Aqaba

Travel Guide
Aqaba featuring general coastal views
Set on the Red Sea, this coastal resort town is one of the world’s best snorkeling destinations and an idyllic beach getaway.

Aqaba is home to brilliant blue waters and some of the best snorkeling in the world. Set on the Gulf of Aqaba, which opens up to the Red Sea, the waters are a stunning contrast to the reddish mountains on land. Spend your days snorkeling over the coral reef or engaging in more active watersports. As the sun sets, head to downtown Aqaba to taste spectacular seafood in lively restaurants.

Snorkeling in Aqaba is easy because the reef is located just off shore. Swim over the coral and you’ll quickly see why Aqaba’s reefs are so famous. Spot the thrilling array of fish that thrive in these waters. You may see parrotfish, groupers, damselfish, butterflyfish and moray eels.

While a modern crop of luxury hotels brings travelers to Aqaba for the sparkling beach, the area has been a popular destination for millennia. Aqaba is home to underground springs that have always made the area very attractive. Take the time to visit the historic sites which stand as testaments to its long heritage. Aqaba Fort, for example, acted as a hotel for travelers en route to Mecca in the 16th century.

Go on a hike through the Aqaba Bird Observatory, a man-made wetland that has become a haven to wildlife of all sorts. Many bird species stop here along their migration routes between Africa, Europe and Asia. Tour the Aqaba Archaeological Museum, which houses many seventh-century artifacts and a wealth of historical information. In the afternoon, stroll along the Corniche, a beachfront promenade lined with shops and restaurants, before heading back to the beach for sunset.

To reach Aqaba, fly into the international airport, conveniently close to the beach resorts, or arrive by the Desert Highway. After days spent in Jordanian cities and deserts, you'll find a swim in Aqaba’s turquoise waters very hard to resist.

Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea
Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea
5 out of 5
King Hussein Street, Aqaba, Aqaba Governorate
The price is S$267 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
S$267
per night
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Aqaba. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (512 reviews)
"The beach was perfection-bright , clean sand and sparkling water and the infinity pools were beautiful, all adjacent to the Red Sea and lovely landscape. I loved my room-clean and the bed put me in a comatose state. The staff answered all my questions and were kind and professional. I hope to ..."

Reviewed on 21 Mar,2024

Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea
Al Manara, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Saraya Aqaba
Al Manara, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Saraya Aqaba
5 out of 5
Al-Hashemi Street, Aqaba, Aqaba Governorate
The price is S$271 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
S$271
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Aqaba. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (262 reviews)
"From the beginning since the arrival everything was smooth and nice. Friendly staff, the hotel was awesome and luxurious, Great atmosphere, the food was great ( from the restaurant to the buffet), I must say that chef Ismael and the chef Rami were great hosts. I couldn’t have a better honey moon. ..."

Reviewed on 9 Mar,2024

Al Manara, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Saraya Aqaba
Cloud 7 Residences Ayla Aqaba
Cloud 7 Residences Ayla Aqaba
4 out of 5
Ayla Aqaba, Aqaba, Aqaba Governorate
The price is S$278 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
S$278
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 4-star golf aparthotel in Aqaba. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an attached winery. Popular attractions Ayla Marina Village and Ayla Oasis are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (60 reviews)
"Amazing place!! Highly recommend. You feel like you are in a Greek Island. Staff are extremely friendly and helpful"

Reviewed on 19 Feb,2024

Cloud 7 Residences Ayla Aqaba
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
ENG-Murjan Apartment
ENG-Murjan Apartment
Airport St, Aqaba, Aqaba Governorate
Stay at this business-friendly apartment in Aqaba. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an airport shuttle. Popular attractions Aqaba City Center Shopping Mall ...
ENG-Murjan Apartment
Cloud 7 Residences Ayla Aqaba
Cloud 7 Residences Ayla Aqaba
4 out of 5
Ayla Aqaba, Aqaba, Aqaba Governorate
Stay at this 4-star golf aparthotel in Aqaba. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an attached winery. Popular attractions Ayla Marina Village and Ayla Oasis are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (60 reviews)
"Amazing place!! Highly recommend. You feel like you are in a Greek Island. Staff are extremely friendly and helpful"

Reviewed on 19 Feb,2024

Cloud 7 Residences Ayla Aqaba
DREAM VILLA HOTEL SUITES
DREAM VILLA HOTEL SUITES
4 out of 5
jordan, 3, Aqaba
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Aqaba. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Early Islamic Ayla and Sharif Hussein bin ...
DREAM VILLA HOTEL SUITES
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Aqaba

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
13
" "5 - Excellent 38.23529411764706%
4 - Good
14
" "4 - Good 41.1764705882353%
3 - Okay
6
" "3 - Okay 17.647058823529413%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 2.9411764705882355%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Joe
4 Mar 2020

Aqaba is perfectly located for sun seekers and adventurers alike (Petra and Wadi Rum) and so makes for a perfect week long break.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
29 Dec 2019

Great diving and snorkeling - Rovers Return pub was fab for Christmas Day!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
22 Dec 2019

We visited Petra from Aqaba in December when the crowds were diminished and the temperature was perfect

4/5 - Good

Trevor44
4 Dec 2019

A nice city with lots of shops restaurants and easy to walk around. Excellent tourist office. THE place to book trips. Lots of great cafes where you can sit and people watch or enjoy the local food. Surprisingly little hassle from locals (taxi driver

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
20 Nov 2019

A beautiful location. Clean. I felt very safe and comfortable walking around. Very easy to navigate (we hired a car) around and the local people were lovely.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
9 Nov 2019

I think your view of Aqaba really depends on which hotel you stay at. In all honestly, there's currently little to do in Aqaba itself. As of Nov 2019, the castle and museum are closed for extensive redevelopment. It's still a good base for touring.