Aqaba: Jordan's Red Sea City Guide

Aqaba sits at Jordan’s southern tip where four countries — Jordan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt — meet at the northern end of the Red Sea. It is Jordan’s only coastal city and its primary port, which means it carries the practical weight of a commercial hub alongside a genuine beach resort atmosphere. The waterfront promenade, the coral reefs directly below the surface, and the relatively relaxed pace compared to Amman make it a place travellers often extend their stay beyond the one night they planned.

Getting to Aqaba

Aqaba is 330 km south of Amman — approximately 3.5 hours by car via the Desert Highway. The road is dual-carriageway for most of the route and straightforward to drive.

JETT Bus runs daily services from Amman’s Abdali Bus Station to Aqaba for approximately JOD 7 per person. Journey time is around four hours. Seats can be booked in advance online or at the station — recommended in summer and on public holidays.

The King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba receives Royal Jordanian flights from Amman in around 50 minutes. Fares vary significantly by season; the drive is cheaper for most travellers unless time is tight.

From Petra (Wadi Musa), Aqaba is approximately 120 km south — around 2 hours by car. No direct public bus runs between the two; most travellers hire a taxi or rent a car for this leg.

Where to Stay in Aqaba

Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea is the city’s most prominent five-star property, located directly on the waterfront south of the city centre. Rooms start from approximately JOD 150 per night as of 2026. The hotel has a private beach, multiple pools, and a full-service dive centre. Service is consistent and the location makes beach access effortless.

Mövenpick Resort & Spa Aqaba offers a comparable standard at slightly lower rates — rooms from approximately JOD 100 per night as of 2026. It sits on a beach plot north of the city centre with a lagoon pool and its own reef access. The buffet breakfast is substantial.

Al Shula Hotel is the sensible budget option in the city centre, a short walk from the souq and main restaurants. Rooms are clean and functional at approximately JOD 25–35 per night as of 2026. There is no private beach, but the public beach at the southern end of the corniche is walkable.

What to Do in Aqaba

Diving and Snorkelling

Aqaba Marine Park extends along the southern coast and protects one of the northernmost coral reef systems in the world. Water visibility runs 20–30 metres year-round. The reef begins close to shore — in some spots you can wade in and snorkel directly from the beach without a boat.

There are seven main dive sites accessible from Aqaba, including the Cedar Pride — a deliberately sunk cargo ship now covered in coral and populated with moray eels, batfish, and lionfish. Night dives here are well-regarded.

Royal Diving Club is one of the most established operators on the Jordanian coast. PADI-certified, with dives starting from approximately JOD 30 per person as of 2026.

Dive Aqaba runs fun dives for approximately JOD 25–35 including full equipment rental. They cater to both beginners and experienced divers and can arrange multi-day packages.

Aqaba Fort

The fort at the city entrance dates to the Mamluk period (early 16th century), built on the ruins of an earlier Crusader castle. It was here that T.E. Lawrence and Arab forces captured Aqaba from Ottoman forces in 1917 — a carved plaque marks the event inside. Entry is free. Opening hours are approximately 08:00–18:00 daily, though these can vary — check locally before visiting.

Aqaba Museum of Aqaba City

Housed in a former royal palace, the museum traces the city’s history from Nabataean trade routes through Islamic settlement to modern Jordan. Entry is approximately JOD 1 as of 2026. Open 08:00–17:00; closed Tuesdays.

Berenice Beach Club

The main private beach option in Aqaba for a day visit without a hotel stay. Entry is approximately JOD 15 per person as of 2026 and includes use of sunbeds and the pool. Food and drinks are available on-site. The reef here is accessible directly from the shore for snorkelling.

Where to Eat in Aqaba

Ali Baba Restaurant is a longstanding fixture near the city centre, well-known for fresh seafood. A meal of grilled fish or prawns with mezze typically runs JOD 8–18 per person. The seating is simple but the fish is genuinely fresh — sourced locally from Red Sea catches.

Red Sea Restaurant on the corniche serves a similar menu at slightly lower prices — JOD 6–14 per person — with outdoor tables facing the water. Good for a casual lunch.

For quick meals, the souq area has several falafel and shawarma stands where you can eat for under JOD 2. The local flatbread with za’atar and olive oil from the market bakeries is worth seeking out in the morning.

Practical Notes

Aqaba is notably less conservative in dress code than Amman or other Jordanian cities. Swimwear is appropriate at the beach and hotel pools. On the main streets and in the souq, standard modest clothing is expected.

The city gets significantly hotter than Amman in summer — daytime temperatures above 40°C are common between June and August. The sea itself remains comfortable, but non-water activities are best planned for early morning or after sunset.

The Wadi Araba border crossing into Israel (Eilat) is approximately 10 km from central Aqaba by taxi. Ferries to Nuweiba, Egypt depart from the Aqaba Ferry Terminal south of the city — confirm schedules directly with the operator as they change seasonally.