Aqaba

Surrounded by rugged purple mountains that subtly change in colour as the day unfolds, Aqaba is now a modern holiday resort with some good hotels and beaches, and excellent facilities for water sports and diving. The Red Sea coral and marine life is what attracts most holidaymakers to Aqaba and further down the coast are some of the most spectacular coral reefs to be found anywhere in the world. Often over many hundreds of meters wide, the reef is made up of many delicately hued corals among which live a myriad of brilliantly coloured fish.

In the town centre of Aqaba, the recently discovered 7th Century Islamic Walled city of Ayla is currently being excavated. The other main monument to see in Aqaba town is the Fortress by the port. A section of it houses the Visitor's Centre, and another section boasts a small museum. It was originally a Crusader Castle and was extensively rebuilt by the Mamelukes in the 14th century. A stroll around the modern town will reveal the presence of some excellent fish restaurants and craftsmen are to be found at work filling small bottles with coloured sand in intricate geometric designs.