Ayla, located in Aqaba, Jordan, along the northeastern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba’s Red Sea coastline, encompasses two distinct yet interconnected entities: the ancient Islamic city of Ayla, an archaeological site dating to the 7th century CE, and the modern Ayla Oasis, a $1.4 billion waterfront development project launched in 2002. The ancient Ayla, founded under the Rashidun Caliph Uthman ibn Affan around 650 CE, was the first Islamic city established outside the Arabian Peninsula, serving as a vital port and trade hub. The contemporary Ayla Oasis, managed by the Ayla Oasis Development Company under the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), spans 4.3 million square meters and offers a luxurious blend of residential, commercial, and recreational facilities, including a marina, golf course, and beach clubs.
Ancient Ayla (7th–12th Centuries CE):
The ancient city of Ayla,
also known historically as Elath, Aila, or Aela, was established around
650 CE under Caliph Uthman ibn Affan, following the Islamic conquest of
the Byzantine port of Ailana in 630 CE. The Prophet Muhammad’s treaty
with Ailana’s bishop ensured a peaceful transition, allowing the new
Muslim city to flourish as a port and pilgrimage station, per Hidden
Mediterranean. Located south of the older Byzantine settlement, Ayla was
strategically positioned at the nexus of maritime trade routes linking
the Red Sea to Africa, India, and the Arabian Peninsula, and overland
routes to Syria and Iraq.
Ayla thrived under the Umayyad (661–750
CE), Abbasid (750–969 CE), and Fatimid (969–1071 CE) dynasties, serving
as a key node for trade in spices, ceramics, and goods from Ethiopia and
the Indian Ocean, as evidenced by artifacts from 1986–1993 excavations
led by Donald Whitcomb of the University of Chicago. The city’s decline
began with earthquakes in 748 and 1068 CE, compounded by Crusader raids
and Mamluk reorganization, leading to its abandonment by the 12th
century, per ResearchGate. Excavations in 1986 revealed a fortified
settlement, with artifacts now displayed at the Aqaba Archaeological
Museum and Jordan Archaeological Museum, per Wikipedia.
Modern
Ayla Oasis (2002–Present):
The Ayla Oasis project was initiated in
2002 by the Ayla Oasis Development Company, a private entity under
ASEZA, to transform Aqaba into a global tourism hub within Jordan’s
duty-free Special Economic Zone (established 2000). Covering 4.3 million
square meters with 17 kilometers of added waterfront, Ayla aims to
create a “luxurious waterfront community,” per its official site.
Designed by Sirin Sabih Masri of Al Najwa Interior Design Studio, the
project blends modern and traditional Greek architectural styles,
costing $1.4 billion, per Wikipedia.
Ayla Oasis responds to
Aqaba’s historical role as a trade and tourism hub, leveraging its
proximity to Wadi Rum and Petra. King Abdullah II’s vision for Aqaba as
a low-tax, high-growth zone has driven mega-projects like Ayla, Saraya
Aqaba, and Marsa Zayed, per Wikipedia. Completed phases include the
18-hole Ayla Golf Course (2016), Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla Resort (2018),
and Cloud7 Residences (2020), with ongoing development of residential
and commercial districts, per Jordan-Travel.com. The project’s
sustainability focus—recycling water and using solar energy—aligns with
Jordan’s environmental goals, per Ayla’s site.
Ancient Ayla:
The Islamic city of Ayla, excavated in 1986,
features an orthogonal plan reminiscent of Roman legionary camps, such
as those at Lajjun and Udhruh, suggesting a model for early Islamic
camp-towns (amsar), per Discover Islamic Art. The city was enclosed by
2.6-meter-thick, 4.5-meter-high walls spanning a 170x145-meter
rectangle, fortified with 24 towers and four gates, per Wikipedia. Two
main streets intersected at a central tetrapylon (four-way arch), later
converted into a 10th-century residential building with frescoes,
indicating adaptive reuse.
Key structures included:
A
55x35-meter mosque in the northeast, with two aisles and a mihrab
oriented toward Mecca, per Tripadvisor.
Marketplaces, warehouses, and
residential areas, reflecting Ayla’s commercial vibrancy, per Hidden
Mediterranean.
Evidence of trade, with ceramics and artifacts from
Ethiopia and the Far East, per Whitcomb’s excavations.
The city’s
mud-brick and stone construction, damaged by earthquakes (e.g., 748 CE),
shows signs of liquefaction and subsidence due to Aqaba’s alluvial fan
sediments, per ResearchGate. Submerged harbor remains, surveyed by the
Royal Marine Conservation Society of Jordan (JREDS), suggest maritime
infrastructure, per ResearchGate.
Ayla Oasis:
The modern Ayla
Oasis is a sprawling waterfront development integrating residential,
commercial, and leisure spaces around a man-made marina and lagoons. Its
architecture, blending modern and Greek influences, features whitewashed
facades, arches, and open courtyards, per Wikipedia. Designed by Sirin
Sabih Masri, Ayla emphasizes sustainability, with solar-powered
facilities and water recycling, per Ayla’s site.
Key
architectural components:
Marina Village: A vibrant hub with a
285-berth marina for yachts, chic boutiques, cafes, and restaurants
along promenades, evoking a Mediterranean aesthetic, per
Jordan-Travel.com.
Ayla Golf Course: An 18-hole championship course
designed by Greg Norman, with a 9-hole academy, set against Aqaba’s
mountains and powered by solar energy, ranked among the world’s top
eco-friendly courses, per Visit Jordan.
Lagoon District:
Crystal-clear lagoons surrounded by luxury hotels like Hyatt Regency
Aqaba Ayla (286 rooms, four pools, spa) and Cloud7 Residences
(apartments with balconies, kitchens), offering water views, per
Booking.com.,
Avenue District: Retail zones with international and
local brands, designed for pedestrian-friendly shopping, per
Jordan-Travel.com.
Residential Communities: Villas, townhouses, and
apartments in gated communities, incorporating Greek-style courtyards
and sea views, per Wikipedia.
The project’s 17 kilometers of added
waterfront, created through lagoons and canals, enhances Aqaba’s
coastline, though it raises environmental concerns about marine
ecosystems, per UNESCO’s AMR report.
Ancient Ayla:
The archaeological site, located between King
Hussein Street and the sea, is an open-air museum with limited
facilities but significant historical value:
Ruins and Signage:
Visible walls, towers, and the mosque’s mihrab, with English and Arabic
noticeboards explaining the site’s history, per Lonely Planet.
Artifacts: Excavated items, including ceramics and trade goods, are
displayed at the Aqaba Archaeological Museum (near Aqaba Fortress) and
Jordan Archaeological Museum in Amman, per Wikipedia.
Access: Free
entry during daylight, with information panels guiding self-exploration,
per Hidden Mediterranean.
Activities are limited to sightseeing, with
the site’s compact size (170x145 m) requiring 30–60 minutes to explore,
often paired with nearby landmarks like the Sharif Hussein Bin Ali
Mosque.
Ayla Oasis:
Ayla Oasis offers a wide array of modern
facilities and activities, catering to tourists, residents, and business
travelers:
Marina and Water Sports: A 285-berth marina supports
yachting, with B12 Beach Club offering wakeboarding, canoeing, and a
442-meter cable wake park, per Visit Jordan. Dive centers arrange scuba
diving and snorkeling in the AMR, exploring wrecks like Tarmac Five, per
Ayla’s site.
Golf and Sports: The Greg Norman-designed golf course,
with floodlit practice facilities, and sports courts for tennis, paddle
tennis, football, and basketball at The Courts at Ayla, per Cloud7
Hotels.
Beach Clubs: La Plage, Mama Gaia, and B12 Beach Clubs provide
private beaches, pools, and water activities, with complimentary access
for Cloud7 guests, per Cloud7 Hotels.
Dining and Retail: Restaurants
like Silica (golf course views) and Mama Gaia Beach Club serve
international and Arabic cuisine, while the Avenue District offers
boutiques and the Boho Concept Store (bar/shop), per Tripadvisor.
Fitness and Wellness: PowerHut Gym offers state-of-the-art equipment and
classes, while Hyatt Regency’s spa provides treatments, per
Jordan-Travel.com.
Accommodations: Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla (5-star,
286 rooms, four pools, rated 8.5/10 on Booking.com) and Cloud7
Residences (1–4-bedroom apartments, rated 8.9/10) offer luxury stays,
per Booking.com.,
Events and Culture: Ayla hosts art exhibitions,
music events, and birdwatching at the Aqaba Bird Observatory (390
species, September–May), per Cloud7 Hotels.
Excursions: Organized
trips to Wadi Rum (60 km) and Petra (125 km), with Ayla as a base, per
Ayla’s site.
Tripadvisor reviews praise Ayla’s “beautiful” setting
and vibrant Marina Village, but some criticize dated rooms or hidden
fees at Hyatt Regency, suggesting inconsistent luxury, per.
Ancient Ayla:
Historical Importance: As the first Islamic city
outside Arabia, Ayla was a trade and pilgrimage hub, dubbed the “Door to
Palestine,” per Tripadvisor. Its orthogonal plan offers insights into
early Islamic urbanism, influencing camp-towns (amsar), per Discover
Islamic Art.
Trade Legacy: Artifacts reveal trade with Ethiopia,
India, and the Far East, with Ayla Ware amphoras distributed as far as
western India, per Levantine Ceramics Project.
Cultural Continuity:
Ayla’s role under Umayyad, Abbasid, and Fatimid rule, and its Mamluk
renaming as Aqaba, reflect Jordan’s layered history, per Wikipedia.
Archaeological Value: Excavations by Whitcomb and ACOR since the 1990s,
plus underwater surveys by JREDS, highlight Ayla’s maritime heritage,
per ACOR Jordan and ResearchGate.,
Tourist Appeal: The site’s
proximity to Aqaba’s modern attractions makes it a niche stop for
history enthusiasts, though its modest ruins require imagination, per
Lonely Planet.
Ayla Oasis:
Economic Driver: Ayla bolsters
Aqaba’s tourism economy, complementing Petra and Wadi Rum, per
Wikipedia. Its low-tax status attracts investments, creating jobs, per
Ayla’s site.
Environmental Commitment: Solar-powered facilities,
water recycling, and bird conservation at the Aqaba Bird Observatory
align with Jordan’s sustainability goals, per Cloud7 Hotels. However,
lagoon construction raises concerns about marine ecosystem disruption,
per UNESCO.
Cultural Hub: Ayla’s art, music, and sports events, plus
Bedouin cultural experiences near South Beach, enrich Aqaba’s modern
identity, per Jordan-Travel.com.
Global Profile: The Greg Norman golf
course and luxury resorts position Ayla as a rival to Red Sea
destinations like Sharm El Sheikh, per TIME’s 2023 list.
Conservation
Tension: While Ayla promotes diving in the AMR’s reefs, its coastal
development contributes to pollution, threatening marine life, per
UNESCO.
Ancient Ayla:
Location: Between King Hussein Street and the sea,
central Aqaba, near the Sharif Hussein Bin Ali Mosque and Aqaba Fortress
(29.522°N, 35.002°E).
Access: A 5-minute walk from Aqaba’s downtown
souk; taxis from Aqaba city center (~1–2 JOD). From King Hussein
International Airport (AQJ, 10 km), taxis take ~15–20 minutes (~5–10
JOD). JETT buses from Amman (330 km, 4–5 hours, ~7 JOD) reach Aqaba’s
bus station, with taxis to the site.
Opening Hours: Open daily during
daylight (~7:00 AM–6:00 PM), free entry.
Visit Duration: 30–60
minutes, ideal for history buffs; pair with Aqaba Fortress (10-minute
walk) or the Aqaba Archaeological Museum.
Best Time to Visit: Spring
(March–May) or fall (September–November) for mild weather
(20–30°C/68–86°F). Summer (June–August) is hot (up to 50°C/122°F).
Accessibility: Flat terrain but no ramps; manageable for most visitors.
No facilities on-site; nearby souks offer restrooms and dining.
Tips:
Read noticeboards for context, as signage is basic. Combine with a
downtown tour for souks and eateries like Ali Baba, per Tripadvisor.
Ayla Oasis:
Location: Along Aqaba’s Red Sea coast, 5 minutes from
downtown, 10 km from AQJ (approx. 29.55°N, 35.00°E).
Access:
By
Air: AQJ serves flights from Amman (Royal Jordanian, ~50 min) and
regional hubs (e.g., Istanbul). Taxis to Ayla (~15–20 min, ~5–10 JOD).
By Road: From Amman, a 4–5-hour drive (330 km) via the Desert Highway.
JETT buses (~7 JOD) or taxis (~50–70 JOD) to Aqaba; taxis to Ayla (~3–5
JOD). From Aqaba center, follow King Hussein St. to Ayla’s entrance.
By Sea: Ferries from Taba/Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt) to Aqaba port; taxis
to Ayla (~10–15 min).
Opening Hours: Facilities (marina, golf course,
beach clubs) operate ~7:00 AM–10:00 PM, varying by venue. Hotels and
restaurants are 24/7.
Admission and Costs:
Free entry to
public areas (Marina Village, Avenue District); beach clubs charge
~10–20 JOD unless staying at Hyatt Regency or Cloud7.
Golf: ~50–100
JOD per round, with Cloud7 discounts, per Cloud7 Hotels.
Diving/snorkeling: ~30–50 JOD per dive, ~10–20 JOD for snorkeling, via
Ayla’s dive partners, per Visit Jordan.
Hotels: Hyatt Regency
(~100–200 JOD/night), Cloud7 (~80–150 JOD/night), per Booking.com.,
Visit Duration: 1–2 hours for Marina Village; 4–6 hours for golf, beach
clubs, or diving; multi-day for resort stays or excursions.
Best Time
to Visit: Spring or fall for 20–30°C (68–86°F); summer is hot (up to
50°C/122°F), but water sports are popular. Winter (15–20°C/59–68°F)
suits golf and birdwatching.
Accessibility: Paved walkways and ramps
in Marina Village; beach clubs and golf course have limited wheelchair
access due to sand and terrain. Hyatt Regency and Cloud7 offer
accessible rooms, per Booking.com.,
Tips:
Book hotels/dives
via https://ayla.com.jo or https://hyatt.com.[](https://www.hyatt.com/)
Visit early to avoid summer heat; reserve golf tee times and beach club
spots, per Jordan-Travel.com.
Explore Wadi Rum or Petra via Ayla’s
tour partners, per Visit Jordan.
Check for events (e.g., music
festivals) via https://www.visitjordan.com.