Day Trips

Salalah, Oman is a beautiful but relatively small city nestled on the Arabian Sea. While the city may not be as large as other popular tourist destination in the area, it still offers a lot to do. The area is unusually tropical for the Middle East because of the way the monsoon season hits the city from roughly June through September. As such a lot of the attraction in and around Salalah focus on wildlife and nature, so if that is your pleasure this is a great place to visit.

Head Outside

Once you have explored the city it is time to head out on some day trips into the countryside. If you head east toward the Qara mountains you will find Ain Razat, filled with natural hot springs and a great place to relax and enjoy a picnic lunch. Approximately 22 km past Ain Razat you will find Ain Homran, another place to find beautiful springs. Ain Homran is also a great place for bird watching. Tawi Attir, a site that features one of the largest sinkholes in the world, is also great for bird watching.

Explore the Surrounding Towns

Head about 28 km east from Salalah to Taqah, a picturesque town that is home to a historic castle and a number of beautiful views. Nearby you will find Wadi Darbat, a natural park highlighted by beautiful caves and scenery. A highlight of the park is a waterfall that falls over 100 meters  (330 feet). The best time to go is at the end of the monsoon season (early September) to see this beautiful park at its greenest without getting soaked. Mirbat is another historically significant town east of Salalah. The town's main fort was the sight of the well-documented battle of Mirbat, and the old merchant houses in the town offer a window into the region's rich history.

Mughsail Away

If you travel west along the coast from Salalah you will find Mughsail beach. This sandy beach outlined by beautifully sculptured cliffs is a great place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the Arabian coastline. Look for naturally formed blow holes that can shoot water and foam as high as fifty feet up. Another popular destination West of Salalah is Jabal al Qar, supposedly the resting place of the Biblical prophet Job. To reach the tomb take the main westbound road towards Mughsail and look for the signpost for an-Nabi Ayyub. An important historical and religious sight, the drive to the tomb is also well worth the trip, particularly during the rainy season.