Oman

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Salalah

Oman's green monsoon city

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Salalah Plan a trip around Oman

Best time to visit: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Currency: OMR
Time zone: UTC+4
Country: Oman

Photo: Syed99975, CC BY-SA 4.0

Salalah is the capital of Oman's southern Dhofar region, known for its frankincense trade, lush khareef monsoon season and long beaches. Visitors come for the green mountains, waterfalls, archaeological sites and the annual Salalah Festival.

Largest cities

Muscat
Salalah
Sohar
Nizwa
Sur

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Oman
Capital: Muscat
City population: 331,949
Population of Oman: 4.8M
Country area: 309,500 km²
Official language: Arabic
Currency: Omani Rial (OMR) · 1 USD ≈ 0.3845 OMR
Time zone: UTC+4
Calling code: +968
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 10 m
Plugs: G · 240V
Emergency numbers: 9999 (police) · 9999 (ambulance) · 9999 (fire)
Best time to visit: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	27°	28°	30°	32°	33°	31°	29°	28°	29°	30°	31°	28°
Low	18°	19°	22°	24°	26°	26°	25°	24°	24°	23°	22°	20°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$38
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$95
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$255

Plan a trip to Salalah

Top things to do

≈ $5
Al Baleed Archaeological Park
Explore the UNESCO-listed ruins of the medieval port of Zafar and see the Frankincense Museum; entry is by credit card only and includes the museum.
- Half day
- City Center
- Good for kids
Free
Museum of Frankincense Land
Displays on the history of the frankincense trade and the region; admission is included with the Al Baleed park ticket.
- Half day
- City Center
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
A large modern mosque open to non-Muslims Saturday to Thursday mornings; conservative dress is required, with women covering hair, wrists and ankles.
- Half day
- City Center
- Indoors
- Closed: Friday
Free
Tomb of Nabi Umran
A religious site with a 33-metre-long sarcophagus; remove shoes before entering and women should cover their heads.
- Half day
- Al-Haffa
- Good for kids
Free
Khawr Salalah
A lagoon within the city that attracts flamingos and migratory birds, best visited from November to April; a peaceful spot for a late-afternoon walk.
- Half day
- Al-Haffa
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
Burj an-Nadha (Clocktower)
The city's iconic clocktower, lit with colourful lights at night; a quick photo stop in the evening.
- Half day
- City Center
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
Wadi Darbat
A green valley with waterfalls and caves, especially lush during the khareef season; a full-day trip east of the city, best with a 4WD in wet conditions.
- Full day
- Eastern Salalah
- Good for kids
Free
Ain Athum
A spring and waterfall in the mountains, popular during the monsoon; combine with other nearby springs for a full day out.
- Full day
- Eastern Salalah
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

Many visitors can enter Oman visa-free for up to 14 days, while longer stays, work or study require a visa; other nationalities may need an e-visa or can get a visit visa on arrival. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival, and border staff may ask for onward tickets, accommodation proof and travel health insurance. Rules vary by nationality, so check the official Royal Oman Police e-visa site before booking.

Official website

From the airport

Salalah International Airport (SLL) is the main gateway, with domestic flights from Muscat and international flights from India, Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia. A taxi to the city centre takes about 15–20 minutes; agree the fare beforehand as airport taxis charge much more than normal city rates.

Getting around

Taxis and minibuses are the main local transport; they are unmetered, so negotiate the fare before getting in, or use the Otaxi app to estimate prices. Renting a car is useful for exploring sights outside the city.

Local tips

Dress modestly, especially at religious sites: women should cover hair, wrists and ankles, and everyone removes shoes before entering tombs or mosques.
Carry cash for taxis, small shops and petrol stations outside the city, as many do not accept cards.
The khareef season (June–September) brings cool, misty weather and crowds; book hotels and rental cars well in advance.
The dry season (October–May) is best for diving, birdwatching and beach activities; May and June are the hottest and most humid months.