What to see in the vicinity of Salalah in the company of a Swiss. Salalah - the southern "Maldives" of Oman The main attractions of Salalah - historical

Oman is located in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering the UAE, Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Its territory is almost the same as Italy, but it is home to only 2.7 million people. Until recently, the main income of the country's economy was oil production. But oil reserves are limited and have almost run out; therefore, Oman is currently investing massively in tourism and in the future it is planned to make this industry the main income of the economy. Fortunately, the climate allows us to count on European tourists from October to April and Arab tourists in the summer. In winter, the climate is tropical: 27-29 degrees during the day and about 20 at night. In summer, the main territory of the sultanate is very hot, but in the mountains the temperature is about 25 degrees, so tourists from the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia come there for the summer months.
Oman is considered the Arab Switzerland: very low crime, good infrastructure, cleanliness and
calm political situation.

We were in the south of the country in the city of Salalah. We spent most of our time at sea. Huge beaches with white sand and clear turquoise water. There is practically no rain in this area in winter, which is important for a week-long trip, unlike the Caribbean or Maldives. By the way, the small time difference is a big plus: 3 hours with Europe (winter) and 1 hour with Moscow.

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Local residents do not swim in the sea, so, as you can see, the beaches are deserted.

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In addition to the sea, the vast desert in Oman deserves a visit. Golden sand, soft as flour, dunes and rare plants.

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It is not recommended to go to the desert without a professional escort, which is what we did. But I personally didn’t expect that the trip included dune rallies, which I wouldn’t call safe. And, as was to be expected, 2 of the 7 jeeps got stuck in the sand.

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On the way we stopped to look at the camels in the pasture:

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And at Frankincense Tree Plantation.

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These trees grow only in the south of the Arabian Peninsula, in Oman and Yemen. In ancient times, incense was sold for its weight in gold and its sale brought huge profits to the sultanate.

It’s a pity that we couldn’t visit the capital of the Sultanate, Muscat; it would have been ideal to first stop for 2-3 days in the north of the country and tour the sights, but this time the time didn’t work out. I hope to add a visit to Muscat to one of our next trips, since Oman air offers tickets to many interesting destinations at very competitive prices.

So, we are in Salalah - completely on the other side of the country and have a whole day ahead of us to explore this “oasis” of Oman. I think it would be a good idea to look into town first since we're running out of cash. Let's see at the same time National Museum with Al Balid Excavations, and then we’ll take a ride around the outskirts of Salalah, there should be a lot of interesting things there.

And then we walked towards the large green crowns of trees visible in the distance. How's that for two hitchhikers living in a tent?

We liked it too. True, the tree smells somehow strange, a very subtle strange aroma, I didn’t even understand whether it was pleasant or not. In any case, we slept well, and this is the main thing. We don't need strength. See you soon;).

P.S. According to tradition, there is a direct broadcast from Indonesia, or rather from the island of Sulawesi. Have you ever thought that you can spend the night at a gas station? Frankly, even I didn’t think about it. To be brief, thanks to my desire to get a beautiful photo from a gas station, we met its main manager, who provided us with a whole room with air conditioning, shower, toilet and mat :). Two cans of cola are included. Tomorrow we are moving to Makassar, friends. Do not forget

The beautiful city of Salalah is located in Oman and is its second largest city after Muscat. However, this city is called nothing less than the southern capital of the state of Oman. The people of Oman are very distinctive, so it is best to study their culture, traditions and historical way of life in Salalah. There are huge plantations here where delicious bananas and coconuts are grown. The city has an unusual climate: throughout the summer months, monsoons from India (also called kharifs) blow in Salalah, driving clouds that give the earth long-awaited moisture. These months are the most favorable time here, as flowering begins and the mountain trees dress in bright green. Look at the city's monuments.

Salalah and its surroundings have truly ancient sights. For example, the burial place of the Prophet Job is located in the Kara Mountains, and the remains of the once luxurious palace of the Queen of Sheba are located in the beautiful Rori Valley. A unique type of tree also grows here, from the resin of which local residents obtain first-class incense, which is famous throughout the world. In the city itself, the Muslim mosque named after the living Sultan Qaboos, impressive in its beauty and size, is worth your attention.

In addition, special excursions are organized here to the mineral spring with healing water of Ain Razat and the picturesque Samkhan Mountains. For a more detailed acquaintance with the life of real Omanis, then go to the ethnic village of Taka. There is even a lost Atlantis not far from Salalah. This refers to the ancient city of Ubar, which in ancient times flourished thanks to the trade in incense, but was swallowed up by the sands of the Rub al-Khali desert. To buy frankincense and myrrh, as well as myrrh-based perfumes, head to the Haffa souvenir market. Salalah has wonderful white sandy beaches, and the ocean water will keep you cool in Oman's hot weather.

Among other neighboring countries in the Arabian region, Oman is distinguished by a special amazing fusion of modernity and traditionalism, a rich history and a stunning diversity of natural landscapes. For almost 50 years now, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos has been at the helm of Oman, whose reign was truly a “golden age” for the country, and it is even more interesting to see it now.

Here all tourists are greeted in a special way, and everyone can find something interesting for themselves. Oman is an ideal place for archaeological tours, camping in the desert, in wadis, on the beaches or in the mountains, trekking, any jeep tours are possible, diving, fishing, dolphin and whale watching.

The city of Salalah, with a population of only 200 thousand people, freely stretches along the ocean for 20 kilometers. Floors higher than 3-4 are rare here. Many one-story villas. Right in the middle of the city, between it and the sea, a strip of banana plantations stretches for 15 kilometers. Immaculately maintained highways, immaculately trimmed palm trees on the lawns.

Excursions around Oman from Salalah with tour operator Pegasus Touristik (placed according to increasing cost):

Eastern Salalah - natural and historical

The cost of the excursion is $39 for adults, $22 for children under 10 years old.
Duration: 4 hours
Group minimum 5 people

Meeting with the guide after breakfast and departure to the eastern regions of Dhofar. The road to the city of Sumrham will pass by the Royal Farm, through the village of Taka with elegant houses and a fortress.

Visit the ancient Taka Castle, the former official residence of the region, and learn about its rich history. The excursion will continue with an inspection of the ruins of the once famous city of Sumrham.

The city was the easternmost outpost of the Kingdom of Hadramawt on the ancient route between the Mediterranean Sea, the Persian Gulf and India and one of the major trading cities. Sumrham was the largest and most famous port where the incense trade took place. As is commonly believed, the city contains the ruins of the palace of the Queen of Sheba, located on the top of a hill.

You will walk along the streets lined with ancient houses, and at the exit from the town of Mirbat there is an ancient Arab cemetery. Here you will visit a snow-white mausoleum with domes, which was hidden among many tombstones. The mausoleum houses within its walls the body of the Muslim sage and prophet Mohamed Bin Ali al Alawi, who was a descendant of the son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammed. Inside the mausoleum there is one room with green curtains and the tomb-sarcophagus of the prophet.

On the way back to the hotel you will visit the natural spring of Ain Razat. It is located at the foot of the mountains, and a small park with beautiful lawns and paths is planted around the source. Relax in a small grotto in Ain Razat.

Horse riding on the beach (on camels and horses) - recreational

The cost of the excursion is $42 for adults and children.
Duration: 1 hour.

Horseback riding is a great way to relieve accumulated fatigue and stress, as well as positive emotions and a lot of new impressions. Don't miss the opportunity to ride a graceful horse and enjoy the picturesque landscapes of Oman.

Western Salalah - natural-historical

The cost of the excursion is $50 for adults, $28 for children under 10 years old.
Duration: 4 hours
Group minimum 5 people

The half-day excursion begins with a trip to the Kara Mountains. Along the way, you will meet herds of camels, cattle on steep slopes - the picturesque traditional beauty of the Dhofar province.

You will visit the ancient tomb of the Prophet Nabi Ayub (biblical Job), located high in the picturesque green mountains and get acquainted with his history.

Al Mughsayl Blowholes - vertical holes in the limestone shore.
When a wave hits the shore at high tide, the water shoots up in a fountain, just like a geyser. They say that the height of the spray reaches 30 meters.

Here's what tourists say: “...There really was a geyser here, only it looked more like a stream of air and water rather than a stream of water. In addition, the stream did not come out every time, but after 5-6 approaches of the waves to the shore. What do the waves have to do with it? And despite the fact that a geyser is a stream that flows directly from natural holes in the stones. Waves of approaching sea water under the influence of pressure enter these holes and noisily burst upward in the form of a geyser. The largest holes were closed with an iron grate, and it was on this that the children stood, waiting for the next flood.

Here I felt like a child, each time expecting a new stream. When we approached, the children gladly gave up their place for us. My friend decided to try it first, not caring at all about the boy’s wet appearance. It looked like a lot of fun.

But I had to wait a long time to catch a good stream of the geyser, but I was afraid to stand on the grate, because salty clothes are not fun!”

Beyond the wild beaches, the road serpentines through the mountains and goes towards neighboring Yemen. Here on the mountain slopes grow trees of the famous incense, once valued more than gold. The trees grow in their natural habitat, deep in valleys, dotting dry and rocky terrain. Here you will have a short walk into the valley and the opportunity to enjoy the aroma of incense.

Walk to the dolphins - sea

The cost of the excursion is $52 for adults, $26 for children under 10 years old.
Duration: 2 hours.

The coast of Oman is a year-round home for dolphins and whales. By choosing this excursion, you will plunge into an incredible sea adventure that will give you the opportunity to get to know the world of marine life better. You will be able to chat with dolphins and take pictures with them.

Believe me, you will not regret your choice, because the emotions that you will experience while communicating with dolphins will remain with you forever.

Desert safari on jeeps - nature and entertainment

Duration: 7 hours.

The tour starts in the afternoon. Enjoy an exciting day in the desert with a visit to the Empty Quarter. During the excursion you will visit the lost city of Ubar, the continuation of the trip will be a visit to Wadi Dawkah Park and the cradle of incense, you will see the largest number of incense trees in the region.

Mountain jeep safari - nature and entertainment

The cost of the excursion is $60 for adults and children.
Duration: half a day.

What could be better than the mountains? We invite you to visit the Jebel Akhdar mountains and the Jebel Samhan mountain range. Samkhan is a real mountain range, rising sharply above the plateau and formed by tectonic uplift. Its maximum height is 1821 meters above sea level, one kilometer above the plateau.

It offers fantastic views of the Indian Ocean that will enchant anyone who visits here.

On the slopes of the mountains there are wonderful orchards and many flowers, which are looked after by the residents of another ancient settlement, Saik. By the way, it was here that once upon a time they began to produce rose water, which conquered the whole world.

Nobles also consider it their duty to visit the Jebel Akhdar Mountains. Princess Diana herself was here. In her honor, one of the mountain peaks was named Diana Peak.

Continuing the tour, you will take a walk through the picturesque Wadi Darbat Nature Reserve.

Wadi Darbat is one of the most picturesque places on the Arabian Peninsula. It is a nature reserve with waterfalls, lakes, caves, mountains and wildlife. It is located approximately 35-40 km from Salalah. This is one of the tourist accessible places, well equipped for relaxation. It has its own acacia park. An excellent asphalt road leads here. Here you can often see white storks and a huge number of camels walking.

The main attractions of Salalah - historical

The cost of the excursion is $65 for adults, $37 for children under 10 years old.
Duration: 4 hours
Group minimum 5 people

If you are just starting to get to know the city, this sightseeing tour is just for you!

The first stop on the route is the central city museum of Salalah, opened in 2007 on the territory of the Al-Balid archaeological park, included in the UNESCO heritage list. Here you will get acquainted with the history, culture and traditions of the Dhofar region.

The tour will continue with a drive through the lush green gardens and streets of the old town, stopping for a coconut water drink and fruit shopping.

Next - a tour of the palace of Sultan Qaboos and a visit to the famous incense market (trade there did not stop for 2000 years), located in the old city. Here you can buy fragrant incense and other traditional souvenirs.

Another attraction that is located right in the city is 14 footprints of the Prophet Saleh's camel, imprinted in stone.

Eastern and Western Salalah - natural and historical

The cost of the tour is $90 for adults.
Duration: 8 hours
Group minimum 6 people

Meet your guide at the hotel and travel to the ancient fishing village of Taka and the old houses of Dhofari.

Visit the ancient Taka Castle, the former official residence of the region, and learn about its rich history.

The excursion continues with an examination of the ruins of the once famous city of Sumrham. The city was the easternmost outpost of the Kingdom of Hadramawt on the ancient route between the Mediterranean Sea, the Persian Gulf and India and one of the major trading cities.

On the way to the western part of Salalah, stop at the natural spring Ain Razat, located in the secluded mountains. Next is a trip to the Kara Mountains.

You will visit the ancient tomb of the Prophet Job, located in the picturesque green mountains of the Salalah plain and get acquainted with his history.

The tour will continue with a trip to Magsail Beach and further to the Western border of Oman, where you will see frankincense trees growing in their natural habitat, deep in the valleys on dry and rocky slopes.

Swimming in the open ocean and snorkeling - sea

The cost of the excursion is $117 for adults, $60 for children under 10 years old.
Duration: 4 hours.

In the morning, transfer to the port, 2 stops during which you can snorkel. Lunch on the ship. Bring a towel and swimwear with you.

Fishing: sea

The cost of the excursion is $117 for adults, $60 for children under 10 years old.
Duration: 4 hours.

There are more than 150 species of fish on the coast of Oman. Countless tropical fish live in the sea: tuna, marlin, giant trevally - a representative of a fairly large genus of trevally from the horse mackerel family. The size of the fish reaches 170 centimeters in length and weight - 80 kilograms. This monster jumps out of the water at great speed and catches birds in flight!

Typically, trevally hunt alone, occasionally forming giant flocks of several thousand animals. Off the Indian coast. And especially in the Pacific Ocean, these creatures are especially aggressive: a school of trevally can drive and eat even a dolphin.

The indigenous people of Salalah fish in the traditional way using a fish hook. However, you will be provided with professional equipment for sport fishing, which will allow you to fully enjoy this process and catch a lot of exotic fish.

The empty quarter and the lost city of Ubar - natural-historical history

The cost of the excursion is $145 for adults, $105 for children under 10 years old.
Duration: 8 hours
Group minimum 6 people

Departure from the hotel after breakfast by jeep. Drive to the Qara mountain range, which offers picturesque views of the Salalah plain, dotted with dense bushes and forests.

After a short stop in the town of Tumrait, a former Bedouin settlement, you'll head west along a road that crosses the vast pebble desert of Al Neid. Arrive at the lost city of Ubar - this ancient kingdom, the sandy Atlantis, was buried alive in the sands of the Rub al-Khali desert.

The outline of the city walls was spotted by a NASA satellite in 1992, and scientists from all over the world went on excavations, during which they were able to discover the ancient city walls, towers and residential buildings.

There's not much to see here, but the story is very interesting.

Ubar is a mythical ancient city mentioned in the Koran and many pre-Islamic sources. According to legends, its towers, built of metal and precious stones, were built during the reign of the Adite ruler Shaddad. The Towers of Iram are mentioned under a slightly older name in Egyptian myths. According to one legend, the road to Iram can be found if you solve the puzzle encrypted in the legend of Iram itself.

According to legend, Iram was destroyed by the will of one of the gods. It is said that the city of Iram was wiped off the face of the earth by a storm and wind that raged for seven nights and eight days and that the sands swallowed up these lands. Lawrence of Arabia wanted to find this mysterious city, but he did not have time to fulfill his dream.

In the early 1990s, archaeologist Nicholas Clapp discovered the ruins of a city in the Arabian desert of Rub al-Khali. This discovery was especially important - until now its existence had raised deep doubts, while this city was clearly mentioned in the verses of the Koran and in many historical chronicles. Many historians were shocked by this discovery, because most scientists agreed that the mention of the Koran was just a fiction, and the existence of the Adit people was nothing more than a legend and the city would never be found.

Nicholas Clapp discovered the city in an interesting way. While studying the history of ancient Arabia, I came across the book “Gracious Arabia,” published in 1932 by the English researcher Bertram Thomas. The Romans and ancient Greeks called the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula “Blessed Arabia.”

In those distant times, this region was the center of trade in spices and incense - the inhabitants of these places were the most successful traders. Amber was also mined here, which was found in large quantities only in these places and was in great demand among ancient peoples. In those days, amber was valued more than gold.

Thomas in his book claimed that he was able to discover traces of this civilization. During one of Thomas's trips to the area, the Bedouins pointed out to him an old trail leading from the coastal area to the very ancient city of Ubar.

Clapp asked NASA to take satellite images of the area mentioned in the book. Pictures taken in 1992 showed clear traces of roads that intersected in the area at one point (they were not visible from the ground). Then Clapp found a map in the library, compiled in 200 AD. e by the Greek geographer Ptolemy. The map clearly showed roads that intersected in the center. The roads indicated on the ancient map and those visible in the picture coincided. The ancient capital of the Adites, whose advanced civilization was mentioned in the verses of the Koran, has been discovered.

The excavations were difficult, the ruins slowly rose from under a thick layer of sand. Archaeologists poetically named the newly discovered city “Atlantis of the Sands - Ubar.” Over time, tall columns emerged from the sand, mentioned in the Koran as a distinctive feature of the Adite city of Iram.

Using a computer, the appearance of these columns was restored. Such an obvious correspondence between the information about disappeared civilizations conveyed in the verses and the data from archaeological excavations is another phenomenon of the Quran. Ubar was built approximately 3 thousand years BC, and it disappeared in the 4th century AD.

The territory of this city had 700 thousand km2. The land of Ubar was an oasis, it was called “a fragment of Heaven on Earth.” There were numerous legends about the city of Ubar and its inhabitants. Separated by the desert from the whole world, Ubar seemed to people as a fantastic oasis of life among the treacherous and formidable desert. Ultimately, a fatal earthquake destroyed all of Ubar. The city went underground because it was built over limestone caves. After this, the desert sands buried him.

This is what tourists say: “...The Arab said that here we can only see the old fort and the excavations of the ancient city, which are located on the same territory. He walked us forward 100 meters, and we were there. I didn’t see the ticket, so we just walked through the dilapidated gate and immediately noticed the fortress.

It is very difficult to call the building a fortress, but it was one; we hastened to hide from the scorching sun behind its walls of stone and clay. Leaving our backpacks behind, we decided to take a walk around the area. The ruins looked worse than anything we had seen so far, so I decided to finish them quickly before I went down over one of the cliffs.

The ancient fortress guarded a well nestled under a rock. In front of me there was a huge hole in the ground with steps down leading to a black hole. Perhaps this is where the excavations were carried out. I went down to the very bottom and immediately came across dense darkness, which was difficult to disperse with the weak light of my phone. In general the place looked abandoned. No, once they tried to restore it, and maybe they even charged tourists an entrance fee, but now everything was deplorable.”

The next stop on the route is the Empty Quarter, a magnet for adventure seekers. You will walk through the dunes of the largest sand desert in the world.

The Empty Quarter is the English name for the Al-Rub al-Khali desert, located in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula. It is the largest continuous sand sea in the world with an area of ​​650,000 square kilometers, 1,000 kilometers long and 500 kilometers wide.

The surface of the desert is covered with sand dunes of reddish-orange color, which reach about 250 meters in height and several layers of lakes. It is believed that the lakes were originally shallow lakes formed by monsoon rains thousands of years ago and only existed for a few years.

At the end of the walk there is lunch.

On the way back, visit the Wadi Dawkah Nature Reserve, the largest natural park of frankincense trees in the region. Learn the history of the use of incense in ancient times and in the modern world. Return to Salalah at sunset.

Night in the desert - natural and entertaining

The cost of the excursion is $195 for adults, $140 for children under 10 years old.
Group minimum 6 people

The tour starts in the afternoon. Along the way - inspection of the Empty Quarter. Drive through the pebbly Al Neid Desert to the sand dunes of the Hashman Desert, where you can admire the sunset.

After check-in at camp, enjoy a barbecue dinner and relax under the breathtaking desert night sky.

Sightseeing tour of Muscat (by plane)

The cost of the excursion is $390 for adults and children.
Duration: full day.

You will visit the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, home to the second largest hand-woven carpet in the world. Don't miss the fish market, where you can buy the freshest seafood caught by experienced fishermen.

The tour will then continue to the colorful Old Souk Mutrah Market, where souvenirs and antiques are sold. The last stop of the tour is the Al Zubair Historical and Ethnographic Museum. The museum's collections represent collections of historical, ethnographic and cultural artifacts illustrating various spheres of life and everyday life of the Omanis over the centuries.

Salalah is the hometown of Sultan Qaboos bin Said. After he ascended the throne, Muscat, the capital of Oman, became his permanent place of residence. But sometimes he still uses this palace in Salalah as his summer residence.

Previous sultans, including the father of the current one, lived in Salalah. But Sultan Qaboos decided to change this tradition.

The palace known as Al Husn, also called the White or Old Port, was built in the 18th century. It is interesting that the reason for the construction was the discovery of a source of fresh water, because it was around the dug well that the walls of this fort were built.

Subsequent owners have continually improved and expanded it, so that it is now a large, modern complex of buildings located south of the city center, overlooking the beach. It is surrounded by a thick stone wall on the landward side. The palace is so heavily guarded that even the beach area is closed to outsiders. But getting close to the walls and taking a couple of photos is by no means forbidden. At least the armed guard doesn't seem to mind.

Currently, this palace houses the Documentation and Research Center, where scientists study historical documents and ancient artifacts.

City Museum

In the province of Dhofar, the Salalah City Museum is considered one of the most visited tourist attractions, since with its help you can very well imagine the main directions of its activities and the features of the area.

Since various types of fossils have been found in the region, the main activity of the museum is to compile exhibitions on this topic. Here you can also find exhibitions dedicated to ancient manuscripts, literary works, and exquisite Arabic ceramics.

But the pride of the museum is the collection dedicated to the incense trade, as well as its extraction and delivery to ports.

The museum is open from Saturday to Wednesday, from 7.30 to 14.30. The entrance is free.

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Gold Market

The Gold Souk is one of the largest trading areas in Salalah. It is located near the Nahda Salam roundabout in the city center. It consists of small shops that have something to offer their customers.

It is customary to bargain at the market, so even a very expensive item can be bought for half the price, but at this bazaar the prices are already very affordable.. The most sold items, besides jewelry, are silver knives, daggers and spices. Here travelers can also buy something as souvenirs.

Taka is a small ancient fishing village located in the south of Oman, east of Salalah. The main attraction of Tak is the medieval fort, recently reconstructed and opened to tourists. Built from clay bricks on a hill above the village, the small fortress evokes associations with the castles of the crusader knights. The fort also served as the home of the local ruler.

Passing through the ancient wooden doors, you will find yourself in the inner courtyard of the fortress. From here, along steep narrow stairs, you can climb the walls and admire the beautiful view of Taka lying below and the endless sea.

Most of the buildings in the fort, except the watchtowers, are two-story. The fortress has preserved the prison building, with surprisingly small cells, a pantry for storing food, an arsenal and a medieval kitchen. The fortress has a large collection of weapons on display, decorating the walls of the interior. Ancient costumes and dishes are also exhibited here.

On the second floor of the fortress there were the personal chambers of the ruler and his family. Some household items and elements of interior decoration are displayed on the walls of these rooms.

Magnetic mountain near Mirbat

A small section of the road between the cities of Mirbat and Salalah, passing through the gorge - Wadi Khin, is called Magnetic Mountain. This place is a popular tourist attraction. If you stop the car here and turn off the engine, the car will slowly roll uphill by itself.

Local residents can explain this phenomenon to you by the presence in the area of ​​a powerful magnetic field or even a gravitational anomaly. In fact, the magnetic mountain phenomenon is an optical illusion. Due to the nature of the terrain, a slight slope of the mountain seems like an incline to you. There are quite a few similar places around the world.

Although there is no natural wonder here, a visit to this place can serve as an interesting test of how easy it is to deceive your eyesight. When moving from Mirbat to Salalah, do not miss the second road turning away from the coast. A cellular tower standing at the turn can serve as a reference point. The magnetic mountain starts just around the bend.

Mausoleum of the Prophet Bin Ali

Just outside the small town of Mirbat, located in the south of Oman near Salalah, there is an ancient Arab cemetery. Among the many gray stone tombstones, a small snow-white mausoleum with two symmetrical pointed domes stands out.

This is the tomb of the Muslim sage and prophet Mohamed Bin Ali al Alawi, a descendant of the son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammed. He came here from southern Yemen, founded a madrasah in Mirbat, and after his death in 1161 he was buried in this mausoleum.

The mausoleum is an example of typical funerary architecture of medieval Oman. The building is made of clay bricks, covered with plaster and painted white. Inside the mausoleum there is a massive stone sarcophagus; due to its size, it is believed that the prophet Bin Ali was of giant stature. Access to the mausoleum is allowed only to those professing Islam.

Port of Khor Rouri (Salalah)

Khor Rouri or Sumhuram is the ruins of an ancient port, most actively used since the 4th century BC. and until the 4th century AD. It is an architectural monument from the pre-Islamic period and an archaeological site where many ancient artifacts were found.

During its heyday, the port was an important point at the intersection of trade routes. It was surrounded by a wall in which the city gates were carved. Also on the territory of the port there was a small temple, hydraulic structures and limestone pipes, the remains of which were found by archaeologists. Along the gates, ancient Arabic inscriptions were discovered on the walls, and in the city itself there are many different ceramics and metal products. Nowadays, Khor Rouri is a labyrinth of the remains of walls and fortifications with a total area of ​​7,000 square meters.

The most popular attractions in Salalah with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Salalah on our website.