Holiday in Aqaba
City in Jordan — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇯🇴
Country
Jordan
Type
City
Best time to travel
October to April — pleasantly warm (22-30°C), clear water. Summer (May-Sept) hot (38-42°C) but water perfect for diving.
Budget/day
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Amman (4-5 hours), domestic flight to Aqaba (45 minutes) or 4 hours by car. Few direct flights from Europe to Aqaba.
Deals for Aqaba:
What makes Aqaba special as a destination?
Aqaba is Jordan's only coastal city and the gateway to the Red Sea. Located at the northernmost tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, the city offers surprisingly good diving and snorkeling, warm winter weather, and the perfect location as a base for excursions to Wadi Rum and Petra. The underwater world off Aqaba is a well-kept secret. While most travelers associate the Red Sea with Egypt, Aqaba's reefs offer comparable quality with significantly fewer divers. The Japanese Garden, Cedar Pride (a sunken wreck), and the Aqaba Marine Park are home to colorful corals, turtles, lionfish, and occasionally dolphins. The special thing: Many dive spots are accessible directly from the shore — no boat needed. The city itself is manageable and relaxed. The Corniche, a palm-lined waterfront promenade, invites you to stroll, and the souk offers spices, nuts, and souvenirs. The Archaeological Museum and the ruins of the Ayla Islamic City from the 7th century are interesting stops between dives. Aqaba's true strength is its strategic location: Wadi Rum is just an hour away, Petra two hours, and the Dead Sea three hours. The combination "Aqaba-Wadi Rum-Petra-Dead Sea" is the classic Jordan route and can be perfectly managed in 5-7 days. In winter, when cold weather prevails in Europe, Aqaba enjoys temperatures around 22-25°C and a water temperature of 21°C — perfect for a sunny short vacation. The new King Hussein International Airport makes getting there easy, and the special trade zone allows for duty-free shopping.
What are the top highlights in Aqaba?
The top highlights in Aqaba include Diving & Snorkeling, Gateway to Wadi Rum, Red Sea Beach, South Beach, Glass Bottom Boat Tour.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Diving & Snorkeling
Coral reefs accessible directly from the shore — Cedar Pride wreck, Japanese Garden, and turtles
Gateway to Wadi Rum
Only 1 hour to the Mars landscape: jeep safari, camels, and overnight under the stars
Red Sea Beach
Warm, crystal-clear water year-round — Jordan's only coastal section
South Beach
Quieter beach section south of the city with clear water and views of four countries
Glass Bottom Boat Tour
Admire coral reefs from the boat without getting wet — perfect for non-swimmers
Hotels in Aqaba
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Reise-SIM für Aqaba
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Aqaba?
The best time to visit Aqaba is October to April — pleasantly warm (22-30°C), clear water. Summer (May-Sept) hot (38-42°C) but water perfect for diving.. 35-42°C, hot, water temperature 26°C In winter: 15-25°C, mild and sunny, water temperature 21°C
Recommended travel time
October to April — pleasantly warm (22-30°C), clear water. Summer (May-Sept) hot (38-42°C) but water perfect for diving.
Summer
35-42°C, hot, water temperature 26°C
Winter
15-25°C, mild and sunny, water temperature 21°C
How much does a holiday in Aqaba cost?
Budget travellers: 30-50€ (hotel, local restaurants, beach)/day, mid-range: /day, luxury: 150-350€ (5-star resort, private tours, spa)/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
30-50€ (hotel, local restaurants, beach)
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
150-350€ (5-star resort, private tours, spa)
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Aqaba?
Flight to Amman (4-5 hours), domestic flight to Aqaba (45 minutes) or 4 hours by car. Few direct flights from Europe to Aqaba.
Book a package holiday to Aqaba
Compare thousands of package holidays to Aqaba and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Aqaba?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Buy the Jordan Pass: The Jordan Pass (70-80 JOD) includes visa, Petra, Wadi Rum, and other attractions — saves significantly!
Shore Diving: Aqaba's best dive spots are accessible from the shore. A guide is still advisable — he finds the turtles and seahorses.
Wadi Rum from Aqaba: 1-hour transfer, then jeep safari + overnight in a Bedouin camp. Most hotels in Aqaba organize the tour.
Duty-free shopping: Aqaba is a special economic zone — duty-free shopping possible, especially for electronics and clothing.
What should you eat in Aqaba?
Typical specialities in Aqaba: Sayadieh — Fish on spiced rice with caramelized onions and tahini — the fish dish of the coast, Zarb — Bedouin BBQ: meat and vegetables cooked in an underground oven under sand — often during Wadi Rum tours, Mansaf — Lamb in yogurt sauce on rice — Jordan's national dish, served everywhere in Aqaba, Fresh grilled fish — freshly caught from the Red Sea, simply grilled with lemon and herbs, Turkish coffee — strong, sweet, and with cardamom — served in small cups as a sign of hospitality.
These specialties you must try!
