Aqaba Archaeological Museum

Tucked beside Aqaba Fort and a short walk from the sea, the Aqaba Archaeological Museum houses a small but meaningful collection of objects that help piece together the city’s long past. Though the museum itself is modest in scale, it touches on several key periods—from Nabataean settlement to early Islamic expansion—providing context for the ruins scattered throughout the modern city.

The museum is located in a former palace structure originally built for Sharif Hussein bin Ali, the Hashemite leader of the Arab Revolt. It was later converted into a museum to help preserve and display the archaeological findings from Aqaba and its surrounding region.

Most of the artifacts on display come from Ayla, the early Islamic city located nearby, and from excavations around Aqaba. The collection also references the region’s earlier roles as a Nabataean port, a Roman trade stop, and an Islamic frontier town.

While the museum is relatively small, the exhibits are clearly organized and include:

• Ceramics and glassware from Islamic, Byzantine, and Roman periods
• Tools and coins, many discovered in and around the ruins of Ayla
• Stone inscriptions, including Kufic script and early Christian texts
• A bronze statue of a Nabataean king, one of the more notable artifacts, believed to date back to the 1st century BCE

The displays are labeled in both Arabic and English. While the interpretation is basic, it provides useful context for understanding how Aqaba evolved over time.

The Aqaba Fort, Ruins of Ayla, and Sharif Hussein bin Ali Mosque are all within walking distance of the museum. Visiting them together helps connect the material culture preserved indoors with the architectural remains outdoors.

Open Saturday – Thursday 8:00 AM–3:00 pm. Closed on Fridays

Admission: 1–2 JOD (~1.41–2.82 USD)