Middle East - Anthony Ham [323]
Surprisingly, given this radical makeover, Aqaba retains the relaxed small-town atmosphere of a popular, local holiday destination. For the visitor, although there’s not much to see as such, it offers a sociable stopover en route to the diving and snorkelling clubs to the south or the big destinations of Wadi Rum and Petra to the northeast. It’s also an obvious place to break a journey to/from Egypt, or Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
Information
BOOKSHOPS
Redwan Bookshop ( 2013704; redwanbook@hotmail.com; Zahran St; 7.30am-12.30pm & 4-9pm) Extensive selection of newspapers, hard-to-find Jordanian titles and Lonely Planet guidebooks.
Yamani Library ( /fax 2012221; Zahran St; 9am-2.30pm & 6-10pm)
INTERNET ACCESS
Aqaba has a good sprinkling of internet cafés, particularly along As-Sadah St, most of which charge around JD1 to JD2 per hour.
10zII internet Café ( 2022009; As-Sadah St; per hr JD1, 24hr) Next to Days Inn, this large establishment has coffee and soft drinks.
MONEY
There are plenty of banks (with ATMs) and moneychangers around town – see the map on Click here for locations.
POST
General post office (Al-Yarmuk St; 7.30am-7pm Sat-Thu, to 1.30pm Fri)
TOURIST INFORMATION
Tourist office ( /fax 2013363; Baladiya Circle; 8am-2.30pm Sun-Thu) Located in a kiosk in the middle of a new park between carriageways, the brand-new tourist office has lots of leaflets and precious little else, despite friendly staff. There’s another branch inside Aqaba Museum.
VISA EXTENSIONS
Aqaba is the only reliable place to get your visa extended outside Amman.
Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA; 2091000; www.aqabazone.com) Behind Safeway, by the Central Bank of Jordan. You need to register here if you were given a free visa on arrival in Aqaba and are planning to stay in Jordan for more than 14 days (Click here).
Police station ( 2012411; Ar-Reem St; 7am-9pm Sat-Thu) Opposite the bus station. A three-month extension is usually available on the spot and is free. It’s best to go earlier in the day (8am to 3pm).
Sights
Along King Hussein St (also known as the Corniche), and squeezed between the marina and the Mövenpick Resort, is the site of Ayla (Old Aqaba), which is the early medieval port city. The ruins are limited, but worth a quick look if you’re passing.
Of more interest is Aqaba Castle (adult JD1 incl. Aqaba Museum; 8am-4pm Sat-Thu, 10am-4pm Fri), built originally by the Crusaders and expanded by the Mamluks in the early 16th century. The Ottomans occupied the castle until WWI, when it was substantially destroyed by shelling from the British Navy. The Hashemite coat of arms above the main entrance was raised soon afterwards as the Arab Revolt swept through Aqaba.
Nearby is the small but interesting Aqaba Museum (adult JD1 incl Aqaba Castle; 8am-4pm Sat-Thu, 10am-4pm Fri), which has a collection of artefacts including coins, late Byzantine reliefs, ceramics and stone tablets.
Activities
SWIMMING & HAMMAMS
The café-lined public beaches of Aqaba are aimed at sunset strollers rather than swimmers.
Aquamarina Beach Hotel ( 2016254; www.aquamarina-group.com; King Hussein St; 6am until sunset; day rate JD5) charges for use of their tiny scrap of sand, concrete pontoon, pool and restaurant.
Mövenpick Resort & Residence ( /fax 2034020; www.moevenpick-aqaba.com; King Hussein St; 7am until sunset; JD19) offers day use of a clean beach, three pools, health club, sauna and Jacuzzi, and includes vouchers worth JD5 for drinks.
Aqaba Turkish Baths ( 2031605; King Hussein St; 10am-10pm; JD12) has the full works – massage, steam bath and scrubbing – included in the rate. Readers have recommended this place highly: women and couples should call ahead for timings.
Keep your eyes skinned for the opening of the Tala Bay complex, south of Aqaba; it features a huge sandy bay in attractively landscaped gardens.
CRUISES
A company called Sindbad ( 2050077;