Ruins of the City of Ayla

Just north of Aqaba’s modern waterfront lies one of the most historically significant sites in the city: the Ruins of Ayla. Built during the early Islamic period, Ayla was one of the first purpose-built Muslim cities outside of the Arabian Peninsula. What remains today—stone foundations, walls, gates, and a visible street grid—offers a quiet window into Aqaba’s earlier urban past.

Ayla was established in the 7th century under the Umayyads, likely around the reign of Caliph Uthman ibn Affan. Located at the crossroads of trade and pilgrimage routes, it served both as a port city and a regional administrative center.

By the 12th century, Ayla was abandoned—possibly due to changing trade patterns, seismic activity, or attacks during the Crusades. Over time, newer layers of Aqaba were built around and beyond it, but the original city walls and layout were eventually uncovered in archaeological excavations in the 1980s and 1990s.

The site covers a small but clearly defined area, with several architectural features still visible at ground level:

• City walls: Stone outlines marking the original rectangular perimeter.
• Gates and towers: The four main city gates (one per wall) are still partially intact.
• Street grid: The original intersecting roads, forming a basic urban plan.
• Foundations of mosques and houses: Including what is believed to be the Friday Mosque of Ayla, identifiable by its mihrab (prayer niche).
• Interpretive panels: A few signs explain the layout and historical significance, helping visitors visualize the original function of the structures.

The ruins are open-air and unfenced, set just off a busy roundabout near Aqaba’s city center. You can walk around freely, with paths leading through and around the site. Though the structures are low to the ground, the preserved grid and foundations give a clear sense of how the city was organized.

There’s no ticket office or visitor center, and visits are generally informal. Most people spend about 20–30 minutes walking through.

The Ruins of Ayla sit within walking distance of several other key sites in Aqaba, including the Aqaba Fort, the Archaeological Museum, and the city’s public beach. Together, they trace the region’s layered identity—from early Islamic city planning to Ottoman fortifications and modern development.

Open Wednesday – Monday 8:00 AM–8:00 pm / Tuesday 1:00 pm – 8 pm

Free admission