Mughsayl Beach
This spectacular beach is 40 kilometers west of Salalah. It is known for its blow holes, especially during the monsoon, as well as the stunning sea views and jagged cliffs and mountains. The Mughsayl Beach Tourist Restaurant, located by the beach, offers visitors an international menu and water sports.
Prophet's Emran's Tomb
Located near the Clock Tower in Salalah, the tomb of Prophet Emran is an extraordinary site to visit, as the tomb itself is around 30 meters long. Prophet Emran was the father of Virgin Mary.
Frankincense Trail
Al Balid is an excavation site near downtown Salalah which is part of the Frankincense Trail. It is protected by UNESCO and marked as one the World Heritage Sites. Khor Rowri, 37 kilometers from Salalah is known as the site of an ancient port connected with the trade in frankincense, and is famous also as a 'portal to the netherworlds' for those who believe in witchcraft.
The Magic Road
This road is a dirt track that lies on to your left when you hit the road from Taqa to Mirbat. The road leads to a short drive down a hill on an elevated dirt-trail. When you reach the base of the trail, switch off your engine and put the gear into "neutral". Keep your foot on the brake lightly to "regulate". Your vehicle instead of rolling down, it begins to roll back UP the hill.
The Mountains
The mountains of Jebel Dhofar, which rise to 1,000m, encircle the Salalah plain and stretch westwards into Yemen. Sailors have made landfall on this coast for thousands of years en route from Africa, the Red Sea, India and beyond. There are many roads leading up into the mountains, and one can never tire of exploring the peaks and valleys, caves and villages, while encountering endless numbers of cows, goats and camels grazing on either side of the road.
Samhuram
The ruins of a port, Samhuram, known to have been in its heyday over 2,000 years ago lie on a promontory between two khawrs, or sea creeks, some 30 km east of Salalah. Locally and popularly known as the Queen of Sheba's Palace, Samhuram was important for the trade in frankincense.
The well-fortified ancient city of Samhuram is thought to date back to 3,000 BC. It was the principal port from which frankincense was shipped in ancient times, the first leg of its journey being a 650-Km voyage to Qana in present-day Yemen. The ruins, built to withstand attack by sea or land, still bear witness to the preciousness of frankincense and its economic importance.
Exported frankincense from Samhuram found its way to ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. A drawing of a Pharaonic ship docked at Samhuram is still displayed in one of the temples in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor. The Queen of Sheba also dispatched a boatload of frankincense from this port as a gift to the Prophet Solomon.
Port of Salalah
Located south of Salalah, just 150 km from major East-West shipping lanes, Salalah Port has been established as a leading container transshipment center on the Indian Ocean Rim since it opened in November 1998.
Since its opening, it has witnessed steady growth in shipping traffic and has the potential to generate rapid industrial development in southern Oman.
The government's plans to establish a free-trade zone at Salalah adjacent to the port have the potential to make Salalah a major air-sea cargo hub. This free trade zone is expected to attract storage and warehousing facilities as well as value-added light industries.
Water Springs
As a result of the non-stop rain during the monsoon, or the 'Khareef' season, many springs gush forth. There are numerous springs in the Salalah area, such as Jarziz, Sahanoot, Razat, Athoom, and Humran. Most of them have pleasant gardens and shady trees around them, which make them an ideal place for a picnic.
Al Balid
The civilisation of Manjawi dwelt in the district of Balid between the 12th and 16th centuries. At this time, the area was renowned for its thriving import and export activities, the main exports being Arabian horses and Frankincense. Al-Mughsayl possesses 3 archaeological sites with traces of ancient walls, tombs and mosques.
It is thought that Ahmed bin Mohammed al Haboudhi rebuilt the city and renamed it Al-Mansourah (The Victorious) and this status was reaffirmed in the writings of explorers Marco Polo and Ibn Batuta.
Hafa Souq
The old souq, or market place down near the Sultan's Husn Palace on the ocean is always a 'must' for people visiting Salalah. Many small shops line the narrow streets, and it is pleasant to stroll through the area particularly in the evening, smelling the frankincense wafting through the air and browsing through the shops, which sell everything from local crafts to perfume, incense, turbans, embroidered caps, brightly colored cloth and dishdashas, (the long robes worn by Omani men) as well as gold, silver, daggers and old guns.
The Corniche
The 'Corniche' is the long road right on the beach at Salalah, running from Hafa Souq and Al Husn Palace to several kilometers east, just meters from the ocean, along a golden sandy beach. The Corniche, like Al Hafa is particularly worth visiting in the late afternoon, at sunset, or during the evening. There are many local restaurants that have set up tables right on the sidewalk, and one can order sweet tea or fresh fruit juice, and sit and watch the local populace stroll by. If one wants to encounter the true personality of Salalah, the Corniche is the place to experience the laid back air of relaxation, punctuated by the roar of the crashing waves during the monsoon, or by the shouts of the children or young men playing football on the sand, as the locals sit out on their front steps, chatting, playing chess, or even mending fishing nets. This is Salalah at its best!