Amman
The capital of Jordan is a modern city where Muslims and Christians have lived peacefully together since 1921. Amman nestles in a hilly landscape between the desert and the fertile Jordan Valley. Remains from the Roman-Greek period can be found all over the city. The city center is dominated by the huge ancient amphitheater in which performances still take place today. The Temple of Hercules on Citadel Hill and the Jordan Antiquities Museum with its world-class archaeological finds are worth a visit. Also very interesting are the King Hussein Mosque and the National Gallery, which exhibits contemporary art.
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Wadi Rum National Park
Without human intervention, the low-lying national park east of Aqaba was uniquely shaped by wind and weather. The monolithic rock formations are also known as the Grand Canyon of Jordan. They rise up to 1700 m and have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 2011. They are a challenge for mountaineers, for hikers the path past gorges with 4000-year-old rock drawings remains unforgettable. From the visitor center you can book jeep tours, overnight camel tours and excursions past the seven pillars of wisdom to the highest bridge in Burda. The sight is impressive during sunset, when the rocks are enveloped in purple fire.
Bathing in the Dead Sea
Float on the water while reading a book in the natural wonder of the Dead Sea. Numerous rivers, including the Jordan, feed the waters, which are 400 m below sea level. The Dead Sea is surrounded by mountains to the east and the rolling hills of Jerusalem to the west. The fresh air and a mud pack make a spa day at the Dead Sea perfect.
Geraza / Jerash
Less than an hour’s drive from Amman is the magnificent ancient city of Jerash/Gerasa. Located near the hill country of Gilead, it is one of the well-preserved cities of Roman rule. Jerash /Gerasa was buried under desert sand for years and has been gradually excavated and restored for 70 years. The 600 m long avenue of columns with almost 500 columns, the triumphal arch and the Jupiter temple on the artificially designed slope are impressive. The city’s two-story nymphaeum is also very well preserved. A festival is held in July each year. Performances can then be seen in a great atmosphere against the backdrop of the ancient city with its illuminated ruins.
Shopping in Jordan
In one of the numerous souks, the markets in Jordan, you can stroll between colorful stalls and learn how to haggle. Only groceries are exempt from trading. Goods of all kinds are on offer: games, leather goods, jewelery and handicrafts. Amman’s Souk Jabal jewelery market and Feisal Street, which sell Madaba mosaic art and carpets, and the Aqaba Free Zone market are particularly attractive.
Aqaba
The charming town of Aqaba on the Dead Sea is an ideal starting point for visiting the sights of southern Jordan and at the same time a popular vacation spot for divers. Worth seeing is the historic fortress of the Mamluken, which is a crusader fortress from the 16th century. In addition to many shopping opportunities and leisure activities, Aqaba offers one of the most beautiful bathing and diving areas in the area, especially for water sports enthusiasts. Aqaba’s reef is home to a variety of coral and fish species and is home to some good dive centers. A trip on a glass-bottom boat also brings visitors closer to the beautiful underwater world.
Montreal castle ruins
The Castrum Saboach is strategically located on a plain on a cone-shaped hill, surrounded by only one moat. The ruined castle of Montreal, in southern Jordan, dates from the time of the Jerusalem raids and once housed up to 6000 people. Local Bedouins know a lot about their history and you can be shown the many endless secret passages and halls.
Al Azraq Fortress
In north-eastern Jordan one encounters the deserted black basalt city of Um al Jimal. A little further south lies the desert castle Al Azraq in the middle of arid desert. With its corner towers, it once protected the square fortress with the large courtyard and the rotating granite slab. Al Azraq served as the hideout and headquarters of Lawrence of Arabia during the 1917 Arab Revolt. Engraved remains of a Roman board game can still be seen in the vestibule.
Rock city of Petra
From a desert people in the 6th century B.C. The rock city of Petra was erected in BC, in a valley basin in the hill country of Edom in the south-west of the country. The city carved into the rock with temples and caves was not long ago inhabited by Bedouins and is one of the seven wonders of the world. To date, around 800 architectural monuments have been preserved in the UNESCO World Heritage area. A wide path leads down through the rock town and through a narrow and impressive sandstone gorge. The walls of the gorge open up like a curtain, revealing the hall and treasury of the pharaoh. The biggest attraction of Jordan offers many archaeological finds, such as the Temple of the Winged Lion, a monastery, a Roman theater and a huge tomb carved out of a rock.