Aqaba, Jordan’s only coastal city and port, is a vibrant destination nestled at the northeastern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, bordered by Israel, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Known for its ancient history as a trade hub, stunning coral reefs, and modern status as a duty-free economic zone, Aqaba blends cultural heritage, marine biodiversity, and urban development. Spanning approximately 375 square kilometers with a population of around 148,000 (2025 estimate), Aqaba is a gateway to Jordan’s southern attractions, including Petra and Wadi Rum, while offering a relaxed beach vibe distinct from Amman’s bustling capital.
Aqaba’s attractions span historical sites, marine adventures, and cultural experiences, catering to diverse interests:
Aqaba
Castle (Mamluk Castle): A 16th-century fortress built by Sultan
Al-Ghuri, expanded by Ottomans, and captured in the 1917 Arab Revolt.
Features a Mamluk inscription, Hashemite coat of arms, and the Aqaba
Archeological Museum with
Nabataean, Islamic, and Revolt artifacts. Entry: 2 JOD, free with Jordan
Pass; 30–60 minutes visit.
Ayla
Archaeological Site: Ruins of an Umayyad city (7th–10th centuries CE),
with a 3rd-century church, city walls, and mosques. Free entry, 20–30
minutes, near the Raghadan Street Market.
Al-Sharif Al-Hussein bin
Ali Mosque: A historic mosque in downtown, known for its white facade
and minarets, a cultural landmark near the castle. Free entry, dress
modestly, 10–20 minutes.
Tell el-Kheleifeh: An Edomite port site
(8th–6th centuries BCE), possibly biblical Elath, 5 km north of Aqaba.
Limited public access, best for archaeology enthusiasts via guided
tours.
Aqaba Marine Park: A 7 km coastal
stretch with 19 dive sites, including:
Rainbow Reef:
A rainbow-shaped coral arc (6–18 meters), famous for night dives with
Spanish Dancers, turtles, and fluorescent bacteria. Snorkeling: 15–25
JOD; dives: 25–40 JOD.
Japanese Garden:
A shallow reef (2–24 meters) with pinnacle corals, barracudas, and
hawksbill turtles, ideal for snorkeling. Similar pricing.
Cedar Pride Sunken Ship:
A 1985 wreck (9–27 meters), scuttled by King Abdullah II, a top dive
site near Rainbow Reef.
Seven Sisters:
Features a sunken tank and seven coral pinnacles, beginner-friendly.
South Beach: A public beach 12 km south, with rocky shores and
snorkeling access to reefs. Free entry, bring water shoes.
Tala Bay:
A private beach resort area 14 km south, with luxury hotels (Radisson
Blu, Mövenpick) and amenities. Entry: ~20 JOD or hotel voucher.
Palm
Beach (Al-Hafaeyer): A public beach 2 km south of downtown, ideal for
families and swimming. Free entry.
Aqaba International Dive Center
Raghadan Street Market: A bustling souk in the old town, offering
spices, seafood, Bedouin jewelry, and knafeh. Free entry, best in
evenings (6:00 PM–11:00 PM), 30–60 minutes.
Souk by the Sea: A weekly
market (Fridays, 6:00 PM–11:00 PM, Nahdah St.) with crafts, live music,
and food stalls. Free, family-friendly, 1–2 hours.
Aqaba Gateway
Mall: A modern shopping and dining complex with duty-free brands and
restaurants like Captain’s. Free entry, 1–2 hours.
Wadi Rum: A UNESCO World Heritage desert 60 km northeast, with
Bedouin camps, jeep tours, and rock climbing. ~1-hour drive, tours from
30–100 JOD.
Petra: The Nabataean capital 125 km north, a UNESCO site
with Siq and Treasury. ~2-hour drive, entry 50 JOD or via Jordan Pass.
Pharaoh’s Island: A 12th-century Crusader castle 10 km south, now in
Egyptian waters, accessible via boat tours (~30 JOD).
Visiting Aqaba offers a diverse, relaxed experience blending
history, adventure, and beach life. Here’s what to expect:
Duration of Stay: A 2–3 day visit covers key attractions:
Day 1:
Explore downtown (Aqaba Castle, Raghadan Street Market, Ayla,
Al-Sharif Mosque), dine at Al-Shami or Ali Baba (5–10 JOD), and
visit Souk by the Sea (Fridays).
Day 2: Dive or snorkel at
Rainbow Reef or Japanese Garden (15–40 JOD), relax at South Beach or
Tala Bay, and enjoy sunset views at Palm Beach.
Day 3: Day trip
to Wadi Rum or Petra (30–100 JOD), or visit Aqaba Gateway for
shopping.
Accessibility: Aqaba is compact and walkable in the old
town, with key sites like Aqaba Castle and Raghadan Street Market
within 0.5–1 km. South Beach and Tala Bay require transport:
By
Taxi/Rideshare: Downtown trips 1–2 JOD; South Beach 5–10 JOD. Use
Uber, Careem, or local taxis.
By Public Transport: Shared taxis
from Local Mini Station to Petra/Wadi Rum (near Al-Sharif Mosque)
cost 0.5–2 JOD. Buses to South Beach are limited.
By Car: Rental
cars (~20–40 JOD/day) offer flexibility for South Beach, Wadi Rum,
or Petra. Free parking downtown and at beaches.
By Air: King
Hussein International Airport (10 km north) serves domestic flights
from Amman (40–60 JOD, 50 minutes) and seasonal international
routes.
By Bus/Ferry: JETT buses from Amman (7–10 JOD, 4–5
hours); ferries to Taba, Egypt (~50 JOD, 1 hour), with visa
requirements.
Cultural Experience:
Markets: Bargain for
spices (5–10 JOD/kg), jewelry (10–50 JOD), or textiles at Raghadan
Street, with vendors sharing stories of Bedouin crafts.
Cuisine:
Sample sayadieh (spiced fish with rice, 5–10 JOD), mansaf (lamb with
yogurt, 8–15 JOD), or falafel (1 JOD) at stalls or restaurants like
Captain’s.
Festivals: Souk by the Sea (Fridays) and occasional
events like the Aqaba Traditional Arts Festival feature music and
dance.
Marine Activities: Dive centers like Coral Garden (+962 3
201 5555), Arab Divers (+962 79 641 2032), or Aqaba Moon Diver offer
snorkeling (15–25 JOD) and dives (25–40 JOD), with night dives at
Rainbow Reef (~45 JOD). Book via www.padi.com.
Atmosphere: Aqaba
is “relaxed,” “welcoming,” and “vibrant,” with a small-town feel in
the old town and upscale elegance at Tala Bay. The waterfront’s
views of Egypt and Israel, bustling markets, and coral reefs create
a “coastal oasis” vibe, though summer heat requires evening visits.
Photography: Capture Aqaba Castle’s gate, Rainbow Reef’s corals,
Raghadan Street’s stalls, or Flagpole Plaza’s Arab Revolt flag at
sunset. Respect privacy at markets and mosques.
Limitations:
Summer Heat: Temperatures up to 40°C (104°F) make daytime
exploration challenging; evening visits (6:00 PM–11:00 PM) or winter
(October–March) are ideal.
Limited Public Transport: Buses and
shared taxis are affordable but infrequent, especially to South
Beach, requiring taxis or rentals.
Tourist Pricing: Non-haggling
at markets may inflate costs (e.g., 20%–50% above local rates),
though prices remain low (e.g., scarf 5–10 JOD).
Site Scale:
Historical sites like Aqaba Castle and Ayla are modest compared to
Petra or Jerash, potentially underwhelming for some.
Marine
Conservation: Coral damage at Rainbow Reef and Japanese Garden from
tourism requires adherence to no-touch rules, as shallow reefs show
bleaching.
Location: Aqaba, Jordan (29.5321°N, 35.0063°E), Gulf of Aqaba, ~330
km south of Amman.
Getting There:
By Air: King Hussein
International Airport (AQJ, 10 km north) offers flights from Amman
(40–60 JOD, 50 minutes) via Royal Jordanian or seasonal charters. Taxis
to downtown: 10–15 JOD.
By Bus: JETT or local buses from Amman (7–10
JOD, 4–5 hours) arrive at Aqaba Bus Station (near downtown). Book via
www.jett.jo.
By Car: 4-hour drive from Amman via Dead Sea Highway or
Desert Highway. Rentals: ~20–40 JOD/day.
By Ferry: To Taba, Egypt
(~50 JOD, 1 hour) via AB Maritime; check visa requirements
(www.abmaritime.com.jo).
Getting Around:
Taxis/Rideshare:
Downtown 1–2 JOD; South Beach 5–10 JOD. Uber/Careem reliable.
Shared
Taxis: 0.5–2 JOD, from Local Mini Station to Petra/Wadi Rum.
Walking:
Old town sites (castle, market, mosque) within 0.5–1 km.
Car Rental:
Recommended for South Beach, Wadi Rum, or Petra; agencies at airport or
downtown.
Accommodation:
Luxury: InterContinental (100–200
JOD/night), Mövenpick Tala Bay (80–150 JOD), Radisson Blu Tala Bay
(70–120 JOD).
Mid-Range: DoubleTree by Hilton (50–80 JOD), Nairoukh
Hotel (30–50 JOD).
Budget: Al Qidra Hotel (20–30 JOD), hostels like
Al-Amer 2 (10–20 JOD).
Dining:
Restaurants: Al-Shami, Ali Baba
(Raghadan St., 5–10 JOD for mezze, sayadieh), Captain’s (seafood, 8–15
JOD).
Street Food: Falafel, shawarma, knafeh at markets (1–3 JOD).
Cafes: Papaya Cafe (waterfront, 3–7 JOD for drinks, snacks).
Tips
for Visitors:
Visit October–March for mild weather (15–25°C); summer
evenings (6:00 PM–11:00 PM) for cooler market and beach trips.
Bargain at markets: Start at 50%–70% of quoted price (e.g., scarf 10 JOD
to 5–7 JOD).
Bring small JOD notes (1, 5, 10) for markets, taxis, and
entry fees.
Wear modest clothing at mosques (e.g., Al-Sharif); bring
water shoes for South Beach’s rocky shores.
Book dive/snorkel trips
in advance via www.padi.com or centers like Coral Garden (+962 3 201
5555) for sites like Rainbow Reef.
Combine Aqaba with Wadi Rum
(1-hour drive) or Petra (2 hours) using tours (~30–100 JOD) or Jordan
Pass (70–80 JOD, includes visa and sites).
Check www.visitjordan.com,
www.touristjordan.com, or ASEZA (+962 3 209 1000) for events, road
closures, or marine conditions.
Contact: Jordan Tourism Board
(www.visitjordan.com); Aqaba Tourist Information Center (+962 3 201
3363); ASEZA for marine park info (+962 3 209 1000).
Aqaba’s history spans over 6,000 years, rooted in its strategic
location as a maritime and trade crossroads. Known as Elath in biblical
times and Ayla during the Islamic era, it was inhabited by Edomites
(circa 1000 BCE), Nabataeans (1st century BCE), Romans, Byzantines,
Umayyads, and Ottomans. Archaeological sites like Tall Hujayrat
Al-Ghuzlan (4000 BCE) reveal early copper trade, while Tell el-Kheleifeh
(8th–6th centuries BCE) confirms Edomite port activity. The Nabataeans,
famous for Petra, used Aqaba as a southern trade hub, followed by Romans
who fortified it as part of Provincia Arabia (106 CE).
During the
Umayyad period (661–750 CE), Ayla thrived as a commercial and pilgrimage
center, with ruins visible at the Ayla Archaeological Site. The
Crusaders built a castle on Pharaoh’s Island (12th century), later
replaced by the Mamluk Castle (early 16th century) under Sultan
Al-Ashraf Qansuh Al-Ghuri. The Ottomans (1517–1917) expanded the castle,
renaming it Kale, to control Red Sea trade and the Hajj route to Mecca.
Aqaba’s modern significance surged during the Arab Revolt (1916–1918),
when Arab forces, led by Sharif Hussein bin Ali, Auda Abu Tayi, and T.E.
Lawrence, captured the city from the Ottomans on July 6, 1917, a pivotal
moment depicted in Lawrence of Arabia (1962).
In the 20th
century, Aqaba grew under Hashemite rule, becoming Jordan’s sole port
after independence in 1946. The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority
(ASEZA), established in 2000, transformed it into a duty-free hub,
attracting tourism and investment. Today, Aqaba balances its historical
legacy with modern development, hosting marine parks, luxury resorts,
and cultural festivals, while preserving sites like the Aqaba Castle and
Ayla.
Location: Aqaba lies at 29.5321°N, 35.0063°E, at the northern end of
the Gulf of Aqaba, a narrow arm of the Red Sea. It borders Eilat
(Israel) to the west, Taba (Egypt) to the southwest, and Saudi Arabia to
the southeast, with views of all three countries from its shores.
Topography: The city occupies a flat coastal plain, backed by the Shar
Mountains and desert landscapes, including Wadi Araba to the north. Its
25 km coastline features sandy and rocky beaches, with fringing coral
reefs within the Aqaba Marine Reserve. Key areas include South Beach (12
km south) and Tala Bay (14 km south), known for resorts and diving.
Climate: Aqaba has a hot desert climate (Köppen BWh), with average
temperatures of 22–33°C (72–91°F) year-round, peaking at 40°C (104°F) in
summer (June–August) and dipping to 15°C (59°F) in winter
(December–February). Annual rainfall is minimal (~35 mm), ensuring sunny
days ideal for beach and diving activities. The gulf’s warm waters
(22–28°C) support coral growth, while low humidity and sea breezes
temper the heat.
Environmental Features: The Gulf of Aqaba is a
biodiversity hotspot, with over 1,000 fish species and 150 coral
species, protected by the Aqaba Marine Reserve. The city’s desert
surroundings contrast with its coastal oasis, creating a unique
ecological blend.
Aqaba is a cultural and economic powerhouse, blending ancient
heritage with modern ambition:
Cultural Fusion: Aqaba’s history
as a trade crossroads fosters a cosmopolitan identity, with Bedouin,
Arab, and maritime influences evident in its markets, cuisine, and
festivals. The Raghadan Street Market offers Bedouin crafts and seafood,
while events like Souk by the Sea (Fridays) showcase folk music and
dance. The city’s proximity to Israel, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia adds a
multicultural dimension, reflected in its welcoming vibe and religious
tolerance, aligning with Jordan’s Amman Message (2004).
Economic Hub:
As Jordan’s only port, Aqaba handles 70% of national exports, including
phosphates and fertilizers, via the Port of Aqaba. The ASEZA has spurred
growth, with duty-free shopping, luxury hotels (e.g., InterContinental,
Mövenpick), and industrial zones. Tourism contributes significantly,
with marine activities (diving, snorkeling) and cultural sites drawing
over 500,000 visitors annually (2025 estimate).
Marine Tourism: The
Aqaba Marine Reserve, encompassing sites like Rainbow Reef and Japanese
Garden, is a global dive destination, rivaling Egypt’s Red Sea resorts
with fewer crowds and competitive pricing (e.g., 25–40 JOD per dive).
Conservation efforts protect its reefs, supporting sustainable tourism.
Historical Legacy: Sites like Aqaba Castle, Ayla, and Tell el-Kheleifeh
link Aqaba to biblical, Nabataean, and Islamic narratives, complementing
Jordan’s heritage tourism alongside Petra and Jerash.
Strategic Role:
Aqaba’s border proximity enhances its geopolitical significance, with
agreements like the 1994 Jordan-Israel Peace Treaty facilitating
cross-border tourism (e.g., day trips to Eilat). Its role in the Hajj
route historically and modern logistics (e.g., Aqaba Logistics Village)
underscores its connectivity.
Compared to Amman, with its Roman and
Umayyad landmarks, Aqaba offers a coastal and marine focus, while its
smaller size and relaxed pace contrast with the capital’s urban
intensity. Unlike Petra’s archaeological grandeur, Aqaba’s appeal lies
in its blend of history, beaches, and adventure.