Amman
Amman is one of the oldest cities in the world. In today’s modern Amman, visitors can still see historical buildings and ruins dating from the Roman and Ottoman empires, and shop in the narrow streets and bazaars unique to Western Asia. The city castle, Roman Theater, Al Balad and Duke’s Diwan are among Amman’s attractions, as is the neighborhood of Jabal al-Weibdeh and the Al Balad Friday market. Amman also offers galleries and art centers; in addition, Jerash – with stunning Roman ruins – is about 50 kilometers from Amman.
Aqaba
As Jordan’s only port city, Aqaba is important for both its geography and its historical depth – Aqaba is one of the most important points of West Asia. The Aqaba Heritage Museum, Aqaba Castle and the Old Christian Church are just some of the city’s attractions, along with the picturesque Port Area and its seaside restaurants. There are also good diving spots near the city, including the Red Sea, Sunken Tank and Cedar Pride. Bring your diving gear if you’re going to Aqaba!
Dead Sea (Sea of Lot)
The Dead Sea (Lake Lot), 400 meters below sea level, is a prominent tourism center. Called the Dead Sea due to its high saline content, swimmers naturally remain buoyant in its waters. The mud of the Dead Sea is also allegedly a source of healing and regeneration; clay and mud extracted from the lake are sold in the area’s shops.
Petra
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Ancient City of Petra was the capital city of the Nabateans, dating from the 4th century BC. Its magnificent facades, temples and other structures – hand-carved into rose-red sandstone – are accessed via the gorgeous Siq gorge. We recommend a full day in Petra, the crown jewel of Jordan, and also an evening, as it is particularly stunning at night.
Wadi Rum, one of the most beautiful deserts in the world.
Wadi Rum enchants with its harmony of red, gold and brown. Jordan’s largest valley, Wadi Rum’s human settlements date from prehistoric times. Visitors can explore Wadi Rum via a camel tour or an off-road vehicle, or watch the sun rise from a hot-air balloon. Hotels, as well as Bedouin camps, offer accommodation in the desert – a magical atmosphere where star gazing is the main activity. We should also note that Wadi Rum was a setting for films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Transformers and The Martian.
Wadi Mujib
Canyoning in Wadi Mujib, a river canyon 420 meters below sea level, is great fun, but Jordan’s largest canyon is not suitable for children.
Bethany
The baptism site, Bethany Beyond the Jordan, is also known as Al-Maghtas, which means ‘immersion’ in Arabic. The site is considered to be the location where Jesus of Nazareth was baptized by John the Baptist. It is a pilgrimage site for Christians. The area also features Roman and Byzantine remains including churches, chapels and a monastery.
When to visit Jordan
In Jordan, the months of June, July and August are exceedingly hot. December, January and February are very cold. Most visitors to Jordan plan their trips during September and October or April and May.
What to eat in Jordan
Fattoush, prepared with crisp flatbreads, lettuce, cucumber, tomato and sumac, is a prominent dish in Jordan, as is hummus, made with chickpeas, tahini, cumin and lemon juice. Mansaf, a tasty dish consisting of lamb, yoghurt and rice, is often eaten with the hand. Another staple is shwarma, a lavash wrapped around a filling of sheep, goat, chicken, turkey or beef. A typical breakfast in Jordan might falafel wraps, eggplant paste, hummus and fresh bread. You can sample these local specialties at restaurants in the Weibdeh and Al Balad districts. Also – do try the mint tea!
