Aqaba

Aqaba, Jordan's sole coastal city, is at the northern tip of the Red Sea. As the country's only seaport, it has both a modern waterfront and a historic core, including the 14th-century Aqaba Fort. The warm, clear waters are good for diving and snorkelling, with coral and marine life close offshore. Petra and Wadi Rum are both within day-trip distance. Petra, a UNESCO-listed site, is reached through the narrow Siq canyon, opening onto the Treasury carved into sandstone. Wadi Rum offers 4x4 desert tours and camel rides. In Aqaba itself, the souqs sell embroidered textiles, Hebron glass, and mother-of-pearl goods. Local food includes mansaf, a lamb dish with yogurt and rice, along with mint tea and Turkish coffee. The city centre is walkable from the cruise shuttle drop-off, and taxis are available for longer trips.