The medieval harbour town of al Baleed - UNESCO World Heritage Site

Relics of a large medieval settlement, which once extended into today's plantations, are still preserved on the headland called al-Baleed (al-Balad in High Arabic, "the city") on the lagoon to the east of Salalah beach.

Through a gate on the road along the coast of Salalah, you enter the grounds on which a large archaeological park has been built in recent years. The adjoining Museum of the Frankincense Land provides a vivid and appealing overview of the country's important maritime history.

In several phases of excavation, the remains of the historic harbour city have been uncovered in recent years by American, Italian, German and Omani archaeologists.
The remains of the large courtyard mosque can be clearly seen in the west of the mound: of the original 148 columns, which surrounded an inner courtyard in the centre of the complex in four rows, only a few columns were preserved. The missing columns have since been replaced by new, half-height stone columns. There was no fortified harbour; goods were loaded and unloaded in shallow water using small boats.

► For an additional charge on top of the entrance fee, you can take a tour of the archaeological park sitting in a golf caddy, which can be very practical in hot weather and for travellers with limited mobility on the extensive grounds in a beautiful landscape.