Baba Za'atar

Aqaba


If you like bread and cheese, come here. The speciality is manakeesh (baked flatbread with toppings like cheese and minced meat), served piping hot from the oven. There's a long list of kaskhowan breads (with cheese), plus pizzas. The shaded seating area outside provides respite even on a hot summer's day. Particularly excellent for breakfast and lunches.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Aqaba attractions

1. Ayla

0.3 MILES

Located along the Corniche and incongruously squeezed between the marina and the Mövenpick Resort Hotel, Ayla is the site of the ancient port of Aqaba…

2. Ancient Church at Ayla

0.31 MILES

To the untrained eye, these ruins look unprepossessing to say the least, but archaeologists maintain that the remains of this ancient mud-brick complex…

3. Sharif Al Hussein Bin Ali Mosque

0.34 MILES

This grand and beautiful gleaming white mosque – an icon of Aqaba – is named for the great-great-grandfather of the current king, the emir of Mecca who…

4. Public Beach

0.55 MILES

Packed at the weekend and on public holidays, this stretch of rather minimal sand beneath the palm trees offers a fun and sociable way to engage with…

5. Aqaba Fort

0.75 MILES

The fort (currently closed for renovation with no set reopening date) was built between 1510 and 1517, as attested by the Arabic inscriptions inside the…

6. Aqaba Museum

0.76 MILES

The museum, closed in 2017 for renovation of the Aqaba Fort complex, was previously the home of the great-great-grandfather of the present king, Abdullah…

7. Arab Revolt Flagpole

0.79 MILES

Standing a massive 137m high and with a flag measuring 20m by 40m, this is Aqaba's most easily spotted landmark by some degree. Look closer, however, and…

8. Aqaba Heritage Museum

0.93 MILES

This free museum, in the shadow of the giant flagpole, is moderately diverting. There are some fascinating period photos of Aqaba, including at the time…