Aqaba description. Holidays in Aqaba

Aqaba (العقبة al-ʿAqabah) is the only port city in Jordan, located in the Gulf of Aqaba in the very south of the country.

Story

Aqaba has access to the Red Sea and borders the city (Eilat) in Israel. Historically, a common international airport and other joint projects were planned, but due to the tense political environment, cooperation was suspended several years ago. Over the past few years, Aqaba has been successfully developing, infrastructure and living conditions have been improved. Be prepared that roadmaps may be wrong. By the way, tours to Aqaba are organized from Russia - offers can be selected, for example,.

How to get there

By plane

Royal Jordanian (Jordan's national airline) operates 2 flights per day between Amman and Aqaba, one in the morning and one in the evening. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour, and the ticket price is 37 dinars + tax (one way).

International Airport The King Hussein is located north of Aqaba, a 20-minute drive.

Turkish Airlines operates 3 flights per day from Aqaba to over 200 destinations around the world.

Jetairfly.com airlines fly twice a week from Brussels to Aqaba.

You can choose the best flight option for your dates on various aggregator sites, or, for example,.

By bus

The Desert Highway ends in Aqaba and serves many bus routes to Amman and other cities. JETT buses depart from Abdali at 7:00, 9:00, 11:00, 14:00, 16:00, and 18:00. Ticket costs 8.80 JD. Please note that there are several checkpoints along the route and you will need to show your identification to the police. At one point you may have to get off the bus, remove your luggage from the luggage compartment, and the police will x-ray it (as of September 2014).

If you are planning to come to Aqaba from Israel (from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Beer Sheva, etc.) on an Egged bus on the route to Eilat, you should ask the driver if you can get off at the “Eilot stop to Jordan", this is the last stop before Eilat, and then walk about a kilometer to the border checkpoint. The stop is located immediately after the junction of roads 90 (–) and 109 (from the junction to the border).

Please note that when crossing the border on the way to, Aqaba or in the opposite direction, no stamps are placed on your passport.

By car

The Desert Highway from Amman to Aqaba is about 350 km. The journey will take approximately 4 hours at moderate speed. Remember that there are not many gas stations on the highway.

Taxi

Renting a minibus with a driver to the city costs 45 JD, the journey takes about 2 hours.

If you are traveling from Eilat, Israel, you will enter the country through the Yitzhak Rabin Border Terminal, which is open Sun-Thu from 6:30 am to 8:00 pm and Fri-Sat from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, except for Yom Kippur and the Muslim New Year. A taxi from the center of Eilat to the border costs 30 shekels (March 2012). Entrance fee – 107 shekels (June 2014), cashless payment possible. For citizens of most countries (including), a two-week visa to Jordan can be obtained directly at the border. But some countries have different conditions, so check it in advance. If you leave Aqaba through this border terminal, you will need to pay an exit tax of 11 JOD (June 2014).

Taxis at the border are owned by one monopoly company, so they are much more expensive than usual: 11 dinars (June 2015) - for a 15-minute drive to the bus stop in Aqaba. In another way, you can get from the center of Aqaba to the border for 4-5 dinars. To save money, you can take one taxi in the city, and then transfer to another one to the border. This will make sense if your hotel is located in the South Beach resort area. The official cost of a taxi from Aqaba to is 50 dinars. However, in the direction from the bus stop on King Talal Street to the city, you can negotiate for 35 dinars.

Taxi Mafia

Among taxi services there is a so-called “mafia”, which you can encounter right after the customs point. As soon as you see them, they will make it clear that traveling with other people in the same car is prohibited here (Three men were forced to call three separate cars in December 2011). If you want to save money and share a taxi with someone, then it is better to gather a group before leaving the customs territory and then insist that you are one group.

Also, if he sees you calling your hotel or calling another car, the cars may be stopped and forcibly returned to Aqaba. He may say that "We will close their hotel" or "We will take away their driver's license." To avoid this, call your hotel or someone you know with a private car while you are still in customs territory.

Those who try to walk these 500 meters along the highway will be stopped by the mafia with the help of the military and returned back.

It is possible to negotiate and lower the price, but to do this you need to be persistent and enlist the support of the border police. Don't try to set the price too low. Remain polite but firm and explain to the police that this leaves a bad impression on tourists and that you will write to the Ministry of Tourism. This usually forces the “mafia” to retreat, but there are no guarantees.

They can't lower prices lower than on the information board. For example, 5 dinars is the most low price for a trip to the airport, and 11 dinars to the city center of Aqaba (February 2014). They will not negotiate the price for the city center, but will simply quote it to you.

In order to eliminate disputes over prices, a huge board was installed with tariffs on major routes, after which the situation improved. Now the cost of a trip to the center varies from 10 to 15 dinars. Members of the “mafia” will still try to deceive you, they will say that the prices were raised a few days ago and the shield did not have time to update. Insist that these are prices set by the state and threaten to contact the police. This should calm them down. Generally speaking, a lot of people will try to scam you out of a few extra dinars, no matter where you are.

By ferry

Ferries from Aqaba regularly depart towards the Egyptian cities of Taba and Nuweiba on the Sinai Peninsula, bypassing Israel's borders due to difficult political relations. Taba is the best place for tourists to cross the border (short distance, cheap and not dependent on weather conditions). There is usually no charge for entering Jordan through Aqaba, as it is a free trade zone.

Clue:

Aqaba - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 0

Kazan 0

Samara 1

Ekaterinburg 2

Novosibirsk 4

Vladivostok 7

When is the season? When is the best time to go

Aqaba - weather by month

Clue:

Aqaba - weather by month

Main attractions. What to see

Aqaba Fort

It is believed that this is a 14th century fortress, although in this form it was built by the Mamluk Sultan Kansukh al-Ghauri (1501-1516), but since then it has been rebuilt many times. (Restoration work has been underway since February 2014, so entry is prohibited)

Ayla

(Located next to the Mövenpick resort). Old city, which was founded here after the adoption of Islam in 622 AD.

Timna Valley

The ancient treasury of Egypt and King Solomon, also unique geological deposits.

Masada

An ancient fortress on the top of a mountain and the palaces of King Herod I the Great, similar to the Macheron fortress (in Jordan), but much larger.

Ein-Gedi

A unique nature reserve with canyons and waterfalls (some inside caves), it is home to the largest population of Nubian ibex, as well as the ruins of a Chalcolithic temple and an ancient 5th century synagogue with beautiful mosaics.

Dead sea

Israeli coast of the Dead Sea.

Jerusalem

A holy city for three religions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam, there are many sacred places even outside the Old City.

Moa

One of the many caravanserais of the Nabataean kingdom in the Negev Desert, which lies on the border between Eilat and the Dead Sea. It is the first stop on the Nabataean Incense Route, after the city. It doesn't compare to the Nabataean cities in Saudi Arabia, Jordan or Israel (and it's not a city), but if you drive this road you should see it.

Eilat Mountains Nature reserve

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

The oldest Christian church in history (opposite the JETT bus stop, which is located west of the Mövenpick Hotel). You will find more information about the church at the information boards.

What to see in the area

You can go to Egypt (the cities of Taba and Nuweiba). Ferries regularly depart from Aqaba via the cities of Taba and Nuweiba in the Egyptian territory of the Sinai Peninsula. The most popular attractions are St. Catherine's Monastery and Mount Sinai.

Casalingo, Mövenpick Resort & Spa Tala Bay Aqaba, South Beach Road - Tala Bay Area, P.O. Box 2425, Aqaba 77110, ( [email protected]). Opening hours: 18.30 – 23.30. Opening hours: 18.30 – 23.30. Italian restaurant in sophisticated Mediterranean style with an open kitchen and wood-fired pizza oven. Casalingo offers authentic Italian dishes, seasonal specials and piping hot pizza. A wide selection of wine will be an excellent complement to a dish prepared by an Italian chef. Guests can enjoy their dinner on the terrace or in the restaurant hall.

Red Sea Grill, Mövenpick Resort & Residence Aqaba, King Hussein Street, P. Box 678, 77110 Aqaba, +962 3 203 40 20( [email protected], fax: +962 3 203 40 40). Opening hours: 19.00 - until midnight. During the summer months the restaurant is only open in the evenings. Red Sea Grill serves some of the best seafood in Aqaba, such as fresh baked fish and shellfish dishes, all on our famous restaurant terrace with stunning views of the Gulf of Aqaba.

Alerzal restaurant, Aqaba Gate complex, +962 3 201 3 733 ( [email protected]). Al-Erzal is a Lebanese restaurant located on the northern shore of the Red Sea (Gulf of Aqaba). Offers its guests a variety of Lebanese cuisine and Mezza along with seafood and barbecue. This is truly the best Lebanese restaurant in Aqaba. Wonderful food can be enjoyed both inside the restaurant and outdoors.

One of the best restaurants is The Royal Yacht Club, which offers an exquisite menu (mostly freshly caught seafood) at reasonable prices comparable to Western standards. Fast service and polite staff. Please note that the restaurant is not open all day, it opens only during dinner, so you won’t be able to grab a bite to eat after the beach.

Not far from the Yacht Club, behind McDonald's, there is a very nice restaurant-bar “35 Degrees East” (“35 degrees east longitude” is the geographical longitude of Aqaba). Opens in the afternoon. European dishes are prepared here (including steaks and seafood). Prices are European, but higher than many other restaurants in Aqaba. This is also a great place to take a photo with the famous Aqaba flagpole in the background.

Syrian palace restaurant, P.O. Box 1527 - Jordan - Aqaba // on Raghadan Street, Hayl al madina, Al Awsat (on the right side when facing Al Shuala Hotel), Fax: 314788.

Many local restaurants in the city center offer very good hummus, falafel (fried chickpea balls) and shawarma (lamb served on pita bread). Prices start from 1.5 Jordanian dinars per shawarma.

Formosa Chinese Restaurant, the Gateway Aqaba, 032060098. Treat yourself to authentic Chinese food. The cozy, warm and relaxing atmosphere will make you feel at home.

Beverages

In all restaurants you can ask for freshly squeezed fruit juice. They also often offer very tasty lemon juice with mint.

Alcohol is sold in Aqaba in specialized liquor stores. Beer costs about 1.5 dinars, and a bottle of Bombay Saphire gin costs 16 dinars (as of December 2014).

Fish Fish, Al-Sa"adah Street (opposite Hotel Golden Tulip Hotel), 00962 795 245 599.

If you want to try seafood, then Fish Fish is a must-visit place. Dishes of Jordanian and Italian cuisine with shrimp, lobster and fresh fish, as well as mezze, crispy salads, and cocktails - all at the Fish Fish restaurant at affordable prices! Dine indoors in a cozy and romantic atmosphere, or al fresco on the shaded patio. And after dinner you can try aromatic hookah. Average check amount: 4 – 18 dinars.

Things to do

If you exclude the sea and diving, then Aqaba has few attractions, and those that exist can be explored in one day. The fortress and the museum are right next to each other.

• Aqaba Fort (Restoration work has been underway since February 2014, so entry is prohibited)
• Aqaba museum
• 4th century Roman church
• Aqaba Heritage Museum
• Great Arab Revolution Square. Opening hours: 8:00-14:00. This unique museum is one of Aqaba's main attractions, showcasing a variety of everyday objects, as well as displays showing the traditional way of life in Jordan. Also presented is a collection of rare historical photographs, from the last century to the present day. Free admission.

Spa

"Aqaba!" - Peter O'Toole exclaimed in the epic film "Lawrence of Arabia". For some reason, this exclamation comes to mind when mentioning the only resort in Jordan on the Red Sea. The city is beautiful. A particularly impressive panorama opens from the Gulf of Aqaba: the expanse of water and the picturesque corner of the Hashemite Jordan Kingdoms against the backdrop of cinnamon-colored desert mountains, Aqaba offers its guests any holiday: beach, educational, active. Wonderful weather all year round, stunning coral reefs, and the opportunity to engage in various water sports attract fans of drive-based holidays to the Jordanian Red Sea coast. Families with children and those who like to combine beach relaxation with sightseeing are increasingly choosing this place.

Video review of the Aqaba resort.

Popular beaches of Aqaba

The exotic beauty of Aqaba attracts people of all ages who crave bright sunshine, clear seas and beautiful views of the mountains stretching into the water. Depending on preferences, vacationers choose one of three beaches: northern (North Beach Area), where most hotels are located, middle (Middle Beach Area) and southern (South Beach Area). Active tourists have diving clubs, water skiing, windsurfing, parasailing and other “adrenaline” entertainment at their disposal. Coastal coral reefs are as good as those in Egyptian resorts, but there are fewer vacationers in Aqaba, so admiring the colorful world of marine flora and fauna is much more pleasant. During the day you can swim with turtles and dolphins, and during a night dive watch the hunting of underwater predators: crabs, lobsters and others. For those who prefer to “keep their feet dry”, but also want to see the inhabitants of the deep sea, there are boats with a glass bottom.

Attractions of Aqaba

You can break up your idleness on the beach with sightseeing in the ancient town. Five and a half thousand years ago, Aqaba played a significant role in the economy of the region. It was an important junction of land and sea trade routes, a kind of gateway between East and West: the Babylonians, Persians, Nabateans, Byzantines and Romans. Fort Aqaba even today proudly rises with fortress walls with round towers at the corners. It has witnessed many civilizations, served as a military installation and a caravanserai for pilgrims to Mecca. The arched entrance leads into the courtyard to the vaulted chambers. The inscription in Arabic confirms that the fortress was built during the reign of the Mamluks in the 14th century. Not far from the fort is the Archaeological Museum, which houses a large collection of Bronze Age artifacts.

The main attraction and symbol of Aqaba is a giant flagpole topped with the flag of the Arab Revolt, which is visible from neighboring states. It is interesting to explore the ruins of the ancient Islamic city of Ayla, where archaeological excavations are still ongoing.

Sights of Jordan within walking distance

Beachfront Aqaba is a convenient starting point for day trips to iconic places Jordan. The Wadi Rum desert is only 55 kilometers from the resort, but the trip can take two days. Enchanted by the stunning “cosmic” landscapes, which served as the location for the filming of a number of cult films, tourists stay overnight in Bedouin tribes to spend longer among the red sands and watch the sunrise.

A two-hour drive from any hotel in Aqaba is the main attraction of Jordan - Petra. Carved from red sandstone, the “Pink City” is mesmerizing. And even though hiking While walking between the towering cliffs along the famous Petra Canyon may seem tedious, the ancient architectural masterpieces that await travelers are worth it.

In the bay near Egyptian Taba there is Pharaoh's Island with a preserved medieval citadel. The fortress was visited by Lawrence of Arabia. It is interesting to go on a sea excursion and explore a small island. But returning to Aqaba also leaves an unforgettable impression: the view of the city from the bay is stunning.

Evening entertainment in Aqaba

Evening walks along the shore are pleasant. Traditionally local residents they gather on the embankment, chat, smoke hookah, play backgammon, have dinner, drink coffee, watching the sun set over the Gulf of Aqaba and night follows day. Fishermen return with their catch, the smell of fried fish mixes with the aroma of freshly ground coffee... The cuisine in Jordan is tasty, satisfying and inexpensive. In the center of Aqaba they prepare good hummus, falafel, and shawarma. In restaurants on the shore you can taste fish with rice and tomatoes, fresh seafood, and traditional Afro-Arab dishes. Includes magnificent panoramic views of the Gulf of Aqaba.

Note to tourists: any cafe or restaurant has wi-fi - that’s understandable. Free wi-fi is available throughout the city - that’s nice.

There is no nightlife as such in Aqaba. The only disco is open on the territory of the Radisson Blu Tala Bay Resort 5* hotel.

Shopping, souvenirs

Jordan maintains a rich heritage of crafts. You can bring unique souvenirs from the country: kilims (handmade carpets), miniature mosaics, painted ostrich eggs, bottles with intricate patterns made of colored sand, beads and Bedouin silver jewelry. The market street, where spices, sweets and other “joys of the east” are sold, is located behind the main mosque. Aqaba is a duty-free zone, which is also nice.

Holidays in Aqaba

Framed by magnificent sandy beaches, amber mountains and shimmering desert, Aqaba is like a golden glow. The resort impresses with its relaxed atmosphere, pleasant climate and convenient location not far from the main attractions of Jordan. It's no surprise that the place is becoming increasingly popular. Here you can spend a fantastic holiday, and at any time of the year with guaranteed beautiful weather. Aqaba is a worthy alternative to Egyptian resorts. Come and see!

The Wadi Rum desert, also known as the Valley of the Moon, is located 60 km from Aqaba. Its landscapes are very diverse: mountainous terrain with deep canyons smoothly turns into separate plains with bushes and low trees. Wadi Rum is famous for its skyscraper rocks, which are loved by climbers from all over the world.

The highest skyscraper peak is Mount Um ad-Dami, whose height reaches 1830 meters, and not all climbers with professional experience can climb it. On the territory of some canyons there are ancient wells with rock paintings that are more than four thousand years old. Particularly exciting will be a visit to the Burda stone bridge, which is a rock just over half a meter wide, connecting the sides of a deep canyon at an altitude of 35 meters.

There are several ways to explore the Wadi Rum desert. For example, rent an SUV with a driver and guide to explore the main beauty during the day. Or travel for several days with a guide on a camel, spending the night in a Bedouin tent under the stars, trying local cuisine cooked over a fire. There is even the possibility of traveling through the desert in a hot air balloon.

Aqaba Airport

The location of this airport is strategically advantageous, since three countries are located within a radius of 20 kilometers: Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Israel. The airport has one runway 3000 meters long. The area of ​​the airport is 2600 sq. meters. The terminal's current capacity is 1.5 million passengers per year.

Passengers at King Hussein Airport can take advantage of services such as a parking lot with 200 short-term parking spaces, a post office, a bank, cafeterias, a VIP lounge, a duty free shop, souvenir shops and a medical center. Photography is prohibited on the airport premises.

Although sandstorms are common in Jordan, the weather in this area is usually favorable and flight cancellations are very rare.

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King Abdullah Reef

King Abdullah Reef is a fantastic dive site, sheltered from the wind. This beautiful site is named after King Abdullah II, who is an avid diver. The diving depth in this place ranges from 6 to 40 meters, the distance to the diving center is 1 kilometer.

It is better to dive from the southern side of the slope with a gentler descent. The reef slope is covered with various types of corals of unusual colors. The flora and fauna of the Red Sea amazes with its diversity. Here you can see dolphins and octopuses cutting through huge schools of colorful fish. You need to watch out for turtles in this area; they can be aggressive. Fans of night diving have the opportunity to get acquainted with the nocturnal inhabitants of the sea - lobsters, crabs and shrimp.

Beginner divers dive under the supervision of experienced instructors after completing special courses at the diving center.

The high density of the reef's coral cover is ideal for underwater photography.

The unique and mesmerizing landscapes of the Jordanian desert Wadi Rum are well known to adventure lovers. The majestic red sandstone cliffs and endless dunes amaze with their beauty. The desert covers an area of ​​more than 75 thousand hectares in the south of Jordan.

One of the many attractions of Wadi Rum is the Seven Pillars rock, located in the western part of the desert. Its height is about 70 meters. As a result of weathering over many millions of years, it acquired a bizarre shape. In 1980, it was called "Seven Pillars of Wisdom" after Lawrence's wartime book of the same name. Since prehistoric times, traces of rock paintings have been preserved on it, which are of great historical value.

Wadi Rum is ideal for hiking, mountaineering and trekking. In the tourist center, located near the rock, there is a bar and a cafe where you can have a snack and gain strength for your further journey. Those interested can take a camel ride and get acquainted with the indigenous inhabitants of the desert - the Bedouins.

Natural Bridge Burda

The majestic desert landscape of Wadi Rum in Southern Jordan is well known throughout the world. High red sandstone cliffs and orange sand dunes amaze with their beauty and uniqueness. The desert covers an area of ​​about 75 thousand hectares. On its territory there are many unique places popular among travelers.

One of these pearls is the Burda Bridge, located on the top of Mount Burda. This is a striking example of the creation of the destructive power of nature, practically untouched by humanity. The bridge-like arch is part of a huge rock mass. Its height is 35 meters. In order to get here, it will take more than one hour of serious effort. Having overcome all obstacles, tourists can enjoy the tranquility of the boundless emptiness, admiring the endless expanses of the desert.

On the territory of Wadi Rum there are cafes and bars, as well as souvenir shops.

Aqaba Castle

Aqaba Castle, or Mamluk Fort, is a significant historical monument. It was built to protect the port area and moored ships from raids by nomads during the prosperous era of the Roman Empire. The castle was rebuilt several times in the mid-16th century, during the reign of the last Mamluk sultan, Kansur al Ghuri.

The fort was built in the shape of a square, with a total area of ​​about 250 square meters, with symmetrical round towers at the corners. Unique writings from medieval Islamic culture have been preserved on its walls. During archaeological excavations of ancient Ayla (present-day Aqaba), gates, ruins of a city wall with towers, a mosque and courtyards were discovered. The archaeological museum, located near the castle, displays an excellent collection of artefacts from the fort, including pottery, jewelry and coins.

Currently, the castle is being actively restored and is open to visitors. The Mamluk fort, located on the seashore and surrounded by palm trees, is a picturesque backdrop for beautiful photographs to commemorate your holiday in Jordan.

Aqaba Marine Science Station

The marine scientific station, founded in 1986, is located on the southern coast of Aqaba. It was established at the University of Jordan with the aim of studying, conserving and rationally using the rich biodiversity of the coastal zone.

There is a huge amount of educational and outreach activities going on here, including lectures, slide shows and documentaries. Visitors can enjoy a conference hall, exhibition space, a souvenir shop and a restaurant.

Of particular note is the public aquarium, which features numerous representatives of flora and fauna, as well as fantastic corals of various shapes and shades. At the diving center you can dive into the depths of the Red Sea under the supervision of qualified instructors, enjoying the beauty of the underwater world. The marine scientific station is a tourist attraction in Jordan, popular among tourists.

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Aqaba International Diving Center

The International Diving Center is a significant landmark of Aqaba. Visitors are offered a full range of services, accompanied by comfort, quality, safety and traditional hospitality.

The center provides the necessary equipment and accessories for diving. Under the guidance of qualified instructors, you can dive into the depths of the Red Sea to admire the beauty of its flora and fauna or explore the remains of shipwrecks. For adventure seekers, the center offers night dives, steeped in mystery and romance. There is a training center where visitors can begin or continue their diving education. Divers who have completed special courses have the opportunity to participate in competitions with valuable prizes.

Among the most striking and unforgettable dives are the “Japanese Garden” and “Rainbow Reefs”. The sea in the Gulf of Aqaba is always calm; dives are made in the area of ​​​​the coastal reef that runs along the coastline. Diving lovers will find real pleasure here. Memories of these adventures will last a lifetime.

The most popular attractions in Aqaba with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose best places to visit famous places of Aqaba on our website.

Individual and group

The most popular activity at the resort is diving. The special microclimate here has created simply ideal conditions for the formation of numerous coral reefs and the residence of a huge amount of marine life. The coastal waters have a rich underwater world, which attracts divers from all over the world. For beginners, there are simply ideal conditions for learning, and for more experienced divers, the seabed hides a lot of interesting things.

The entire coastal area is the Aqaba marine park. The park was created in 1997 to preserve the marine population of the coastal zone. This reserve has a length of 7 kilometers along the coast.
There are several coral reefs here, among which the Seven Sisters, Japanese Gardens, Eel Garden and Oliver Canyon are especially popular. It will also be interesting to look at the sunken Lebanese ship Cedar Pride, the American tank Walker Bulldog, which was specially submerged under water to attract more large quantity divers and other numerous dive spots.
For those who do not want to dive to the seabed, but want to see all the beauties of the Red Sea, excursions are organized on boats with a transparent glass bottom.
The Marine Science Center is also located here, where there is a huge aquarium with exotic fish and other representatives of marine fauna.
The largest diving center is The Royal Diving Center. This center teaches diving even to children. One dive costs 15 dinars.

In addition to great beach holidays and exciting diving, Aqaba also offers a huge number of unique historical monuments.

The territory of the Old Town is the ruins of the ancient settlement of Ayla, which was once part of the Roman Empire. Ayla is often mentioned as the main resting place on the way to Mecca.
Ruins of a church, a mosque, city walls and gates were discovered here. Archaeological excavations are still ongoing here.

Of particular interest to tourists is the ancient Mamluk fortress. It was built by the Crusaders at the beginning of the 16th century. Unique inscriptions from the Middle Ages have been preserved on the walls of the fortress.

The museum is located near the fortress. Here is a collection of ancient coins, ceramics, jewelry and other artifacts found during excavations in the city and its environs.
The museum building was in the past the home of the famous politician Sharif Hussein bin Ali.

This reserve is home to the migration of more than a million birds. It unites the birds of three continents (Europe, Africa and Asia).

There is a Royal Aero Club in the city. This club offers you to take a flight in a hot air balloon or airplane and see all the beauty of this area from a bird's eye view. Also, anyone has the opportunity to jump with a parachute.

There are many shops in Aqaba with a huge range of goods at affordable prices. The entire city can be called a continuous Duty Free zone, since only this city in Jordan has duty-free rules. People from all over the country often come here specifically for shopping.

At the Southern Market, which is located on Ragadan Street, you will find the freshest vegetables, fruits and herbs. There is also the largest selection of aromatic spices and oriental sweets. Here you can fully experience all the local flavor.

People settled the territory of what is now Jordan several thousand years ago, and monuments from all major historical periods have survived to this day. In its vastness you can see both rock paintings and ancient cities of the Greeks, Romans, and Arabs. The castles-fortresses from the times of the Crusades are perfectly preserved.

The desert is a real attraction of Jordan. Many monuments are located in its spaces and allow you to examine cultural artifacts, while at the same time studying the life of the Bedouins and admiring the local landscapes. Many places in the kingdom are associated with Christian religious culture and are mentioned in biblical tales. They attract many pilgrims.

Beach holidays are possible in the country all year round. The Red Sea coast is lined with hotels and offers excellent opportunities for diving, snorkeling, sea bathing and water sports. One of the major trends in tourism is visiting spa resorts using the water and mud of the Dead Sea. Many hotels on the coast are equipped with swimming pools with local sea water, which are actively used by vacationers for health and beauty treatments. Best time for tourist trip to Jordan - spring or autumn.

The best hotels and inns at affordable prices.

from 500 rubles/day

What to see in Jordan?

The most interesting and Beautiful places, photographs and brief description.

The largest city in Jordan, the capital. It has a centuries-old history and many of its monuments, some of which are within the walls of the archaeological museum. Located in close proximity to the Dead and Mediterranean Seas. It is of great economic importance for the country and is an industrial center.

A unique ancient structure - a city in the rocks. Ancient Petra was the capital of a rich kingdom that collected tribute from caravans carrying spices. It gradually went bankrupt when trade routes became sea routes. An example of unique architecture, full of all kinds of mysteries. The unique landscape and buildings have been featured in films many times. This is Jordan's most popular attraction.

The most impressive building in Petra. Mausoleum, completely carved into the rock. It is perfectly preserved, although the façade has the greatest artistic value and expressiveness. Spielberg filmed one of the Indiana Jones films here.

A huge salt lake, water and silt deposits create a healing effect. On the Jordanian coast there are many resorts that use sea water for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Popular holiday destination local population and tourists.

Pompeii of the East is a well-preserved remnant of an ancient city. All architectural buildings date back to the times of the Roman Empire. There is an archaeological museum, almost every day there is a theatrical performance based on Roman military scenes, and throughout July the city is the site of an arts festival. A landmark in Jordan, the second most important after Petra.

An ancient city built to repel military attacks. For about five thousand years, there are traces of civilization at this place. He became famous under the Greeks and thanks to the Greeks. Destroyed by earthquake. The ruins are varied: a church, amphitheaters, a forum, some of the buildings have been restored. There is a functioning archaeological museum. From the hill there is a beautiful view of the surrounding area.

Remains of buildings of the Greco-Roman city. They are called the Black Pearl of the Desert, as the buildings are made of black basalt - a rarity in ancient architecture. The buildings are well preserved for their age; among them there are two and three-story buildings. A basalt desert begins near the city.

The only seaport and resort in Jordan. Located on the Red Sea coast, the length of the coastline is almost 30 km. Sandy, clean beaches and a rich underwater world make Aqaba a popular resort and diving center. Developed tourist infrastructure, many hotels of different price categories.

The remains of an ancient settlement, which was primarily defensive in nature. Located on a hill above the city, on the hill of Jebel al-Qalaa. Nearby are the ruins of an ancient basilica and the Umayyad palace park.

The most significant monument of Roman civilization in the world, one of the most valuable historical monuments in Jordan. A huge, perfectly preserved amphitheater carved into the rock. It still regularly hosts city cultural events (concerts, festivals). Capacity 6000 people.

Located on a hill, next to the Citadel. The collection is significant, represented by monuments from all eras of civilization, starting with the Neolithic. Particularly good are individual collections of sculptures and decorations.

The desert is grandiose in area and expressiveness of landscapes. The landscape is uneven: there are mountains, dips, and crevices. The reddish sand and other rocks created a bizarre landscape that has been used many times in cinema. "The Martian" was filmed here. The place is famous for the preserved rock paintings of ancient people. Now the Bedouins live in the desert.

The famous biblical mountain, the place of the supposed death of the prophet Moses. In memory of this event, a memorial complex was built on the top of the mountain, restored by archaeologists. Now there are memorial signs, a Byzantine church with fragments of an ancient mosaic. Popular with pilgrims and tourists.

It flows into the Dead Sea, dividing Jordan and Israel. The main waterway of the country. Mentioned many times in the Bible. It was in the waters of this river that Jesus was baptized. Place of active pilgrimage. Along the banks and in the immediate vicinity there are many historical monuments of different time periods.

Built in 1184, on top of a mountain, to protect local mines. A powerful military structure, a real fortress. There are forests around the castle; from the upper observation platforms you can see Jerusalem. There is an archaeological museum attached to the castle.

The Crusader castle is located near Petra. Their last stronghold in the Holy Land. After the expulsion of the knights, it fell into decay and gradually collapsed. Many buildings are in ruins; ancient inscriptions can be seen on some of the buildings. A unique location allowing you to enjoy the incredible surrounding panorama.

A legendary defensive building at an altitude of about 1000 meters. Multi-storey, inside there is a real labyrinth. It is of historical value; in addition, an archaeological museum is open on the territory. A city of the same name grew up around the fortress, attractive to tourists.

About 30 well-preserved buildings for various purposes in the desert. Caravanserais, baths, hunting lodges of the nobility - each of the palaces served its purpose and had the appropriate architecture. In the palace, a former bathhouse, there are frescoes unique to Muslim culture, partially restored.

Located on the slopes of the mountains, it includes several geographical zones, with corresponding vegetation in each. The territory is huge, the flora and fauna are extremely diverse. A great place for hiking, especially in spring. Travel by mountain bike is possible. There are several trails in the reserve; it is better to go through them with guides. Accommodation options in the reserve are varied (hotels, camping, guest houses).

Created in the Wadi Mujib gorge, near the Dead Sea. Unique landscape - mountain ranges, gorges between which a river flows. The reserve creates its own microclimate and is home to many birds and a variety of vegetation (more than 400 species). There are routes for tourists and there are campsites.

Opportunity to dive with experienced instructors in several diving centers to choose from. One of the main attractions for tourists in the city. The Red Sea is rich in inhabitants and picturesque reefs. Turtles, octopuses, exotic fish - everyone can be seen and observed in their natural environment.