In this blog post you will discover the Perfect 2 days Salalah itinerary.
Located in the far south of the “sultanate of the sea,” Dhofar’s largest city, Salalah, is the seaside capital of Oman. This long-kept travel secret sits 1,000 km south of Muscat, offering a stunning bay with white sand beaches, Swahili coconut groves, and waterfront hotels. It’s a place where history comes alive with the Land of Incense, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Salalah is perfect for a winter escape, with pleasant temperatures around 25°C for both air and water. It’s a chance to connect with biblical figures like Job and Joachim, the grandfather of Jesus, and historical travelers like Marco Polo. Enjoy sweet bananas under palm fronds in this Riviera of the Tropic of Cancer, now accessible with direct flights from Dubai and Doha.
Table of Contents
The arrival
There are flight options with Emirates and Qatar Airways. Be sure to order your e-visa online before departure. Upon arrival, you’ll find an info counter, ATM, and mobile phone kiosk, which is handy for buying a local SIM card with internet access.
To get around, you can rent a car for the freedom of using GPS, or take a taxi. Taxis are very safe and cost about €1 per kilometer, with an initial charge of €7. Expect to pay between €30 and €45 to reach your hotel, whether it’s near the center or at the marina 20 km to the east.
HIGHLIGHTS
Top Beaches
The coast of Dhofar, much like Cape Town in South Africa, features a stunning mix of desert and mountains, creating beautiful sandy bays framed by rocky cliffs. Before the humidity of May sets in, enjoy the vibrant blue ocean, but be mindful of the currents between the Gulf of Aden and the island of Socotra, 500 km away.
- For wild spaces and waves, head to Fazayah Beach, an hour’s drive west from the center along the zigzagging N47. Be sure to bring water and a snack.
- For a more relaxed experience, spread your premium towel on the private, paid beaches of Crowne, Anantara, or Rotana, where you can enjoy facilities like showers, deckchairs, bars, and restaurants.
Top Restaurant
The Beach Bar & Restaurant is a top-rated spot that sits right on the sand by the marina, offering a peaceful terrace and well-prepared dishes. Enjoy fresh vegetables, grilled fish, and hearty skewers. Open until past midnight, it’s perfect for a relaxed lunch or dinner with calm and attentive service.
Salalah Rotana Resort, Hawana Salalah Taqah Road, Salalah. Phone: +968 2327 5700.
Top Hotel
Neighboring a historic UNESCO site, Al Baleed Resort Anantara exemplifies zen luxury with elegant design and lighting. This beachfront palace, marked by Thai influences, features around forty rooms and about a hundred villas, most with private pools, including ten beachfront villas. Enjoy superb pools with deckchairs perfect for sipping a Spritz, an Asian-chic Mekong restaurant, and Al Mina for showcasing your style. Prices start from €400 for a double room and €600 for a villa.
Al Baleed Resort Anantara, PC 214, Al Mansurah Street, Al Baleed, Salalah. Phone: +968 2322 8222.
DAY 1: OLD TOWN AND NEW TOWN, TWO CITIES IN ONE
Morning
- Supported by a hearty breakfast at the airport or hotel, start your day in Salalah by visiting the tomb of Nabi Imran, a prophet mentioned in the Quran, located on Al Matar Street. Imran, who had a daughter with Hannah, is known in proto-evangelist James’ writings as Joachim, with Hannah as Anne. Imran, the father of Maryam (Mary) and grandfather of Jesus, rests in this extraordinary mausoleum, with a 30-meter-long tomb shrouded in an ethereal halo, making it a truly awe-inspiring sight.
- A 10-minute drive brings you to a significant historical leap: the ancient port of Al Baleed. This port, central to the Land of Incense and identified by explorers like Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta, showcases the trade activities from the 8th to 16th centuries, trading boswellia sacra resin for silks. Sailors launched expeditions to China and caravans to Greece from here. The site features the ruins of a 10th-century mosque spread over a large area best explored by cart. The main attraction is the Museum of Frankincense, housing chronicles of enchanting terpenes, astrolabes, nautical charts, Franco-Omani consular documents, and a replica of a baghla, a carrack similar to Columbus’s ships.
Lunch break
- To follow up on these fascinating stories, head to the Crowne Plaza and its Edenic park, just a 15-minute drive via Sultan Qaboos Street. Recently opened, the Ocean Blue Beach House offers a delightful menu in the Indian Ocean breeze, featuring salmon burgers, grilled grouper, and tender lamb, all paired with your favorite drink. The tiramisu is a must-try, adding to the indulgence. Keep an eye out for the seventies charm of this iconic hotel, which feels like the perfect hideout for an Omani OSS 117.
Afternoon
- Leaving behind those enjoying the Crowne Plaza beach, embark on a 50-minute drive into the mountains behind the town. With a sense of adventure and a love for the third dimension, head to the Nabi Ayoub Tomb, or Job, an Idumean patriarch mentioned in the Quran among the 25 prophets. Known as one of the three Talmudic advisors consulted by the Pharaoh of the Exodus, Job was punished by God, became a leper, prayed fervently, and was ultimately restored to his wealth and blessed with the most beautiful daughters in the land.
Evening
- With the palm grove and marina 20 km apart, your evening plans will depend on your residence. Here are two delightful dinner spots under the Sindbadian stars: Al Mina at Anantara, offering the refined charm of Mare Nostrum, and As Sammak, the lovely marine deck of Juweira.
DAY 2: LOST CITY AND FOUND BEACH
Morning
- Start by exploring two hidden gems before a late lunch. Head east, 20 minutes from the marina or 35 minutes from the palm grove, to find the Taqah Castle. This quaint town, once quiet, is now eyed by developers eager to transform its sandy shores. The 19th-century fort, with its three square towers made of limestone and coral, features a charming tree-lined courtyard, winding passages, and pretty furniture and fabrics. In 1992, French paleoanthropologists discovered arboreal monkey teeth here, a surprising treasure that raises questions about how they traveled from Africa—perhaps by raft, researchers suggest.
- Continue another 20 minutes east to reach Khor Rori, home to one of the most beautiful natural and historical sites in the country. Part of the Land of Incense, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the “lost city” of Sumhuram is a journey through time set in stunning geography. Founded in the 3rd century BC, the port is identified in the 1st century as Moscha Limen from the Journey of the Erythraean Sea. Indian sailors wintered here, trading cotton cloth, corn, and oil for incense, waiting for favorable monsoon winds to sail home. The city, surrounded by thick walls and perched on a spur overlooking the ocean, thrived for 800 years. Now, only low walls and a temple to the mysterious moon god remain, and it is the wind that whispers tales of the Queen of Sheba’s ships stopping here.
Lunch Break
- After your morning exploration, return to the Hawana Marina, with its snacks, shops, hotels, and yachts—a grand Egyptian project with a modern flair. For a leisurely lunch, consider Breakers at the Fanar hotel, offering a global menu in an al fresco setting.
Afternoon
After 36 hours of delving into ancient history, it’s time for a well-deserved rest. Depending on your company, you might visit the Aquapark with its thrilling slides. Alternatively, indulge in some relaxation:
- Zen The Spa at the Rotana: Enjoy a private beach, coconut trees, and a couples’ treatment with sweet almond oil.
- Crowne Plaza: Bask on the private beach, under coconut trees, and in the fun pools.
- Anantara Spa at Al Baleed: Experience a private beach and a luxurious four-handed treatment with incense ointment.
Evening
- Celebrate the Omani spirit of exploration at Mekong, a refined and chic restaurant at Al Baleed Anantara. Inspired by the Silk Road, it offers a taste of distant lands, perfectly suited for the only true Arab navigators.
