time
8h to Muscat + 1.5h domestic
Best Time
June to September (khareef) or October to March
Country
Oman
Suppliers
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Salalah Holiday Guide
Salalah is the most extraordinary natural destination in Arabia — the khareef monsoon transformation, ancient frankincense trees, the ruins of Ubar and the dramatic Al Mughsail blowholes make it unlike anywhere else in the world. Visit in summer for the green monsoon or winter for the beaches.
Direct flights from Gulf hubs. October to March for beaches; June to September for the khareef.
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Popular Areas in Salalah
Average Temperatures
Jan
25°C
Feb
26°C
Mar
28°C
Apr
31°C
May
33°C
Jun
27°C
Jul
25°C
Aug
25°C
Sep
27°C
Oct
29°C
Nov
27°C
Dec
25°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Salalah
The khareef monsoon transformation, ancient frankincense trees, the ruins of Ubar and the dramatic Al Mughsail blowholes that make Salalah the most extraordinary destination in Arabia.
The Khareef Season
The khareef (monsoon) season from June to September is the most extraordinary natural phenomenon in Arabia — the mountains and plains around Salalah transform from arid desert to lush tropical green, with waterfalls cascading from the cliffs, coconut palms swaying in the mist, cattle grazing on green hillsides and the temperature dropping to a pleasant 25°C. The khareef is the most dramatic seasonal transformation in the world and attracts hundreds of thousands of Omani and Gulf visitors who come to escape the summer heat. It is a genuinely extraordinary experience.
Frankincense Trees & Land of Frankincense
The Dhofar region around Salalah is the most important frankincense-producing area in the world — the ancient Boswellia sacra trees that produce the finest frankincense grow on the limestone plateaus above Salalah and have been harvested for over 5,000 years. The Land of Frankincense UNESCO World Heritage Site includes the ancient frankincense trees of Wadi Dawkah, the ruins of the port of Sumhuram and the caravan oasis of Shisr (the legendary city of Ubar). The frankincense souq in Salalah is the finest in the world.
Ruins of Ubar
The ruins of Ubar (Shisr) are one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in Arabia — the legendary lost city of Ubar, described in the Quran as 'Iram of the Pillars', was discovered in 1992 using NASA satellite imagery and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ruins include a large circular fortress that collapsed into a limestone cavern, surrounded by ancient frankincense trees and desert landscape. The site is 170km north of Salalah and is one of the most atmospheric archaeological destinations in the world.
Al Mughsail Beach & Blowholes
Al Mughsail Beach is the most dramatic beach in Oman — a long, wild stretch of white sand backed by dramatic limestone cliffs, with a series of extraordinary natural blowholes that shoot jets of seawater 10–15 metres into the air when the surf is strong. The beach is 40km west of Salalah and is one of the most spectacular natural attractions in the country. The blowholes are most dramatic during the khareef season when the surf is at its strongest.
Anantara Salalah Resort
The Anantara Salalah Resort is the finest hotel in Salalah — a beautiful beachfront resort with 136 pool villas, a private beach, multiple pools, an extraordinary spa and several excellent restaurants. The resort is set in lush tropical gardens directly on the beach and is the best choice for luxury travellers visiting Salalah. The pool villas are exceptional and the spa is the finest in the Dhofar region. The resort is particularly magical during the khareef season.
Seafood & Fishing
Salalah has the finest seafood in Oman — the Dhofar coast is one of the most productive fishing grounds in the Arabian Sea, with an extraordinary variety of fresh fish, lobster, crab and shellfish available at the Salalah fish market and in the local restaurants. The fish market at the Salalah harbour is one of the most atmospheric in Arabia and is the best place to see the extraordinary variety of seafood caught in the Arabian Sea.
Wadi Darbat & Waterfalls
Wadi Darbat is the most beautiful wadi in Oman during the khareef season — a dramatic gorge with a large lake, waterfalls, green hillsides and abundant wildlife (including flamingos and other migratory birds). The wadi is 40km east of Salalah and is the most popular khareef destination in the Dhofar region. Outside the khareef season, the wadi is dry but still beautiful, with dramatic limestone cliffs and ancient cave paintings.
Practical Tips
Salalah has its own international airport with direct flights from several Gulf cities and connections from the UK via Muscat. The city is 1,000km south of Muscat — a 1.5-hour domestic flight or a 10-hour drive. The khareef season (June to September) is the most extraordinary time to visit but the beaches are rough and the sea is not suitable for swimming. October to March is the best time for beach holidays. Rent a car to explore the Dhofar region.
Explore Salalah on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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