Things to Do in Jordan

The treasures in Petra

There’s probably a lot of things people think about when they hear the word “Jordan”. Very few of them probably have all that much to do with the Middle Eastern country. This is possibly due to western society’s love of reality TV, glamour models and people from West Sussex. Oh, and breasts, that probably plays a part too. Jordan can’t possibly compete with Katie Price for column inches – unless maybe it hired her for an ad campaign, though it wouldn’t really be a competition any longer – but for those who want to explore a beautiful land full of ancient history, fantastic attractions and some stunning resorts then a holiday in Jordan is the getaway. It also has camels.

Citadel Hill

Overlooking the city of Amman, Citadel Hill is the site of the ancient capital of Rabbath-Ammon and contains all kinds of splendid structures, such as a small Byzantine basilica which was once the Temple of Hercules, while the Jordan Archeological Museum houses such world-famous relics as the Dead Sea Scrolls and a copy of the Mesha Stele.

Dead Sea

Once you’ve seen the scrolls, it would be a shame not to venture down to the lowest point on earth and take a dip in the lifeless sea. Sitting 28 miles below sea level, no plant or animal lives in the water due to its excessively high salt content. Also, swimming anywhere in the area is free, so lie back and enjoy the odd sensation of floating effortlessly on top of the water.

Mount Nebo

After viewing the world from well below sea level, it seems only right you should get a taste of what it’s like a few hundred feet above it. So, why not take a trip to Jordan’s most sacred mountain feature? Towering 817 meters above the sea, the view from the top offers some stunning panoramic views of the Holy Land.

Petra

One of the most remarkable sites to see in the whole region, Petra is a city carved entirely of stone. It remained completely unknown to the world until the early 19th century and is now the most popular destination in Jordan. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 and has been chosen by the BBC as one the “40 places you have to see before you die”.