Al Balid Archaeological Park & Museum of Frankincense

Fronting a serene coastal lagoon on the shores of modern Salalah, Al Balid Archaeological Park preserves the extensive ruins of the medieval maritime city of Zafar, which flourished between the 8th and 16th centuries. The settlement was celebrated by legendary travelers including Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta, and Zheng He as an exceptionally prosperous commercial metropolis dedicated to the Arabian sea trade and the export of supreme frankincense. Excavations have unearthed a monumental Grand Mosque with 148 stone columns, a fortified citadel with massive corner towers, city gates, residential stone villas, and commercial quays fronting the sheltered water channel. Located within the park is the acclaimed Museum of the Land of Frankincense, housing two comprehensive air-conditioned wings: the History Hall detailing Oman’s cultural antiquity and the Maritime Hall showcasing the Sultanate's nautical mastery through accurate ship replicas and navigation artifacts.