Aqaba is a Jordanian port city, its only seaport, with not too much hustle and bustle, maintaining a sleepy, languid vibe of a gateway land. Making a great stopover on the way to Egypt or the deserts of Wadi Rum, this city, idling on the Gulf of Aqaba, on the Red Sea coast, has an intrinsic charm that’s often a consequence of being buried drenched in history. Which it is, having been inhabited since 4000 BC and flecked with some marvelous historical monuments and buildings like the Islamic-era Aqaba Fort and Aqaba Castle, and mosques and ruins.But it is more known for its string of beaches that the coastline is dotted with. There are perfect scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities abounding, coral reefs of Aqaba Marine Park a particular favorite spot, along with a thriving marine life in the seawaters of the Middle East.