Salalah, Capital city in Dhofar region, Oman
Salalah is the capital of the Dhofar region in southern Oman, sitting on the Arabian Sea coast between beaches and mountains. The city stretches for several kilometers along the coastline, with wide streets, palm groves, and low buildings in light-colored stone.
The settlement grew during medieval times into an important trading center for frankincense, which grew in the surrounding mountains and was shipped across the sea from here. In the 20th century it became the administrative center of the southern province and began developing as a modern city.
The city's name comes from the Arabic word meaning "to shine" or "to gleam," referring to its white beaches and bright coastal light. Today you see families walking along the Corniche in the evening, while groups gather in the parks to drink tea and talk.
The best time to visit is between July and September, when monsoon rain turns the landscape green and temperatures stay comfortable. The Corniche is easy to explore on foot, while a car helps for trips to the mountains or beaches outside town.
While the rest of the Arabian Peninsula stays dry in summer, the monsoon turns the area here into a green landscape with waterfalls and mist. Many visitors from the Gulf states come during this season to escape the heat and enjoy the cooler, humid air.
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