Salalah is the third largest city in Oman and the administrative centre of the largest province in the Sultanate of Dhofar. Salalah is located in the southern part of the country along the coast of the Arabian Sea. The city is characterized by its rich natural beauty, like its pristine beaches that are located in the south, whilst to the north lies the Jebel Dhofar mountains adorned with waterfalls and lush vegetation, with bananas and coconuts being cultivated here.
Salalah is an ideal destination for a relaxing getaway, which can be complemented by visiting its attractions and hiking in the mountains. You can enjoy the sun and the clear waters of the beaches here all year round.
One of the unique features of Salalah is its unusual climate for this region. From late June to September, monsoons arrive here, which make the vegetation exceptionally lush, springs start to flow in the mountains, and lakes and waterfalls form. During this period, known as the Khareef season, tourists from other countries along the Arabian Gulf coast come here to escape the scorching heat. During the summer, Salalah hosts many festivals, music and cultural events.
Salalah has a well-developed transportation infrastructure that can be reached from Muscat; the capital of Oman, by land, water and air. Since 2015, Salalah International Airport has been operational with a capacity of approximately 2 million passengers per year.
In Salalah, there is Salalah Port, which is one of the largest ports in the Arabian Gulf countries, and includes container terminals, a cruise terminal, and a general cargo terminal.
In the city, there is the prominent Salalah Gardens Mall, featuring boutiques by international brands, F&B establishments, a fountain, and a hotel. For tourists visiting Salalah, there are plenty of hotels available, including 5-star beach resorts such as Hilton Salalah Resort, Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah, and Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara. All of them are located within a 20-minute drive from the international airport.
The city has several schools, including private ones such as Al Dhiya Private School, Western Salalah School for Basic Education, Creative Science Private School, Salalah International School, British School Salalah, and others. Among the major medical institutions are Badr Al Sama Hospital Salalah and Diwan Health Center.
Salalah offers a multitude of leisure options, ranging from beach activities to exploring historical landmarks and architecture. Visitors can enjoy diving amongst coral reefs, visit Mughsail Beach with its captivating natural fountains, observe birds at Mughsail Lagoon, take a boat or kayak ride along the natural channel of Wadi Darbat, explore the Haffa Perfume Market, and visit many other iconic sites.
Popular attractions in Salalah include:
Salalah attracts thousands of tourists annually, and during the summer, the city’s population nearly doubles due to the influx of visitors. When purchasing real estate here, you will have the opportunity to rent out the property on a short-term basis throughout the year, generating a stable passive income. In the future, the tourism sector in the Sultanate is expected to further develop, as it is one of the key focus areas of the Oman Vision 2040 strategy.
Since 2021, the Sultanate has implemented the Investor Residency Programme (IRP), which allows individuals purchasing real estate in Salalah to obtain a residency visa for either five or ten years. This programme also enables sponsorship of immediate family members. With a residency visa in Oman, one can open a bank account, acquire medical insurance, and avail many other benefits for visa holders.
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