Tourist travel to the Persian Gulf region is a growing interest among travellers. Of course, any location with a beach is a sure vacation spot, but it is Oman’s natural wonders and cultural ties to history that help draw visitors.
Salalah is the capital of the Dhofar province of Oman. The city’s monsoon season attracts thousands of tourists to the Middle East between June and September. Salalah is home to the tombs of four prophets and several ancient archaeological sites.
A tailored Salalah tour package ensures vacationers reach every place in the city on their itinerary.
Travel to the Persian Gulf is Hotter Than the Weather
Some people prefer to travel to the same vacation spot over and over again. They are most comfortable in new, but familiar places. Others believe in stepping (or flying) out of their comfort zone and immersing themselves in new cultures and experiences.
Whether you’re a new traveller to the Middle East or you’ve been there before, Salalah is one of the hottest tourist stops and we don’t mean the weather. Sure, the climate is a bonus, but it’s not what put the city on bucket lists.
6 Popular Stops in Salalah
Sunbathing on a beach for a week is a fine vacation. But not exploring the city’s offerings is a missed opportunity to soak up more than just the sun. 6 things that Salalah is known for include
1. The Salalah Festival celebrating monsoon season. The monsoon season from June to September is so important to the city that there is a festival to celebrate the change in weather. While Salalah is humid and hot most of the year, for those three months, the air is cool and rainy.
2. Smelling the way through the Frankincense land museum. Frankincense played a role in trading during the city’s early years. Located on the grounds of the archaeological ruins is a museum dedicated to the impact Frankincense had on the formation of the city and other local aromatic perfumes.
3. The beach and the expansive view from Al Marneef Cave. The cave overlooks Al Mughsayl Beach and the Mughsayl Blowholes. The naturally-occurring fountains in the ground release a steady stream of water in the air, much to the delight of tourists and residents alike.
4. Traditional Islamic architecture of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. The massive mosque was built as a gift to Oman from Sultan Qaboos in the early 1990s. Visitors are allowed to tour the religious grounds when it’s not in use for daily prayer. Guests are asked to dress respectfully in adherence to local customs.
5. Ancient archaeological ruins of the Sumhuram Old City. Sumhuram was used long ago as the main port for exporting frankincense. The ruins remain a popular tourist spot on the coast.
6. Shop and cuisine at the Salalah Gardens Mall. A visit to a modern mall can bring visitors out of ancient ruins and back to the present. The mall features many stores and restaurants with Middle Eastern-influenced merchandise and cuisine.
The Middle East is Your Next Unexpected Vacation Destination
A vacation to the Persian Gulf may not be something you never considered before. However, the city of Salalah is a must-see for its deep roots to ancient civilizations.
