Taqah is a small coastal town 28 km east of Salalah with a well-preserved Ottoman-era fort at its center. The fort was recently restored and is open to visitors; its upper level gives views over the fishing harbour and the turquoise bay. The town itself is quieter and more traditional than Salalah — a pleasant stop on the road east toward Wadi Darbat.
Taqah is also the gateway to Wadi Darbat. The fortified gateway to the old town and the nearby mosque are worth a few minutes on foot. The drive east from Taqah along the coast is particularly scenic, with the limestone Qara mountains rising sharply from the sea.