SanthuWe are not too concerned about destinations especially which are located in the Middle East region. Reasons may be a lot, could be extreme weather conditions, political instability, internal war and religious violence’s. But despite all these facts, did you know that Aqaba is a place in Jordan one of the most often visited destinations?
Yes, Aqaba is a high end coastal region of Jordan, we can’t just choose Aqaba for water activities and beach activities, and moreover there are multiple reasons that makes us pack our backpack to this most underrated destination.
To make your Aqaba trip more authentic and worth one, we came with an article that explains what the reasons help you to choose to travel and why Aqaba called it the “window on the Red Sea”.
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7 Best Reason to Visit Aqaba, Jordan
1. Top Class Destination for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
There are plenty of destinations in the world that always welcome Scuba divers and snorkelling lovers, in the same sense Aqaba sits in this place. Aqaba is home to the country’s best scuba sites including Aqaba Marine Park where warmer, crystal clear and year round scuba diving opportunities are available. While taking scuba diving, divers are fortunate to spot rich marine lifes boasting more than 500 coral species and 1200 sorts of fish species.
If you would like to spend more time with water in Aqaba, snorkelling is also a better choice to you. Warm water temperatures, friendly waves, vibrant coral reef systems and crystal clear waters make it one of the perfect destinations for snorkelers. Home to some of the best coral reefs such as Japanese Garden and Seven Sisters are popular spots located near its shoreline.
2. Home of Stunning Beaches
As we know that Aqaba, often called the “window on the Red Sea”, also boasts the country’s best and stunning beaches where we can take adventure water activities and enjoy some leisure atmospheres. The beach is more calm, clear and travel friendly, spread 180 km long, 25 km wide and 27 km of total Jordanian beachfront.
Despite the Red Sea, South Beach is often known for deeper water activities like scuba diving and exploring marine life. Berenice Beach Club– a private beach club and Ayla Oasis known for water activities like surfing, skiing, parasailing, water skiing, kayaking and windsurfing. Since it is family friendly attraction, make sure that visiting beaches of Aqaba is a great way to spend time with your family and take family oriented activities. So do not miss coming along with your children/partner to take most of its beach activities.
3. Deep History and Cultural Values
It is very important to know the deep and rich history of Aqaba, where more numbers of arecalogical sites and historical landmarks exist. Aqaba castle is a more popular one, a 16th century old fortress primarily built to protect city from invasions. Ayla, a small Islamic city where Islamic architectures from the 7th century are available to see. Sharif Hussein bin Ali mosque is another popular historical landmark known for its largest dome among Jordan’s mosques. Do not forget to explore the popular Aqaba Fort and ruins of Petra, which are close to Aqaba.
Visitors are going to enjoy cuisines, traditions and hospitality which are blended from traditional Jordanian-Bedouin heritage style cultures. Most of the city’s fortified walls, mosques and residential quarters in the heart of the city which all are built according to the Islamic styles and architectures. Even today this spectacular city stands as a great place to experience unique cultures, regional trade and tourism.
4. Popular Destination for Desert Adventure
One of the unique feature in Aqaba to the thrill of adventure lovers. You can’t find these sorts of activities everywhere, but it can be done in Aqaba. Since located in the Wadi Rum Protected area, the place is often connected to more breathtaking desert activities like overnight Bedouin camping, camel trekking, sandboardings and buggy tours.
Out of that, Wadi Rum 4×4 Jeep tour is a more popular one, offering full/half day tours to help capture red sand landscapes, sites like Lawrence of Arabia house and petroglyphs. Try camel ride, a classic and slow riding activity under more desert scenic views and sunny lights.
5. Visa Free Country
Aqaba is a visa free destination for almost all nationalists, you need to pay a $30 fee for a visa on arrival. Thanks to Aaqaba Special Economic Zone Authority. Since it is a part of the special economic zone, visitors are eligible to get 1 month visa free upon arrival.
To get a free visa, you need to compile some conditions, such as you have to stay at least 2 nights in Jordan and not visa free applicable to Allenby Bridge crossing.
6. Its Variety of Food Culture
Food is one reason to visit Aqaba, where we can taste the most delicious Jordanian oriented cuisines options. Tasty food culture of Jordan in Aqaba blend fresh Red sea seafood, Bedouin and traditional Jordanian dishes varieties. Since the city is located close to the city, surely visitors are going to experience the most sought after dishes like grilled fish and shellfish like Crab and Calamari.
Despite just sea foods, the region is known for dishes like falafel, Mansaf, Zarb, a traditional Bedouin meal, and sweets like ma’amoul. However, the city’s major restaurants serve tahini, Jordanian salads, hummus, rice and local bread varieties to customers. Just try it once you visit.
7. Friendly Climate to Explore
Climate is one factor that determines your travel, like here in Aqaba climate plays a very leading role to explore its breathtaking beauties, since the region has a hot desert climate. So, visiting between Novembers to April is crucial, it helps backpackers to take activities like scuba diving, beach activities and desert adventures like Camel ride and sandboarding.
For sightseeing and swimming and snorkelling visit during winter season visitors. If you like to enjoy Aqaba under more friendly temperatures to take a leisure stroll, desert landscape expeditions and historical site discovery, then Spring (March- May) and Autumn (Sep-November) are great seasons to visit.
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