Sightseeing in Aqaba - what to see. Complete travel guide

The gorgeous city of Aqaba is situated not far from Egypt and Israel. This is the only port city in Jordan. However, tourists know this city as a popular resort destination. The city’s name, Aqaba, is very old. It dates back to the time when pilgrims had to pass a mountain region in order to get to Mecca. The shortest and easiest road to reach the city of destination had the name al-ʿaqabat Aylah or "the mountain-pass of Ayla". Moreover, this settlement is located on the coast of the Red Sea in Aqaba Bay.
Fortunately, Aqaba’s historic district is in a good condition. The majority of important landmarks are located in this part of the city. This is where tourists can visit Aqaba Castle … Open
In modern times, tourists with different budgets visit this resort with rich history because Aqaba is suitable even for low-cost traveling. Do you want to enjoy quality beach recreation and various water activities? In this case you will like your stay in Aqaba as this resort offers many unforgettable moments for fans of exciting seaside activities. Not only ordinary tourists but also pilgrims from all over the world visit Aqaba to bow to the sacred place.
First people appeared in the territory of modern Aqaba 5500 years ago. This is the time when Islamic religion was actively spreading in the region. Groups of pilgrims frequently appeared on the site of modern Aqaba because they headed to the mountain pass mentioned above. Later, it was decided to build a new city in the area. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
Aqaba is one of the leaders in Jordan when it comes to entertainment. Many tourists visit this city to enjoy premium beach recreation and diving. The Red Sea is famous for its fantastic … Open
In the 19th century, namely, in the 30s – 40s, Egyptians built a road that crossed Sinai Peninsula and reached the territory of Aqaba. 1841 marked the strengthening of Egyptian government’s positions in Aqaba. The ruling nation changed – Bedouins replaced the previous owners of the territory, Turks. Only after the creation of Israel this area became an independent seaport.
Aqaba Bay is an incredibly attractive place. Storms are very rare here, so there are no big waves even when the weather is windy. There is explanation to this peculiarity – the bay is long and narrow. The wind blows almost always in the same direction here, so even trees all bend in the same direction. When looking at them, it feels like an unknown force bends giant trees down to earth.
Do not miss an opportunity to explore picturesque oriental bazaars in Aqaba and then visit private shops and ateliers that are open in this city. Attractive clothes in the national style are … Open
Almost all beaches are open in hotel territories. Still, there are public coastal areas, and this is where residents of Aqaba prefer to relax. When choosing a beach, don’t forget that the northern part is famous for its warm sand, and the southern side has beautiful coral reefs that add a special charm to the area. If you choose the second option, be careful because it is easy to see marine creatures among the stony formations.
Are you interested in the underwater world of the Red Sea? In this case, you should definitely visit the protected area located close to one of the local hotels – CoralBay 3*. This is a charming place where visitors can see beautiful fish, sea urchins, and gorgeous corals. Some underwater creatures, such as crabs, come to the beach from time to time. It is very interesting to watch them.
Fortunately, Aqaba’s historic district is in a good condition. The majority of important landmarks are located in this part of the city. This is where tourists can visit Aqaba Castle … Open
Everyone wishing to get acquainted with the stunning underwater world of the region and see it from the inside should definitely visit local diving centers in Aqaba. There are six centers of this type at the resort. All of them offer to teach on the subject. Perhaps, the Royal Diving Center is the most popular of them all. This diving center is located approximately 15 kilometers from the central part of the city. It even has a private beach with an interesting diving site.
Another center, Sea Star Dive Center, will teach you not only to swim underwater but can also take you to try scuba diving at night. You may wonder, is there anything particular about swimming at night because it is dark? Actually, the visibility is fine as local coastal waters are so transparent that moonshine is enough to see the underwater world in detail. There are special programs for beginners that will let them learn more about the sea creatures and flora of the Red Sea.
Aqaba is one of the leaders in Jordan when it comes to entertainment. Many tourists visit this city to enjoy premium beach recreation and diving. The Red Sea is famous for its fantastic … Open
Besides relaxing at the beach and enjoying hot Jordanian sun or scuba diving, guests of the city can explore an interesting local attraction. Not far from the waterfront, close to the central part of the city, there is an old fortress. Explore the old building and see the history of the region with your own eyes. Visitors can see archeologist findings that unleash interesting details about the past of Aqaba.
It is possible to enter the marvelous beach world of Aqaba in a comfortable bus that departs from Amman. A four-hour-long journey will show you the beautiful local nature and gorgeous views. There are also buses from Irbid and Nuweiba, but the ride will last more than five hours in this case. Taxis and minibuses are the most comfortable way to move around in Aqaba. Of course, tourists can rent a car and make an independent journey from Amman to Aqaba. Keep in mind that there is only one highway that connects these cities, and the recommended speed shouldn’t exceed 110 km/h.
Aqaba - guide chapters 1 2 3 4

Sightseeing in Jordan: things to see

This part of the Jordan capital is a true paradise for scientists and historians as simply every centimetre of the holy land has great historic value. Artefacts found in the downtown are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum. Opened more than 60 years ago, the museum constantly gets new items that were found during excavations. The most famous cultural museums of the city are the Folklore Museum, the Museum of Coins, Jordan Museum of National Traditions and the Museum of Royal Cars. King Abdullah Mosque is an important religious sight. Even though this is a relatively young building, it is named in the list of most important shrines. … Open
Reference information
Map of all parks
National and city parks around Aqaba
♥   World Heritage Site 'Wadi Rum Protected Area' , 37.8 km from the center. On the map   Photo

Sights around Aqaba from our guide 'Extreme places on Earth'

Wadi Rum Desert

From the series “Top 11 Most Unusual Deserts on the Planet”
Fans of unusual entertainment go exploring the desert on camels. Tourists always have an opportunity to meet a sunset and stay in the desert among the desert landscapes for the night. The most famous sights of the desert are the Burdah Rock bridge, which makes all travelers want to walk on, and Khazad Canyon. The last is the incredibly picturesque mountain gorge that is 5 km long. This is where a large part of the cave paintings were found. … Read further

The Red Sea Star

From the series “The Most Extraordinary Bars and Café on the Planet”
An unusual bar is one of the most romantic places in the world. If you decide to visit this place, you have to book it beforehand. Usually, all the tables are booked for the whole month. There you can not only drink various beverages but also try a lot of dishes with sea ingredients. From every table you can look at the sea. The architectures thought about it during the planning. The most outstanding view is at the sunset. At this time all sea livers get active, that’s why the bar works until the noon. … Read further

Sightseeing in regions nearby Aqaba

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