Aqaba, Jordan: travel guide
Jordan's only coastal city and Red Sea resort, famous for coral-reef diving and snorkelling, a laid-back seafront, the Mamluk-era fort and duty-free shopping. Also the southern air gateway (AQJ).
- Country
- Jordan
- Currency
- JOD
- Time zone
- Asia/Amman
- Nearest airport
- AQJ
Top places to visit in Aqaba
Aqaba Marine Park
Nature · 4.3 rating · about 3 h
A protected 7km stretch of Red Sea coast south of the city with some of the world's northernmost coral reefs, snorkelling and shore-diving access points.
Berenice Beach Club
Beach · 4.3 rating · about 4 h
A well-equipped day-beach club on the South Beach coast with loungers, pools, watersports and a dive centre — a comfortable base for a Red Sea beach day.
Japanese Garden Dive Site
Nature · 4.4 rating · about 2 h
One of Aqaba's most popular shore-dive and snorkel sites, a shallow-to-deep coral garden rich with reef fish along the South Beach.
Aqaba Fort (Mamluk Castle)
Fort · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · entry JOD 3
A square Mamluk-era fortress rebuilt in the early 16th century, later used by the Ottomans and figuring in the 1917 Arab Revolt capture of Aqaba.
Sharif Hussein bin Ali Mosque
Mosque · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h
Aqaba's elegant white main mosque, floodlit at night, a graceful landmark near the city-centre corniche.
Tala Bay Beach
Beach · 4.6 rating · about 3 h
A resort marina community 15km south of the city with calm swimming beaches, a lagoon and hotel day-passes — the quieter end of Aqaba's coast.
Great Arab Revolt Flagpole
Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 0.3 h
One of the tallest free-standing flagpoles in the world flying the flag of the Great Arab Revolt, a seafront landmark next to the fort with bay views.
Aqaba Bird Observatory
Wildlife · 4.1 rating · about 1.5 h
A small wetland reserve at the head of the gulf on a major migration flyway, with hides for spotting flamingos, raptors and hundreds of migratory species.
Ayla (Early Islamic City)
Heritage · 4.0 rating · about 0.5 h
The excavated remains of Ayla, the first purpose-built Islamic city outside Arabia (7th century), with its walls, gates and central "pavilion" beside the seafront.
Aqaba Corniche & Souk
Market · 4.4 rating · about 1 h
The lively waterfront promenade and adjacent old souk, best in the evening for seafront strolling, fresh-juice stalls, spice shops and duty-free browsing.
Things to do
- Aqaba Scuba Diving (Two Dives) Water Sports · 4 h · from JOD 55 per person
- Aqaba Snorkelling Boat Trip Water Sports · 4 h · from JOD 30 per person
- Aqaba Glass-Bottom Boat & Sunset Cruise Water Sports · 2 h · from JOD 20 per person
Day trips and tours
- Wadi Rum Desert Day Trip from Aqaba 8 h · from JOD 55
Where to stay in Aqaba
- Aqaba City Centre about JOD 60 per night
Central and walkable, close to the seafront, souk, fort and dining, with a mix of budget and resort hotels.
Hotels
- Kempinski Hotel Aqaba 5-star · JOD 120 to JOD 280 per night
- Mövenpick Resort & Residences Aqaba 5-star · JOD 110 to JOD 250 per night
- DoubleTree by Hilton Aqaba 4-star · JOD 60 to JOD 110 per night
- Aqaba Star Hotel 3-star · JOD 30 to JOD 55 per night
- Bedouin Garden Village 2-star · JOD 18 to JOD 45 per night
Where to eat
- Ali Baba Restaurant Seafood, Jordanian · about JOD 18 per person
- Captain's Restaurant Seafood, Mediterranean · about JOD 20 per person
- Floka Restaurant Seafood, Mediterranean, Greek · about JOD 20 per person
- Romero Restaurant Italian, Mediterranean · about JOD 30 per person
- Syrian Palace Restaurant Syrian, Jordanian, Levantine · about JOD 11 per person
- Hani Ali Dessert, Ice Cream · about JOD 4 per person
- Al Shami Restaurant Levantine, Middle Eastern · about JOD 6 per person
Getting around
- Car Rental Self main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Coral and "fresh catch" souvenir touts
Aqaba corniche and boats
Vendors sell coral or shell souvenirs (illegal to take from the protected reef) or overcharge for boat trips booked on the spot.
How to avoid it: Never buy coral; book snorkelling/boat trips through licensed operators or your hotel at a set price.