Salalah Heritage & Frankincense Trail

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Duration

4 hours

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

Unlimited

Languages

English/Other language upon request

About this tour

Tour route: Al Balid Archaeological park – Al Balid museum – Ruins of Al Balid – The Ancient City of Zufar – Sultan Qaboos Mosque – Gold souk – Souk of Haffah – The old souk of Frankincense

Explore Salalah’s rich history at Al Balid Archaeological Park and its Frankincense Museum. Visit the ruins of ancient Zufar, once admired by Ibn Battuta and Marco Polo. Stop at the grand Sultan Qaboos Mosque before discovering Dhofari ornaments in the Gold Souk. Stroll through the vibrant Haffah Souk, famous for frankincense, traditional crafts, and Dhofari textiles, before returning to your hotel.

Highlights

Visit Al Balid Archaeological Park & Museum to explore Oman’s maritime and historical heritage.
Discover the grandeur of Sultan Qaboos Mosque and browse the vibrant Haffah Souk, famous for frankincense and traditional Dhofari goods.

Included/Excluded

Pick up from your hotel.
Drop off at your hotel.
Expert guide driver (English speaking).
Transferring during the tour by the determined vehicle.
Fees of entrance to any site included in the itinerary.
Taxes and service charges.

Sultanate of Oman entry visa.
Lunch.
Personal spending, tipping and optional activities.

Itinerary

Embark on a journey through Salalah’s rich history and cultural treasures on this four-hour tour. Our first stop is the Al Balid Archaeological Park, one of Oman’s most significant historical sites. Here, we explore the Al Balid Museum of the Frankincense, which has been showcasing Oman’s archaeological and maritime heritage since its opening in July 2007.

Next, we step back in time to the ruins of Al Balid, once part of the ancient city of Zufar. This legendary city, visited by Ibn Battuta and Marco Polo, was described as a grand and noble center of the Middle East. We then continue to the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, the largest mosque in Salalah, with a capacity of over 5,000 worshippers. Driving through lush green roads lined with coconut and banana trees, we reach this architectural masterpiece.

Our cultural journey leads us to the Gold Souk, where we admire exquisite Dhofari-style jewelry before exploring the Haffah Souk, renowned for its frankincense, traditional decorations, and vibrant marketplace atmosphere. Along the way, we pass by historic Dhofari houses adorned with caravan-style windows and doors, and catch a glimpse of the Sultan’s Residential Palace. The tour concludes with a visit to the old souk of Frankincense, where local traders offer cosmetics, traditional Dhofari attire, and fragrant incense crystals—a perfect way to experience the essence of Salalah’s rich heritage before returning to the hotel.