Aqaba, Jordan: travel guide
Jordan's Red Sea port with coral diving and a laid-back seafront
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).
About Aqaba
Aqaba is Jordan's only coastal city, set on the northern tip of the Red Sea with views across the gulf to Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The pace is slower than in Amman, and the warm sea and mountains behind give it a holiday feel.
Diving and snorkelling are the main draws, with coral reefs and wrecks close to shore, and boat trips head out along the coast. In town you can see the Mamluk-era fort, stroll the seafront and eat grilled fish at a restaurant by the water. Aqaba is also the usual base for reaching Wadi Rum, about an hour inland.
It suits divers and travellers who want a few beach days at the end of a Jordan trip. Winter is pleasant and summer is hot, so October to April is the best time to visit Aqaba.
- Country
- Jordan
- Currency
- JOD
- Time zone
- Asia/Amman
- Nearest airport
- AQJ
- Typical trip
- 1-2 days
Last updated
Top places to visit in Aqaba
Aqaba Marine Park
marine reserve · 4.3 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
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 club · 4.3 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
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
dive site · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
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)
castle · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
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 · check the fee at the gate
Aqaba's elegant white main mosque, floodlit at night, a graceful landmark near the city-centre corniche.
Tala Bay Beach
resort beach · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
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
monument · 4.6 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
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
bird reserve · 4.1 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
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)
archaeological site · 4.0 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
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
promenade/bazaar · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
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 to Aqaba
Airport: Aqaba (AQJ)
How visitors arrive in Aqaba
- Bus or car from Amman via Desert Highway By road from Amman · common
The Desert Highway ends in Aqaba; established bus companies such as JETT run from Amman. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Fly to King Hussein Airport By air from Amman · common
Royal Jordanian flies from Amman to King Hussein International Airport north of the city. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Land border from Eilat By road from Eilat · possible
Travellers from Israel cross at the Yitzhak Rabin Terminal. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Ferry from Egypt By ferry from Nuweiba (Egypt) · possible
Ferries link Aqaba with Nuweiba, Taba and Sharm el-Sheikh; schedules change often. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Airport taxi
King Hussein Airport (AQJ) is a short drive north of town and has no public transport. Airport taxis post fixed prices on a sign. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- An Israeli-run 'Aqaba airport shuttle' is reported by reviews to be a scam; use the airport taxis. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the port to the centre
- Ferries from Egypt unconfirmed
AB Maritime ferries link Aqaba with Nuweiba, with other routes to Taba and Sharm el-Sheikh. Check the operator timetable. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the bus terminal to the centre
- JETT and other buses from Amman
Buses from Amman run down the Desert Highway to Aqaba; JETT is a well-known operator. The central bus station is on King Talal Street. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Car Rental Self
Larger hotels and dive operators in Aqaba can arrange hire cars and transfers, useful for day trips to Wadi Rum and Petra.
- Taxi
Taxis are easy to find in Aqaba, and a taxi can also be hired for the day for trips such as Wadi Rum, agreeing the destinations in advance.
- Walking
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.
Best time to visit Aqaba
- Jan 21°C
- Feb 23°C
- Mar 26°C
- Apr 32°C
- May 37°C
- Jun 40°C
- Jul 41°C
- Aug 41°C
- Sep 39°C
- Oct 34°C
- Nov 28°C
- Dec 22°C
More in Jordan
Frequently asked questions about Aqaba
- How many days do you need in Aqaba?
- A typical trip to Aqaba is 1-2 days.
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Aqaba?
- The highest-rated places in our Aqaba guide are Sharif Hussein bin Ali Mosque, Tala Bay Beach, Great Arab Revolt Flagpole, Japanese Garden Dive Site, Aqaba Fort (Mamluk Castle).
- Where should I stay in Aqaba?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Aqaba: Aqaba City Centre.
- How do I get around Aqaba?
- Ways to get around Aqaba covered in our guide: Self-drive car, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Aqaba?
- Scams reported to us for Aqaba include Coral and "fresh catch" souvenir touts. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Aqaba?
- Average daytime highs in Aqaba run from 21°C in Jan to 41°C in Jul.
- Which airport is nearest to Aqaba?
- The nearest airport to Aqaba has the code AQJ.