Itineraries — Aqaba and Red Sea

Aqaba and the Jordanian Red Sea constitute a welcome beach and sport parenthesis in a Jordan trip that is mainly cultural and desert. Sole maritime access of the Hashemite Kingdom — 27 km of coast on the Gulf of Aqaba — the region offers one of the best diving destinations in the Middle East, credible and more authentic alternative to Egyptian Sharm el-Sheikh. The pleasant climate year-round (only region of Jordan warm in winter) also makes it a relaxation destination accessible 12 months a year.

The geographical position of Aqaba is unique: just 4 km from the Israeli border (Eilat is visible from the city, sometimes you hear the Aqaba mosque respond to Eilat's bells), 15 km from the Saudi border to the south, and 30 km opposite the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula to the west. This quadripoint border gives the region a special geopolitical and cultural dimension — Aqaba is one of the rare places in the world where one can simultaneously see 4 countries from a single vantage point (the terraces of Mövenpick Tala Bay at sunset).

The city of Aqaba (200,000 inhabitants) has developed since the 1960s around the commercial port (the only one in Jordan) and, since the 1990s-2000s, around an expanding tourist hub. The creation of ASEZA (Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority) in 2001 — fiscally advantageous free zone — has accelerated real estate and hotel development. Today, two main zones: the city centre of Aqaba (local life, corniche, souk, Mamluk fort, Sharif Hussein bin Ali Mosque, urban hotels) and Tala Bay (12 km south, upscale tourist complex with 5-star resorts, marina, golf, private beaches, dive centres).

For a short stay (2 days), a simple beach break suffices: 1 day of snorkelling and resort, 1 day of boat trip or introductory diving. For divers (3-4 days), possibility of exploring 6-8 major sites (Cedar Pride, TriStar, Japanese Garden, Power Station Reef, Eel Garden, Saudi Border). Integration into the classic Jordanian itinerary is natural: Amman → Dead Sea → Petra → Wadi Rum → Aqaba → return flight from AQJ (King Hussein International Airport) or return to Amman by road. Many travellers end their trip with 2-3 nights in Aqaba in 'recovery' mode before the return flight.