Aqaba Fort

Aqaba Fort stands near the shoreline of Jordan’s southernmost city. Known locally as the Mamluk Castle, the structure dates back to the early 16th century, though parts of the site incorporate older foundations. Over time, the fort was expanded and reused by various rulers, including the Ottomans, who turned it into a garrison. Today, the site remains modest in scale but rich in historical traces, quietly overlooking the sea and the nearby flag plaza.

The current form of Aqaba Fort was largely shaped under the Mamluks in the early 1500s, with later modifications by the Ottomans in the 17th century. However, the area itself had strategic importance for much longer due to its location along trade and pilgrimage routes connecting the Levant, Egypt, and Arabia.

During the Arab Revolt in 1917, the fort played a minor role in the broader capture of Aqaba—an event often associated with T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia). A plaque outside the entrance commemorates the campaign, which marked a turning point in the Ottoman withdrawal from the region.

The fort’s structure includes a square inner courtyard, thick stone walls, and watchtowers. Inside, you’ll find:

• Reconstructed walls and towers, showing Mamluk-style crenellations and arched openings.
• Inner rooms, once used for storage or housing troops.
• Small exhibits in some of the restored chambers, displaying tools, coins, and local ceramics.
• Inscribed stones, including Arabic calligraphy carved above the entrance gate.

From the rooftop, you can see the Gulf of Aqaba and the large Jordanian flagpole that now marks the public square next to the site.

The fort doesn’t take long to explore—most visits last 30–45 minutes—but it offers a chance to slow down and take in Aqaba’s historical texture. The atmosphere is usually quiet, especially in the early morning or just before sunset, and the surrounding area includes palm trees, shaded benches, and views of the waterfront.

Aqaba Fort pairs well with a short walk through the Aqaba Archaeological Museum next door, which houses small finds from the city’s early Islamic and Roman periods. Together, they offer a broader sense of how this coastal city evolved from a trading port into a fortified outpost and modern border town.

Open Sunday – Thursday & Saturdays 8:00 AM–5:00 pm / Fridays & Saturdays 10:00 am – 5 pm

3 JD ($4.23) for tourists, free with Jordan Pass