Salalah
Salalah (Arabic: صَلَالَة, transliterated Ṣalālah), is the capital and largest city of the southern Omani governorate of Dhofar
Salalah is the second-largest city in the Sultanate of Oman, and the largest city in the Dhofar Province. Salalah attracts many people from other parts of Oman and the Persian Gulf region during the monsoon/khareef season, which spans from June to September. The climate of the region and the monsoon allows the city to grow some vegetables and fruits like coconut and bananas. There are many gardens within the city where these vegetables and fruits grow.
Salalah's economy is also based on Tourism. During the Khareef season (July to Sept), many tourists visit from Middle East. There are many places to visit in Salalah during this season as the mountains turns green and the rain causes many waterfalls in the mountains, mainly in Wadi Darbat, Ain Athum, Ain Tubrook, and Ain Khor. There are four tombs reported to belong to prophets located here: Nabi Imran, Nabi Ayoob, Nabi Houd, and Nabi Salih.[4] The city received more than 600,000 tourists during the khareef season in 2017.[5] There are a number of cultural events in Dhofar Governerate which attract visitors, including the Salalah carnival which includes family activities, concerts, rides, cultural activities and vendors.
The city has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh), although summers are cooler than in more northern or inland parts of Oman. Salalah is very cloudy and foggy during the monsoon months of July and August, even though relatively little rain falls. Khareef means "autumn" in Arabic but it refers to monsoon when describing the region around Salalah. During this time, the brown landscape of Salalah and its surroundings is completely transformed to a beautiful and lush greenery.
Gallery-Oman
Places to See in Salalah
Salalah Museum
This museum houses an eclectic collection, with sections devoted to regional geology and history. There is also a permanent display of Wilfred Thesiger's photographs.
Location:Salalah,no entry fees.
Burj an-Nadha
The clocktower may not be a sky-scraper but it is indeed the icon of Salalah, featured in the coat of arms of Dhofar Governate. The tower looks stunning during nights due to the colorful light display.
Location:Salalah,no entry fees.Tomb of Nabi Umran
Umran (Imran) was a local Arab prophet, believed by some to have been the father of the Virgin Mary, and believed by others to have been the father of Moses. The sarcophagus is 33 m long.
Location:Salalah,no entry fees.
Al Marnif Cave
Al Marnif Cave lies in Shatti Al Mughsayl area about 40 kilometres from Salalah in Governorate of Dhofar. It overlooks the Arabian Sea and Al Mughsayl fountains (blow-holes)
Location:Salalah,no entry fees.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
Completed in 2009, this mosque can accommodate 14,000 people. Conservative dress required; women must have their ankles, wrists and hair covered.
Location:Salalah,no entry fees.Museum of the Land of Frankincense
The Museum of the Land of Frankincense is a museum in Salalah, Dhofar Governorate, Oman, based on frankincense, in association with the Al-Baleed Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Location:Salalah,no entry fees.Tawi Ateer Sinkhole
Tawi Ateer Sinkhole, known as the ‘Bird Well’ gained international fame after its discovery in 1997 by a team of Slovenian explorers in collaboration with Sultan Qaboos University as one of the largest solvent sinkholes in the world.
Location:Salalah,no entry fees.Footprint of Prophet Saleh's Camel
A shrine housing the footprint of an enormous camel in the bedrock.he camel was said to have appeared from nearby mountains as a miracle, yet was killed three days later by unbelievers who refused to recognize the Prophet Saleh.
Location:Salalah,no entry fees.Khawr Ad Dahareez
Khawr Ad Dahareez is located at the eastern entrance of Salalah city in the Governorate of Dhofar. Its waters intermingle with Salalah basin waters, especially the wells located on the coastal strip.
Location:Salalah,no entry fees.