Salalah City Highlights: Tour of Remarkable Landmarks and Dhofari Frankincense Experience

Discover the remarkable landmarks of Salalah city on a guided tour. Explore the UNESCO archaeological site of Al-baleed city ruins, marvel at the ancient Islamic architecture, and experience the famous Dhofari frankincense resin.

Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Sultan Qaboos Mosque - Visiting the Sultan Mosque will definitely leave you estonished. Apart from its religious purpose, every inch of this architectured building is piece of art. Starting from its outer inspiring 2 Manarats and Dome colors to its inside impressive chandeliers and the well fitted hand waven carbet. This is a must visit classic Islamic archetature place that reflects the ancient Islamic civilization. Additionally, the flowless clean garden in the surroundings is truly making it a complete piece of artwork.

The mosque is located at the heart of the city and named after His Majesty the former sultan of Oman (Qaboos bin Said).

Visiting hours:

  • 8am to 11am, after these timings, visiting will be limited to outside the prayer hall.

  • This spot will be excluded on Fridays tours.

  • Non-Muslim visitors must dress modestly and women should cover their head.

  • Salalah Central Market - Salalah Central Market was established in 1979. It represents a new stage of commercial activates and marketing in Dhofar governorate. It was necessary to construct market that an answer all the needs of Salalah town and the neighboring areas.
    In this market you can find many local crafts, jewellery, frankincense, incense (bukhoor), bells, Omani dagger (khanjar) and traditional dress.
    The unique thing about this market is that you can always find a delicious outdoor meal, like, fresh grilled fish and fresh sea food cuisine.

  • Al-Husn Souq - Al Hafah Souq lies 3 kilometres from the city of Salalah in Dhofar Governorate. It is surrounded by lofty coconut trees and is the perfect place to buy the best kinds of gum and incense, not only in Dhofar, but also in the Sultanate.

Al Hafah Souq is replete with a variety of products, including traditional textiles and clothing, gold and silver jewellery as well as many other traditional artefacts.

  • Al Balid Archeological Site - The Most Important Ancient Port on the Arabian Sea (Part of the Frankincense Trail), history date it back to before 2000 BC. Some archaeological research confirms that the city’s prosperity dates back to the Iron Age. The city’s location was first discovered in 1930.
    Currently, the site of Al-Baleed is a combination of open air archaeological site and the Museum of frankincense lands. The museum focuses on two themes with two galleries: One is the Governorate of Dhofar’s historical and archaeological heritage; the other narrates the remarkable maritime history of Dhofar and Oman.
    In 2000, Al-Baleed City was registered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
    Al-Baleed Fort: These monumental ruins represent the remains of Al-Baleed Fort. They tower to a height of 13 metres, with three circular towers in the corners, as well as several other semi-circular towers. The low ground in the middle of the fort is the remains of a large courtyard.

  • Al Diwaniya Omani Sweets Alqawf - Make a short stop to experience the famous Omani Sweet (Halwa) with Arabian Coffee. (Traditional Arabian culture way).
    Omani halwa is a gelatinous and sticky sweet that is commonly served at weddings, birthdays, festivities, and during the holy week of Ramadan. The ingredients vary from one halwa-maker to another, but the base is usually made with water, sugar, ghee butter, and cornflour.
    Halwas can be flavoured with anything from rosewater and saffron to dried fruits and nuts. Aromatic and extremely flavourful, Omani halwa is traditionally served with kahwa (coffee).

  • Dahariz Beach - Khor End - Khor Dahariz (Beach Lagoon) lies at the Eastern entrance of Salalah city just near Dahariz coastline. It is one of the promising wetlands in the region and a major attractive place for many beautiful migratory birds, like the ibis, flamingo, ducks, grey heron and white heron. Additionally, this lovely lagoon serves many other indigenous species, such as, fish and crustaceans.

  • Salalah City view - Driving 23 km from the Salalah heading to the beautiful mountain of itin overlooking Salalah city. Stop at a very fascinating view point of itin restaurant balcony overlooking the city and enjoy a few minutes at this view point, then start a few minutes walk to the cave. Accompanied by your guide, he will explain to you about the history and brief geo-information about the cave formation and the beautiful plantations around.

What's Included
  • Guidance from an English-speaking guide/driver
  • Air-conditioned transport
  • All applicable fees and taxes included
  • Complimentary bottled water
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Anything else that is not mentioned in the inclusions.
Additional Information

Experience a hassle-free guided tour of Salalah city remarkable landmarks. Get enlightened with the UNESCO archaeological site of Al-baleed city ruins, landmarks that shows the ancient Islamic architecture, such as the sultan grand Mosque (the biggest in Dhofar), and have a direct experience of the famous Dhofari frankincense resin. Visit the unique city central market with your guide who can take you through the ancient Omani culture and the diversified life of local people.

  • Additional information
  • Visitors are asked to dress modestly and in a way befitting places of worship. Women are also required to cover their hair.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • Grand Mosque Visiting hours: - 8am to 11am, after these timings, visiting will be limited to outside the prayer hall. - This spot will be excluded on Fridays tours.
  • Please be notified that visitors who select 2 pm start time will not be able to enter the Mosque prayer hall. Their visit will be limited to outside the area of the Mosque.
  • For bookings of weekends (Friday & Saturday) frankincense land museum is only open at 3 pm.
Location
Sultan Qaboos Mosque
23.July Street
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(19 Ratings)
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2023cruiser
Apr 22, 2023
Great experience - Hamid was the perfect guide, giving us a lot of background information. We have seen the most interesting places of Salalah and could decide on the time we wanted to spend on ech location we visited.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ovalsoksom
Jan 14, 2023
Excellent trip with perfect guide - It was very nice and funny trip with very nice and professional guide Hamed. Very nteresting, history and city development, not tiring.
Review provided by Viator
Carolin
Dec 27, 2022
Really nice experience - Very beautiful place with amazing landscape and diversity! Amazing kind, very kind and supportive. Would recommend 10/10
Review provided by Tripadvisor
92mohsinm
Dec 27, 2022
Rich in History - Our Guide Mr. Hamid took us to all the Prophets tombs. To the Mosque and the souq. Showed us how frankincense is collected. Went to the museum very beautiful n well maintained. It was overall a very pleasant n spiritual experience. Ended the day with dolphin watching and very tasty dinner.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ana
Nov 30, 2022
Great company to have a tour . - We had an amazing experience . Our tour guide was great, very attentive, polite and kind. I recommend this company and this particular tour. Great experience .
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Silviaps7942bt
Nov 12, 2022
You can not miss a visit in Salalah - Ahmed showed us the best Salalah!!! It was a quick tour because we had 3 babies but satisfying!! We have seen the mosque that illuminated was great!!! We could’t enter because it was evening time! Then we have seen the palace of the sultan, the shopping mall, the market where we had great shopping and the golden souk! And Ahmed showed us an hidden part of the old Salalah! It was amazing! I really suggest it to everybody (also with children!!!) Ahmed has a perfect english❤️
Review provided by Tripadvisor
786nazeerk
Oct 31, 2022
Awsome experience oman salalah - Hamad gave the best tour I had so far and explained into detail. Best experience was the whole tour you won't go wrong with Hamad. The karak tea with safron which I had was another lovely drink on this trip Monday blowing.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vinodjs
Sep 12, 2022
Fabulous - It’s so exciting that soon as we returned we are planning a next visit with Hamed as our guide again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Zuedney
Jan 3, 2020
Very good tour! - I was very satisfied with the whole tour, accompanied by a excellent speaking english tour guide with good inside information and open to every question. Would highly recommand it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dana
Sep 8, 2022
leisure trip to beautiful Salalah - We were met by our great tour guide Hamed & the tour was very pleasant. The only (minus) was that the museum of Frankincense's opening hours changed unfortunately & we weren't able to visit. Next time hopefully.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 9 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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