Aqaba & the Red Sea

Aqaba sits at the tip of the Red Sea, where Jordan meets Egypt, Palestine and Saudi Arabia. The coral reefs of the Aqaba Marine Park start right off the South Beach, so snorkellers see parrotfish, clownfish and lionfish within minutes, and divers visit wrecks such as the Cedar Pride.

In town, the Mamluk-era Aqaba Fort, the early Islamic city of Ayla and the giant flag of the Great Arab Revolt tell Aqaba's history. It is a duty-free zone with good seafood, and King Hussein Airport receives direct flights from Europe.