Salalah, Oman

The perfume capital of Arabia

As the capital of Oman’s Dhofar region, the subtropical city of Salalah is renowned for its khareef, the monsoon season from June to September that transforms this “Perfume Capital of Arabia” into an oasis. But this subtropical city has many other year-round natural sights to behold, including the waterfalls, lakes, mountains, and caves of Wadi Darbat, Mughsail Bay, and some of the most beautiful beaches in Oman.

There are also many historic places, like the ancient ruins of Sumahram Old City and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Al Baleed Archaeological Park otherwise known as “The Land of Frankincense.”

And if you’re looking for a little retail therapy, there’s plenty of shopping to be done, especially at Lulu Shopping Center and Haffa Souq, the largest and oldest souq in Salalah.