For a country of its size, Jordan sure packs a punch. Squeezed into the centre of the Middle East between a host of other nations, Jordan is a stable country in a notoriously unstable region. Visitors have come to Jordan for hundreds if not thousands of years to experience its wonders. While the rock-hewn city of Petra and its famous Treasury building are the poster boy of Jordanian tourism, there is so much more to discover. So shake off any preconceptions you might have and discover an amazing country that offers everything that’s good about the Middle East.
Jordan’s landscape is dotted with spectacular historical sights. The Nabateans, Romans and Crusaders all left behind spectacular legacies from their time in Jordan. While the Nabatean City of Petra is the jewel in the crown, the often overlooked Roman City of Jerash is also an archaeological gem. Meanwhile the capital city, Amman boasts a number of excellent sites including the Citadel and Roman Theatre. In the centre of the country are the evocative ruins of the Crusader Castles at Karak and Shobak.
Jordan isn’t all about ancient civilisations and the past. Between Israel and Jordan lies the Dead Sea, a unique body of water so salty and dense that humans float on it. Then there is the spectacular Wadi Rum, a destination often associated with Lawrence of Arabia. This valley in the Jordanian desert is home to red-pinkish sands, beautiful mountains as well as ancient cave art. This really is one site you must see and experience in Jordan. There is also the seaside resort of Aqaba with its pristine beaches, world class diving and relaxed vibe. It really does blow away any misconceptions you might’ve had about Jordan and the Middle East.
Jordan is a near land locked country located in the heart of the Middle East. The country shares land borders with Israel to the West, Syria to the north, Iraq to the east and Saudi Arabia to the south. There is also a water border between Jordan and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula via the Red Sea on the small southern coast.
Jordan’s location in the Middle East ensures it receives plenty of sunshine throughout the year. Yet while the days are generally bright and sunny during the winter months, it can be cool in the day and particularly cold at night. Therefore a visit is recommended outside of the winter months that run from November to February. Both the spring and autumn are excellent times to visit as the weather is warm and bright without being overbearing. During the summer period of June through September, temperatures can become quite uncomfortable with temperatures exceeding 100°F on a daily basis.
Jordan’s main attraction as a destination is it’s historical sights, but there’s plenty more wonderful things to see as part of your visit. Given the relatively small size of the country, it’s easy to pack most if not all of these highlights into a 10 day visit. The sights we’d really recommend seeing are included in our ‘top 5’ categories shown below.
Jordan’s land has been occupied by some of the great empires of the world. Many of the buildings and monuments from these empires have passed the test of time and can still be seen in much of their original glory.
Our top 5 historical sights in Jordan are:
It’s a common misconception that there’s little to see in the Middle East outside of the towns and historical sights. The area is home to some outstanding natural beauty and landscape can be surprisingly varied.
Our top 5 natural attractions in Jordan are:
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