Sights

We usually identify Jordan with Petra, not irrational, as it is a World Heritage site upstaging all the other beauties that this land has to offer you. Jerash, Dead Sea, Wadi Rum desert and the intoxicating Amman is one of the places to be visited.

Petra

Petra was voted, via online ballot, as one of the 7 World Contemporary Miracles showing that it is not just a monument but something unique. It has been proclaimed as a World Heritage Monument by Unesco since 1985. Carved into a stone gorge in Jordan's desert, the ancient city of Petra became the home of Nabataeans, nomadic Arabs, almost 2 thousand years ago. At a glance visitors will find similarities and elements from the Greek but also the Roman architecture. The most popular sites are the Treasury, the Monastery, the Roman theatre of 15.000 people capacity and the Siq road. You will have to walk for long, so be prepared to spend much visiting Petra. The distance from the entrance to the Monastery is about 8km and back. In case you do not want to go back and forth, you may pay a taxi to leave you at the back side of Petra, starting from the Monastery till the entrance. The path, from where the taxi-jeep will leave you, is wonderful! It would be wise to be really comfortable, shoes and clothes, as you will walk through rocky paths. During the way there are plenty of stops to buy some refreshments or snacks or even souvenirs. Best thing to do is find a shelter in Wadi Musa, the closest city in Petra, so as to wake up early in the morning and start the sightseeing well-rested.

The distance of Amman to Petra is around 3 hours by car, while from Aqaba is 2 to 2:30 hours.

Ticket to Petra costs 50 Jod for the whole day.

Jerash

Another World's Heritage monument is Jerash, the Pombeii of Middle East as they call her. Rumor has it that it was founded by Alexander the Great and bared under the sand until 1806, when a traveler discovered the city by accident. It was initially named Antioch inhabited by elderly Macedonians. Then Romans came to give her today's name; Jerash. Some sites to be visited are the hippodrome (where shows might take place in specific days and time), Nymfaio, Temple of Artemis and many more.

Ticket costs 10 Jod.

Amman

Each capital is interesting enough, especially if it is in Middle East. You may start your tour from the Roman theatre in the city heart with capacity of 6.000 people. Then you may go up to Amman's Acropolis built on the one of the 7 hills surrounding the capital. Take a walk in the bustling streets and bargain in the marketplace. Taste oriental flavors and try waterpipe (shisha as they call it)

Entrance to the Roman theatre is 2 Jod

Entrance to the Acropolis is 3 Jod

Dead Sea

Dead Sea is almost 400m below sea surface, hence is the lowest place on planet. In addition, salt content is ten times higher than the sea's and this is why nothing lives in it; a good reason to name it Dead Sea! Swimming experience is extraordinary. It may not be so beautiful to see, but it is worth trying dive into it; anyone can float without even trying. Make a mud bath and enjoy a soft skin afterwards. This mud comes from the seabed and it has beneficial attributes due to its high minerals concentration (magnesium, sodium and calcium). Temperature there is between 15 to 37 ˚C while water is warm enough the whole time. Finally, you may lie in the sun fearlessly as it is the only place on earth that no matter how much time you will spend sunbathing, you will not get burned. Its unique geographical position offers protection from UV radiation.

Wadi Rum Desert

The valley of the Moon, so called Wadi Rum, is of unique beauty, that's why it is protected area by Unesco. It pays to stay at a Bedouin camp and relish one or more nights under the starlit sky. During your staying you will feast traditional food cooked into the sand, listen to live music sitting around fireplace drinking tea and smoking Shisha. Do camel, 4x4 or even hot-air balloon tour to enjoy the beauty of the desert, where Lawrence of Arabia once stayed. If you are photography lover, here is your paradise! Few places like a desert offer you such a material to capture on camera! The entrance to the desert is at Visitor's Center where all visitors are registered. Then you leave your car there and jeeps will transfer you to the camp of your choice. Make sure that you have cash with you as there is no ATM in Wadi Rum. In case of visiting the desert during winter take warm clothes with you; nights are too cold.

Ticket costs 5 Jod

Aqaba

Though Aqaba may sounds less attractive that other sites or cities, it worth paying a visit and spend some time. Summer never ends there and you can enjoy diving in the Red Sea as temperatures never fall below 20˚C. Diving there, beginner or professional, and see with own eyes the beauty of the bottom of the sea.

Places of Religion Interest

In Jordan you are able to visit many religious places, like where Jesus Christ was baptized, the hill where Moses witnessed the Promised Land and city of Madaba with Byzantine mosaics.

Jordan River, where the baptism took place, is the natural boundary of Israel and Jordan. Only the east side belongs to Jordan. Several Christians (or no-Christians) visit the holy place to get baptized wearing a white cloak signifying the purity of the soul.

Outside Madaba lies the mountain Nebo, where Moses saw the Promised Land for the first time and according to tradition is his tomb too. There is also a temple sacred to Moses built in 4th century.

Known from its mosaics, the city of Madaba is approximately 1 hour far from Amman. In 1896 a mosaic map was discovered, maybe the oldest of the Holy Land still in existence today, as it is dated in the middle of 6th century. This map is in the Orthodox church of Saint George. It is also worth visiting the Catholic church of Saint John the Baptist and the Archeological Park.

Ticket for Jesus Christ baptism place costs 12 Jod

Ticket for mountain Nebo costs 2 Jod

Ticket for Madaba museum and Archeological Park costs 3 Jod

Ticket for Saint John the Baptist church costs 1 Jod