Salalah, Oman 🇴🇲
#559
17.017494, 54.101092
Nomad Score:
61%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Salalah is a city in southern Oman, known for its lush landscape and unique monsoon climate during Khareef, making it a beautiful oasis. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 200,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average speed is around 50 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 OMR (Omani Rial) ≈ 2.60 USD, cash is generally preferred, but cards are accepted in most places. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Tap water is generally not drinkable; bottled water is widely available. |
| 🔌 Power | 240V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Omantel and Ooredoo are the main providers; prepaid SIM cards can be easily purchased at the airport or local shops. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard) are widely accepted; local banks include Bank Muscat and Oman Arab Bank. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Popular options include Airbnb and local hotels like Salalah Rotana Resort. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted in most restaurants, shops, and hotels. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available through platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like Al-Hana Hotel offer affordable lodging options. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Coworking space options are limited, but Salalah’s business centers often have shared office spaces. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe Gusto offers a pleasant atmosphere with Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Local expat groups on social media frequently set up meetups. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook Groups such as 'Expats in Salalah' organize gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Careem is a popular ride-hailing app for easy transport within the city. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Limited options; local shops may offer bicycles for rent. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Al Mughsail Beach is approximately 30 minutes away by car. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Oman Air operates flights to and from Salalah. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Emirates and Qatar Airways provide connections to major international destinations. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | The Dhofar Highway connects Salalah with other major cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | There are no trains; public buses connect Salalah to Muscat. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Limited public transport; taxis and ride apps are the primary mode of transport. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses are available for travel to Muscat and other major cities. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Dhofar Health Services Hospital is known for providing comprehensive healthcare. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | There are limited wellness centers; local gyms often offer yoga classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness clubs like Al Ahli Club provide access to gym facilities. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Several laundromats operate in Salalah, with options for wash-and-fold. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Talabat is the most popular food delivery service in Salalah. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Shuwa—slow-cooked lamb wrapped in banana leaves, a traditional Omani dish. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Places like The Dhofar Dining provide good vegetarian options. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Al Buraimi Sweets offers traditional Arabian sweets. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Salalah Market is famous for its local goods and snacks. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Souq.com offers various products for delivery within Oman. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Oman’s LuLu Hypermarket provides grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The nightlife is relatively quiet; bars are mainly found in hotels. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Oman has strict regulations on alcohol; thus, no local breweries are traditionally available. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Limited due to local laws; available primarily in international hotels. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Try local shawarma stands around the city center. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Italian and Indian restaurants are quite popular, such as La Casa. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Al Baleed Archaeological Park and the Sultan Qaboos Mosque are key attractions. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Museum of the Frankincense Land is a must-visit. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The ruins of Al-Baleed offer insight into Oman's maritime history. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Mosque of Sultan Qaboos is a beautiful place to visit. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Salalah Tourism Festival occurs annually; it features local culture and entertainment. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Visit local souqs for a rich cultural experience. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Local cultural performances occur at various public venues during festivals. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Salalah Souq is perfect for shopping traditional goods. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Limited; however, local festivals often feature Omani music. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Salalah does not have a significant street art scene. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Classes may be available during special cultural events. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Local exhibitions can be found at various cultural festivals. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The old ruins of Sumhuram, a UNESCO World Heritage site. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The region has a rich heritage of frankincense trade. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Wadi Darbat offers stunning waterfalls and greenery, especially during the monsoon season. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | There are no national parks, but the natural beauty around Salalah is notable. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Explore paths around Al Mughsail Beach for scenic views. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Visit the scenic cliffs near Al Mughsail Beach. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Wadi Darbat is known for birdwatching opportunities. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Check with local regulations; beaches are generally preferred. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Aramex and DHL provide reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops in Salalah provide basic tech repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Some hotels have recreational areas with table tennis. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Arabic language courses are available at local institutes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Public Library of Salalah offers a quiet reading environment. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Cultural centers occasionally host workshops and activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | No dedicated gaming lounges; local cafes may offer gaming facilities. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Gambling is prohibited in Oman. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. OMR 1200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = OMR 48,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. OMR 800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = OMR 32,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. OMR 1100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = OMR 66,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. OMR 900 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = OMR 54,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. OMR 1000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = OMR 80,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. OMR 700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = OMR 56,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 15% standard corporate tax rate |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 0%; no withholding tax on dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | The taxation system is based on territorial income for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | There is no personal income tax in Oman. |
| 🧾 VAT | 5% standard Value Added Tax |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | No, Oman does not have CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | There is no annual property tax in Oman. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | No property transaction tax is applied. |