LIVE IN AQABA
Your complete guide to the Red Sea resort town of Aqaba, Jordan
Things to Do
Enjoy Outdoor Fun
Jordan Artist Tours: 7-Day cycling tours of Jordan; Tel 03 215 7561 or 077 776 4781.
Royal Aero Sports Club: Hot air ballooning, sky diving, and ultralight flying in Wadi Rum. King Husein International Airport; Tel: 03 205 8050.
Thrifty ATV & Buggy Rentals: Aqaba desert ATV and buggy rides; Tel: 03 203 0313.
Wadi Rum: The filming location of David Lean's 1962 movie, Lawrence of Arabia, Wadi Rum is one of Jordan's important tourist destinations, attracting trekkers, climbers and tourists who love desert safaris, camping, jeep tours, scrambling tours, or horse and camel riding. Whichever your interest, here's a list of Wadi Rum guided tour sites:
Ayla Ruins: Built around 650 AD, Ayla was the first Islamic city built outside the Arabian Peninsula. There is no admissions fee and the site is open 24 hours. King Hussein Street, across from the Mövenpick Hotel.
Aqaba Aquarium: Located at Aqaba Marine Park, the aquarium is home to more than 30 species of invertebrates, hard and soft corals, and nearly 45 species of reef fish. A 40 m3 water tank offers a simulation of the Gulf of Aqaba's coral reef. South Beach Road; Tel: 03 201 5144.
Aqaba Archaeological Museum: A collection of Ayla's Islamic finds dating from 7th-12th Century AD. Adjacent to Aqaba Fort; Summer hours: 8:00-7:00; Winter hours: 8:00-4:00; Tel: 03 201 9063.
Aqaba Bird Observatory: Attracting more than 350 species of migratory birds every spring and autumn, the observatory is a must see for exotic bird lovers. Off the road to King Hussein International Airport, close to the Aqaba-Eilat border crossing point; Tel: 03 202 2966 or 079 908 2306.
Aqaba Fort: Originally a Crusader castle, the fort was rebuilt by one of the last Mamluk sultans in 1587AD. Off Arab Revolt Plaza; Tel: 03 201 9063.
Great Arab Revolt Plaza: Boasting a flag of Jordan that stands 137 meters high, the plaza is home to a visitor center, the Aqaba Archeological Museum, Aqaba Fort, and Noor Al Hussein Foundation gift shop. It's a fun place to walk on the waterfront, or take a glass boat tour.
Petra: Named one of the
new Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, the Nabatean city of Petra is a
breathtaking archeological site renowned for its rock cut architecture.
It's a 98 km drive north of Aqaba, and well worth spending a whole day
there. No motorized vehicles are allowed into Petra, so you can either walk, or rent a horse,
or a horse-drawn carriage from the many guides at the entrance of the 1
km Siq. To go on a
jeep tour, horse or camel riding tour, or trekking tour of Petra, visit
Jordan Artist Tours;
Tel 03 215 7561 or 077
776 4781.
Ammarin Bedouin Camp: Spend a night at the camp of a local Bedouin tribe in Petra; Tel: 079 975 5551.
Lawrence of Arabia Riding Experience: A 25-45km horseback riding excursion in Petra's Archeological Park; Tel: 03 321 57099
Petra Archeological Park: Covering nearly 264,000 M2, the area within Wadi Musa, this World Heritage site offers breathtaking landscape, pink-hued mountains, and features the ancient City of Petra.
Petra Kitchen: Learn how to cook a Jordanian meal in Petra; kitchen@petramoon.com, Tel: 03 215 5900
Pharaoh's Island: Take a boat trip to the historic Pharaoh's Island off the Egyptian shore and visit Saladin's Castle. Book a boat with Sindbad, Maysalun Street; Tel 03 205 0077 or 079 555 6076.
Join a Group
Aqaba Film Club: Princess Basma Development Center, Istiqlal Street; Tel: 03 201 4981.
Aqaba Rotaract Club: Meets Wednesdays at 7:30pm, Murjan Meeting Room, Mövenpick Hotel, King Hussein Street.
Aqaba Rotary Club: Meets Tuesdays at 7:30pm, Murjan Meeting Room, Mövenpick Hotel, King Hussein Street. Membership info: 074 555 5600.
Pamper Yourself
All five star hotels in Aqaba have a spa and wellness center. Call the hotel to inquire about services and rates.
Aqaba
Turkish Bath: Massage, steam bath, and scrubbing. Open to
men and women, but women need to reserve in advance. King Hussein
Street; T. Gargour & Fils Building; Tel: 03 203 1605.
Hammam Bab Al Hara (men only): Turkish bath, steam, sauna, massage, and jacuzzi. Ayla Shopping Center, Rashid Street, next to Pizza Hut; Tel: 079 966 3800.
Janna Spa (women only): Moroccan bath, massage, sauna, steam, jacuzzi, facials, waxing, hair salon. Ayla Shopping Center, Rashid Street; Tel: 03 205 1991.
Pure Medical Aesthetic Clinic: Facials, hair removal & weight loss. Ayla Shopping
Center, Rashid Street; Tel: 03 201 6767.
Stay in Shape
All five star hotels in Aqaba have a fitness center, as do some four star hotels. Call the hotel to inquire about the availability of daily or monthly passes.
Janna Spa (women only): Aerobics classes, fitness center, and indoor pool. Ayla Shopping Center, Rashid Street; Tel: 03 205 1991.
Tower Hut Gym & Fitness Center (men only): King Hussein Street, in shopping center next to Aqaba Gulf Hotel.
Volunteer
Injaz Tel: 03 203 2003.
Jordan Environment Society: Tel: 03 201 8488.
Noor Al Hussein Foundation: Tel: 03 201 2641.
Petra National Trust: Tel: 06 464 1037
Princess Basma Community Development Center: Istiqlal Street; Tel: 03 201 2041.
Royal Marine Conservation Society: Manara Street; Tel: 03 202 2995.
Save The Children: Tel: 03 205 1999.
SOS Children Village: Quds Street; Tel: 03 201 6582.
Jordan Artist Tours: 7-Day cycling tours of Jordan; Tel 03 215 7561 or 077 776 4781.
Royal Aero Sports Club: Hot air ballooning, sky diving, and ultralight flying in Wadi Rum. King Husein International Airport; Tel: 03 205 8050.
Thrifty ATV & Buggy Rentals: Aqaba desert ATV and buggy rides; Tel: 03 203 0313.
Wadi Rum: The filming location of David Lean's 1962 movie, Lawrence of Arabia, Wadi Rum is one of Jordan's important tourist destinations, attracting trekkers, climbers and tourists who love desert safaris, camping, jeep tours, scrambling tours, or horse and camel riding. Whichever your interest, here's a list of Wadi Rum guided tour sites:
- Bedouin Roads: Jeep tours, camel tours, trekking, hiking, and scrambling.
- Desert Experience: Day tours, camel tours, camping, trekking, hiking, and scrambling tours.
- R & S Desert Guides: Camping, hiking, scrambling, and camel tours.
- Terhaal Eco Adventure: Canyoning, hiking, trekking, camping, cycling, and camel riding.
- Wadi Rum Desert Services: Safari tours, Bedouin site tours, historic & nature tours.
- Wadi Rum Mountain Guides: Jeep tours, trekking, climbing, and camping.
Ayla Ruins: Built around 650 AD, Ayla was the first Islamic city built outside the Arabian Peninsula. There is no admissions fee and the site is open 24 hours. King Hussein Street, across from the Mövenpick Hotel.
Aqaba Aquarium: Located at Aqaba Marine Park, the aquarium is home to more than 30 species of invertebrates, hard and soft corals, and nearly 45 species of reef fish. A 40 m3 water tank offers a simulation of the Gulf of Aqaba's coral reef. South Beach Road; Tel: 03 201 5144.
Aqaba Archaeological Museum: A collection of Ayla's Islamic finds dating from 7th-12th Century AD. Adjacent to Aqaba Fort; Summer hours: 8:00-7:00; Winter hours: 8:00-4:00; Tel: 03 201 9063.
Aqaba Bird Observatory: Attracting more than 350 species of migratory birds every spring and autumn, the observatory is a must see for exotic bird lovers. Off the road to King Hussein International Airport, close to the Aqaba-Eilat border crossing point; Tel: 03 202 2966 or 079 908 2306.
Aqaba Fort: Originally a Crusader castle, the fort was rebuilt by one of the last Mamluk sultans in 1587AD. Off Arab Revolt Plaza; Tel: 03 201 9063.
Great Arab Revolt Plaza: Boasting a flag of Jordan that stands 137 meters high, the plaza is home to a visitor center, the Aqaba Archeological Museum, Aqaba Fort, and Noor Al Hussein Foundation gift shop. It's a fun place to walk on the waterfront, or take a glass boat tour.
Petra: Named one of the
new Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, the Nabatean city of Petra is a
breathtaking archeological site renowned for its rock cut architecture.
It's a 98 km drive north of Aqaba, and well worth spending a whole day
there. No motorized vehicles are allowed into Petra, so you can either walk, or rent a horse,
or a horse-drawn carriage from the many guides at the entrance of the 1
km Siq. To go on a
jeep tour, horse or camel riding tour, or trekking tour of Petra, visit
Jordan Artist Tours;
Tel 03 215 7561 or 077
776 4781. Ammarin Bedouin Camp: Spend a night at the camp of a local Bedouin tribe in Petra; Tel: 079 975 5551.
Lawrence of Arabia Riding Experience: A 25-45km horseback riding excursion in Petra's Archeological Park; Tel: 03 321 57099
Petra Archeological Park: Covering nearly 264,000 M2, the area within Wadi Musa, this World Heritage site offers breathtaking landscape, pink-hued mountains, and features the ancient City of Petra.
Petra Kitchen: Learn how to cook a Jordanian meal in Petra; kitchen@petramoon.com, Tel: 03 215 5900
Pharaoh's Island: Take a boat trip to the historic Pharaoh's Island off the Egyptian shore and visit Saladin's Castle. Book a boat with Sindbad, Maysalun Street; Tel 03 205 0077 or 079 555 6076.
Join a Group
Aqaba Film Club: Princess Basma Development Center, Istiqlal Street; Tel: 03 201 4981.
Aqaba Rotaract Club: Meets Wednesdays at 7:30pm, Murjan Meeting Room, Mövenpick Hotel, King Hussein Street.
Aqaba Rotary Club: Meets Tuesdays at 7:30pm, Murjan Meeting Room, Mövenpick Hotel, King Hussein Street. Membership info: 074 555 5600.
Pamper Yourself
All five star hotels in Aqaba have a spa and wellness center. Call the hotel to inquire about services and rates.
Aqaba
Turkish Bath: Massage, steam bath, and scrubbing. Open to
men and women, but women need to reserve in advance. King Hussein
Street; T. Gargour & Fils Building; Tel: 03 203 1605.Hammam Bab Al Hara (men only): Turkish bath, steam, sauna, massage, and jacuzzi. Ayla Shopping Center, Rashid Street, next to Pizza Hut; Tel: 079 966 3800.
Janna Spa (women only): Moroccan bath, massage, sauna, steam, jacuzzi, facials, waxing, hair salon. Ayla Shopping Center, Rashid Street; Tel: 03 205 1991.
Pure Medical Aesthetic Clinic: Facials, hair removal & weight loss. Ayla Shopping
Center, Rashid Street; Tel: 03 201 6767.
Stay in Shape
All five star hotels in Aqaba have a fitness center, as do some four star hotels. Call the hotel to inquire about the availability of daily or monthly passes.
Janna Spa (women only): Aerobics classes, fitness center, and indoor pool. Ayla Shopping Center, Rashid Street; Tel: 03 205 1991.
Tower Hut Gym & Fitness Center (men only): King Hussein Street, in shopping center next to Aqaba Gulf Hotel.
Volunteer
Injaz Tel: 03 203 2003.
Jordan Environment Society: Tel: 03 201 8488.
Noor Al Hussein Foundation: Tel: 03 201 2641.
Petra National Trust: Tel: 06 464 1037
Princess Basma Community Development Center: Istiqlal Street; Tel: 03 201 2041.
Royal Marine Conservation Society: Manara Street; Tel: 03 202 2995.
Save The Children: Tel: 03 205 1999.
SOS Children Village: Quds Street; Tel: 03 201 6582.
