Aqaba

About Aqaba

Aqaba is Jordan's only seaport and the gateway to Petra — the ancient Nabataean city carved into rose-red sandstone cliffs, about 2 hours inland. Ships dock at the Aqaba Marine Terminal; the city wraps around the head of the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea. Wadi Rum desert excursions (4x4, camels, Bedouin tea) are the other signature offering. Snorkeling on the Red Sea reefs south of the city is a popular half-day option.

• Aqaba is Jordan's only coastal city and sits at the very northeastern tip of the Red Sea, making it a strategic crossroads between Asia and Africa.
• The city's ancient name was Elath (or Aela in Latin, Ayla in Arabic) — it has been a key trade hub since the Chalcolithic period thanks to nearby copper mines.
• Arab forces famously captured Aqaba from Ottoman defenders during the Great Arab Revolt, a pivotal moment immortalized in the film Lawrence of Arabia.
• The Port of Aqaba serves not just Jordan but also acts as a vital gateway for landlocked neighboring countries in the region.
• Aqaba's strategic location made it a bishopric under Byzantine rule before Islamic conquest around AD 650 transformed it into an important early Islamic settlement.