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Major city · Jordan

Aqabaالعقبة

Use Aqaba for Red Sea diving and reef snorkelling, or as an overnight base before or after Wadi Rum: one to two nights covers the fort, the Corniche and a dive or boat trip.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Aqaba is Jordan's only coastal city, on the Red Sea at the meeting point of the borders with Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. It is a working port and dive resort with coral reefs and wreck dives close to shore, so it suits divers and snorkellers more than sightseers. Wadi Rum is about an hour's drive inland.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Best months
Mar–May, Oct–Nov (warm sea, bearable land temperatures)
avoid Jun–Aug (regularly above 38°C (100°F))
Airport
AQJ
Nights
1–2
Rules in force · 4
  • Jordan ↗Get the visa or the Jordan Pass only on official channels; lookalike sites charge extra.
  • Jordan ↗Yellow taxis must use the meter; if the driver refuses, use a ride-hailing app instead.
  • Jordan ↗In Ramadan, eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight is not accepted; hotels and tourist restaurants serve.
  • Jordan ↗Do not pack a drone: import without a prior permit is refused and the drone is held at the border.
What is in this basic guide5 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Aqaba, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 11 answers
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Red Sea coral reefs and wreck divingAqaba Fort (Mamluk-era)Wadi Rum accessDuty-free shopping zoneAyla waterfront marina
Airports
AQJ King Hussein International (About 10 km (6.2 mi) from the city centre; taxi 15–20 min.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    not flagged

  2. Feb

    not flagged

  3. Mar

    Best

  4. Apr

    Best

  5. May

    Best

  6. Jun

    Avoid

  7. Jul

    Avoid

  8. Aug

    Avoid

  9. Sep

    not flagged

  10. Oct

    Best

  11. Nov

    Best

  12. Dec

    not flagged

Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Aqaba: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Taxis and rental cars cover the city easily; ride-hailing coverage is patchy so agree fares in advance. Buses and shared taxis link Aqaba with Amman, Petra and Wadi Rum; check the JETT or minibus schedule.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Corniche and city centre

Restaurants, shops and the fort within walking distance.

South coast

Resort hotels, dive centres and quieter beaches, a short taxi from downtown.

Ayla waterfront

Newer marina district with a man-made lagoon beach and higher-end hotels.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Watch out

  • Summer heat is severe and humid near the water; plan outdoor time for morning or evening.
  • Dress modestly away from the beach resorts, including in the town centre and at the fort.
  • Do not touch or stand on coral, and use reef-safe sunscreen; several sites are protected marine areas.
  • Agree taxi and day-tour prices before you set off, especially for Wadi Rum add-ons sold from hotel lobbies.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Aqaba. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov (warm sea, bearable land temperatures) · avoid Jun–Aug (regularly above 38°C)
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast
  4. 4 things to watch out for

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to Jordan

Sources