Aqaba

One of the Seven Wonders of the World — the rose-red Nabataean city carved directly from the cliffs of the Jordanian desert. The Treasury facade at the end of the Siq canyon is an image that defines a civilisation.

The Valley of the Moon — a vast protected landscape of towering sandstone mountains, crimson sand dunes, and ancient Nabataean rock inscriptions. Jeep tours weave through canyons that served as the backdrop for Lawrence of Arabia.

A well-preserved 13th-century Mamluk fortress on the waterfront — defended by Saladin and later captured by T.E. Lawrence in the famous Arab Revolt of 1917. Exterior walls and gateway can be explored freely.

A small but well-curated museum in the former Amir Abdullah Palace, housing Nabataean and Islamic artefacts from the ancient city of Ayla — one of the earliest Islamic cities ever excavated.

The historic city centre around the Great Arab Revolt Plaza — home to one of the world's tallest flagpoles (132m), street markets, and the Al-Sharif Hussein bin Ali Mosque on the waterfront.

A family restaurant near the old city serving authentic Jordanian cuisine — mansaf (slow-cooked lamb on rice with fermented jameed sauce), mezze spreads, and fresh-baked taboon bread.

The market streets around the central souk are lined with falafel stands, shawarma shops, and juice bars — the cheapest and most authentic eating experience in Aqaba, with queues of locals at the best spots.

One of Aqaba's most popular seafood restaurants — Red Sea catch of the day prepared simply grilled or in traditional Jordanian spice blends, with mezze starters and views over the Gulf of Aqaba.

A traditional café serving thick, cardamom-spiced Arabic coffee alongside kunafa (hot shredded pastry with cheese and syrup), baklava, and mamoul cookies — the sweet centre of Jordanian hospitality.

Aqaba's premier beach club with a pool, private beach, sun loungers, and a licensed bar — one of the few places in Jordan where a cold beer alongside the Red Sea is genuinely relaxing.

The Red Sea's famous coral reefs begin just metres offshore at Aqaba's south beach — healthy hard and soft coral gardens, tropical fish, and occasionally turtles in crystal-clear warm water.

A modern resort marina development 12km south of Aqaba — calm, clean beach, water sports, and excellent Red Sea snorkelling in a more manicured environment than the public beaches.

A 2-hour narrated glass-bottom boat tour along the Aqaba coastline viewing the famous Red Sea coral reefs, tropical fish, and occasionally sea turtles without getting wet.

A bustling traditional market in the heart of Aqaba city — spice vendors, Jordanian textiles, Dead Sea beauty products, and souvenir shops. Far cheaper than the waterfront hotels and genuinely authentic.

The calm, warm waters of the Gulf of Aqaba are ideal for a range of water sports — jet skiing, parasailing, banana boat rides, and kayaking are all available directly from the waterfront hotels.

Aqaba's most reputable dive centre — the Royal Diving Club sits directly on the Red Sea with house reefs starting just 20 metres offshore. PADI-certified instructors, try-dives for beginners, and guided reef dives for certified divers.

A dedicated Bedouin-guided jeep safari through Wadi Rum's most dramatic landscapes — Lawrence Spring, Khazali Canyon, Um Frouth rock bridge, and sand dunes — followed by a camel ride back to the village.

Aqaba has special economic zone status making it one of the cheapest places in the Middle East to buy electronics, perfumes, and alcohol — a legitimate draw for savvy shoppers away from the tourist souk.

The Siq canyon and Treasury lit by 1,500 candles on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings — a profoundly atmospheric experience as the Nabataean rose-city glows in candlelight with live Bedouin music.

Float effortlessly in the world's saltiest body of water at the lowest point on earth — the Dead Sea's mineral-rich mud, crystalline shores, and extraordinary buoyancy make for one of the world's most memorable swimming experiences.