Ubar (Shisr)

أوبار (شصر)

The desert site identified as the lost city of Ubar, a fabled frankincense caravan center swallowed by the sands. It features excavated ruins, a small museum and a gateway to the Empty Quarter dunes.

Things to do

• Explore the excavated ruins — Walk among the exposed limestone foundations and the collapsed sinkhole that swallowed the fortress, once identified by Nicholas Clapp's expedition as the legendary Ubar.
• Visit the site museum — See displays on the frankincense trade, satellite imagery that helped locate the ruins, and artifacts including pottery and Roman-era glass found at the site.
• See the ancient well and sinkhole — Look down into the water source that made this a caravan stop and note where the limestone cavern collapsed beneath the settlement.
• Gateway to the Empty Quarter — Head out toward the towering red dunes of the Rub' al Khali that begin just beyond Shisr for a desert drive or dune experience.
• Photograph the fortress towers — Capture the reconstructed and partial stone tower bases that hint at the caravan trade defenses of the site.
• Frankincense trail context — Understand Shisr as one stop on the ancient incense route linking the Dhofar frankincense groves to Arabian and Mediterranean markets.

Food to try

• Shuwa — Marinated meat wrapped in banana or palm leaves and slow-cooked in an underground sand oven, an Omani celebration dish.
• Harees — A thick porridge of wheat and slow-cooked meat, often served on special occasions across Dhofar.
• Camel meat and rice — A Bedouin staple in this desert region, often served with spiced rice at gatherings.
• Omani kahwa with dates — Cardamom-scented coffee served in small cups alongside dates, the customary welcome offered to visitors.
• Laban and fresh dates — Chilled buttermilk drink paired with local dates, refreshing in the desert heat.

Local customs & good to know

• Dress modestly — Cover shoulders and knees as this is a conservative rural desert community; women may wish to carry a scarf.
• Bring your own supplies — Shisr is remote with minimal facilities, so carry plenty of water, fuel and snacks for the desert drive.
• Accept hospitality graciously — If offered coffee or dates by locals, accepting is a sign of respect in Bedouin custom.
• Use a 4x4 for the dunes — Venturing into the Empty Quarter requires a proper four-wheel-drive vehicle and ideally a local guide.

Nearby

• Empty Quarter (Rub al Khali) — 74 km
• Wadi Dawkah — 120 km
• Salalah — 146 km
• Al Baleed Archaeological Park — 149 km