Aqaba: History, Architecture and Golf

When looking for a hotel in Aqaba, you can choose your destination based on the themes you want to shape your stay: historical architecture, archaeological evidence or golf. The time periods range from a 3rd-century church and the origins of Aqaba Castle to a residence dating from 1917. An 18-hole, par-72 golf course offers a different focus. This lets you decide in advance whether you want to focus your trip on architectural history and archaeology or on golf.

Architecture and History in Aqaba

Built in Aqaba in 1917, the house of Sharif Hussein bin Ali was the first residence built by Aqaba’s inhabitants in traditional Hejazi architecture. It served as Sharif Hussein bin Ali’s residence, was later used as a government building, and was subsequently converted into the Aqaba Archaeological Museum. The fully restored house serves as a national museum and is one of Jordan’s significant heritage sites; its importance is historical and political. It is located next to Aqaba Castle. If you plan to visit the house, check current visiting arrangements in advance.

The origins of Aqaba Castle date back to the reign of the Mamluk Sultan Qanswah el-Ghawri, from 1501 to 1517 AD. The Church of Aqaba, by contrast, dates from the 3rd century and was discovered in 1998. Its history therefore includes two distinct dates: the century in which it originated and the year it was discovered. As a three-aisled basilica, the church is divided into three aisles. This provides a way to understand its architectural layout alongside its historical date.

Ayla and Wadi Rum within the wider Aqaba destination

The walled Islamic city of Ayla in Aqaba adds the early Islamic period to the historical overview. Its plan was approximately rectangular, measuring 170 × 140 metres, and it covered an area of about 24,650 square metres. Ayla’s history goes back to the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs and the Umayyads, Abbasids and Fatimids. This places it across several early Islamic periods.

Golf and tours as additional travel interests

Jordan’s first 18-hole, par-72 golf course is located in Aqaba. The number of holes and the par value offer two specific points of reference: the 18 holes indicate the scope of a round, while par 72 is the course’s par value. If you want to include a round in your travel plans, check current playing arrangements in advance.

The wider Aqaba destination also includes Wadi Rum, which is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can take a 4WD tour there and arrange a tour time through their camp or the visitor centre. This is a separate activity focus alongside Aqaba’s architectural and cultural history. If Wadi Rum is part of your plans, you can arrange a time through either of these options.

Discover more destinations: Irbid, Jarash, Ajloun, Ma'an, Wadi Rum, Aţ Ţayyibah, Madaba.

Back to the wider travel overview: Jordan.