Things to do in  Salalah

Located in the southern part of Oman, the largest governorate by area, Dhofar is a mountainous region with a diverse landscape—a surprising find not commonly associated with the Arabian peninsula. The province’s coastal capital of Salalah is known for its beaches, verdant valleys, and gushing waterfalls from the khareef (the region’s rainy season.

For centuries, Oman’s southernmost province of Dhofar—and its port of Salalah—were the center of a flourishing trade in frankincense—the aromatic sap of frankincense trees. The Land of Frankincense trail consists of four UNESCO-listed sites related to the trade, allowing visitors to chart its history and significance.

Tucked inside the fishing town of Taqah east of Salalah, Taqah Fort is one of Oman’s youngest forts but is no less interesting for it. Built in the 19th century as a private residence for Taqah’s wali (governor), this compact castle feels more home than fort, and rewards visitors with a tree-shaded courtyard, carved doors, and reconstructed family quarters.