Aqaba

The governorate with Jordan's only sea access, combining the red desert of Wadi Rum with coral-reef diving in the Gulf of Aqaba.

Aqaba Governorate lies at Jordan's southernmost tip, bordering Saudi Arabia to the south and facing the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea to the southwest; it is the only governorate with a coastline. Its two main attractions are entirely different: the Wadi Rum protected area is known for its red sandstone mountains and dunes, with jeep tours, overnight stays at Bedouin camps and stargazing, while Aqaba is a seaside city popular for coral-reef diving and snorkeling. Winters are warm, making it a good place to escape the cold, while summers are very hot. King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba and the desert highway to Amman are the main transport gateways.

Destinations

• Aqaba & Red Sea Coast
• Wadi Rum

Itineraries

• Classic Jordan: North to South – Travel south from Amman to the Dead Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Red Sea—the standard route for first-time visitors.
• In-Depth Jordan Self-Drive Grand Loop – Rent a car to explore northern ancient cities, desert castles, the King's Highway, Dana, Petra, and the Red Sea.
• Israel and Jordan: Tel Aviv to Amman – Cross from the Mediterranean through the Holy City and the Red Sea, then explore Petra, Wadi Rum, and Amman.
• Sinai Crossing to Petra, Jordan – Explore Dahab and Mount Sinai, cross the Gulf of Aqaba from Nuweiba, and connect to Wadi Rum, Petra, and Amman.
• Petra & Wadi Rum Express – A short holiday itinerary heading straight to Petra upon landing, spending a night in a desert camp, and wrapping up in…