10 Things to Do in Aqaba, Jordan
Aqaba is where the desert meets the Red Sea, and it is the calm before and after the big ruins of Jordan. I used it as a base to relax between Petra and Wadi Rum, and it turned out to be a highlight on its own. Warm water, brilliant coral, a mellow old town, and that famous cross border view across to four countries. Give it two nights and let the sea do the work.
Snorkel or dive the Red Sea
The coral reefs right off Aqaba are alive with color and the water is warm for most of the year. A boat trip out to the dive sites or a simple snorkel from the beach at Al-Ghandour will put you eye to eye with clownfish, parrotfish, and coral gardens. Even beginners can have a great time, and the visibility is often the clearest you will find anywhere.
Take a glass-bottom boat to see the coral
If you would rather stay dry, the glass bottom boats drift slowly over the reefs and give you the same show through the floor. It is a gentle way to bring kids along, and the captains know exactly where the best coral sits. Combine it with a swim at a quiet spot and it becomes a full morning on the water with little effort.
Walk the old town streets
Aqaba’s old town is small and easy to wander, with the white houses of the historic quarter, the Aqaba Fort built by the Mamluks, and enough cafe life to make you linger. The famous desert flag on the hilltop is a simple walk up for a panorama over the gulf. It is a human, walkable center in a chain of cities that often are not, and the fort is worth a quick look inside.
Climb for the sunset view over the gulf
Pick a rooftop or the hill above the flag and watch the sun sink over the water with Sinai and Saudi Arabia on the far shore. On a clear evening you can see lights across four countries. It is the kind of low effort scene that makes Aqaba stick in your memory longer than expected, and the breeze up top is a relief after a hot day.
Day trip to Wadi Rum
Aqaba is the springboard for Wadi Rum, the vast desert of red sand and towering rock where so many films were shot. You can join a jeep tour or a night in a desert camp and see the sun rise over the dunes. It is a world away from the sea and the easiest epic adventure in Jordan, and the starry sky over camp is unforgettable.
Visit Petra on a day trip
Petra lies a few hours north, and from Aqaba a well organized day tour can get you to the Treasury and back through the Siq. It is a long day but a famous one, and Aqaba’s location makes it feasible. Do the desert overnight and the ancient city on the return, and you have covered the country’s two biggest draws in one weekend.
Eat fresh fish on the corniche
Along the waterfront, the restaurants grill fish that came in from the gulf that morning, served with rice, salad, and warm bread. Order whatever the waiter says is fresh, add some grilled vegetables, and eat with the breeze off the water. It is simple food but excellent, and a great value for the quality.
Try the local coffee and sweets
Jordan runs on strong cardamom coffee and hot sweet tea, and the cafes along the corniche are the place to sit with a view. Finish with a plate of the sticky local pastries and a hookah if you like. Slowing down here at a table is a big part of the experience, so give it time and watch the gulf go by.
Watch the kite surfers at the northern beaches
Just north of town, the flat water and steady breeze make a playground for kite surfing and wind sports. Even if you do not try it, it is fun to watch the colorful kites carve across the turquoise shallows. Some shops offer lessons if you are tempted, and the relaxed beach clubs are perfect for an afternoon of lounging.
Take a day cruise along the coast
A half day sail along the Jordanian coast, with stops to swim and snorkel over the reefs, shows you the gulf at its best. Lunch on board is usually part of the deal, and the captain will find a quiet bay away from the busy spots. It is the most relaxing full day you can spend in Aqaba.
Aqaba is the soft landing Jordan deserves. Do a day of water, a day of desert, and an evening of grilled fish and coffee, and you will leave rested and already planning the return.
