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.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov (warm sea, bearable land temperatures)
- avoid Jun–Aug (regularly above 38°C)
- 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.
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.
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.
- Airports
- AQJ King Hussein International (About 10 km from the city centre; taxi 15–20 min.)
Weather and climate
Aqaba: next 7 days
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Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
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.
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.
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 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
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov (warm sea, bearable land temperatures) · avoid Jun–Aug (regularly above 38°C)
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast
- 4 things to watch out for
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialVisit Jordan
- officialAqaba Special Economic Zone Authority
- secondaryWikivoyage — Aqaba