Best things to do in Aqaba

Al-Aqaba's Unmissable Treasures

Al-Aqaba serves as Jordan's gateway to both the Red Sea and the desert landscapes of Wadi Rum. This collection features the 16th-century Aqaba Castle and the early Islamic ruins of Ayla. The UNESCO-listed Wadi Rum Protected Area offers sandstone formations, the historical Lawrence House, and the petroglyphs of the Siq Trail. Along the coast, the Japanese Gardens and South Beach provide access to the Aqaba Marine Park’s coral reefs, home to hawksbill turtles and diverse marine life.

Al-Aqaba's Unmissable Treasures — Map

Luigi Rubagotti / CC-BY-SA

A

Wadi Rum Protected Area

Wadi Rum, known also as the Valley of the Moon, is a valley cut into the sandstone and granite rock in southern Jordan 60 km to the east of…

B

Aqaba Castle

The Aqaba Castle or Aqaba Fort, also known as the Mamluk Castle of Aqaba, Jordan, is a Mamluk and Ottoman fortified caravanserai on the…

anagh / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum, known also as the Valley of the Moon, is a valley cut into the sandstone and granite rock in southern Jordan 60 km to the east of…

D

Japanese Gardens Coral Reefs

Shallow dive and snorkel site within the Aqaba Marine Park, featuring hawksbill turtles, schools of barracuda, and extensive coral formations.

E

Ayla

Aqaba is the only coastal city in Jordan and the largest and most populous city on the Gulf of Aqaba.

F

Aqaba South Beach

A sandy coastline within the Aqaba Marine Park, offering direct access to coral reefs for snorkeling and diving from the shore.

David Bjorgen / CC-BY-SA-3.0

G

Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum, known also as the Valley of the Moon, is a valley cut into the sandstone and granite rock in southern Jordan, near the border…

H

Lawrence House

Ruins of a Nabataean structure in Wadi Rum where T.E. Lawrence reportedly stayed and stored supplies during the Great Arab Revolt.

DerPetzi / CC BY-SA 3.0

I

Siq Trail

A narrow sandstone canyon in Wadi Rum featuring ancient Nabataean petroglyphs and rock carvings along its walls.

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Jordan's Desert Vistas Top Diving Spots Ancient Ruins and Heritage Sites Regional Culinary Delights