Discover Aqaba: Jordan’s Hidden Red Sea Paradise
Most travelers to Jordan head straight for Petra’s rose-colored cliffs, Wadi Rum’s dramatic desert landscapes, or the buoyant waters of the Dead Sea. But there’s another gem waiting at Jordan’s southern tip that most people skip entirely.
Welcome to Aqaba, a resort city that’s quickly becoming the playground for travelers seeking Red Sea adventures. With around 180,000 residents, this coastal destination offers yacht-filled harbors, luxury resorts, and a completely different side of Jordan than the ancient sites up north.
We started our Aqaba adventure at the historic fortress and castle right in the city center. If you have the Jordan pass entrance to the 16th century, structure is included, however they weren’t even checking tickets when we arrived.
The fortress tells quite a story. Originally built as an inn for Muslim pilgrims traveling from Egypt to perform the Hajj, it later transformed into a military fortress to defend against Ottoman forces. This is also where Lawrence of Arabia famously reported his victory in regaining this strategic port city back to Cairo.
While they’re currently reconstructing parts of the fortress, it makes the visit even more interesting. You can see the restoration work happening and know that future generations will get to experience this incredible piece of history. One of the coolest details we spotted were the whole palm trees used as ceiling rafters in the fortress rooms.
Where Luxury Meets the Red Sea
We stayed at the Almanara Resort and Spa, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, and this place seriously impressed us. The suite featured a powder room with a window view (yes, you can look out while using the facilities), a beautifully appointed living room with mini bar and Illy coffee station, and artwork featuring camels in the Wadi Rum desert.
The dressing area provided plenty of wardrobe space and a vanity area, while the bathroom featured a soaking tub, separate water closet, and rainfall shower. The toiletries even contained Dead Sea minerals. The king-size bed was incredibly comfortable, and both balconies offered stunning Red Sea views.
The resort boasts an amazing spa, great pool area, beach club, and three different restaurants and bars. But the real highlight was the experiential shower in the spa area. This isn’t your typical shower experience. Picture multiple nozzles, lights, and different settings including something called “Caribbean storm” that definitely caught us off guard with its temperature changes.
Red Sea Adventures
The glass-bottom boat tour through the Gulf of Aqaba was absolutely worth it. We got to see a sunken ship and coral reef that was actually moved by the Japanese about 13 years ago. The marine life there is thriving at about 30 feet down, and the glass magnifies everything so you can see it up close.
The boat tour includes a barbecued lunch prepared right on board, and there’s plenty of time for snorkeling if you want to get in the water. The location is pretty incredible when you consider that Aqaba Jordan sits right next to Eilat Israel and Taba Egypt on the Sinai Peninsula. Talk about tight quarters between three countries.
Food Adventures That Destroy Diets
No trip to Aqaba is complete without trying the local sweets. We found an incredible kunafa shop (the name was written in Arabic so we couldn’t read it) that served the best kunafa we’ve ever had.
We also made it to Mövenpick, the Swiss hotel chain that’s famous for their ice cream. Even though prices in Jordan can be higher than some neighboring countries, the Mövenpick ice cream here costs less than what you’d pay in Switzerland. Plus, anything from Switzerland automatically gets points in our book.
Why Aqaba Should Be on Your Jordan Itinerary
Aqaba offers a completely different experience from Jordan’s other famous destinations. Instead of ancient ruins and desert landscapes, you get Red Sea relaxation, luxury resorts, water activities, and a resort town atmosphere. The city feels like it’s still up and coming, which means you can experience it before it becomes overcrowded with tourists.
The combination of history, luxury accommodations, water activities, and great food makes Aqaba a perfect addition to any Jordan itinerary. Whether you want to float in the Dead Sea or explore underwater coral reefs, Jordan really does offer incredible variety.
Watch our full Aqaba adventure and see everything we experienced firsthand in our YouTube video:
