I am a firm believer that if you go to another country and don’t make an effort to experience the culture, then you are missing out. That being said, there is a lot of culture to be experienced in Jordan. In fact, I would argue that Jordan has more culture than the US, which is not saying much at all. So when my friend asked me to help him plan a trip to Jordan, I was happy to oblige.
He is a big fan of Jordan and wanted to see as many of the sites as possible, so I took his suggestions and added some things of my own. So here are 10 of my favorite things I saw while on my trip to Jordan.
The Dead Sea This may be one of the best things you can do in Jordan. Not only does the Dead Sea have amazing benefits for your skin and hair, it also is a great place to go scuba diving. It is the lowest point on the surface of the planet and is at least 2000 feet below sea level. I would say that most people don’t even know about it because there is no way to get there unless you take a boat or plane. It is located right in the middle of the country and is only about an hour from Amman. If you are interested in taking a trip, there are companies that can take you to the bottom.
There are hotels and other places for you to stay and even scuba equipment to rent. It is truly an amazing sight and is worth the trip.
The Jerash Archaeological Site This is one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in the world. It was built around 50 BC and lasted until 636 AD. The site has been restored to its original state and is an excellent place to visit. You can see the remains of a Roman amphitheater, an Egyptian temple, a Greek theater and other buildings that are still standing. You will see many beautiful sculptures and murals that are still visible. It is easy to get to and is about an hour from Amman. There are lots of places to stay in the area and also restaurants. It is definitely worth the trip.
Petra is another ancient city that is just over 2 hours from Amman. There are many ruins in this area and you can see the Treasury. This is where the treasures of King Solomon were kept and is now on display at the museum there. It was built as a trading post and a stopping place for caravans. It was later occupied by the Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders and Ottomans. It has stood the test of time and has been beautifully restored. I would recommend staying here for two nights.
Wadi Rum You can see a lot of this in the movie “Lawrence of Arabia”. This is the place where Lawrence of Arabia lived and worked as an adviser to the King. The wadi is an incredible place and is still an active desert. The views are amazing and it is definitely worth the trip. There is a lot of great hiking and camping to do there. It is a lot of fun and takes about three days to drive around. I would stay here for a week if I had time.
Aqaba One of my favorite cities in Jordan. It is located on the Red Sea and is famous for its night life. If you have never been there, it is definitely worth a visit. It is beautiful and has some of the best restaurants in the country. There are lots of places to stay and is easy to get to from Amman. It is only about a 4 hour drive. This is a city that is full of life and there is always something going on.
Jerash This is a city just south of Petra. It is a bit more touristy than Petra but has a lot to offer. If you want to see some amazing Roman ruins, this is the place to go. There are two museums there and many ruins to see. The site was built by the Romans as a garrison city. It was later occupied by the Byzantines, Saracens, Ottomans and Israelis. The city lasted until the 1950’s when it was destroyed by an earthquake. It is a lot of fun to visit and you will have a great time.