Salalah cruise

In the footsteps of Queen of Sheba
The “Bride of the Arabian Sea”
A verdant city

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Salalah

Nature conquers the desert

One of the stopovers you don’t want to miss on the MSC Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Oman is the capital of the Mascate and Oman Sultanate, as Oman was known before the rise to the throne of Qabus ibn Said.
Salalah is the capital of the Dhofar, the region in the southwest of the country. In the verdant surroundings of the city, still seasonally watered by the fine rain of the monsoons, you find coconut palms and Boswellia sacra tree, from which you make the most precious incense used since antiquity by the Egyptians.

As you step off the ship in your visit to Salalah you will soon be amazed by its historic and artistic wealth. A short way away from Salalah, one can visit the Khor Rori archaeological site, with the ruins of the ancient city of Sumhuran where an excursion can offer the excitement of entering the summer palace of the Queen of Sheba.

What today is one of the many sites of Oman to be protected under UNESCO as world heritage, was once the main port for the export of incense. And there is an abundance of UNESCO sites in this area: "the Archaeological site of al-Balid"; the archeological and rupestrian findings of Shisr/Ubar; and the wadi Dawkah which is about 25km north of Salalah, in the region of Najd, just to mention a few.

The anthropological heritage of Oman combined with a fauna of undeniable richness, especially the vast variety of bird species which fly by or nest in these lands, have earned Salalah the title of “Bride of the Arabian Sea”. To admire one of the most intriguing castles of the region, one can choose an excursion to Taqah, 33km from Salalah, where, in the 19th century, sheik Ali bin Taman Al Ma’shani built his home, which today is a museum of Oman culture.

Must see places in Salalah

Discover our excursions

    Oman

    Atmospheres of a thousand and one nights
    Atmospheres of a thousand and one nights

    Nestled between the sea, the desert and the imposing mountains, descendent of a thousand year old culture, the Sultanate of Oman will make your heart leap.

    The great expanse of sand, the Wahiba Sands, is the first tourist attraction, an unmissable stop on your cruise to Oman and the Emirates. 

    Along the road from Nizwa to Sur, we venture into the desert following the sandy tracks which weave their way through copper coloured sand dunes and unforgettable scenery. 


    Those looking for a real adventure during their trip to Oman can try a two wadi excursion, canyons which the periodic torrents carve out of this land and then leave the riverbeds dry. 

    We reach the Wadi Bani Awf on a 4x4 track which crosses the Hajar mountains, touching some of the highest peaks and vertiginous gorges along thrilling paths. Instead, those who love trekking will like Wadi Shab. 


    The vestiges of Oman's bellicose past can be seen in its many forts. One of the most unique is Nizwa's, with its enormous round tower in the centre. It has a diameter of 45 metres and was built in the 17th century by the Sultan Bin Saif Al Ya’rubi to protect the city. 

    Jabrin Fort on the other hand is one of Oman's most impressive and best preserved forts. The sand-like building dates back to the 16th century and rises up from the desert in the middle of a palm grove, just five kilometres from Bahla.