Let’s Peel the Magical Legacy Layers of Jordan

While recalling Jordan, many think of its historical heritage city of Petra, which in fact, a worthy one and a never-erasing destination. Yes! Petra is a never to miss site in the Middle East and is one among the New Seven Wonders of the World. But that doesn’t mean that this is the only worth visiting place in the country. Besides this, the country is the home to several worth visiting ruined Roman cities, Crusader fortresses, desert forts, and mighty biblical sites including the rivulet marking the baptism of Jesus and the citadel marking the decapitation of John the Baptist by Herod.

Besides these places, there is also a scope for adventures in the Dead Sea and Gulf of Aqaba. Overall, there is enough to spend you holidays with fun, bun, and sun. Among all the other Middle East countries, Jordan is the most stable and safe place to explore.

Jordan Tourist Attractions

• Citadel Hill:
  Located in the capital city of Amman on the top of a hill, the fort retains the historic era of the capital via its old ruins and excavated artifacts. The excavations here are of the Stone Age relics and from the Roman and Islamic era housed in the Jordan Archaeological Museum. Previously the site of the old capital Rabbath-Ammon, it offers other several structures such as the imposing Omayyad Palace (al-Qasr), a Byzantine basilica, a structure once the Temple of Hercules, the Great Temple of Amman, and the Jordan Archaeological Museum. In the museum, look out for artifacts of the earliest Jordan  settlement before 700000 years, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Iron Age sarcophagi, and a replica of the Mesha Stele. The museum is opened daily from 9 am to 5 pm in winter, 9 am to 7 pm in summer, and Friday and holidays from 10 am to 6 pm.
• Roman Amphitheater:
  Beneath the citadel, this is the striking Roman relic belonging to the old Philadelphia, which can hold 6,000 people. It is used only for hosting events. Do visit the two cultural museums here namely, the Jordan Folklore Museum displaying the traditional life and the Museum of Popular Traditions exhibiting traditional wear and mosaics belonging to the 4th to 6th century Jordan churches. Both of these are opened daily from 9 am to 5 pm.

• Jerash:
  Located at 50 km north of Amman as one of the most visited Roman sites, this is the ancient city of Jerash. It has been preserved very well as it was covered by sand since centuries. Worth visiting are its spectacular baths, theaters, temples, arches, columns, and streets with stone chariots that form the complete city in Roman Decapolis. The excavated relics of the Neolithic Age have revealed the existence of Jerash inhabitation over 6,500 years. In July, the annual Jerash festival of Culture and Arts is worth a visit when global artists sing, dance, enact, and play music to honor Jordanian and international culture. Further, from July to October, a music and light show is held everyday in the evening. Timings are daily from 7 am until evening.
• Desert Castle Loop:
  This is a vast desert expanse on the east of Amman towards Saudi Arabia and Iraq holding a set of ancient relics – castles, forts, baths, and palaces that are well maintained and are together called the desert castles. Hardly known about them, it is said that they were constructed by the Umayyad caliphs as leisure hideaways in the Islamic era of 7th to 8th centuries. Among the castles, Qasr Mushatta is the biggest, but the incomplete one that exhibits Umayyad architecture. Among the baths, the most preserved and attractive is the lavish bathhouse of Qusayr ‘Amra having an arched ceiling and multicolored interior frescoes and mosaics, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other worth visiting castles are the black rock citadel at Azraq once the desert headquarters of Lawrence of Arabia during 1917 A.D., puzzling Qasr al-Kharrana, Qasr al-Hallabat’s relics, and the Qastal’s complex. The best way to explore these historic heritages is to take a car or taxi for a day trip from the capital via Azraq that are arranged from the hotel with an English driver. Otherwise, there are many public buses and minibuses along with walking.
• Dead Sea:
  Located at 45 km from the capital, this is geographically the lowest point in the world at 407 m below sea level. Four times more salty than the sea water, there is no plant or animal life, but its waters are unbelievably rich in minerals that is blessed with the medicinal properties attracting millions of visitors and scholars. Most of the visitors reach the resort area on the northern coast at Sweimeh. This is because here, the Government Rest House at cost of JD2 offers showers, restaurant, beach, and the chance to soak in the mineral-rich black mud. Alternatively, you can choose the Dead Sea Spa Hotel that presents different medical treatments. In addition, on the sea, you can swim freely anywhere. If you are at Muhajrin, catch a bus near the station to the Government Rest House.

• Mt Nebo:
  Located in Amman, this is the most holy spot in Jordan, as it is said to be the funeral location of Moses who trekked the hill to examine the Promised Land, which, it was said, that he can never go in. Situated on the ridge of a plateau at 10 km from Madaba, the pinnacle of this mountain provides some breathtaking views towards Jerusalem, across the Jordan Valley, and the Dead Sea. You will come across the ruins of a 6th century Byzantine monastery on whose top is the modern shrine and floor mosaics with the symbolic Serpentine Cross on the grounds. Visiting hours are 5 am to 7 pm (April to October) and 7 am to 5 pm (November to March).
• Wadi Rum:
  Located at 68 km north of Aqaba, the vista of this region is among the most striking desert scenery on the planet making it a major tourist sight in the country. Huge mountains from the red sands with emptiness and calmness are simply amazing. The Jabal Rum, the highest peak in the region and the noteworthy Rock Bridge offers some serious mountaineering and climbing. You can also have a camel trip or a 4×4 vehicle tour from the Government Rest House. In addition, you can meet some nomadic Bedouin families who frequently welcome visitors to have a mint tea. It is recommended to go with a taxi here.
• Madaba:
  Known as the ‘City of Mosaics’ and Medeba of the Bible, this holy town is famous for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics dating back to the 5th to 7th centuries seen in homes and churches. Situated at 30 km south of Amman, the town holds the 6th century mosaic map of the Holy Land wherein Jerusalem and its neighbors can be seen in the Greek Orthodox Church of St George. Here, millions of colored stone on the floor form to depict the holy Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Dead Sea, Jericho, and the Jordan River. The Church of St. George can be visited daily from 8.30 am to 6 pm and Friday and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. A beautiful mosaic is noticed on the floor of the Byzantine Church of the Apostles. Further, do visit the Archaeological Park offering many mosaic collages.

Best Time to Visit Jordan

Spring – March to May and Autumn – September to November

Jordan Accommodation

• Sheraton Hotel in Amman – 5 star
• Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa – 5 star
• Danaplaza Hotel in Amman – 4 star
• Jerusalem International Hotel – 4 star
• Hillside Hotel in Amman – 3 star
• Abjar Hotel in Amman – 3 star