| 2 mins read
The only major metropolitan centre in Jordan to straddle the coast of the Red Sea is also one of the nation’s most popular touristic getaways. Aqaba is a veritable magnet for jet setting natives and their oil-money mansions, European package groups and travellers making their way through the cradle of the Arabian Peninsula alike.
The city sprouted up from the coast almost 6 millennia ago, fluctuating between Greek, Christian, Egyptian and Ottoman before rising to become one of the most important ports on the edge of the Red Sea. Today that means the town’s nouveau riche boulevards and sun-kissed promenades are interspersed with plenty of historical sites - from the 14th century Mameluke fortress of Aqaba, to the enchanting arabesque old town Ayla, where Sinbad the Sailor and Arabian Nights converge between the Persian archways and ancient adobe homes.
However, as any Aquaba tourist guide will tell you, this city’s number one attraction has to be its marine locale, and the teeming coral reefs, verdant underwater dive spots and wealth of water sporting opportunities that go with it. So, grab a snorkel and a scuba kit and get in line!
Image Details and Licenses: https://flic.kr/p/6HmNzr (Edward Baker, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/57MybN (TCHe, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/8WoodY (Joi Ito, CC BY 2.0)