Cruises to Aqaba
Aqaba — Jordan's only seaport and the country's true gateway to the Red Sea. This small resort city, set at the very southern tip of the kingdom, sits where four countries meet at once: from Aqaba's waterfront you can see the coastlines of Jordan, Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia simultaneously. Here the warm coral waters of the Red Sea meet the desert mountains of Edom, and six thousand years of trading-port history sit comfortably alongside a modern resort with dive centres, waterfront restaurants and duty-free shopping. For a cruise traveller, Aqaba is above all the gateway to Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, as well as to the Wadi Rum desert and the world's northernmost coral reefs, which researchers have found to be remarkably resilient to global warming.
In January 2023, Aqaba opened a brand-new cruise terminal, the Aqaba Cruise Terminal, as part of the large-scale Marsa Zayed project — in just its first four months of operation it welcomed more than 50 cruise ship calls, each vessel capable of carrying over 2,000 passengers. Ship calls were temporarily suspended in 2024 due to the difficult regional situation, but cruise traffic to Aqaba has been gradually recovering since early 2025, and the port continues to develop as one of the key cruise hubs of the southern Red Sea. 🚢
📋 Before you set off on a cruise to Aqaba or go ashore for a few hours during a port call, here's what matters most:
🇯🇴 Country: Jordan
📍 Region: Aqaba Governorate (the country's only outlet to the sea)
👥 Population: about 95,000 in the city (roughly 150,000 in the urban area)
📐 Area: 375 km² (145 sq mi)
🗣️ Languages: Arabic (official); English is widely spoken in the tourism sector
💰 Currency: Jordanian dinar (JOD)
🕐 Time zone: GMT+3 year-round (Jordan abolished daylight saving time in 2022)
☀️ Climate: desert climate, with mild winters (+16…+18°C / 61–64°F) and hot summers (+32…+34°C / 90–93°F); Red Sea water temperature ranges from +20…+21°C / 68–70°F in winter to +26…+28°C / 79–82°F in summer
✈️ Nearest airport: King Hussein International Airport (AQJ) — in the northern suburbs of Aqaba
⚓ Official name of the cruise terminal: Aqaba Cruise Terminal (Marsa Zayed project)
🗺️ Quay length: 700 meters (2,300 ft)
🏛️ The history of Aqaba — from copper mines to Jordan's southernmost resort
⏳ 6,000 years at a crossroads of trade routes
The history of Aqaba goes back to the Chalcolithic period: archaeologists have shown that these shores were already settled around 4,000 BC, when local craftsmen were smelting copper on a large scale. In the Bronze and Iron Ages, the biblical city of Elath stood here, alongside Ezion-Geber, the port from which, according to tradition, King Solomon fitted out ships bound for the land of Ophir. Thanks to its position at the crossroads of routes linking Arabia to the Mediterranean, Aqaba remained the region's principal maritime window for millennia.
Under Roman rule the city was known as Aela and became an important port on the border of the province of Arabia. It was here, between 293 and 303 AD, that the Aqaba Church was built — according to archaeologists, the oldest known purpose-built Christian church in the world, designed and constructed as a church from the outset rather than converted from another building.
🕌 Islamic Ayla and the medieval fortress
In 650 AD, shortly after the Islamic conquest, Caliph Uthman ibn Affan ordered the founding of a new city nearby — Ayla, one of the first planned cities of the Islamic era, with a clear rectangular street grid and a mosque considered to be among the earliest built outside the Arabian Peninsula. Ayla flourished as a hub of the spice trade linking Arabia, Africa and the Levant, until a powerful earthquake destroyed the city in 1068. Crusaders briefly held the site afterwards, and the Mamluks later built a nearby fortress that served as a caravanserai for pilgrims travelling to Mecca via Egypt. The fort took on its present form after renovations under Sultan Qansuh al-Ghuri (1501–1516) and a major reconstruction carried out by the Ottoman Sultan Murad III in 1587.
⚔️ The Battle of Aqaba and the birth of the modern city
On 2 July 1917, during the First World War, a decisive battle took place near Aba el Lissan, and on 6 July, Arab Revolt forces led by Sheikh Auda Abu Tayi, together with British intelligence officer T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia), captured the Ottoman fortress of Aqaba in a surprise attack from the desert side — precisely where the Turkish guns could not be turned to face the shore. This victory, later immortalised in the Academy Award-winning film “Lawrence of Arabia,” opened the port to British supply shipments for the Arab rebels. In 1925, Aqaba became part of the British protectorate of Transjordan, later joining the independent Kingdom of Jordan. 🏛️
Today Aqaba is the country's only seaport, a special economic zone (established in 2001) and the leading resort on the Red Sea, attracting ever more travellers from around the world each year.
⚓ The Port of Aqaba — Jordan's only maritime gateway
📊 Scale and structure of the port
The Port of Aqaba is not a single facility but an entire port system comprising 12 terminals managed by five different operators: container, industrial, oil, ferry and cruise. The Aqaba Container Terminal is the second-busiest by cargo volume on the entire Red Sea, with an annual capacity of around 1.3 million TEU, while the ferry terminal serves roughly 1.3 million passengers a year travelling to Egypt.
For cruise visitors, the main facility is the new Aqaba Cruise Terminal, opened on 23 January 2023 as part of the large-scale Marsa Zayed project, a joint development by AD Ports Group (UAE) and the Aqaba Development Corporation. The terminal features a 700-meter (2,300 ft) quay wall, a dedicated building with passenger and baggage halls, retail space, prayer rooms and free Wi-Fi; on days with no ship calls, the venue doubles as a conference and events space. ✨
🚢 How many liners the port can handle
The terminal's quay is designed to accommodate large ocean liners carrying more than 2,000 passengers each; in just its first four months of operation, the new terminal welcomed more than 50 cruise ship calls. Several liners can berth at the quay simultaneously depending on their size, while the rest of the port's waters are used by the cargo, container and ferry terminals.
🏢 Which cruise lines call at Aqaba
Ships from many of the world's leading cruise brands call at Aqaba, including MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea, Azamara, Seabourn and Celestyal Cruises, as well as regional operators Aroya Cruises and Cordelia Cruises, which sail Red Sea and Arabian Sea itineraries. Most calls form part of longer Suez Canal routings, world cruises and seasonal Middle East programmes, since Aqaba functions as a port of call rather than an embarkation or disembarkation port. 🌍
💡 Interesting facts about Aqaba and its port
A few lesser-known details make for a fuller picture of the city:
⛪ Aqaba is home to the oldest known purpose-built Christian church in the world — the Aqaba Church, built between 293 and 303 AD, even before Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire.
🌍 From Aqaba's waterfront you can see the territory of four countries at once — Jordan, Israel (the resort of Eilat), Egypt (the Sinai Peninsula) and Saudi Arabia. A rare sight anywhere in the world.
🪸 The coral reefs of the Gulf of Aqaba rank among the most resilient in the world: studies from 2023–2025 show they survived record-breaking Red Sea heatwaves with barely any bleaching, while most reefs worldwide are dying off en masse from ocean warming. Scientists are studying them as a possible lifeline for the coral of the future.
⚓ On the seabed off Aqaba lies an underwater military museum — a deliberately sunk M42 “Duster” tank, trucks, a helicopter and the ship Cedar Pride have all been turned into artificial reefs for divers.
🕌 The ancient city of Ayla, founded in 650 AD, is considered one of the first planned cities of the Islamic era, and its mosque is thought to be among the earliest built outside the Arabian Peninsula.
🎬 The 1917 capture of Aqaba by Arab rebels, carried out in a surprise attack from the desert rather than the sea, became one of the pivotal scenes in the Academy Award-winning film “Lawrence of Arabia” (1962).
🌡️ Aqaba is one of the hottest cities in the region: a record temperature of +49.6°C (121.3°F) was recorded here in August 2025.
🛍️ Since 2001, Aqaba has held special economic zone status with duty-free trade — purchases in the city are exempt from a range of taxes, making it a popular shopping destination.
📍 Aqaba's must-see landmarks for cruise travellers
A cruise ship's call in Aqaba usually lasts between 8 and 10 hours, and the most popular excursion — a full-day trip to Petra — takes up most of that time. You'll find a detailed list with addresses and opening hours in the “Landmarks and Places of Interest” section; below is a brief overview of the landmarks that define the region.
🏛️ Petra — an ancient Nabataean city carved into pink sandstone, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO site, 120 km (75 mi) from the port.
🏜️ Wadi Rum — the “Valley of the Moon,” a Martian-like desert landscape of sand dunes and rock formations where “Lawrence of Arabia” and “The Martian” were filmed.
🏰 Aqaba Fortress — a 14th–16th-century Mamluk castle beside the city flagpole, one of the tallest in the world.
🐠 The Red Sea and its coral reefs — diving and snorkelling among some of the richest coral ecosystems on the planet, including the sunken M42 tank and the ship Cedar Pride.
🐟 The Marine Science Station Aquarium — a showcase of Red Sea flora and fauna right on the waterfront.
🕌 Ancient Ayla — the ruins of the region's first planned Islamic city, with remains of a 7th-century mosque.
🏖️ Aqaba's waterfront (the Corniche) — a promenade lined with restaurants and cafés, with views of four countries at once.
✨ Why include Aqaba in your cruise itinerary
Aqaba is a rare port of call that lets you see several eras and natural wonders in a single day.
First, for many itineraries it's the only chance to reach Petra — one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, which millions of travellers dream of seeing in person. 🏛️
Second, it's a striking contrast of landscapes: an hour's drive from the pier lie the Martian deserts of Wadi Rum, while right by the terminal are the warm coral reefs of the Red Sea with their exceptional biodiversity. 🐠
Third, Aqaba combines 6,000 years of history with modern infrastructure: a new cruise terminal, duty-free shopping in a special economic zone, and a waterfront with views of four countries at once. 🌍
The cruise specialists at Four Gates Group will help you choose the best route through the Red Sea, advise on whether to explore Aqaba independently or on an organised tour during your call, and offer exclusive rates from MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, Silversea and other leading brands we work with as a priority partner in Ukraine. 🤝
ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is for general guidance and was accurate at the time of publication. Prices, schedules, routes and visiting conditions may change without notice. Please confirm current details with a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or on the relevant official websites.
FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises by Professionals
How to Get to the Cruise Terminal in Aqaba
Aqaba is Jordan's only seaport city and one of the youngest cruise terminals in the Middle East — the modern harbour for cruise liners only opened in January 2023. Unlike many Mediterranean ports, there is no extensive metro or suburban rail network here — the main way to reach the terminal and back is by taxi, a pre-arranged transfer, or a shuttle organised by the cruise line. Below is a verified, step-by-step guide with all transfer options, current prices, and tips from the cruise specialists at Four Gates Group. 🎯
📍 Where exactly is Aqaba's cruise port
Passenger liners dock at the Aqaba Cruise Terminal, a modern facility that opened on 23 January 2023 within the coastal Marsa Zayed district, on almost the same site as the historic port of Aqaba. The terminal is developed and operated by AD Ports Group (UAE) under an agreement with the Aqaba Development Corporation.
• Berth: a 700-metre/2,300-foot quay where ships dock directly alongside — no tender landing required
• Facilities: arrivals and baggage halls, retail outlets, prayer rooms, free Wi-Fi, and border and customs offices
• Distance to the city centre: about 4 km/2.5 mi
• Port area: this is a working port zone, so walking into town on your own is not permitted — the only way out is by organised shuttle, a pre-booked transfer, or as part of a shore excursion
❗ About the visa: citizens of most countries, including Ukraine, receive their Jordanian entry visa right at the terminal on arrival (on larger ships, border officers often board to process documents before disembarkation begins). The standard fee is around 40–50 JD, though it may be included or waived for guests on an organised excursion with a licensed operator in some cases — confirm this detail with your cruise manager or cruise line in advance.
✈️ From King Hussein International Airport (AQJ) to the cruise terminal
King Hussein International Airport is only 9–10 km/5.6–6.2 mi from the centre of Aqaba (about a 15-minute drive) and receives direct and connecting flights from Europe, the Gulf states, and other regions. There are no direct flights from Ukraine — the most convenient connections run via Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, or Amman.
🚕 Taxi — the main way to get there
There is no public transport from the airport, so an official taxi is the simplest and most common option.
• Journey time to the port: 20–25 minutes
• Approximate fare: around 12–18 JD on the airport's fixed-rate scale (the fare to the city centre is usually 10–15 JD; to the port it runs a few dinars higher due to the extra distance)
• Apps: Uber and Careem do not operate in Aqaba — use only the official taxi desks in the arrivals hall
💡 Tip from Four Gates: agree on the destination and the fare before getting in the car, and confirm whether the price quoted is for the whole ride, not per person.
🚐 Private transfer — the most comfortable option
If you are travelling as a family, in a group, or with a lot of luggage, this is the best choice. A driver will meet you in the arrivals hall with a name board, help with your bags, and take you straight to the terminal for a fixed price.
• Benefits: fixed price, English-speaking driver, flight monitoring, no queuing
🤝 Four Gates Group arranges private transfers for its clients — simply share your flight number when booking your cruise.
🚌 Bus — not an option
Unlike major European airports, King Hussein International has no regular bus service to the city or the port. Taxi, transfer, or car hire are the only ways to get around.
🚌 From Amman and Queen Alia Airport to Aqaba
Some travellers fly into Amman (Queen Alia International Airport, AMM) — for example, to combine their cruise with an independent trip to Petra. The distance between Amman and Aqaba is about 330 km/205 mi.
• Domestic flight: Royal Jordanian operates regular Amman–Aqaba flights, with a flight time of about 55 minutes and fares from around 40 JD one way
• JETT bus: several departures a day from the 7th Circle terminal in Amman, with a journey time of 4–5 hours and tickets from 11 JD one way; the JETT station in Aqaba is close to the city centre, a further 10–15 minutes by taxi to the port
• Private transfer or car hire: the drive takes about 4 hours along the Desert Highway
❗ Important: if you plan to fly into Amman and continue to Aqaba independently, allow at least a full day — it is not worth rushing ahead of boarding.
🏙️ From central Aqaba to the cruise terminal
If you have spent a night or a few days at a hotel in Aqaba, there are several ways to reach your ship:
🚕 Taxi from your hotel — 10–15 minutes' drive. A ride within the city usually costs no more than 2 JD; outside the city, including to the port, it runs around 3–5 JD.
🚌 Cruise line shuttle — the most popular option among passengers: most cruise lines run a free or paid shuttle between the terminal and a stop in the city centre (about 4 km/2.5 mi away). Always confirm the schedule, cost, and last departure time on board in advance.
🚶 On foot — not possible: the port area is closed to independent pedestrian access, and entry and exit are permitted only via organised transport.
🚗 By private car — parking near the port (and car hire)
Aqaba is predominantly a fly-in destination, so only a small share of visitors arrive at the port in their own or a hired car. This option is nonetheless available:
• Car hire: rental desks operate at the airport and in the city centre, with prices from around 25–30 JD a day for an economy car with air conditioning and basic insurance
• Entering the port area: private cars do not have free access to the quay itself — passengers are dropped off and picked up at the port checkpoint, with an organised shuttle covering the rest of the way to the ship
• Tip: if you hire a car for a trip to Petra or Wadi Rum, plan to return it at the airport or in the city in good time — there is no long-term parking for private cars within the terminal grounds
🛣️ GPS route: the port sits on the Red Sea coast, a few kilometres/a couple of miles from central Aqaba; use “Aqaba Cruise Terminal, Aqaba, Jordan” as your navigation landmark.
♿ Accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility
The new terminal was designed with modern accessibility standards in mind:
✅ Arrivals and departures halls are fitted with ramps and lifts
✅ Terminal staff help with boarding the shuttle and transfer on request
✅ It is best to let the cruise line know about any special assistance needs in advance — this speeds up border and customs clearance
✅ Ask your tour operator or transfer company separately about the availability of an adapted vehicle for transfers — this is not always a standard service in the region
⏰ When to be back at the cruise terminal
Aqaba is a port of call, not an embarkation or disembarkation port: liners stop here for a single call as part of a longer itinerary, rather than starting or ending a cruise. The key rule here is simple — be back on board on time after your day ashore or excursion.
🕐 All-aboard deadline: usually 60–90 minutes before the ship's published departure time — the exact time is always stated in the daily programme on board and on your excursion voucher
🕐 On an official ship excursion: the cruise line guarantees you will be back on board in time — even if the group runs late, the ship will wait
🕐 If you arrange your own trip (for example, to Petra or Wadi Rum), build in a generous time buffer: the drive to Petra takes about 2 hours each way, so a fully independent round trip means at least 5–6 hours on the road alone, plus time to explore — and any delay (traffic, a queue at the site entrance, slow processing) can cost you the ship, which will not wait for independent travellers
❗ Four Gates tip: for longer trips (Petra, Wadi Rum), choose an official excursion from the cruise line or a trusted local operator with a guaranteed return — this is the safest option for a short port call.
💡 Tips from the Four Gates Group experts
Over years of working with Red Sea ports, our cruise specialists have gathered advice that will save you time, money, and stress:
💶 Carry cash in JD. ATMs are available at the terminal and in central Aqaba, but small payments (taxis, entry tickets, tips) are quicker and easier in cash.
🏛️ Check the Petra entry price in advance. For single-day visitors who are not staying overnight in Jordan — which describes the vast majority of cruise passengers — the standard entry fee for Petra is around 90 JD, considerably more than the 50 JD “tourist” rate for those staying overnight in the country. This difference is usually already built into the price of an official ship excursion.
📱 Don't rely on Uber or Careem. Ride-hailing apps don't work in Aqaba — arrange a driver in person or through your hotel.
🪪 Bring a photocopy of your passport. Border and customs clearance at the terminal is quick, but carrying a passport copy and your cruise Ship Card is good practice in any port.
👟 Dress for the weather and the route. Summer temperatures in Aqaba can exceed +38 °C/+100 °F, and both Petra and Wadi Rum involve long stretches on foot — comfortable shoes, a hat, and water are essential.
🌐 Download an offline map in advance. Mobile internet is reliable in Aqaba itself, but coverage can drop outside the city, including on the road to Petra and in the Wadi Rum desert.
📞 Contacts and useful numbers
Jordan emergency services (police, ambulance, fire): 911
Jordan Tourist Police: 191
Traffic Police: 190
Four Gates Group cruise specialists (24/7 for clients):+38 097 653 05 53
Getting to the cruise terminal in Aqaba works a little differently from the European ports you may be used to — there is less public transport, but the system is clear and simple: taxi, transfer, or the cruise line's shuttle. The key is to plan your route ahead of time and keep a comfortable time buffer, especially if you are arranging your own trip to Petra or Wadi Rum. The cruise experts at Four Gates Group can help you choose the best transfer option and organise an excursion with a guaranteed return to the ship. Get in touch with your manager, and your day in Aqaba will start without any stress. 🛳️✨
ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is for general reference and was accurate at the time of publication. Prices, schedules, routes, and visiting conditions may change without notice. Please confirm current details with a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or on the official websites of the relevant venues.
FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises by Professionals
Aqaba Landmarks and Places: A Complete Guide for Cruise Travelers
Aqaba — Jordan's only seaport and the gateway to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the ancient city of Petra and the desert of Wadi Rum. This is a rare cruise port where the most memorable experiences wait not in the city itself, but well beyond it — among the rose-red cliffs of the Nabataeans' “lost city” or the moonlike landscapes of the Bedouin desert. That is exactly why a ship's call in Aqaba usually lasts longer than in most Mediterranean ports — typically 10 to 15 hours, since that is how much time is needed to visit Petra and return to the ship. Below is a verified guide to the main landmarks of Aqaba and its surroundings, with up-to-date 2026 prices, opening hours, and precise directions from the cruise terminal to every site. 🎯
⛏️ 1. Petra — the “Rose City” Carved Out of Rock
💡 Interesting Facts and Background:
Petra is the main reason cruise ships call at Aqaba at all. It is the ancient capital of the Nabataean kingdom, carved directly into the rose-red cliffs of the desert, and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. 🏆
🔹 Petra's icon is the facade of the Treasury (Al-Khazneh), standing 39.5 meters (130 ft) tall and 25.3 meters (83 ft) wide, carved into the rock in the 1st century AD. Despite its name, it was most likely not a treasury at all but a royal tomb — possibly that of the Nabataean king Aretas IV.
🔹 The Treasury is reached through the Siq — a narrow, winding canyon about 1.2 km (0.75 mi) long, flanked by sheer walls up to 80 meters (262 ft) high. The moment of stepping out of the shaded Siq straight onto the Treasury is considered one of the most dramatic “reveals” in world tourism.
🔹 The Monastery (Ad Deir) is another rock-cut structure, even larger than the Treasury: 47 m (154 ft) high and 48 m (157 ft) wide. It can only be reached on foot or by donkey — almost 800 steps and about 40 minutes of climbing.
🔹 The final scenes of “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989) were filmed in Petra — the Treasury played the role of the temple holding the Holy Grail. 🎬
🔹 Petra was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985, and in 2007 it was officially named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
📜 History:
The city was founded by the Nabataeans — a nomadic Arab people who, in the 4th century BC, settled in this valley hidden among the mountains and turned it into the capital of a powerful trading kingdom. Caravans carrying frankincense, myrrh, and spices from Arabia to the ports of the Mediterranean passed through Petra, and control over these routes brought the city its wealth. In 106 AD Petra was annexed by the Roman Empire, and after a devastating earthquake in 363 AD and a shift in trade routes, the city gradually declined and was nearly forgotten by the outside world. In 1812, Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, disguised as a local pilgrim, became the first European in centuries to see Petra — marking the beginning of its “rediscovery.”
🚢 How to Get There From the Aqaba Cruise Terminal:
• Organized tour/private transfer: about 2 hours one way (around 127 km/79 mi along the Desert Highway)
• JETT bus: departs Aqaba at 8:00 a.m., arriving in Petra around 11:00 a.m.; the return bus leaves Petra's visitor center at 5:00 p.m., arriving back in Aqaba around 8:00 p.m. Fare — 15 JOD one way, 30 JOD round trip
• Private taxi: roughly 75–100 JOD per vehicle one way (arrange in advance)
💶 Prices and Opening Hours:
• Standard one-day ticket (for visitors not staying overnight in Jordan): 90 JOD
• Discounted rate for cruise passengers booked through a licensed tour operator: typically 50 JOD — confirm current conditions with your cruise specialist
• Children under 12: free
• Petra by Night (an evening candlelit walk through the Siq): 30 JOD, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only, at 8:30 p.m.
• Opening hours: daily from 6:00 a.m., closing roughly between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. depending on the season
⚠️ Important: a full visit to Petra including the Monastery is practically impossible during a single port call — most visitors limit themselves to the Siq, the Treasury and the Royal Tombs.
🏜️ 2. Wadi Rum — the Valley of the Moon
💡 Interesting Facts and Background:
Wadi Rum is a sand-and-rock desert in southern Jordan, often called the Valley of the Moon for its otherworldly scenery. It has been a mixed UNESCO World Heritage Site (natural and cultural) since 2011.
🔹 The protected area covers 721 km² (278 sq mi), and its highest point, Jabal Umm ad Dami, reaches 1,840 m (6,037 ft) — the highest peak in Jordan.
🔹 It was here, in 1917–1918, that British officer Thomas Edward Lawrence (“Lawrence of Arabia”) fought and later described the desert in detail in his memoirs. The rock formation known as the “Seven Pillars of Wisdom” was named after his book of the same title, published later.
🔹 Thanks to its Mars-like scenery, Wadi Rum has served as a filming location for “The Martian,” “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” “Dune,” and other space-themed films. 🚀
🔹 Khazali Canyon preserves Thamudic rock petroglyphs depicting humans and antelopes — more than two thousand years old.
📜 History:
The valley has been inhabited since prehistoric times, leaving behind Nabataean inscriptions and the ruins of a temple near a spring known today as “Lawrence's Spring.” Today the desert is home to Bedouin of the Zalabia tribe, who still live in tent camps and guide visitors on jeep tours and camel rides, preserving their traditional way of life.
🚢 How to Get There From the Aqaba Cruise Terminal:
• Taxi: about 1 hour (roughly 60 km/37 mi along the Desert Highway), around 20 JOD per vehicle for up to 4 people, one way
• Private transfer: from 105 JOD per vehicle one way
• Shared minibus: around 3 JOD one way (no fixed schedule; departs once full)
💶 Prices and Opening Hours:
• Protected area entrance fee: 7 JOD (free for Jordanian citizens)
• Multi-hour jeep tour with a Bedouin guide: from 50 JOD/person (in a group), from 75 JOD for a solo traveler
• Full-day jeep tour with lunch: depending on group size, roughly 50–75 JOD/person
• The protected area is open all day; jeep departures usually run from 10:00–10:30 a.m.
🏰 3. Aqaba Fort (Mamluk Castle) and the Great Arab Revolt Plaza
💡 Interesting Facts and Background:
Right by Aqaba's historic center, just a few steps from the waterfront, stands a medieval fortress that has seen Crusaders, Ottomans and Lawrence of Arabia come and go.
🔹 Next to the fortress rises the flagpole of the Great Arab Revolt Plaza, standing 130 meters (427 ft) tall — at one time it was the world's tallest free-standing flagpole, until it was surpassed by a flagpole in Ashgabat in 2008. The flag can be seen even from neighboring Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. 🇯🇴
🔹 The flagpole was unveiled on October 3, 2004, to commemorate the Great Arab Revolt of 1916–1918 against the Ottoman Empire.
🔹 The fortress's main gate is decorated with machicolations and the emblems of the Hashemite dynasty.
📜 History:
The current fortress was built in 1517 on the orders of Mamluk Sultan Qansuh al-Ghawri as a fortified caravanserai, where Muslim pilgrims could rest on their way to Mecca. On the site of an earlier structure that had survived a Crusader attack in 1116, the Ottomans later used the fort as military barracks and a shelter for pilgrims. The most dramatic chapter in the fort's history came in 1917, when during the assault on Aqaba by Arab rebels led by Sharif Hussein bin Ali, supported by Lawrence of Arabia and an Anglo-French naval force, a large part of the fortress — including the west wall and the northwest tower — was destroyed by ship gunfire. After Jordan gained independence in 1946, the fortress was restored.
🚢 How to Get There From the Aqaba Cruise Terminal:
• Taxi: roughly 10–15 minutes, a few JOD
• On foot along the Corniche waterfront: depending on the exact berth, roughly 20–30 minutes
💶 Prices and Opening Hours:
• Admission: free as of 2026
• Opening hours: daily, roughly 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (later in summer)
🏛️ 4. Aqaba Archaeological Museum
💡 Interesting Facts and Background:
The museum occupies the former palace of Sharif Hussein bin Ali — founder of the Hashemite dynasty — built in 1917, just a short walk from the fort and the flagpole.
🔹 The oldest exhibits are Bronze Age artifacts from the excavations at Tell Hujayrat al-Ghuzlan, dated to around 4000 BC, evidence of one of the region's oldest continuously inhabited settlements with an advanced copper industry.
🔹 The collection also includes a 9th-century Quranic inscription, coins from the Fatimid period, and even coins from the Moroccan sultanate of Sijilmasa.
🔹 The museum was officially opened on January 1, 1990.
📜 History:
The palace building is closely tied to the events of the Great Arab Revolt — it was from here that Hussein bin Ali, father of Jordan's future King Abdullah I, directed the rebel forces in 1917. The building was later converted into a museum dedicated to millennia of Aqaba's history, from prehistoric settlements to the Islamic era.
🚢 How to Get There From the Aqaba Cruise Terminal:
• Located right next to the fort and the flagpole — the same short ride as landmark #3, roughly 10–15 minutes by taxi
💶 Prices and Opening Hours:
• Admission: free as of 2026
• Opening hours: daily except certain religious holidays, roughly 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. — best to confirm locally
🐠 5. The Underwater World of the Red Sea — Aqaba Marine Park
💡 Interesting Facts and Background:
Aqaba sits on a gulf with some of the northernmost coral reefs on the planet — and at the same time some of the most abundant marine life anywhere in the Red Sea.
🔹 The Cedar Pride wreck — a cargo ship deliberately sunk to create an artificial reef — lies at a depth of 10–28 meters (33–92 ft) and is now completely overgrown with coral colonies, moray eels and lionfish.
🔹 Japanese Garden — a shallow reef (5–18 m / 16–59 ft) with vividly colored soft and hard corals, ideal for snorkeling and underwater photography.
🔹 The Underwater Military Museum — 21 pieces of decommissioned military hardware (tanks, armored personnel carriers, even a military aircraft), deliberately sunk and arranged on the seabed as both an exhibit and an artificial reef for divers.
🔹 King Abdullah Reef and the “Seven Sisters” site, with a sunken M42 anti-aircraft gun mount, attract barracuda and groupers.
📜 History:
Aqaba Marine Park was created to protect the gulf's unique coral ecosystem, and several sites — including the Cedar Pride (sunk in 1985) and the Underwater Military Museum (opened in 2019) — were specifically prepared as artificial reefs, both to relieve tourist pressure on the natural corals and to create new locations for divers.
🚢 How to Get There From the Aqaba Cruise Terminal:
• Dive and snorkeling centers are concentrated on South Beach, roughly 15–20 minutes by taxi south of the city center
💶 Prices and Opening Hours:
• Snorkeling boat tour: roughly from 15–25 JOD/person
• Two dives with a dive center (equipment included): roughly 45–70 JOD
• Glass-bottom boat ride (15 min): from 15 JOD per boat
• Neptune submarine tour (about 2 hours, no swimming or diving required): from 93 USD/person
• Dive centers operate daily, typically from 8:00 a.m. until sunset
🕌 6. The Sharif Hussein bin Ali Mosque and the Corniche Waterfront
💡 Interesting Facts and Background:
Aqaba's main mosque stands right on the Corniche waterfront (King Hussein Street) and is the largest and most visited mosque in the governorate.
🔹 The mosque can hold around 3,500 worshippers at once.
🔹 Its architecture blends Mamluk-style elements with motifs from the Prophet's Mosque in Medina: gleaming white domes and tall minarets.
🔹 In the courtyard grow several sidr (jujube) trees over 110 years old — living witnesses to the city's history.
📜 History:
The foundation stone was laid in 1975 and construction was completed in 1983 under King Hussein bin Talal. Between 2009 and 2011 the mosque was completely rebuilt under King Abdullah II, giving it its modern appearance while preserving traditional architectural motifs.
🚢 How to Get There From the Aqaba Cruise Terminal:
• Located on the Corniche waterfront, alongside the city's other historic landmarks — roughly 10–15 minutes by taxi
💶 Prices and Opening Hours:
• Admission for tourists: free, outside prayer times
• 👕 Dress code: shoulders and knees covered, women should carry a headscarf; shoes are removed before entering the prayer hall
🏛️ 7. The Ancient Islamic City of Ayla
💡 Interesting Facts and Background:
Not to be confused with the modern resort complex “Ayla Oasis” — this archaeological site is the ruins of one of the oldest Islamic cities in the world, excavated right in the center of modern Aqaba.
🔹 The city was founded around 650 AD on the orders of Caliph Uthman ibn Affan — one of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs of early Islam.
🔹 The site preserves a rectangular street grid, fortified walls with towers and gates, residential quarters, and marketplaces.
🔹 Remains found here include a mosque believed to be among the oldest mosques ever built outside the Arabian Peninsula.
🔹 Ayla was an important trading hub linking Arabia, Africa and the Levant, forming part of the early Islamic spice trade network.
📜 History:
Ayla arose as a new fortified port near an older Nabataean-Roman settlement and, for several centuries, remained the leading Islamic port on the Red Sea, until it declined following earthquakes and shifting trade routes in the late Middle Ages. Excavations, begun in the second half of the 20th century, revealed a unique cross-section of early Islamic urban civilization that can be viewed in the open air today.
🚢 How to Get There From the Aqaba Cruise Terminal:
• Located in the city center, near the fort and the waterfront — roughly 10–15 minutes by taxi
💶 Prices and Opening Hours:
• Admission: free, open-air site
• Access: all day (the site is unfenced and has no fixed opening hours)
🎨 8. Other Places Worth Your Attention
• ⛵ Ayla Oasis — a modern resort development north of the center with a yacht marina, canals, a golf course, and hotels from leading international brands; named after the ancient Islamic city but a separate, modern development in its own right. Walking the waterfront is free; only individual amenities are paid.
• 🏖️ Tala Bay — a private beach resort south of the center with a clean sandy beach and its own snorkeling reefs; admission is charged for non-hotel guests.
• 🕌 Aqaba's Old Town and Souk — narrow lanes of the market quarter selling spices, textiles, souvenirs and traditional coffee shops; best combined with a visit to the fort and mosque.
• 🐦 Aqaba Bird Observatory — a monitoring station run by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature; more than 1.5 million waterbirds migrate through the gulf every year, making Aqaba a key point on the Afro-Eurasian flyway.
• 🛶 Royal Yacht Club — a marina in the city center with restaurants and gulf views, from where, on a clear day, four countries are visible at once: Jordan, Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
• 🏺 Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) — a satellite Nabataean settlement 8 km (5 mi) north of Petra, where caravans once stopped before entering the capital. Admission is free, and the “Painted Biclinium,” discovered in 2010, preserves unique frescoes of grapevines — the only known example of Nabataean figurative painting found in situ. Best paired with a visit to Petra.
🗺️ Three Self-Guided Itineraries From Aqaba
A cruise ship's call in Aqaba usually lasts longer than in Mediterranean ports — roughly 10 to 15 hours — because that is how much time a proper trip to Petra requires. Below are three options depending on budget and preference.
🥉 Itinerary #1. Budget — Staying Within Aqaba, up to 30 JOD per Person
⏱️ Total time: 8 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: 20–30 JOD + food
🕘 9:00 a.m. — Leave the cruise terminal
Taxi to the historic center (roughly 10–15 minutes, a few JOD).
🕘 9:20–10:30 a.m. — Aqaba Fort and the Great Arab Revolt Plaza
Tour the fortress, then stroll to the base of the 130-meter (427 ft) flagpole.
🕥 10:30–11:15 a.m. — Aqaba Archaeological Museum
The former palace of Sharif Hussein bin Ali, free admission.
🕚 11:15 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — The Ancient City of Ayla and the Souk
Walk along the waterfront to the ruins of the early Islamic city, then through the narrow lanes of the old souk.
🕛 12:00–1:00 p.m. — Lunch in the city center
Traditional Jordanian cuisine — roughly 8–12 JOD for a main course with a drink.
🕐 1:00–2:30 p.m. — The Sharif Hussein bin Ali Mosque and the Corniche
View the mosque from outside and inside (outside prayer times), then stroll the waterfront with views of the gulf and neighboring Eilat.
🕝 2:30–4:30 p.m. — South Beach and snorkeling
Taxi to South Beach (roughly 15–20 minutes), a snorkeling tour over the coral reef — from 15–25 JOD.
🕟 4:30–5:00 p.m. — Return to the port
💰 Cost breakdown:
• Taxi (several rides): 8–12 JOD
• Lunch: 8–12 JOD
• Snorkeling tour: 15–25 JOD
💸 TOTAL: roughly 31–49 JOD per person
🥈 Itinerary #2. Optimal — Petra Independently, Roughly 90–110 JOD per Person
⏱️ Total time: 12 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: 90–110 JOD + souvenirs
🕗 8:00 a.m. — Depart Aqaba by JETT bus
Fare — 30 JOD round trip. Seats should be booked online in advance, as availability is limited.
🕚 11:00 a.m. — Arrive at Petra's visitor center
Buy your ticket (discounted rate for cruise passengers, where available — roughly 50 JOD) and enter through the Siq.
🕦 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. — Walk the Siq to the Treasury
1.2 km (0.75 mi) through the winding canyon, your first view of Al-Khazneh.
🕐 12:15–2:00 p.m. — Street of Facades and the Royal Tombs
Explore the tombs of the Nabataean nobility, the amphitheater, and the colonnaded main street.
🕝 2:00–3:00 p.m. — Lunch in Petra
A cafe near the Byzantine church or the “Basin Restaurant” — roughly 10–15 JOD.
🕒 3:00–4:45 p.m. — Free time and return to the visitor center
If you like, a short walk toward the Monastery (without climbing all 800 steps), or a look at additional side tombs.
🕔 5:00 p.m. — JETT bus departs back to Aqaba
Arrival at the port roughly at 8:00 p.m.
💰 Cost breakdown:
• JETT bus round trip: 30 JOD
• Petra entrance ticket (discounted rate): roughly 50 JOD
• Lunch: 10–15 JOD
💸 TOTAL: roughly 90–95 JOD per person
💡 If the discounted rate does not apply, the standard one-day ticket costs 90 JOD — bringing the total to 130–135 JOD.
🥇 Itinerary #3. Premium — Private Petra + Wadi Rum Excursion, From 350 JOD per Person
⏱️ Total time: 12.5 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: 350–450 JOD + tickets
🏆 What's included:
• ✅ Meet-and-greet with a private driver holding a sign right at the gangway
• ✅ A comfortable air-conditioned car/minivan for the whole day
• ✅ A professional, English-speaking licensed guide in Petra
• ✅ Skip-the-line entry to Petra, no waiting in line
• ✅ A jeep tour through the Wadi Rum desert on the way back
• ✅ Lunch included, flexible schedule — we adjust on the go
You can book through your cruise manager, or contact us directly using any convenient method:
Phone numbers:
• Office: +38 (044) 337 82 01
• Mobile (LifeCell): +380 93 653 05 53
• Mobile (Vodafone): +380 66 653 05 53
• Mobile (Kyivstar): +380 97 653 05 53
Email us
🕖 7:00 a.m. — Meet your driver at the terminal
🕘 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. — Petra with a licensed guide (skip-the-line)
A private tour through the Siq, the Treasury, the Street of Facades and the Royal Tombs, with in-depth insights into Nabataean history.
🕧 12:30–1:30 p.m. — Lunch near Petra
A restaurant serving traditional Jordanian cuisine, included in the tour price.
🕜 1:45–3:15 p.m. — Drive to Wadi Rum
Private car, traveling along the desert highway (about 1.5 hours).
🕒 3:15–5:30 p.m. — Jeep tour through the Wadi Rum desert
The Valley of the Moon, the “Seven Pillars of Wisdom” rock formation, Khazali Canyon with its petroglyphs, and a tea stop at a Bedouin tent.
🕠 5:30–7:30 p.m. — Return to Aqaba
Private transfer directly to the ship's gangway.
💰 Cost breakdown:
• Private driver and car (12.5 hours): from 200 JOD
• Licensed guide in Petra: from 80 JOD
• Petra entrance ticket (discounted rate): roughly 50 JOD
• Wadi Rum entrance + jeep tour: roughly 30–40 JOD
• Lunch: included
💸 TOTAL: from 350 JOD per person (for a group of 2+ — priced per vehicle, better value per person)
🤝 Four Gates Group arranges private excursions across Aqaba, Petra and Wadi Rum with licensed guides, gangway-to-gangway transfers, and a guaranteed return to the ship. Contact your cruise specialist — and your day in Jordan will be planned perfectly to your taste. 🛳️✨
⚠️ Important to Know Before You Go Ashore
🕐 The “all aboard” rule: return to the ship 60–90 minutes before departure. If you are heading to Petra or Wadi Rum on your own, always build in extra time for traffic on the Desert Highway — the ship will not wait.
🪪 Documents: to travel beyond Aqaba (to Petra or Wadi Rum), bring your original passport, not just your cruise Ship Card — this is a Jordanian border control requirement.
💵 Cash: carry 50–80 JOD in cash, in small bills — cards are not accepted everywhere, especially in Petra and Wadi Rum.
👟 Clothing and footwear: comfortable closed-toe shoes for walking over the uneven stones of the Siq and the desert, a hat, and sunglasses. For the mosque — covered shoulders and knees.
☀️ Sun protection and heat: the climate is arid, with summer temperatures reaching +38…+40 °C (100–104 °F) even in the shade. Be sure to bring at least 1.5–2 liters (50–68 fl oz) of drinking water per person, especially for a trip to Petra or Wadi Rum.
🔐 Safety: Aqaba and Jordan as a whole are considered among the safest destinations in the Middle East for tourists, but in Petra you should agree on a price for a donkey or camel ride in advance — it is too late to negotiate once the ride is over.
📱 Connectivity: mobile internet is available at the port and in central Aqaba; download offline maps for Petra and Wadi Rum in advance — coverage can drop out in the desert.
ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is for general reference and was accurate at the time of publication. Prices, schedules, routes and visiting conditions may change without notice. Please confirm current details with a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or on the official websites of the relevant sites.
FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises by Professionals