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Aqaba

Culture of Aqaba. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Fortunately, Aqaba’s historic district is in a good condition. The majority of important landmarks are located in this part of the city. This is where tourists can visit Aqaba Castle that was built at the beginning of the 16th century. Starting from its construction, the castle was an important military object for almost 300 years. Even during World War I it was in the center of battles. Aqaba Castle got massive damages at that time nevertheless some elements of the original building have survived to this day. Nowadays, tourists can attend interesting excursions in the old fortress and see ancient stables, prison cells, and even a room where post pigeons were kept. The castle is located at some elevation, and so there are several amazing observation decks perfect for taking photographs.
Aqaba is one of the leaders in Jordan when it comes to entertainment. Many tourists visit this city to enjoy premium beach recreation and diving. The Red Sea is famous for its fantastic … Open
A visit to the Aqaba Archaeological Museum should be a mandatory part of any excursion in this city. It exhibits an incredibly interesting collection, all artifacts in which were discovered during the excavations in the city and its nearest suburbs. The oldest archaeological findings in the museum date back to the Bronze Age. They were made more than 6,000 years ago. You can see collections of prehistoric weapons and tools, ancient coins, and jewelry made during the prehistoric period. This museum opened relatively not long ago, in 1990. New items are regularly added to the collection even nowadays. Many archaeological sites near Aqaba are also open for excursions.
Tourists can visit an interesting archaeological site right in the city. These are the ruins of the ancient Ayla City. Archaeologists discovered fragments of ancient houses, a city wall, and even a mosque here. As scientists think, there was a large merchant city here during the reign of King Solomon. Today, absolutely everyone is welcome to see the ruins of the formerly majestic buildings. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
Do not miss an opportunity to explore picturesque oriental bazaars in Aqaba and then visit private shops and ateliers that are open in this city. Attractive clothes in the national style are … Open
Sharif Hussein Bin Ali Mosque, one of the most famous and important religious attractions in Aqaba, is situated in the city center. This is a marvelous example of Muslim architecture. The façade and dome of the mosque are painted in white. Sharif Hussein Bin Ali is one of a few mosques in Jordan that are open for people of all religions. There is only one simple rule before entering it – take off your shoes and cover your head and shoulders. The mosque was built in 1975 and was extensively restored in 2011. The shrine’s inner décor is a synonym of elegance and harmony.
The next landmark is an important historic symbol for all residents of Aqaba. The Aqaba Flagpole is a 137-meter tall free-standing flagpole that is installed on a hill. The flag, which is 40 meters long and 20 meters wide, makes the construction visible and easy to notice. The flag was erected in 2017 when Aqaba celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Great Arab Revolt.
The gorgeous city of Aqaba is situated not far from Egypt and Israel. This is the only port city in Jordan. However, tourists know this city as a popular resort destination. The city’s … Open
The capture of Aqaba was a key battle in the fight for independence. Every year, local people organize festive activities to celebrate this important event. The road to the hilltop starts near the waterfront end. It is easy to get here from any part of Aqaba. The flagpole is a popular tourist attraction, so no wonder why there are many interesting amusements nearby. For example, tourists can ride a camel around the giant flagpole or simply drink a cup of coffee in a charming restaurant and admire the panoramic view of Aqaba.
Ruins of al old church are one more interesting historic landmark in Aqaba. For people not interested in history, the ruins might not look appealing. However, history fans will want to explore the area. The church, fragments of which were discovered during excavations in Aqaba, was officially recognized among the oldest in the world. Its foundation dates back to the 3rd century. Scientists think that the church was destroyed during a large earthquake. Over the centuries, the old church became completely buried under the layers of sand, and this fact helped to protect fragments of the ancient building for more than one thousand and five hundred years.
Aqaba is one of the leaders in Jordan when it comes to entertainment. Many tourists visit this city to enjoy premium beach recreation and diving. The Red Sea is famous for its fantastic … Open
The height of some wall fragments exceeds 2 meters. The old foundation is also nicely preserved. In the 3rd – 4th centuries, this church was one of the largest in the region. The length is roughly 26 meters, and its width is almost 16 meters. The unique archaeological landmark is situated right in the city. To protect it from further decay, the church was partially covered with soil. Nevertheless, it is still interesting to admire fragments of the ancient building in the middle of a modern and vibrant city.
In the section below, you can get one of our excursion, activities or city discovery tours over Aqaba and surroundings. Our website offers 10-30% lower ticket prices, when compared to the offline purchase on the spot.

City tours, excursions and tickets in Aqaba and surroundings

Aqaba - guide chapters 1 2 3 4

Iconic cultural sights of Jordan

The Royal Automobile Museum, which is also open in the capital, is another wonderful destination that is worth visiting. The museum is interesting to visit even for those who are not fond of cars. Even females and small girls will find it exciting to explore the diverse exhibition of the museum, leave alone men and boys! However, this museum is not only about admiring exclusive cars. It is also a wonderful place to get acquainted with history. The museum’s exhibition is dedicated to the reign of the Hashemites in Jordan, and cars are a marvelous illustration of the life of deceased King Hussein. … Open
Car rental on OrangeSmile.com Rentals in Aqaba

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Photogallery of cultural heritage of Aqaba

Landmarks of culture on Aqaba map: art-galleries, monuments, palaces, etc

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Excursions over cultural sights of neighbours of Aqaba

Culture guide to Aqaba. Which fascinating sights to visit once you are in Aqaba: temples, churches, museums, theaters and castles. Recommendations (with addresses, phone numbers and links) on the places 'must visit' in Aqaba. Plan your own city excursion by using this page info!
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