Jordan
Aqaba is Jordan's window on the Red Sea, a small port city where warm, clear water laps against desert mountains and coral reefs begin a short swim from the beach.
An hour inland lies Wadi Rum, the red-sandstone valley of rock bridges, silent dunes and Bedouin camps that made Lawrence of Arabia famous. This guide pairs the two: a snorkelling trip or the Cedar Pride wreck dive, a glass-bottom boat for the whole family, South Beach and the Aqaba Marine Park, and the fort and museum that tell the story of Mamluk Ayla and the Great Arab Revolt, then a full-day jeep tour, an overnight desert camp under the stars, a camel trek and a sunrise balloon flight. Petra is a long day away, so we cover that as logistics, with its own guide elsewhere on this site. Then it matches you to the right hotel, from a five-star seafront stay to a family beach resort and a budget base in the old centre. Travel advisories for the region change, so check your government's current guidance before you book.
Red Sea Snorkelling Trip
Aqaba sits on one of the warmest, clearest stretches of the Red Sea, and the reefs along the south coast are close enough for a half-day boat outing. Mask, fins and a guide are all you need to see coral gardens and shoals of reef fish.
Wadi Rum Full-Day Jeep Tour
Wadi Rum's red sandstone towers, rock bridges and silent dunes are best seen from the back of a 4x4 with a Bedouin guide. A full-day tour with a picnic lunch is the classic way to see the desert from Aqaba.
Cedar Pride Wreck and Reef Dive
Aqaba's most famous dive pairs a sunken cargo ship, the Cedar Pride, with the coral gardens of the south coast. A private guided outing with pickup takes beginners and certified divers alike into the Red Sea.
Aqaba Glass-Bottom Boat
See the Red Sea reef without getting wet. A two-hour glass-bottom boat cruise from Aqaba glides over coral and fish, and is the easiest way to bring non-swimmers, small children and grandparents along.
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Aqaba sits on one of the warmest, clearest stretches of the Red Sea, and the reefs along the south coast are close enough for a half-day boat outing. Mask, fins and a guide are all you need to see coral gardens and shoals of reef fish.
Aqaba's most famous dive pairs a sunken cargo ship, the Cedar Pride, with the coral gardens of the south coast. A private guided outing with pickup takes beginners and certified divers alike into the Red Sea.
See the Red Sea reef without getting wet. A two-hour glass-bottom boat cruise from Aqaba glides over coral and fish, and is the easiest way to bring non-swimmers, small children and grandparents along.
A Mamluk and Ottoman fort beside the sea, and next door the house of Sharif Hussein bin Ali, now a museum of Aqaba's archaeology and the Great Arab Revolt. A compact, rewarding stop in the middle of town.
South of town, the coast turns into Aqaba's reef zone: beach clubs, public shore access and a protected marine area where the corals begin a few steps from the sand. Free to explore, with day-use clubs when you want sunbeds and showers.
Wadi Rum's red sandstone towers, rock bridges and silent dunes are best seen from the back of a 4x4 with a Bedouin guide. A full-day tour with a picnic lunch is the classic way to see the desert from Aqaba.
Sleep in the desert: a jeep safari, sunset, a Bedouin dinner and a night under more stars than you thought existed. Traditional camps and newer clear-dome bubble tents both offer the experience, and this tour covers the classic camp format.
Cross the sand the way caravans always did. A private camel convoy with a guide takes you past dunes and canyons at walking pace, and the quiet is the point.
Float over red canyons and dunes at sunrise. Wadi Rum's balloon flight starts early, drifts silently above the desert and ends with coffee, tea and snacks.
Petra is a long day from Aqaba, but it works: roughly two hours each way, a full guided day among the rock-cut tombs, and back for dinner by the sea. Petra has its own guide on this site, so this is the logistics.
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
City centre seafront
Aqaba's classic luxury address in the city centre, with panoramic Red Sea views, a spa, club rooms and suites, and a ten-minute drive from the airport. The splurge pick for a seafront base.
Check rates →Ayla Marina Village
A modern resort in the Ayla Marina Village development, with 285 rooms including suites and Regency Club floors, an Aqua Spa and a marina village for dining. For those who want a new-build resort feel.
Check rates →Central Aqaba, King Hussein Street
A long-established resort on King Hussein Street with its own private beach, four swimming pools, a children's club and family suites. The easy choice for families and groups.
Check rates →Central Aqaba
A comfortable mid-range city hotel with an outdoor pool, spa, fitness centre and free parking. A practical base for travellers who want reliable standards without resort prices.
Check rates →City centre, near the beach
A friendly budget hotel in the city centre near the beach and the souk, with 65 rooms, an outdoor pool and three restaurants. Walkable to Ayla, the mosque and Aqaba Fort.
Check rates →How to plan Aqaba and Wadi Rum: what to book ahead, how to get around, how many days you need and where Petra fits.
Compare Aqaba's city centre, the Mövenpick beach stretch and Ayla Marina Village, with hotel picks from budget to five-star.
