Things to see and do in Aqaba

Aqaba is Jordan’s port city par excellence, and is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea. This wonderful area has been inhabited since 4000 BC to the present day. So when you’re wondering what to see in Aqaba, you’ll be amazed at the number of fascinating monuments, such as an Islamic-era castle and the incredible Aqaba Archaeological Museum. It also has some spectacular beaches where you can enjoy a wide range of sports and coral reefs.

Follow this post and don’t miss out on any of the must-see places in Aqaba. We’ll give you all the tips you need for each of the must-see spots in this beautiful city. You’ll be amazed by the history and the diversity of things to do when you visit. In addition, we will also discuss the best restaurants and the most exquisite accommodation in Aqaba.

What are the best places to see in Aqaba?

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

1. Beaches of Aqaba

Aqaba is a city with many beaches, as you will see when you arrive. However, we recommend you avoid the public beaches as they tend to be poorly maintained. Also, if you’re a woman in a bikini, you may experience culture shock and feel very much under scrutiny. If you opt for the private beaches at any resort, you’ll love the peace and quiet – they’re beautiful beaches!

Specifically, the best beaches you’ll see in Aqaba are located in the Bay of Tala. These are in fact far more touristy.

2. The coral reef in the Japanese Garden

Following on from the many activities on offer in this port city, we recommend a visit to the coral reef in the Japanese Garden. In this impressive area you’ll be able to visit fascinating wonders even if you don’t have a diving licence. From the shore you can see colourful tropical fish, anemones and corals. In addition, inside the Japanese Garden you can also see the remains of a plane and a tank. But don’t worry, it has been placed there on purpose to attract tourists. We recommend snorkelling for an even more enjoyable experience in the Red Sea. The price for snorkelling with the Aqaba International Dive centre is 15 Jordanian dinars and an additional 5 Jordanian dinars for the wetsuit.

If you are interested in the deep sea and have a diving licence, we also recommend: Power station, First Bay, Ras Al Yamanya, King Abdullah Reef, Black Rock, and Rainbow Reef.

3. The Roman archaeological site of Ayla

Excavations have uncovered part of what was once a very important Roman trading city, because Aqaba was built on the site of the ancient historic city of Ayla! This Roman site is very convenient to visit when you go to see Aqaba because it is located right inside the city.

Although these remains are not huge, it’s well worth a visit to this part of the city, especially if you’re a history buff. The Roman site of Ayla is very well prepared for tourists, with explanatory panels in English and admission is completely free.

4. The Shariff Hussein Ali Mosque

As we enter the city of Aqaba, we find the impressive Shariff Hussein Ali Mosque. Its stone stands out like a white light against the red of the mountains that surround this jewel. This mosque is relatively recent, having been built in the 20th century. But the entrance is completely free, so we recommend you give it a try, you’ll love it. It is worth noting that when you visit it you should dress decently and cover your head if you are a woman.

If you go for a stroll at night near the beach, you can see the minaret lit up, it’s a beautiful sight.

5. The castle of Aqaba

Aqaba Castle was originally a Crusader fortress and was later rebuilt by a local sultan around the 16th century. One of the most important battles of Lawrence of Arabia’s Arab revolution was fought in this imposing monument. Later, in 1916, while the fort was occupied by Turkish forces, it was also the site of their defeat at the hands of the Arab Revolutionary movement. So this is another place to see in Aqaba if you like history or if you just enjoy being in places that have been so important. You can also visit the interior, which costs as little as 3 Jordanian dinars.

6. The street art of Al-Hashimi Street

Al-Hashimi Street and its surroundings are noted for having the most modern and cosmopolitan atmosphere you will see in Aqaba. Just outside the entrance to the Mövenpick Hotel, there are some impressive panels displaying works by the Jordanian Fine Artists Association. This is an area of the city that’s a pleasure to walk through, with many buildings decorated on their façades, and it’s like walking among works of art.

What to visit around Aqaba?

1. Desert of Wadi Rum

When you go to see Aqaba, we recommend a visit to the Wadi Rum Desert. It’s only 60 kilometres from Aqaba and only about 50 minutes by car. There are also two daily bus departures from Aqaba with the JTT bus company and the fare is 16 Jordanian dinars. The stunning desert of Wadi Rum is also known as the Valley of the Moon, and is characterised by stunning sandstone mountains such as Ishrin. Wadi Rum also boasts impressive natural arches such as the Burda Stone Bridge, numerous caves, and even canyons, such as Jazali. What are you waiting for? Remember that the entrance fee is 5 Jordanian dinars, but if you have the Jordan Pass it’s completely free.

2. Petra

Petra is located some 98 kilometres from Aqaba, and enjoys very good road connections from the city. It is the ancient capital of the Nabataeans and is undoubtedly the most impressive and most visited place to see in Jordan – in fact it is one of the seven wonders of the world! The city of Petra is over 2000 years old and it is impressive that it is built in the middle of the desert. It is only accessible via the Siq. The walk along the Siq also allows you to visit incredible sites such as the Treasury and the Monastery. Enjoy every minute of the walk!

Petra can be reached from Aqaba by a number of buses and minibuses, usually with stopovers. These buses take about 4 hours to reach the village of Wadi Musa. Once there, it’s a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute taxi ride to the entrance of the site. For this reason, we recommend you to go by car because it takes only two hours and is much faster. Entrance to Petra costs 50 euros and if you go with a guide, the price may vary.

What to see in Aqaba in a day?

If you only have one day to see Aqaba we recommend that you don’t miss:

• Aqaba’s beaches
• Shariff Hussein Ali Mosque
• Japanese Garden
• The Roman site at Ayla
• The street art of Al-Hashimi Street

Where and what to eat in Aqaba?

When you go to see Aqaba, you’ll find that one of the best things about Jordan is its cuisine. In general in all Middle Eastern countries, the first thing you’ll be served is the mezze, which consists of various cold appetizers. Among these we recommend you try chickpea hummus or falafel. In addition, while in Jordan you should also try the Baba Ghanous (aubergine hummus), the Tabbouleh, or the Kibbe. We recommend the following restaurants in Aqaba:

• Khubza & seneya: This is a fabulous restaurant serving authentic Jordanian and Middle Eastern food at very, very competitive prices. The menu is a little small in terms of number of dishes, but the portions are plentiful and all of them are delicious. Customers remark that the service is super friendly. The average price per diner is between €6 and €13.
• Captain’s Restaurant: Captain’s Restaurant offers Mediterranean and Jordanian food, with a special expertise in seafood. It is recommended to try their seafood platter, it is very complete and allows you to try several dishes in one. The average price per diner is from 3 € to 18 €.
• Al-Shami: Al-Shami is a very central restaurant, located in the heart of Al Raghadan Street. Their dishes range from seafood to delicious barbecue skewers. They also have an upstairs terrace where everything tastes even better because of the beautiful views – remember not to miss their delicious natural fruit smoothies! The average price per diner is from 3 € to 18 €.

Where to sleep in Aqaba?

• DoubleTree by Hilton Aqaba: This five-star hotel is ideally located in the heart of the city centre, in Al-Hammamat Al-Tunisyya. The hotel has a spectacular infinity pool overlooking the Gulf of Aqaba. There is also a sauna and a well-equipped fitness centre for all guests. You’ll love the rooms! The price per night for a double room is €116.
• Oryx Hotel Aqaba: This is a very elegant restaurant and is just a 12-minute walk from the Gulf of Aqaba and 2km from the Aqaba Archaeological Museum. The rooms are all very cosily decorated and have all the amenities: balcony, free Wi ? Fi, flat-screen TV, minibar, and coffee maker. The price per night for a double room is €96.
• Nairoukh Hotel – Aqaba: This wonderful four-star hotel is located 400 metres from Al-Ghandour Beach. All rooms have lovely city views and access to a shared lounge and restaurant. The price per night for a double room is €58.

Tips for your trip to Aqaba

• The official currency of Jordan is the Jordanian dinar and the current exchange rate is 1 Jordanian dinar=1.26 euros. We recommend that you use your credit card to pay and withdraw cash from ATMs when you arrive in Jordan.
• The best time to see Aqaba is in spring (between March and May) and autumn (September to November). These are the times of year with the most pleasant temperatures in Jordan and there will be virtually no risk of rain. So you can enjoy the best weather in Aqaba.
• A visa is required to enter Jordan in addition to your passport. This visa is issued on arrival in Jordan and costs 40 Jordanian dinars. It is valid for 30 days with a single entry.
• We recommend that you get your Jordan Pass to get around Aqaba and the country in general.
• You could hire a car in Aqaba to get around the country easily. The Spanish driving license is valid for driving in Jordan. Also, Jordan is a very safe country that you can easily visit on your own.
• Buy travel insurance because health care in Jordan is private and you’ll have a lot more peace of mind.
• Although there are no mandatory vaccinations for travel to Jordan (Yellow Fever for passengers from endemic countries), we recommend that you visit the vaccination centre just in case.

How to organise what to see on your trip to Aqaba?

You can use this post as a reference and combine it with the options suggested by the Passporter website. There you will find a wide variety of ideas and inspiration on what to see and what to do in Jordan. Thanks to Passporter you can sort your selection in order of preference and organise your routes around this beautiful country.

If you have any doubts about how to plan your trip before you leave home, don’t worry, Passporter can help. In our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter, we explain step by step how to create your ideal trip so that you don’t miss anything and get the most out of your stay.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Aqaba