Making the most of Salalah
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Cruise vessels berth in an industrial district surrounded by desert, without a cruise terminal building. Use taxis or ship-provided transport. Downtown is a 15-minute drive from the port, and shuttles are often supplied. Depending on your negotiating ability, taxis cost anywhere from 12 to 20 Riads.
Take along a printable map.
Salalah is Dhofar's biggest city and the Sultanate of Oman's second largest. It is known for a glorious history, heritage, rich culture, traditions and natural wonders, and as Sultan Qaboos bin Said's traditional stronghold and birthplace. Today it also contributes to Oman's economic boom. Despite standing in the Arabian Desert, Salalah enjoys a temperate climate for most of the year. The period from late June until early September, called the ‘Khareef’ or monsoon season, is a principal reason the area is becoming a tourist ‘haven’. Visitors from across the…
The town fronts about two miles of pristine white beach, but clothing restrictions mean that almost nobody uses it. A dangerous undertow provides another reason the beaches remain deserted.
Getting around
Salalah offers limited visitor sights: the Sultan's Palace, which can only be admired from a distance, a somewhat glitzy new mosque and a souq.
Since 2018, Salalah's new bus service has run from Salalah Airport via Dhofar University, Al Sa’adah Sports Complex, Dhofar Police Station and Technical College. It continues to Sultan Qaboos Armed Forces Hospital, Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Al Hasila roundabout and 23rd July Street; then serves Sultan Qaboos Mosque, Al Nahdah Street, Salalah Park, Al Rabat Street and Awqad roundabout. The route goes on through Salalah Club, Al Qurum roundabout, Sultan Qaboos Street and Salalah Port before returning by the same route to its starting point. It operates every 30 minutes from 6:00 am to 11:30 pm on weekdays, and from 7:00 am to 11:30 pm on weekends and public…
Omani taxi drivers are very pleasant. All are Omanis because the profession is reserved for nationals. You may ask for ENGAGED by saying ‘engaged taxi’ to the driver; you then pay for all the seats (4) and have the vehicle to yourself.
Taxis are somewhat costly, at about 40 rial for 2 hours of sightseeing.
Many cruise companies sell a tour that is essentially return transport to the souk.
Nearby places
Job's Tomb (an-Nabi Ayyub) is a highly popular trip from Salalah. The drive provides excellent views, while the mausoleum is open to all-comers, who may also take photographs. Remember to remove your shoes first! Women must cover their heads before entering; anyone without a covering can borrow one at the entrance.
A bus journey there costs only three Rials, a considerable saving over the 20 Rial taxi fare. The snag is that buses do not leave until full, which can mean a long wait. For cruise travellers, an excursion is the best way to visit Job's Tomb.
The Mughsail, or Mughsayl, Blowholes are a local sight. In certain weather, incoming seawater forces waterspouts through porous rock. Even when no spouts appear, the eerie noise is quite impressive.
Food and shopping
The old city is restricted to Haffa. Its Haffa souq, or marketplace, sells a wide range of collectables, including frankincense, dates, handicrafts and souvenirs. Practise bargaining before shopping there; better still, take a local resident so you know you are paying for the genuine article.
A small supermarket, an electronics shop and several restaurants stand on the pier.
Money
Muscat's currency is the Omani rial (OMR). One rial contains one thousand Baisa. Since 1986, its official US dollar rate has been fixed at 1 rial = 2.6008 dollars, although street exchange rates are a percent or two lower.
Staying connected
Arabic is the national language, although most Omanis speak good to excellent English, especially in large cities and principal tourist areas.
A few town cafés provide customers with free Wi-Fi.
Opening Hours and
Shopping establishments trade from 9am to 1 pm and 4pm to 9 pm. During Ramadân, department stores, supermarkets and shopping complexes remain open through the day from 9am to 10 pm, with a short lunch break throughout the week except Fridays. Times may differ between shops.