About Aqaba
Jordan's Red Sea resort city — world-class coral reef diving, luxury beach resorts, duty-free shopping, and the gateway to Wadi Rum and Petra from the south.
Aqaba is Jordan's only coastal city, sitting at the northern tip of the Red Sea's Gulf of Aqaba. The coral reefs here are among the world's most accessible — step off the beach into a living aquarium of colourful fish, hard and soft corals, and even a sunken tank and ship. The Aqaba Special Economic Zone means tax-free shopping and lower prices than the rest of Jordan. Year-round sunshine (330 days) and warm water make it a winter sun destination. For Gulf visitors, Aqaba offers a Red Sea alternative to Egypt's Sharm El Sheikh, with the bonus of Petra (2 hours) and Wadi Rum (1 hour) nearby.
Highlights
🤿
Red Sea Diving
World-class coral reefs, shipwrecks, and a sunken tank — all from shore.
🏖️
Beach Resorts
Al Manara, Kempinski, Hyatt — luxury on the Red Sea.
🛍️
Duty-Free Shopping
Tax-free zone — electronics, perfumes, and gold.
🏜️
Gateway South
Wadi Rum 1 hour, Petra 2 hours — explore Jordan from Aqaba.
Best For
Key Facts
- Timezone
- Asia/Amman
- Currency
- JOD
- Airport
AQJ
📅 Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best months to visit: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
✈️ Travel Information — Aqaba
Everything you need to know before you go
Visa Requirements
1
Climate: Hot desert — year-round sunshine, warm winters
Monthly Temperatures
Safe
💰
JOD
Currency
🏷️
JOD
Symbol
⚡
230
Voltage
〰️
50
Frequency
🏛️ Top Attractions in Aqaba
3 attractions
Adventure
Aqaba Coral Reefs & Diving
Aqaba's coral reefs are among the most accessible in the world — many sites are …
Historical
👨👩👧👦
Aqaba Castle (Mamluk Fort)
A 14th-century Mamluk fortress on the waterfront, captured by Arab forces during…
Experience
👨👩👧👦
Glass-Bottom Boat Tours
Glass-bottom boat tours depart from the public beach — see coral reefs and fish …
🏨 Where to Stay in Aqaba
2 accommodations
Resort
$$$$
Al Manara, A Luxury Collection Hotel
★
★
★
★
★
Saraya Aqaba
Jordan's most luxurious resort — private beach, infinity pool, Ayla go…
Hotel
$$
Kempinski Hotel Aqaba
★
★
★
★
★
North Beach
Private beach, lagoon pool, and a Dead Sea spa (mud and mineral treatm…
🍽️ Where to Eat in Aqaba
2 dining spots
Restaurant
$$
Ali Baba Restaurant
Jordanian · Waterfront
Halal
Aqaba's most popular restaurant since 1983 — fresh Red Sea fish (hammour, snappe…
Restaurant
$$$
Royal Yacht Club
International · Waterfront
Upscale dining at Aqaba's marina — international cuisine, seafood platters, and …
🛍️ Shopping in Aqaba
1 shopping destination
🏬 Mall
Aqaba Duty Free Zone
Electronics
Luxury
Daily 10 AM-10 PM
Aqaba Special Economic Zone means zero sales tax — electronics, perfumes, gold, clothing, …
🚌 Getting Around Aqaba
✈️ Airports
✈️
King Hussein International Airport
AQJ
📍 10 from city center
🚐 Airport Transfers
🚇 Public Transport
🚕 Taxi & Rideshare
📱 Careem
Base: JOD 0.50 · JOD 0.35/km
💡 Getting Around Tips
right
Town centre walkable. Beaches spread along coast — taxi for south beach dive sites.
📦 Book Aqaba with Lavisa
Everything you need for your trip — all in one place
ℹ️ Practical Information — Aqaba
10% at restaurants. JOD 2-3 for dive guides.: Beach resort city — relaxed. Modest in town centre.
📅 When to Visit Aqaba
Peak Season
Shoulder Season
Off-Peak
🏆 Best Months:
🥇 Sep
🥈 May
🥉 Apr
Jan
🔴 Peak Season
🌡️ 25° / 14°
🌧️ 2d
$$$$$
🎆 New Year
Feb
🔴 Peak Season
🌡️ 25° / 14°
🌧️ 2d
$$$$$
🛍️ Dubai Shopping Festival
Mar
🔴 Peak Season
🌡️ 30° / 20°
🌧️ 5d
$$$$$
🌙 Ramadan (approx.)
Apr
⭐
🟡 Shoulder Season
🌡️ 30° / 20°
🌧️ 5d
$$$
🎉 Eid al-Fitr (approx.)
📚 Spring Break
May
⭐
🟢 Off-Peak
🌡️ 30° / 20°
🌧️ 5d
$
Jun
🟢 Off-Peak
🌡️ 45° / 32°
🌧️ 0d
$
🐑 Eid al-Adha (approx.)
☀️ Summer Holiday Starts
Jul
🟢 Off-Peak
🌡️ 45° / 32°
🌧️ 0d
$
🎪 Dubai Summer Surprises
Aug
🟢 Off-Peak
🌡️ 45° / 32°
🌧️ 0d
$
Sep
⭐
🟢 Off-Peak
🌡️ 30° / 20°
🌧️ 5d
$
📚 School Year Starts
Oct
🟡 Shoulder Season
🌡️ 30° / 20°
🌧️ 5d
$$$
Nov
🔴 Peak Season
🌡️ 30° / 20°
🌧️ 5d
$$$$$
🇦🇪 UAE National Day (Dec 2)
Dec
🔴 Peak Season
🌡️ 25° / 14°
🌧️ 2d
$$$$$
🎄 Christmas & NYE
❄️ Winter Break
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