population: 0.23 million

extension: 144 square kilometers

Museums

If you are in Aqaba and interested in visiting museums, I would suggest you visit the Aqaba Archaeological Museum. It features exhibits that showcase the history of the city and its surrounding areas, including artifacts from the prehistoric period up until the Islamic era. If you are interested in similar types of museums, you may also want to check out the Jordan Archaeological Museum in Amman or the Petra Museum in Petra.

Food

Some of the most recommended, popular, and typical dishes to eat in Aqaba according to local people include:

1. Mansaf: A traditional Jordanian dish made with lamb cooked in a fermented yogurt sauce and served on a bed of rice.

2. Makloubeh: A one-pot dish made with chicken, eggplant, cauliflower, and rice, often seasoned with spices like cinnamon and cardamom.

3. Jordanian mezze: A variety of small dishes, similar to Spanish tapas, that are typically served as appetizers or part of a larger meal. Popular mezze dishes in Jordan include hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, falafel, and stuffed grape leaves.

4. Shawarma: A Middle Eastern sandwich made with thin slices of meat (usually chicken or lamb) wrapped in pita bread with vegetables and sauces.

5. Grilled fish: Aqaba is known for its fresh seafood, particularly grilled fish such as red mullet, sea bream, and grouper.

6. Kanafeh: A sweet pastry made with shredded filo dough, cheese, and a sugar syrup flavored with rose water.

7. Turkish coffee: A strong, dark coffee brewed in a small pot called an ibrik and usually served with dates or sweets.

Activities

There are several fun activities that locals and tourists enjoy in Aqaba, Jordan. Some of these include:

1. Snorkeling or scuba diving in the Red Sea
2. Enjoying water sports like jet skiing or windsurfing
3. Exploring the beautiful coral reefs and marine life on a glass-bottom boat tour
4. Relaxing on one of the many sandy beaches, such as South Beach or Tala Bay Beach
5. Visiting the Aqaba Bird Observatory to see migratory birds passing through the area
6. Taking a sunset or dinner cruise along the coast
7. Checking out the local markets and souks for shopping and trying local cuisine.

These are just a few examples, but there are plenty of other fun activities to do in Aqaba as well!