A Morning in Aqaba – First Stop on Our Jordan Tour

In September 2023, we joined a two-day group tour from Eilat to Jordan. We left early in the morning, crossed the border on foot, and were met by our local guide and tour bus on the Jordanian side.

Our first stop was Aqaba — a small port city in southern Jordan, located directly across from Eilat. The city tour lasted about two hours and included a short drive around town with stops at several key sites:

• A viewpoint overlooking the large flag of the Arab Revolt, near the coastline.

• A short walk through the city center and the local market area.

• A light meal at a local women's community center.

• A stop along the waterfront and at the fishing port.

Aqaba doesn't feel like a highly developed tourist destination. Still, it does offer a glimpse into everyday life in a typical Jordanian city, with a functioning market, relatively calm streets, and residents going about their business mostly unrelated to tourism.

The guide provided general background on the city's history and more recent developments, especially regarding its port and trade ties with neighboring countries.

At the women's center, we were served a small meal of traditional Arabic dishes and had the chance to browse a small gift shop operated by the community's women.

Although our tour didn't include it, it's worth noting that southern Aqaba features a more tourist-oriented area, with beachfront hotels, both public and private beaches, diving centers, and resort complexes developed mainly over the past two decades.

From Aqaba, our journey continued toward Wadi Rum.