Al Baleed Archeological Park

Al Baleed Archaeological Park is an archaeological site near Salalah on Oman's coast featuring ruins of houses, a mosque, and structures from an ancient port city. The site is surrounded by reed beds and wetlands that frame the stone remains and give a sense of the landscape where this trading center once stood.

Zafar served as a major port from the 6th to 16th century, linking Arabia with India, Africa, and China through active maritime trade. The city eventually declined and was abandoned, leaving behind the ruins that archaeologists have studied for many decades.

The site reveals the layout of an old port city where residents' homes and a mosque remain visible, telling the story of how merchants and their families lived here. Walking through the ruins shows how trade connected this place to distant lands and shaped daily life.

The site is open daily for visitors who can explore on foot or take electric cart rides across the grounds. Coming early in the morning or in the late afternoon makes the visit more comfortable, as the sun is less intense and walking through the ruins is easier.

Excavations since the 1950s have uncovered pottery, coins, and decorated tiles showing how far-reaching the trade connections were. These discoveries are now displayed in a museum on site, revealing how this ancient port linked people across vast distances through commerce.