Aqaba is Jordan's only city on the Red Sea and covers the whole of the country's 27 kilometre coastline. Because the gulf is narrow, the shores of Egypt, Israel and Saudi Arabia all appear within the same view. The city has free zone status, which makes shopping cheaper than in the rest of Jordan. Sea temperatures do not fall below 21C even in winter, so the diving season runs all year, with the Cedar Pride wreck and a line of reef sites along the coast. The desert of Wadi Rum is about an hour away and Petra about two.
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See flights to Aqaba →When to visit Aqaba
March to May and October to November are the most balanced windows, with days between 25C and 30C. July and August pass 40C in the shade, so the middle of the day is not spent outdoors. Winters are mild and the sea stays warm enough to swim all year.
Things to do in Aqaba
Aqaba Fort
Rebuilt at the start of the sixteenth century in the Mamluk period, the fort guarded caravans on the pilgrimage road. The Arabic inscription over its gate and the towers around its courtyard survive, and the city's archaeological museum stands beside it.
Ancient Ayla
The ruins in the middle of the seafront belong to one of the earliest planned Islamic cities, founded in the seventh century. Its walls, gates and street lines lie exposed, and the site can be walked for free among the hotels.
Wadi Rum
The sandstone desert about 60 kilometres east of Aqaba was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2011. Jeep tours run between the rock massifs rising out of the red sand, and it is possible to stay overnight in Bedouin camps.
Cedar Pride wreck
The cargo ship deliberately sunk in 1985 to form a reef lies about 130 metres offshore at a depth of 25 metres. Its hull is covered in coral and it is one of the best known dive sites in the Red Sea.
Aqaba Archaeological Museum
The museum next to the fort displays coins, ceramics and inscriptions from the Ayla excavations. The building is the house where Sharif Hussein bin Ali once stayed, so the structure itself is part of the display.
Tala Bay
The bay about 15 kilometres south of the centre is laid out as a hotel and marina area. Reef sites entered on foot from the shore begin here, and the Egyptian coast is visible across the water.
Flights from Turkey to Aqaba
A direct flight from Istanbul to Aqaba takes about 2 hours 50 minutes, but this route is seasonal and runs in spring and early summer. In the months without service the usual route is to fly to Amman and drive four hours down to Aqaba, since the Amman route operates year round.
Aqaba FAQ
How many days do you need in Aqaba?
Three days cover the shore, the fort and diving. Adding a night in Wadi Rum and a day trip to Petra makes five days a balanced programme.
How far is the airport from the city centre?
King Hussein International Airport is about 11 kilometres from the centre. The taxi ride takes around 15 minutes.
How do you get from Aqaba to Petra?
Petra is about 125 kilometres from Aqaba, roughly two hours by the Desert Highway. Day tours and a hire car are the most common options.
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