Aqaba is a great place, its golden sands, good weather and towering palm trees make it an experimental oasis of Turkish delights. For a first timer like me, it has been a great experience to escape from the rough and tumble of city life and just stroll along its promenades, quiet streets and rich golden beaches.

Aqaba is quite unlike any other tourist resort: it is small and cozy and yet has everything to discover and all within a short walking distance. Its serenity, cafes and restaurants are matched only by the plentiful duty free shops as Aqaba city is part of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, which was created in the year 2000 to offer the best in Jordanian hospitality.

Today, it is part of an amalgamation of economic development of foreign investor attractiveness as well as a tourist destination where it is linked to a "golden triangle" of Wadi Rum, and further up to Petra, which makes it ideal for different tourists, the corporate executive as well as the ordinary person looking for an easy pace, exotic sorroundings, for the sea as well as the sense of history, for someone who doesn't want the traffic lights, yet who wants a good time this is the place to be. 

The rocky mountains of Wadi Rum stand majestically over an ancient city that has been revamped to cater for local, regional and international tourists who want to live a new experience and discover a new civilization and culture on the tip of Jordan's southern frontiers. Walking, trekking and climbing is an absolute dream for anyone who want an adventure and the quiet life. In today's health-conscious society, this is what people should be looking at.

Aqaba and its hotels make it ideal for family vists as well as for executives who want to get away from their meetings, conferences and venues. Aqaba is ideal for MICE tourism, which is likely to develop more strongly in the coming few years through the touristic projects that are being developed and constructed. The experience is yet to be discovered.





Bordered by the Red Sea at one end and the Arabian mainland on the other, the beautiful city of Aqaba offers plenty of exotic sights. However, some of the most admired Aqaba Sights are its historic buildings. Aqaba is also referred to as the Gulf of Jordan or the Aqaba Gulf. This is Jordan’s most heavily toured city. Being Jordan’s commercial capital and home to many sacred buildings, Aqaba offers plenty of sights worth visiting. Aqaba Sights that should a part of every Aqaba travel plan, include:

Aqaba Fort

This fort is also called the Aqaba Castle or the Mamluk Castle. This fort offers a glimpse into Jordan’s history. Various sections of the fort include remnants of different rulers that ruled over this city. The oldest part of the fort is believed to have been built by the Crusaders, i.e. during the first of the Holy Wars. Other parts of the fort date back to the turbulent times of the 13th century when Jordan was a war-ravaged country. Some parts of the fort bear resemblance to the typical, Mamluk style of architecture that dates to the 16th century period. This castle consists of many Arabic inscriptions that are still being decoded. Some researchers believe that these inscriptions carry clues to many treasures that were hidden during the Holy Wars. Perhaps, the fort’s most popular section is the Hashemite Coat of Arms, which exhibits a wide range of armor and weapons used over the centuries.

• Location: King Hussein Street, along the southern end of the Town Center.

Turkish Baths

There are many steam baths with a historic significance throughout the Arabian mainland. However, none of them are more sought after than the Turkish baths. These baths are supposed to exude the most original form of Persian styling. Turkish baths are still open to the public but mostly, women are welcomed. Visitors can look forward to bathing in gigantic, hollowed stone creations. This is followed by a dedicated scrubbing regimen. Often referred to as ‘Hammams,’ the Turkish baths are very popular and it can take up to a week to get a reservation here.

• Location: along the backside of the Aqaba Fort, on King Hussein Street.

Humayma

This site is regarded as the most credible source of Roman and Nabataean settlements in Jordan. Humayma served as the controlling point for King Aretas-III. Most natives believe that the trading patterns that began in Humayma laid the foundation for Aqaba’s evolution into an important, commercial city. Some artifacts here indicate towards the presence of Trojans. In fact, some of the nearby, smaller forts are believed to have been built by the Trojans. Humayma was an integral part of the Byzantine Empire. Numerous excavations are still being carried out to understand the regional importance of Humayma. Visitors are advised to take the help of a local tour guide when visiting Humayma.

• Location: along the northern outskirts of Aqaba, about 80 km from Petra.