JORDAN TRAVEL GUIDE
Sharing borders with Israel, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Jordan is one of the more stable, trouble-free countries in the Middle East and consequently one of the more appealing as a holiday centre. Consolidating its viability as a tourist destination are its numerous sightseeing attractions.
Amman is the capital city and is famed for its Roman remains, while the ancient rock city of Petra gets a UNESCO endorsement and is a holiday highlight for most visitors. The curious Dead Sea, with its phenomenally high saline content, and the Wadi Rum desert area are among the country’s greatest natural attractions.
Friendly locals and a burgeoning tourist infrastructure are gradually drawing greater numbers of visitors, and as more begin to realise that Jordan is a safe country with few of the terrorist concerns of neighbouring countries, those numbers will continue to swell.
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JORDAN WEATHER - When To Go
Jordan’s weather is surprisingly mixed, with different parts of the country experiencing diversely different climatic conditions. The Jordan Valley area sees scorching hot summers and warm winters, while Amman and the Plateau area are warm in summer, but cold in winter, the latter seeing snow on occasions.
May to September is the best time to take a Jordan holiday, the earlier and later months of this period offering the most favourable weather. November to March sees some rain in many areas, Amman included. December and January can be cold in many locations, with warm clothes necessary if visiting in these months.
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JORDAN HIGHLIGHTS - Places to Visit
- Petra: the highlight of any Jordan holiday is a visit to this ancient city that was carved out of sandstone and has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985. Originally the capital of the Nabataean kingdom, the city became a part of Rome’s territory until it was decimated by an earthquake around 663 AD. It was abandoned completely in the late 12th century then unearthed in the early 19th century. Some 3,000 visitors a day make their way around these impressive ancient remains, highlights of which include the Temple of the Winged Lions and the 8,000-seat amphitheatre. One of the essential visits in this city here is the Petra Archaeological Museum, showcasing some of the most interesting finds from archaeological digs at Petra and offering a comprehensive look at the history of the city from the time of the Nabateans onwards.
- Jerash: famous for its Roman ruins, Jerash is Jordan’s second most popular tourist destination after Petra. The city is awash with historical sights, the bulk of which are amazingly well-preserved and include highlights such as the Temple of Zeus, the Forum and the Temple of Artemis. A hippodrome in the city stages Roman-style chariot races, giving visitors a chance to witness events as they might have appeared several thousand years ago.
- Amman: the country’s capital city is not renowned for its aesthetic beauty, but it is a historically fascinating destination all the same. The city dates back around 5,000 years and is home to some interesting Roman remains, among which the Forum and the Citadel are notable. Also well worth a visit are the Temple of Herakles, the 5th to 6th century Byzantine Church, the Ummayad Palace and the National Archaeological Museum. For some of Amman’s most interesting ruins, visitors need to undertake a challenging walk up Citadel Hill (the hill that the Roman theatre sits at the foot of). From the top of the hill, awesome views across the city are possible and there are also the remains of early Islamic and Byzantine structures to explore.
- Wadi Rum: situated in the south of the country, Wadi Rum is a desert valley famed for its breathtaking scenery (featuring amazing rock formations) and for having been a popular haunt with Laurence of Arabia during the time of the Arab revolt against the Ottomans in WWI. The desert can be explored on camelback or in the relative comfort of a four-wheel drive vehicle.
- Other attractions when visiting Jordan include Aqaba (Jordan’s Red Sea Resort town near Wadi Rum), the Dead Sea (the Earth’s lowest point and second most salty body of water), the Jordan river and Holy Lands to visit Mount Nebo and the location where Christ is said to have been baptised by John (the Baptist) and perhaps a day at Madaba talking in its sights (the most famous of which is its mosaic of Jerusalem that dates back to the 6th century).
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JORDAN HOSPITALITY - Eating, Drinking, Sleeping
- Food and Eating Out: Middle Eastern cuisine at its best can be found in local restaurants and eateries across the country, with the best selection of establishments found in big cities such as Amman, Aqaba, Jerash and Zarqa. Upmarket and international fare can be found at the more reputable hotels in these locations, but for authentic favourites such as hummus (chick pea dip) or falafel (deep fried chick pea nuggets), it’s the smaller venues you should seek out.
- Entertainment and Nightlife: the big cities - Amman in particular - are the best places to find lively evening entertainment scenes. Bear in mind that Jordan is a Muslim country so alcohol is decidedly absent from many venues frequented by locals. However, getting a drink is not a problem in bars and clubs belonging to tourist resorts. Abdoun is the best district in Amman for night venues; here you can listen to both Jordanian and Western music and enjoy a relaxed, social atmosphere.
- Accommodation: the selection of accommodation options is broader in the bigger cities and more popular tourist destinations, and visitors can expect to find both high-end hotels and budget hostels and guesthouses that offer alcohol and committed customer service. To book Jordan hotels, try Octopus Travel.
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JORDAN FLIGHTS - Flying to Jordan
To search for flights to Jordan, try Skyscanner.net.
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